7 popular hard shell jackets made from the latest GORE-TEX material "C-KNIT"

Hard shells made from the latest Gore-Tex material C-KNIT have arrived.

A hard shell is an all-weather outerwear that protects your body from harsh environments such as snowy mountains and ice walls. While it completely shuts out from rain, snow, wind and cold outside air, it is thicker and more bulky than rain gear, so it stays still in the back of the chest of drawers during the spring and autumn seasons, but in the coming season it provides an absolute sense of security as a reliable shell.

In this world of hard shells, the introduction of a model using the new Polartec NeoShell , has overturned the previously-extensive image of "heavy," "crazy," and "still breathable." In fact, the impression that the editorial department tested last year confirmed that it provides outstanding flexibility and breathability while maintaining waterproof performance and durability at a minimum, making it possible to confirm that it has more than sufficient quality unless it is in a very limited environment. Of course, GORE-TEX Pro's advantages have not yet been shaken up to tackle more extreme situations such as the harsh winter, but there is no doubt that NeoShell has been the most powerful option for outdoor enthusiasts who come here to prioritize lighterness.

Now, there's no way GORE-TEX, the waterproof and breathable material, will remain silent in response to this advancement. In 2015, after a very four years, the GORE C-KNIT Backer finally finally came to the show. What's so impressive is that it is compared to the three-layer fabric like the traditional GORE-TEX Pro.

• Light and supple, comfortable to wear and easy to move around in
• Improved breathability and smooth even when you are in action
• Despite this, it is highly waterproof and durable (*Specific numbers are not disclosed)

And (just like NeoShell) it is trying to overcome the weaknesses of the GORE-TEX Pro, and also aims to gain an advantage over NeoShell in terms of waterproofing durability (it's frustrating that the specific numbers are not disclosed so the reality is not clear). This rainwear was released in advance for spring and summer, and the editorial department has confirmed its ability . And this fall and winter season, items made with these new ingredients have been appearing one after another, based on the concepts of each manufacturer.

So, this time, when choosing a hard shell for the 2015-2016 season, our editorial department is paying attention to this model that uses the GORE C-KNIT Backer. We've picked out seven jackets that are designed to be used in snowy mountain traverses and backcountry (final spec comparison table). Let's get started right away.

*Reference prices are as of October 28, 2015.

Marmot Cerro Torre Jacket, an introductory model for snowy mountains that is durable enough for basic functions

Cerro Torre Jacket

Marmot

63,720 yen

451g

The newly reborn marmot Cerro Torre Jacket uses GORE C-KNIT all over the clothing. The chest pockets and snow skirts that were previously available until last year have been omitted, making it seem like they are more simple and basic usage scenes (in that sense, perhaps it's more like traverseing snowy mountains than alpine climbing or skiing tours during the harsh winter). However, the minimum necessary functions such as a wired hood, pit zipper (armpit ventilation), and front and inner pockets are all in place, so depending on the weight, comfort and ease of movement, this could be a very versatile bargain model.

Patagonia Refugitive Jacket with calculated fabric and lightweight, high-performance all-purpose jacket

Refugitive Jacket

Patagonia

64,800 yen

425g

You can see it the moment you put it on. He's a guy who falls in love at first sight. This jacket was created for all kinds of adventures in the silver world, and is so shockingly light and supple that I think it's a GORE-TEX jacket. This is the result of the thin 30D fabric on the base, ensuring a thickness of 40D on the reinforcements such as the shoulders and arms, and reducing the weight to the extreme, giving it a strong sense that this particular focus is on NeoShell. The two hand pockets, chest pocket, two inner pockets and plenty of storage space are enough for winter when there are many small items. It also has a sturdy pit zipper, making it perfect for ventilation.

with improved mobility while still retaining its high durability and durability.

FURIO JACKET

OUTDOOR RESEARCH

42,120 yen

539g

The traditional FURIO JACKET used a lightweight GORE-TEX Paclite body and a robust GORE-TEX ProShell shoulders and sleeves. The new model has now become GORE C-KNIT parts and hood parts that were previously ProShell, making it easier to move around, comfortable to wear, and breathability in the areas you need. Since both use high-density 70D threads, I don't think durability or robustness is a problem, so overall performance can be said to have been improved.

THE NORTH FACE Starlight Jacket is a safe piece designed with a familiar understanding of the Japanese winter.

Starlight Jacket

THE NORTH FACE

48,600 yen

? g

This model is calculated to combine two lightweight layers of the body and sleeves, with GORE C-KNIT on the shoulders, hood and elbows, and a different material to achieve the best performance. The concept of ensuring high heat retention in the 2-layer section and high mobility and breathability in the 3-layer section is impressive to see how easy it is to use, taking into account the winter mountains of Japan, with sweat (humidity) and wind (cold air). It seems to be useful in a wide range of situations, from the lingering seasons of fall and early spring to the winter traverse.

A high-spec jacket packed with high functionality specialized for backcountry
MAMMUT Alvier HS Hooded Jacket

Alvier HS Hooded Jacket

MAMMUT

75,600 yen

630g

The models we have introduced so far are more of the Alpine models, while Mammut's GORE C-KNIT model is for serious backcountry purposes. The 70D high-density fabric is used extensively, and is extremely functional, including a snow skirt and hand gaiters that prevent snow and cold from entering, as well as plenty of pockets and microfiber cloths for wiping goggles. The ultimate ventilation function allows you to boldly roll up your sleeves from the wide ventilation (see around 0:33 in the video). It's packed with attacking (?) rigged devices that aren't typical of Mammut.

Peak Performance Heli Alpine Jacket, the highest class hardshell for BC, Expanding the ultimate functional beauty

Heli Alpine Jacket

Peak Performance

92,880 yen

760g

Based in Sweden in Scandinavia, their new flagship model continues to pursue uncompromising quality in categories such as skiing, alpine and adventure, making them truly a monster that combines comfort, durability and ease of use. Not only is the GORE C-KNIT, which boasts outstanding comfort and breathability, is not only made up of robust 70D fabric, but it is also designed with ingenious details, such as fleece placed on the parts where you can experience the cold and the jaw area that comes into contact with the skin directly, ensuring high comfort. Regarding the abundant pockets, the pocket on the left chest has an antenna hole to make it easier to store radios, so I'm concerned about this. Of course, it can be used well for Alpine use, but there is no doubt that it is a hard shell that can't be more difficult for skiers who are challenging the big slopes of off-piste.

Arc'teryx Zeta LT jacket for trekking that can be used all year round

Zeta LT Jacket

Arc'teryx

57,240 yen

335g

Finally, Arcteryx, a regular in high-performance clothing, has also made GORE C-KNIT a product with its own interpretation. First of all, it might be better to think of it as a rain jacket that can also be used in snow, rather than a full-scale snowy mountain range. There are some things that are not enough for serious winter mountain use, such as the number of pockets, the room from the mouth to the hood, and the lack of pit zippers. When you think about it that way, it's probably the most popular rainwear for autumn and winter hiking. Looking at it from that perspective, it is supple, lightweight, easy to move around in, and has convenient large pockets, making it a very excellent rainwear that can be used all year round.

summary

Finally, we have compiled a list of the specs of the above models to make it easier to compare. I haven't put all the items on it yet, so this is a tentative comment, but as an editorial department, I think this year's "buy" is definitely the case with overall usability, if you have a lot of traversing, then Patagonia is the main focus, and if you're mainly going to be backcountry, then Mammut. We will be testing and reviewing some of these models this year, so stay tuned!

For information on how to choose a hard shell, we recommend this article.

• A summary of how to choose a hard shell and 10 recommended hard shells