Review: It looks like a street wear but the contents are super authentic. F/ACSION KENROKU is a clothing suited to people who travel seamlessly between the city and nature

For over 30 years, Maegaki has been making waterproof and breathable outer jackets for use in the harshest environments on earth, and now receives a steady stream of orders from well-known top outdoor brands He has now launched his long-awaited factory brand, F/ACSION . We have previously reported twice that the first lineup of the brand has begun pre-sale on the crowdfunding site Makuake

This winter, our editorial team had the opportunity to borrow and wear one of these, the half-coat-length rain jacket KENROKU . Here, we will provide a review that includes usability that cannot be determined by appearance alone.

High-level waterproof and breathable performance that you wouldn't expect from its smug appearance

As I mentioned briefly in my last post, this jacket is a perfectly stylish, knee-length coat. If you tuck the hood into the collar, it will look perfectly natural even when worn around town on a sunny day

It's perfectly fine to wear over everyday clothes, as well as a suit

Despite this, the unique three-layer waterproof and breathable material used in this coat, "BARRIER EFFECT.", has a water resistance of over 30,000mm and a water permeability of over 40,000g/m2/24hr. While it's difficult to compare numbers alone, it's honestly comparable in performance to the highest class of rainwear materials

I wanted to test it out, so I took a video, and of course the surface of the fabric has been treated with DWR, so it is fully water-repellent

The waterproofing of each part is extremely stable, including the seam sealing of the seams, the double flap on the front zipper, and the left and right hand pockets with flaps and waterproof zippers

The chin area is set low for balance, but the hood can be adjusted to fit snugly

The only difference was the cuffs. To improve waterproofing, elastic or Velcro would be ideal, but they only have button closures. Perhaps because they are trying to maintain a balance with the look of everyday wear, this is the only area where waterproofing is a bit of a concern

The cuffs are designed to maximize the coat's appearance. They can be tightened, but it's difficult to seal the wrists

Comfort and ease of movement that meets all outdoor standards

It's a three-layer fabric made up of an outer layer, a membrane, and a lining, but both the membrane and the outer and inner layers are extremely thin and supple. It's not at all stiff, and feels dry, smooth, and comfortable against the skin. Even though it's long, it weighs just 370g, making it comparable in weight to a regular outdoor rain jacket

If you look at the seams at the elbows, you can see that they are not simply cut straight, but are three-dimensionally cut to take into account the bending of the elbow

The elbow area features complex three-dimensional cutting

What's more, the fabric has just the right amount of stretch, so even large movements don't feel too tight. Despite its slim silhouette, it's incredibly easy to move around in. This kind of functionality, which we've grown tired of seeing in serious outdoor jackets recently, is even more appreciated when it's featured in a coat that can be worn in the city

In addition, attention to detail in various places

The front zipper is a Vislon zipper that is easy to operate and has a hidden flap, so it doesn't feel cheap. The buttons placed throughout the jacket are also made of metal, rather than the usual plastic. The jacket's appearance and use of parts are uncompromising, making it perfect for everyday wear, without sacrificing comfort or ease of use

What I was interested in

That said, there are still some minor usability issues that I'm concerned about. These are areas that I would like to see taken into consideration when striving for the ideal product

Can I wear it in the middle of winter?

While the ultra-thin membrane and fabric make this waterproof and breathable coat incredibly light and comfortable to wear, I felt that some ingenuity was needed before it could be used as a mid-winter coat

Since it's rainwear, it does provide some protection from the wind, but it won't keep out the cold in the middle of winter or keep your body warm. That means you'll need to wear a solid mid-layer underneath in the winter. However, if you're wearing a coat that's sized for spring through autumn, it's possible that if you layer on thick layers in the winter, the coat might be too tight and impossible to wear. It might be possible if you have two sizes, though

For example, if the lining had been made of removable padding or a thermal liner, this would have been a genuine four-season coat

I wanted a double zipper on the front

Since it's rainwear, I think it's inevitable that it has a zipper on the front. However, because it's coat-length, if you want to put your hand in your trouser pocket with the front fastened, you have to roll up your trousers every time, which is a bit of a hassle. If it had a double zipper with a little more space at the bottom, it would have been much more stylish and convenient, so it's a shame

Summary: A coat for commuting, everyday wear, travel, and outdoor activities. A must-have piece for many reasons, both on and off the job

Although there are some minor details to be improved, it is rare to find a jacket that not only has high functionality and comfort, but also has such a great design that Japanese people would consider cool to wear on the street

It was a one-of-a-kind model that made me realize just how exciting it is when a genuine outdoor manufacturer that makes clothing for the harshest environments on earth meets a designer who knows the style you want to wear every day, both for business and everyday use. Aside from the KENROKU model, other models in the lineup, such as the MATSU and BUKE JK & PT, have different designs and details, but they share the same concept and there doesn't seem to be any major difference in usability

In recent years, wearing outdoor wear around town or as everyday clothing, or using outdoor gear on a daily basis, has become commonplace, if not trendy. However, it cannot be denied that as a result, we are increasingly seeing clothing and gear that are merely a riff on the style of manufacturers who have only half-heartedly dabbled in the outdoors. F/ACSION , you will be reminded of the value of products made by manufacturers who understand the true essence of outdoor gear, and how they are made with the necessities of living comfortably in mind, whether in nature or in the city.

F/ACSION official website (link)

Go to the F/ACSION project page on Makuake (link)

   

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