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Lightweight and flexible! We tried out the latest Gore-Tex material, "C-KNIT"
Rainwear is essential for protecting yourself from bad weather when camping, hiking, or any outdoor activity. The fabrics used in outdoor rainwear are generally waterproof and breathable, preventing water from entering from the outside and allowing water vapor to escape from the inside. It goes without saying that Gore-Tex products have earned a reputation and proven track record in this field for decades. However, in recent years, items incorporating new materials from other companies have appeared that specialize in certain functions and offer performance equal to or better than Gore-Tex at a lower price, putting Gore-Tex at a slight disadvantage
Now, the long-awaited GORE-TEX C-KNIT Backer Technology (hereafter referred to as C-KNIT), which has been introduced several times on OG, has finally arrived. This time, I went hiking in the mountains wearing The North Face's ultra-lightweight rainwear, the Climb Very Light Jacket, which incorporates the brand new latest GORE-TEX technology , so I would like to report on it in detail.
Breaking Review
Item name (price)
THE NORTH FACE Climb Very Light Jacket (39,960 yen)
Main specifications
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| weight | 261g (measured in size L) It's not the lightest ultra-light rainwear, but it's light enough considering its functionality |
| material | GORE-TEX® C-Knit Backer (3 layers) The first GORE-TEX® that combines comfort and durability |
| size | S, M, L, XL, XXL |
| Color variations | (HB) Ano Blue, (RR) Rage Red, (WT) Walnut, (CM) Cosmic Blue, (K) Black |
Front/back
The catalog describes it as having a slim silhouette, but when worn it doesn't feel too tight, giving it a more conventional feel compared to recent trends. The inner pockets have been omitted, likely to reduce weight, and there are two large, waterproof zipper pockets on the left and right sides of the front. They are positioned so that they don't come into contact with the straps of a backpack
Lining (different textures)
As you can see in the photo above, the 3-layer (despite its lightness!) C-KNIT lining (left) has a noticeably more "textured" feel compared to the conventional lightweight Gore-Tex material, PACLITE (right). PACLITE was a 2.5-layer material that bonded special microparticles to the lining, so when you sweated on the lining surface, it would inevitably feel sticky and uncomfortable, so this is a major improvement
Food
The hood can be adjusted firmly even in lightweight rainwear. Two finely adjustable adjustment points are located at the back of the head and on the collar
This is amazing!
This is without a doubt the most comfortable fabric in the history of Gore-Tex . It seems to have evolved in all three aspects of comfort: lightness, flexibility, and feel. This supple and natural feel is so impactful that it makes the past few years of the "lightweight" rainwear race with sticky linings a thing of the past.
That's not all that's impressive; of course, there are many aspects of the jacket that don't compromise on functionality. The ultra-thin 13D (denier) fabric improves breathability by more than 15% compared to conventional linings achieves the high level of waterproofness, windproofness, and durability that are Gore-Tex's strengths (although of course it is slightly inferior to Gore-Tex's standard or professional fabrics). I wore it from the start of the climb, and it's true that even when I sweated, the fabric didn't stick at all, no water droplets formed on the lining, and the base layer I was wearing underneath dried so smoothly that I didn't even notice I was wearing another layer on top.
Another new product using C-KNIT, the Montbell Storm Cruiser , is made from a thick 20D fabric and weighs just as much as regular rain gear. Considering this, The North Face's decision to eliminate unnecessary features and parts as much as possible to make it ultra-lightweight and simple in order to take advantage of the fabric's lightness and flexibility is highly commendable.
This is not so good
Perhaps because this is the first product made with a new material, the jacket has simple functionality and a conventional design, but there are some areas that are a bit lacking. For example, if the jacket is meant to be worn even in non-rainy weather, I would have liked it to have pit zips (ventilation under the armpits) . Another minor point is that the zipper does not have a fold at the top, which makes it easier for rainwater to seep in.
Summary: Who is this recommended for?
There's no longer any need to sacrifice comfort for waterproof durability, or waterproof durability for comfort and breathability. This product combines the best of both worlds, and is of sufficient quality to be used as rain gear, especially for summer day trips and overnight stays in huts as I've written in other articles , it would be a waste to use an outer layer with such breathability and ease of movement only as rain gear, so I highly recommend using it as an outer layer for sunny weather activities it's perfect for those who want a convenient second layer of rain gear to go on weekend hikes where they pack light, in addition to the solid rain gear they already own .
However, one thing to note is that it does not have the waterproof durability of conventional Gore-Tex rain gear (enough for multi-day hikes), so in rainy Japan, you should not try to use this as your main rain gear except in winter (it doesn't even come with pants).If you're planning to go into the mountains for more than three days, or if you're hiking at 3,000m or above in the Northern or Southern Alps, or in seasons when the temperature is not yet stable, such as early spring or late autumn, we strongly recommend that you take thicker, more waterproof rainwear
We also recommend this article about rainwear
- The hottest item of 2015! Ultra-lightweight rainwear perfect for spring and summer hiking
- Comparison Test: Ultra-Lightweight Rainwear for Hiking and Running [2016 Edition]
- Types of rainwear and how to choose them in 2015 - things to check before you buy
- This season's must-have rainwear! 10 recommended rainwear for mountain climbing
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