Berghaus Mount Asgard Smock

Posted: 15/04/2011 at 20:24

Some major confusion about what the review is judging here I think

Its not saying if its the right jacket for you. I mean fit is a huge component of real life utility but its not something a reviewer can judge for you.

Its also not judging it against some abstract criteria of being the 'best' waterproof in existence. It'd make utterly no sense to even try and do that.

Its judging it against its design criteria - ie a very lightweight jacket for emergency use by (very!) hardcore climbers, and then perhaps drifting into other related lightish weight uses.

Thus the fit - which seemed entirely sane to me - is if anything actually a positive advantage compared to some baggy horror. Oh and the price is much more reasonable in that context.

Jon is actually very good about this sort of thing in his reviews.

Posted: 16/04/2011 at 13:30

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 08:27

I tried one on and also the jacket version. Jacket version was just about the most perfect fit out of any waterproof I tried for ME that is. Smock was a little restrictive. Means I got the jacket. I am not a hardcore climber but someone who wants a good shell but can't affor Arcteryx prices. This is actually a very well designed jacket with some very nice features. Compared with what is out there (and believe me I've spent about 3 months looking from Preston to Penrith and Keswick plus online) and it is better than you think for the price. IF it fits you.

Not worn it in anger (damn the sun yesterday in the Lakes, why couldn't it rain while I had something to test) but I have fitted it to me, i.e. adjusted the hood and hem so its ready for use. Little things like those pockets aren't pockets but vents. The pockets are inside them and mesh so not affecting breathability. Daft design? Not for me as I rarely use pockets.

All I can say having tried on the two versions of the Asgard project shells is the design is high. What I mean is they have really gone to town on the details. I guess that is partly Leo Houlding but I reckon more of it has been the designers. IMHO people have sat down and thought about what could go wrong and tried to cover it. The drain on the zips of the smock. The way the zips for the pocket and the opening of the smock are together are a neat design. I'd reckon this means they have a lower coverage of the breathable area this way and they can share the same drain feature. On the Jacket the venting zips close up under a flap of material. The zip is also longer on one side than the other. This creates a loop of the vent that is open. I don't know why this is like it but it is under the cover of the flap so I doubt it will leak. Perhaps it will vent when they are closed.

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 10:15

This is my first full helmet compatible hoods (original superfly and paramo are my only shell experiences and none of them had helmet hoods) However I get the impression they both are good (jacket and smock are identical in the hood). I have played around with the hood and it cinched in nice around the face (that was done yesterday and I was sweating away wearing my winter fleece under it trying the fit). One thing I am not too keen on with helmet compatable hoods is the conehead look you get. This just seemed to create a grip on your head so it moved with your head movements (up/down and left/right, i.e. full range of movements) but the excess fabric just hung off the back a bit. Anyway perhaps one day I'll be wearing a helmet with it on.

Length is short but it covered my montane softshell and my Rab VR jacket. Sleeves are absolutely perfect for my arms. I guess I am a perfect size large for Berghaus in terms of length, certainly in the more athletic style of shells. Arm movement is completely unrestrictive. I am 6'5" tall and quite slim. Most shells are baggy to get my length right or short to get my body fit right. This is not like that. The body is slightly loose so I can layer up under it still but it is close enough for the wicking layers and shell to work efficiently. The arms are exactly the right length for me. Also I can lift the arms up and the body does not even show any sign of moving. This was a cue for some rapid windmilling of the arms to test it out (at home not in the shop where I just reached up a few times discretely). In my few months of trying shells out this is the first to be that good. So I guess the armpit gusset works.

My only complaint is I don't like blue with red armpits look. Fortunately I got the all in black. However I must ask designer when will the contrast zip fashion end?? Why can't I get a subtle colour like black or blue or whatever WITHOUT a bright red zip and a few other red features like the zip cover thingy at the top of the main zip. Minor flaw and blatently down to taste of the user (not saying I have any taste that is but I am conservative).

I do have a concern in that I am not a hardcore climber / mountaineer so wil I look a prat in it? I only wear my best shells on the hills not around the shops so perhaps not a real problem but as my first "proper" shell I am concerned I look wrong in it. I guess I must renew my climbing skills so I am worthy of wearing it.

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 10:15

Sorry for the long posts but it is kinda my initial thoughts on my ice new purchase.

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 10:16

Deja vu...?

> Why can't I get a subtle colour like black or blue or whatever WITHOUT a bright red zip and a few other red features like the zip cover thingy at the top of the main zip.

Contrasting notions are currently 'on trend'.  I hate them with a vengeance, too...

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 12:46

Yep noticed last week that there were two comments threads going on. Still I just posted on the last one up on the latest threads list because I'm lazy too.

Well I am now "on trend" in the outdoors world but I would rather not be. Does that mean I can hang with the cool kids now??

Posted: 18/04/2011 at 13:12