The North Face Triumph Anorak - First Look

The North Face Triumph Anorak - First Look

Lightness basically - it's aimed at anyone who wants to cut weight and bulk to an absolute minimum. That may mean compromises on durability and some minimalist features, but the end result is a waterproof top that weighs a measured 160 gramms on the OM electronic scales. Or in ad speak, 'probably the lightest waterproof top in the world'.

The North Face has done pretty much anything it can to minimise weight and bulk with the Triumph. That means lightweight, 2.5-layer Hyvent DT fabric, all welded seams and 10mm skinny tape, all of which save vital grammage. The company claims it adds up to 50 per-cent less stitching and taping and also makes a stronger jacket.

Seams? What seams...

They've also used a clever construction technique utilising just two main panels for the anorak with articulation coming from clever cutting and seam taping. That cuts the number of seams and again saves weight. If the idea and indeed the whole concept seems familiar, that's because it's very, very like the Haglöfs Oz Pullover.

The Triumph uses just two main panels to save weight and bulk.

Other weight saving solutions include heat transfer logos, though the care labels are still old school cloth - in anal minimalist fashion we cut them out and saved another crucial fraction of a gramme, though it wasn't enough to show up on the balance...

It's early days yet, but what we can tell you is that the Triumph really is light. It weighs just 160 grammes on our digital scale and even though that's some 7 grammes more than claimed, it's still one of the lightest waterproofs out there undercutting the Haglofs Oz by ten grammes. The Montane H20 is lighter still around 100 grammes but has no hood and uses a film fabric that's not as waterproof in lab tests.

We've used the 2.5 layer fabric before in the form of The North Face's Diad Jacket, so we know it works pretty well, in fact we prefer it to Paclite, so no problems there, though you should be aware that it isn't designed for heavy pack use or rock rubbing activities.

There's no stuffsac supplied , but you can, just about, pack it into its own single pocket to give a respectably compact bundle about the size of a large-ish apple.

Fit is pretty decent, not too tight, but not loose and flappy either on our medium-sized editorial test dummy with enough space for a microfleece underneath. It's quite short - think mid-crotch length - which is fine for fast movers, though we'd hav preferred a bit of a drop tail. The hem cord tightens just the rear of the hem pulling the front taut, which is good.

We're less impressed with the cuffs which use a very light elastic, so don't seal particularly well, though on the plus side, you can roll the sleeves up the elbow for added venting when things get hot.

2.5-layer fabric and heat transfer labels save weight.

The hood is again quite minimal, as you'd expect with just front adjustment which is fiddly, especially with cold hands, and a near useless, floppy mini-peak which does precisely nothing in classic UK conditions. Then again, the Triumph is all about saving weight and bulk. The single pocket is a bit gestural as well and sited in quite a strange position, good for a wallet or a small phone, but it won't take a map or guidebook if that's a consideration for you.

We like the fabric, which is up there with Gore-Tex in the breathability stakes and feels tougher than Paclite, though some of the features - cuffs, hood, lack of droptail and pocket - are basic and not as, well, nicely thought out as with the Haglofs design.

If you're looking for a tiny, ultra-lightweight waterproof to stuff in a bumbag or pocket just in case, you'll be hard pushed to find lighter and smaller and that, after all, is what the Triumph is all about.

If you'd like to add your own experiences of this product check out our user review system and post your opinions to the world. If you have questions you can mail us direct, ask Richard Gear or try a posting to our gear forum.