Review: berghaus Hyper 140 Shell Jacket - World's best-class ultra-lightweight rainwear that's even more versatile
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
When the mornings and evenings get chilly, you'll want to put something on. Especially when you're heading to the mountains where the weather is unpredictable, you have to think about keeping warm, unlike in summer. At times like that, you might think you can just throw on a windshell. But then you start to worry about rain, and you think maybe a rain jacket would be better... but it's heavy and bulky... and you often find yourself unsure
Berghaus' Hyper 100 Shell Jacket is an incredibly lightweight rain jacket weighing less than 100g, comparable to a windshell, and it seems to have extracted the best features of both a windshell and a rain jacket. We reviewed its successor, the Hyper 140 Shell Jacket, comparing it with its predecessor. See how this jacket, designed to meet the demands of trail runners and fastpackers, has changed
table of contents
General features of the Hyper 140 Shell Jacket
The Hyper 140 Shell Jacket the Hyper 100 Shell Jacket , which has won numerous awards, including an ISPO Gold Award . As the name suggests, the Hyper 140 Shell Jacket is just as lightweight, weighing in at approximately 140g, just as the Hyper 100 Shell Jacket weighed just 100g. While the weight isn't as impressive as the previous model, it's not unnecessarily heavier, thanks to features like a more flexible cut, hand pockets that double as ventilation, and waterproof zippers, all of which contribute to improved usability.
Recommended points
- Mobility without relying on stretching
- Lightweight and portable
Interesting points
- Low durability due to thin fabric
- I'm not sure when to use it
Main Specifications and ratings
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
|---|---|---|
| item | Hyper 140 Shell Jacket | Hyper 100 Shell Jacket |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathability | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Specs | ||
| Official weight | 138g (medium size) | 97g (medium size) |
| Actual measured weight | 150g (M size) + 8g (storage bag) | 93g (M size) + 7g (storage bag) |
| material | 3-layer Hydroshell®Elite Pro(40g/m²) | 3-layer Hydroshell®Elite Pro (47g/m²) |
| performance | Water resistance 20,000mm, breathability 60,000g/m²/24h | Water resistance 20,000mm, breathability 50,000g/m²/24h |
| 2 hand pockets | Left inner | |
Item appearance
Detailed review + comparison with Hyper 100 Shell Jacket
The Hyper 140 shell jacket (hereafter referred to as Hyper 140) is made of 3-layer Hydroshell® Elite Pro (40g/m²), while the Hyper 100 shell jacket (hereafter referred to as Hyper 100) is made of 3-layer Hydroshell® Elite Pro (47g/m²). The Hyper 140 seems to have a slightly lighter specific gravity, but when comparing the front and back of the fabric, there was no noticeable difference in feel
Left) Hyper 140, right) Hyper 100. The one on the left is a little rougher, but there's not much difference in texture
Although the Hyper 140 fabric is lighter, the actual weight is 150g (including the storage bag, 8g), which is just under 60g heavier than the Hyper 100. This is due to a change in the cutting pattern, the addition of pockets, a change in the zipper, and improved durability
Left) Hyper 140, Right) Hyper 100. When rolled up, you can see the difference in volume and weight. The Hyper 140 weighs 158g (150g for the main body + 8g for the storage bag), while the Hyper 100 weighs 100g (93g for the main body + 7g for the storage bag)
The cutting pattern has been revised to better follow the shape of the body, with more seams, especially around the arms and shoulders and the hood (especially the neck), for a better fit and improved mobility
Left) Hyper 140, Right) Hyper 100. The Hyper 140 has gussets on the sides, improving mobility
The seam tape on the back is still carefully processed, but it is still made of thin plastic tape, so it does not seem to be very durable
Left) Hyper 140, Right) Hyper 100. The finish of the sheep tape is almost the same
The Hyper 100 has no external pockets, but an internal zippered pocket on the left side. The washing instructions are printed in this location, showing the tireless effort put into reducing the weight
The only pocket on the Hyper 100. To reduce weight, tags have been eliminated and the washing instructions printed on the fabric itself
On the other hand, the Hyper 140 is equipped with hand pockets on both sides of the waist. Furthermore, they have waterproof zippers to keep your belongings dry. The pockets are made of mesh, so they can be left open for ventilation, further enhancing breathability
Hyper 140 pocket. The zipper is waterproof. The pocket itself is mesh, and can be used for ventilation when left unzipped
The front zipper has been changed from a regular zipper to YKK's waterproof AquaGuard Vislon . While the Hyper 100 isn't waterproof, it has a flap behind the zipper, so there's almost no risk of water seeping in. The Hyper 140 has this waterproof zipper plus a thicker, more durable flap, so there's almost no risk of water seeping in from the front. However, the zipper remains difficult to open and close...
Left) Hyper 140, Right) Hyper 100. The front zipper of the Hyper 140 has been changed to a waterproof specification. The flap behind the zipper has also been changed to a wider and thicker one, improving durability
The specifications of the cuffs are almost unchanged. The specifications of the torso are also unchanged, but the size has changed. The Hyper 140 is slightly larger
Top) Hyper 100, bottom) Hyper 140. There are no changes to the waistband, but the Hyper 100 is a little tighter
A chin guard has also been added, and other small details have been upgraded
Left) Hyper 140, Right) Hyper 100. The Hyper 140 has a chin guard added
The Hyper 100 is a fully waterproof jacket that is ultra-lightweight, weighing in at under 100g both officially and measured. It's about 50g heavier, which means it's no longer as lightweight as it used to be, and it's not as impressive. However, it does address its major weakness of durability, and the functionality of the pockets and other parts has been improved, making it a more complete jacket
Impressions from actually using it
Now, let me give you my actual impressions of the Hyper 140
It performs well as a rain jacket, and during normal use, no water seeped in, even in heavy rain. If you keep a strong shower on the front zipper, water will seep in a little, but that's not what happens in nature, so there's no need to worry about water seeping in. It's also treated with DWR (durable water repellent), so the water repellency will last for a long time. Since the water repellency lasts for a long time, it seems likely that it will also maintain its breathability. However, because the fabric is thin, I'm concerned about friction with my backpack. I haven't used it that much in this review, so I can't say for sure, but since it's a very lightweight fabric, that risk is something you should consider
It has sufficient waterproof and water-repellent properties for a rain jacket, and the water-repellent properties last for a relatively long time
Of course, it's also very windproof, so it's no problem even in strong winds. However, the fabric itself is very thin, so while it will protect you from the cold wind and rain, you will feel the temperature directly. It also has almost no heat retention, so when using it in late autumn or winter, a thick base layer and a thin mid-layer are essential
The breathability is also good. The actual specs say 60,000g/m²/24h, but I didn't feel that high a figure. The breathability didn't keep up on the climbs where the temperature was a little high and the intensity of the exercise increased. However, if you actively encourage ventilation by opening the pockets or opening the front zipper, there was no problem. In cooler weather, there's no need to worry about the inside getting stuffy
The overall fit is slim, but slightly looser than the Hyper 100. The torso is slightly longer, and the cut pattern around the arms allows for more freedom of movement. The armpits in particular have gussets, so you won't feel cramped even when moving your arms widely, such as raising them
The hood's fit cannot be adjusted, but the cut has been improved from the Hyper 100, resulting in better fit and mobility. There is a thin flap on the brim, but it's not enough to keep out the rain... In heavy rain, it falls directly on your face, so it's best to wear a cap or sun visor under the hood. The hood is made with elastic shirring except for the brim, so it fits snugly against your face and is excellent. Thanks to this elastic, it can be put on and taken off even with the front zipper all the way up
The hood's cutting pattern has also been significantly revised, improving the fit and increasing mobility
The cuffs have elastic shirring on the palm side and a flap on the back of the hand, making them easy to put on and take off and preventing wind and rain from getting in. Especially when it's raining, the flap gets wet and sticks to the back of the hand, further preventing water from getting in. The waist also has a flap on the front and elastic shirring on the rest of the waist, improving both the fit and wind and rain resistance. It's a simple, yet very practical, design
There are no changes to the sleeves, but they are already good enough, keep out wind and rain, and fit well
The pockets are waterproof thanks to the water-resistant zipper. Although they are actually waterproof from the outside, the inside of the pocket is made of mesh, so if you sweat a lot and it starts to get damp, it will become damp. Even though it is waterproof, it is best to avoid putting paper maps or other items directly inside. However, thanks to the mesh design, the pockets also have the effect of ventilation when the zipper is open. The mesh pockets are sewn horizontally on the inside, so they do not shake around even when you put some heavy items inside
The pocket itself is made of mesh, so the entrance is waterproof, but if it gets too crowded inside, the contents may get damp... The pocket is sewn to the fabric, so there is less shaking
The thinness of the fabric is still a concern. The fabric on both the Hyper 100 and Hyper 140 is very thin, and if you get it caught on a branch or scrape it hard against a rock, you could be in for a disappointment. The Hyper 140 has improved its overall durability through changes to its structure and specifications, but the thinness of the fabric is a major weakness. I hesitate to use it on narrow single tracks with lots of vegetation around. If you get it caught on a thorn, you'll be in big trouble... I guess I'll have to choose my use case carefully
Summary: Recommended for people like this
The Hyper 140 Shell Jacket is an updated version of the previous Hyper 100 Shell Jacket . As the name suggests, the Hyper 100 was an ultra-lightweight rain jacket weighing less than 100g, while the Hyper 140 weighs more than 50g more. However, minor changes have been made to the specifications, improving mobility, functionality, fit, and durability.
Since different people have different needs, I'm not sure whether this change can be called an update. The Hyper 100 was about the same weight as a windshell and had a reasonable level of breathability, so it was certainly a rain jacket that could be used as a windshell. However, the Hyper 140 has an improved overall balance, and although it is still lightweight at around 150g, I can't say with confidence that it can also be used as a windshell! However, for anyone other than those who are extremely concerned about weight, the Hyper 140 is easy to use and highly versatile
While there are many jackets of a similar weight, this rain jacket, with its waterproof front pockets and waterproof zippers, is still classified as ultralight. It's a very versatile jacket, and can be used as a windbreaker and rain jacket for trail runners, or as an emergency shell for fastpackers. However, the low durability of the thin fabric is something to consider. With that in mind, if you're looking for a versatile, lightweight rain jacket, you won't regret choosing this one, as it combines lightness and functionality
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