Teton Bros. Hoback Suit Review: Unprecedented comfort, once you wear it, you can't go back. A suit-shaped mid-layer that will help you make your backcountry skiing and snowy mountain climbing a lot
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
Find the perfect mid-layer in snowy mountains. Hoback Suit solved the tops and bottoms all at once.
I've been visiting snowy mountains for a long time, but activities in snowy mountains tend to involve more layers of clothing. The weather changes in winter mountains are extremely variable, so you have to take off and take off while you are still in the process, so in snowy mountains, the question of what to wear and how to wear is more complicated than in the snowy season. Due to these circumstances, it is not easy to reach your own "correct answer" by layering on mountain skiing or snowy mountain climbing, and it has been a pain in many enthusiasts.
Among winter layering, the most difficult part is the "mid layer" worn between the base layer that comes into contact with the skin and the outer hard shell. This layer plays an important role in keeping the inside of the clothing comfortable during the winter, where environmental changes are rapidly changing, and it is not just a matter of endlessly warming, especially when it is assumed that it will be worn while you are still in the mood, and it should not be too well ventilated to prevent it from getting stuffy. Naturally, it cannot be compromised whether it is comfortable to wear as a clothing item, its ease of movement, and its lightweight and compact size. There are a lot of things to consider, such as fabric performance, thickness, pattern, whether or not there is a sleeve, or whether or not there is a hood, and there are a wide variety of options available from each manufacturer to make it difficult to choose.
However, I feel like I finally found a piece that would save me from that labyrinth. Teton Bros. Hoback Suit, a suit-shaped mid-layer that combines the vest and knee pants .
During this high winter season, I tried wearing it for backcountry and snowy mountain climbing in various areas, including Hokkaido, Hakuba, Tanigawa and Joetsu, so I'll be reviewing it right away.
table of contents
- Key Features of Teton Bros. Hoback Suit
- Detailed review
- As long as you don't worry about the appearance and the way you put them on and take them off, the "connection" of the mid-layer was the best. What is the unique advantage?
- Three-dimensional cutting and stretching for outstanding ease of movement
- Exquisite temperature control, humidity control and elasticity with a hybrid of the dynamic filling "Octa" and the 4-way stretch softshell "Primeflex"
- This vest and knee pants are not too cold or too hot, and paired with bibs and windshells to hike up the best layering.
- A practical ingenuity for the field that allows you to stay worn all day long
- Summary: If you're an "attack" player, you'll never be able to get back to your original state once you've worn it.
Key Features of Teton Bros. Hoback Suit
Teton Bros. Hoback Suit is a mid-layer suit with a vest and knee pants that is an active winter activity, including backcountry skiing, and can be worn all day long from above the base layer. The main part of the lining is mapped with "Octa", which has a high level of balanced ventilation and heat retention, while the outer material is Stretch Octa Bonding technology, which is directly bonded with "Primeflex", a thin softshell material with excellent windproof, stretch, and breathability. It prevents both cold and stuffiness in intense activities in extremely cold environments, keeping the inside of the clothing constantly dry.
The all-in-one top and bottom are integrated, so the waist is not bulky or tight due to layering. In addition, the knees and inseam are cut three-dimensionally for movement, and the sides, waist and back where stretch fleece are placed, so there is no extra dowels or a tight look, making it extremely easy to move around in a dress. Other useful features to keep you on for the whole day are paid attention to every detail, making this mid-layer perfect for active scenes in harsh winter conditions.
Favorite points
- The perfect heat retention (not too hot or too cold) as a mid-layer with "Octa"
- "Primeflex x Stretch Octa Bonding" with moderate breathability and no overheating
- There is no gap in the waist, so heat is less likely to escape
- Layering makes your waist look neat without feeling bulky or tight
- Three-dimensional cutting and stretch fleece make it extremely easy to move
- Knee-length that does not interfere with boots
- Waist zipper structure that makes it easy to use the toilet while wearing it
Points that interest me
- Personally, I wish the neck had a little more heat retention (the manufacturer has a wide range of preferences and styles regarding the presence or absence of hoods around the neck, but we chose the simplest round neck to prevent overlapping problems).
- Since it is only intended to be worn in the backcountry, Western-style toilets are difficult to do (it's possible to do it safely by lowering the front zipper).
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Teton Bros. Hoback Suit (Unisex) |
|---|---|
| weight | 335g (Size M) |
| Color (Men's) | Deep Blue, Khaki |
| size | XS/S/M/L/XL |
| Ladies model | Unisex |
| Outer material |
|
| Lining (insulation) | Octa |
| Chest zip pocket | |
| others |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★☆☆ |
| It's not stuffy | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★★ |
| Quick drying | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Practicality in snowy mountain fields | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
As long as you don't worry about the appearance and the way you put them on and take them off, the "connection" of the mid-layer was the best. What is the unique advantage?
When reviewing this item, first and foremost, it is impossible not to mention the point, What do you think of the suit-shaped style that is integrated with the top and bottom? I have tried out many mid-layers for snowy mountain climbing and backcountry, and have had many great favorites, both in the upper and lower separates, so to be honest, I was prepared to say, "Is it something that can be easily accepted?"
However, this vigilance had been easily relieved by the time the day was over. This is the best . The annoying feeling of giving up on the snowy mountains, which I felt in the separates up and down was alleviated, and it felt like I had opened the door to new comfort that I had never experienced before. Personally, this new comfort can be roughly summed up into the following three points:
It reduces layering, so the waist area is neater
The first benefit of the suit-shaped version is that it reduces the layering of pants. The under-bass mid-outer and the waist, which is quadrupled if done badly, are quite tight (that's why I love bib pants or suspenders in the shell). The more you don't have any elastic to tighten, belts, or strings to tighten, the better. This will remove the feeling of tightness on your body and provide a relaxed and comfortable fit.
Also, when climbing snowy mountains or skiing, you often need to lift your feet or bend your hips, so you'll probably be more likely to notice the thickness of the waist, the excess moving parts, and the stiffness of the movable parts each time. In this regard, the suit-shaped waist area is slightly looser, making it easier to move around even when it comes to such crampedness.
It's not like your pants slip off and it's hard to lift your legs before you know it
As it is related to the above, have you ever experienced that if you layer a lot, if your waist is loose, the whole thing will slip off due to its loose waist? I have experienced this experience not often, and before I know it, it has become difficult to lift my legs, which has made me feel very uncomfortable (dangerous).
that Hoback Suit , it would be goodbye to such discomfort. The top and bottom are integrated, so even if you make large movements such as standing or squatting, there is no need to worry about the bottoms slipping down, or of course your jacket coming over.
There is no gap in the waist so the heat won't escape
In the case of a typical separate mid-layer, there is a gap between the jacket and bottoms, so even though it is not possible for wind to enter directly, heat is inevitably more likely to escape. Since this gap does not exist in the hornet type, it prevents outside wind and cold air compared to separate type and improves heat retention. Of course, snow or dirt will not enter.
Three-dimensional cutting and stretching for outstanding ease of movement
Not only is it a joint style with an integrated top and bottom, but the pattern of this suit is also carefully and skillfully designed, giving it a smooth feel to its ease of movement that is not found in separate models.
This is a simplified feel to the gusset crotch at the crotch at the crotch and the three-dimensional cutting of the knees. The hip and knee joints affect ease of movement, especially in activities where you often move the lower body significantly, such as ski climbing, but the pattern cleverly cut with the three-dimensional movement of the joints in mind has provided a completely comfortable movement even in the field.
The upper body is also mapped with stretchy and sweat-absorbing recycled polyester fleece around the waist, side panels, and the back, making it easy to move with the integrated top and bottom to prevent the movement from appearing tight. The seams were also carefully taken into consideration to minimize discomfort when taking action, with the shoulders removed to avoid weight from the backpack, and the flat stitching was made with less grounding.
Exquisite temperature control, humidity control and elasticity with a hybrid of the dynamic filling "Octa" and the 4-way stretch softshell "Primeflex"
Next, in terms of temperature and humidity control (warmth and comfort), this mid-layer cannot help but say it is excellent. Hoback Suit is that, with the many materials available for mid-layers today, it is crucial in every detail, from fabric combinations to how the fabric is matched, so that it can provide the highest possible balance of the elements necessary for winter warming clothing, such as heat retention, breathability, quick drying, and mobility.
the lining is made of Teijin Octa (the Thermo Fly type, which has high sweat-removing properties), which is now used in many brands as an active insulation that combines lightness, heat retention, and breathability , and is then combined with the 4-way stretch softshell material "Primeflex." Furthermore, rather than simply stacking these, we have achieved "Stretch Octa Bonding" which directly attaches the fabrics to each other with development cooperation.
The bonding makes it possible to create unnecessary space between the fabric, allowing it to be breathable and breathable even more efficiently than it is now. This should be a major contributor to the improvement of the overheating problem, which is often a challenge in suit-shaped mid-layer, which is difficult to escape from heat. These allow Hoback Suit to achieve a variety of functions, such as "heat retention, breathability, quick drying, stretchability, and moderate protection," which are required for behavioral heat retention.
In fact, this combination of fabrics called "Octa on the back and Primeflex on the front" is basically the same as that used in the other item "Sub Jacket" of the same brand, and I have been a huge Sub Jacket fan since last season.
The balanced performance of the finest detail, heat retention and breathability and quick-drying performance was clearly felt even in the field. Unlike exposed active insulation, it moderately blocks the passage of wind and cold air, while unlike simple insulation, it thoroughly expels excess heat and moisture that lead to stuffiness.
Despite being quite thin as a mid-layer, it always maintains sufficient heat retention so that your body won't get cold while you're on the move, and it also has a great help to dry quickly, as it keeps drying even when you sweat.
This vest and knee pants are not too cold or too hot, and paired with bibs and windshells to hike up the best layering.
Furthermore, this suit is an exquisite choice for me, as it is a "vest" and "knee pants" respectively.
First, regarding the bottoms. In snowy mountains, the combination of a base layer with full-length tights (not too cramped or too loose), and a half-length mid-layer with a slightly loose fit that doesn't interfere with the ski boots was the best solution for me right now.
The Hoback Suit has a gentle fit overall that doesn't constrict the body as much as possible, with elastic piping to prevent the hem from slipping down, and knee pants lengths that are not too long, making it perfect for your liking. It gives us a glimpse into the brand's ability to know everything about skiing and mountain climbing, with a careful and indefinite construction that is available for backcountry skiing, which combines skiing and mountain climbing.
Next, regarding the tops. If this were a jacket type with sleeves, it would naturally have better heat retention, but I imagine there may have been many situations where it was so hotter than it was now that it would make you want to take it off. In the end, it was the best type, and it was not a problem, but this was the best. Above all, suit-shaped items are not easily removed, so it's a case that you'd rather avoid being hot and want to take off than being cold on top.
During the test, I wore it on full-hiking backcountry skiing in Joetsu (around -10℃) and Asahikawa Hakuba (-10 to -20℃) during the harsh winter of February, but I was basically free from any inconvenience during hiking with a wool base layer for autumn and winter, with a layering of Hoback Suit and TB Pant (bib), and if it's colder, I had a TB Jacket (hardshell). It may be that this suit type has a higher insulation efficiency that even this minimal vest type was rarely a problem.
Furthermore, when I was told about further layering recommended by the manufacturer's staff, the manufacturer's staff members, I was surprised to find out that I was wearing a Wind River Hoody over a Hoback Suit It is true that in Asahikawa, the cold and wind that are well below -10°C, no matter how much my body heats up, I feel a bit chilly, the Hoback Suit it feels a little chilly. However, wearing a hard shell makes it a little hot on the climb. Of course, adding another pair of winter clothes would be just as hot.
So I tried putting this thin windshell over a Hoback Suit
If you just wear it, you don't insulate too much, but add a thin layer of air overall, which just as you would expect, prevents you from getting colder than you might think. Above all, it's lightweight and compact, so it doesn't get in the way at all whether you carry it with you or put it on. It's mechanical stretch so it's not difficult to move around. From steep climbs in low altitude and windless forests to when you feel chilly due to a slight wind, wearing this one can handle a wide range of tasks, and the need to put on and take off your shell has been greatly reduced.
On the other hand, the only thing that bothered me was the collar specification, and as it is currently a round neck and there is no collar, it has to be somehow protected from cold air around the neck. For example, wear a hooded base layer or cover the neck with a neck warmer. Either way, it covers the neck, so it's too hot, so personally I think it would have been better to have a high collared zip neck design to prevent wind and cold air.
However, it seems that the manufacturers naturally considered this round neck, and since "where to bring the hood" in BC layering can vary depending on weather conditions and each way of thinking, so it seems that Hoback Suit , has chosen a simple shape that is the least likely to cause the "hood overlapping problem."
A practical ingenuity for the field that allows you to stay worn all day long
Chest zip pocket
There is a chest zip pocket on the left chest, allowing you to store your smartphone or other items here. Now you won't have to worry about where to put your smartphone even when you're not wearing outerwear.
Side ventilation
Ventilation zippers are installed on the outside of both thighs to promote ventilation. It is synchronized with the ventilation of hardshell pants such as TB Pant, so if you walk with both open, you can move the air quite actively.
We will also take thorough measures to deal with the problems that are difficult to use in the toilet, which can normally be a disadvantage.
The common disadvantage of general horny snails is that you have to take off your upper body every time you use the toilet, but this is the Hoback Suit , which is well-made, has a double zipper that can be opened and closed from above and below, and the waist has a zipper that almost circumferences the back, so you can easily use it by opening the zipper while wearing it.
Moreover, this zipper is also synchronized with the TB Pant zipper, so if you wear a TB Pant with hardshell pants, you can add bibs and mid-layers to your outfit. If you are forced to stay in the mountains while you are on the move, smoothness is the most important thing in snowy mountains in harsh environments. In this regard, I've always loved the TB Pant waist zipper, which I've been wearing a variety of tie-in pants, so I'm very grateful for its ease of use.
However, since this connection is designed to be worn on the field (although I know this point is a bit too much to be desired), when trying to use a regular toilet such as a Western-style toilet, the front of the zipper is connected (unlike TB Pant, it cannot be completely separated), it is important to note that it is a bit annoying. By the way, the front zipper is kept for a long time, so when you use the toilet, you can open it fully and feel quite comfortable.
Summary: If you're an "attack" player, you'll never be able to get back to your original state once you've worn it.
The Hoback Suit -piece dress with excellent backcountry mid-layers that are both excellent at both the top and bottom , and is a piece with a charm that can't be compared to any other mid-layer in the sense that it offers a good balance of comfort and a good balance that was not possible with conventional separate models. If you don't mind the appearance and the way you put them on and take them off, I personally think there's no reason not to choose this as a mountain skier.
Of course, since it is an integrated type, it takes time to put on and take off, and it is true that once you put it on, it is not easy to take off, but my honest impression is that there are many more benefits that make up for that. Although there are some detailed requests for further completion, there are almost no complaints with the current version, and it will definitely be useful in all types of snow seasons, not just skiing, backcountry, and in all kinds of snow mountain activities, not just skiing.
If you're looking for a more lean and comfortable feel, just one level above the rest of your life, try this new layering style that can only be experienced at Teton Bros.
