[Our Workman is Back!] Premium Ultra-Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Hoodie & Pants Review: A genuine softshell that blew me away with its high performance and low price (and the story of its development collaboration)

"Couldn't Workman be useful for mountain climbing?" -- This was the first article published on this site in 2016. At the time, Workman was a brand known only to a few, but we were truly surprised by the huge response it generated. From there, it quickly became a huge hit. Now, Workman is used in a wide range of fields, not only for outdoor activities like mountain climbing and camping, but also for biking, golf, exercise, and everyday wear

One day, Workman approached us and asked us to help them develop a soft shell for mountain climbing

After asking for more details, I could really sense Workman's enthusiasm to create mountain climbing wear that could be "seriously used in the mountains," and I was happy to cooperate

So, first I wrote down everything I had learned from my knowledge and experience about the functions and elements that are important in a soft shell. From ease of movement to wind resistance, breathability, quick drying, water repellency, abrasion resistance, weight, etc. Looking back, I realized that my requests were quite ambitious, but I received an immediate response of "I understand." I wasn't sure if that meant including everything, but I could sense that their enthusiasm was definitely not just a pretense

After some discussion about various features, the prototype finally arrived from Workman. The moment I put it on, I was hit hard for the first time in a long time. It was similar to the fresh surprise I felt when I first put on Workman's "AEROSTRETCH Climbing Pants (Spring/Summer Edition)." To be honest, I had been drifting away from Workman for a while, but it felt like I was starting to like them again

This time, I will write a review of Workman's latest soft shell, the ``PREMIUM Ultra Water-Repellent Soft Shell Trek Hoodie & Pants,'' which has made a huge impact, based on my experience using the product in the field

Please note that Outdoor Gearzine has not been involved in the specific specifications of the product beyond its cooperation in the planning stage. We would also like to point out that the items worn in the review were provided by the manufacturer, and that no changes were made to the review content at the manufacturer's request

We tested the new Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Hoodie and Pants, released this fall, on a serious mountain climb. They were more than up to the task

Main features of Workman's PREMIUM Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Hoodie & Pants

The Workman Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Hoodie and Pants are outdoor-grade softshells that offer exceptional functionality for serious outdoor adventures at an amazing price. The double-weave stretch nylon fabric offers freedom of movement, windproofing, abrasion resistance, and UV resistance. Thanks to a unique water-repellent technology developed in collaboration with a water-repellent manufacturer, it's ultra-water-repellent and highly washable, making it perfect for light rain. The high collar and stretch inner cuffs keep out the cold. Four ventilation zipper pockets—two on each side, top and bottom—are conveniently positioned for on-the-go use, and the mesh lining provides excellent ventilation. The chest snap closure prevents flapping even when the front zipper is fully open in hot weather.

Meanwhile, the pants have been designed with ease of use in the field in mind, down to the smallest details: a double-button front and Velcro at the waist for a secure fit to a wide range of body types, a clean look with a total of six large-capacity pockets, adjustable cuffs, and hooks that can be attached to shoelaces to prevent them from riding up. This is a piece that can be used as an outer layer for autumn and winter activities, or as a mid-layer for cold seasons or bad weather, and is suitable for a wide range of mountain activities throughout the year

Recommended points

• Exceptional ease of movement thanks to draping and stretch
• High overall protection including water repellency, wind resistance and abrasion resistance
• Convenient and plentiful pockets, including a zippered chest pocket that won't interfere with your backpack
• Features include mesh-lined pockets and front snap buttons on the chest, allowing heat and moisture to escape
• Wide adjustable waistband for a secure fit even on slimmer pants
• Adjustable leg hem (pants) for low-cut and mid-cut shoes
• Extremely low prices

Points of interest

• The zipper pulls on the left and right pockets are too small and difficult to use (you can solve this by adding your own zipper pulls)
• The hood is a little loose (it would be nice if there was a Velcro strap at the back to adjust the slack)
• The feel and roughness of the lining seams are a bit bothersome (especially the pants)

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed Review

Exceptional ease of movement thanks to draping and stretch

The appropriate three-dimensional cutting and stretchability allowed for ample freedom of movement

The first thing that struck me about this jacket and pants was how soft the fabric itself was, and how comfortable they were to wear, thanks to the three-dimensional cut that was carefully calculated to not restrict movement and the moderate stretch, allowing for great freedom of movement

The fabric itself is very flexible and doesn't rustle when rubbed. It's neither loose nor slim, but fits perfectly along the lines of the body, providing comfort while moving around, and enough room to layer without any issues. The back hem is slightly longer to cover the buttocks, a design well suited to outdoor wear, and prevents the hem from rolling up when bending or moving (see photo below)

The same goes for the pants, which are not too wide and have a clean, straight silhouette that is slightly slim, but the knees and crotch areas are designed with a three-dimensional pattern so you don't feel any tightness even when making large movements

The three-dimensional cut and moderate stretch of the fabric means you can bend your knees freely without feeling uncomfortable

Even on steep chain sections, I was able to concentrate on my footing and move around

The actual weight is 378g (size M), which is not that light for a soft shell, but it is not so heavy that it is a concern and is within an acceptable range

High overall protection including water repellency, wind resistance and abrasion resistance

Next, the weather resistance (strength against wind and rain), durability, and other functionality of the fabric itself are also surprising

Being a soft shell, it naturally blocks the wind, but at the same time it does not restrict airflow, allowing moisture inside the garment to escape (its breathability is 25,000g/m2/24h)

The fabric is not extremely thin or lightweight, so it has just the right amount of warmth. It's ideal for wearing over a base layer during the cold autumn and winter months. It may be a little too hot to wear on low mountains in hot weather, but after trying it out on a 3,000m-class mountain in August, it's perfect for chilly mornings and evenings, or for cold winds on ridges, when hiking in the Alps in summer

Even in July, it can be chilly in the mornings and evenings in high mountains such as the Alps, so a soft shell like this is extremely useful

The product's name even mentions its water-repellent properties, which are so strong that it can even repel thick liquids like cement. What's more, it features a proprietary ultra-water-repellent finish that lasts so long that it achieves a water-repellent level of 3 even after 100 washes. The fabric itself is water-resistant to a water pressure of 1,000-2,000mm, so it won't be affected by unexpected light rain or snow

The DWR (durable water repellent) applied to the surface of the fabric not only repels water, but also provides stain and oil resistance, and is resistant to washing

It was also useful as a jacket when climbing streams, where getting wet is a given

It also has antibacterial properties and UPF 50+ UV protection, making it safe for use in high mountains and snowy mountains

Convenient and ample pockets, including a zippered chest pocket that won't interfere with your backpack

There are two zipper pockets on each side of the abdomen and chest, providing excellent storage capacity

The pocket placement has also been slightly improved, with one zipper pocket placed above each of the usual zipper hand pockets on the left and right, for a total of four pockets on the front

It's common for outdoor softshell jackets to have a zipper pocket on the left chest, and for alpine hardshell jackets to have two more centrally positioned, but having one in this position on the chest (and of a reasonable size) is quite convenient. What's more, the position and angle of this pocket means that the shoulder harness won't interfere with the opening even when you're wearing a backpack, so you can access items even while wearing the pack, making it a truly convenient design for mountain use (see photo below)

The zipper opening is located in a position (dotted area) that does not interfere with the backpack's shoulder harness

However, the zipper pulls on the pockets are just regular tabs, which makes them too small and difficult to use, especially when wearing gloves. I personally attached my own zipper tabs to make them easier to use (see photo below)

When you buy it, the zipper doesn't have any tabs (see photo on the left), so it's hard to grip. If you attach a zipper pull or something similar, it will be easier to grip even when wearing gloves

The pockets are lined with mesh, so if you leave the zipper open they also act as ventilation, effectively expelling air from inside the garment. Speaking of high ventilation, there are snap buttons on the front chest area, so even if you open the zipper all the way, you can fasten these to prevent the garment from flapping around and maximize ventilation (see photo below)

The snap buttons attached at the chest are convenient as they prevent the front zipper from flapping in the wind even when fully open

Furthermore, the pocket on the inside left is packable, so you can store the entire bag inside out, making it compact and easy to carry (see photo below)

It is packable, so you can turn the entire bag inside out, roll it up, and store it in the inner pocket (left) attached to the inside

The tab attached to the front zipper can also be used as a whistle to make your presence known in case of an emergency (see photo below)

The front zipper doubles as an emergency whistle

Not only are the sleeves longer at the top to keep you warm, but the inner cuffs made of stretch fabric also keep out the harsh chill of autumn and winter (see photo below). However, they may be a little too hot for hotter weather

The cuffs are designed to cover the instep (left) and have an inner stretch cuff (right) to better keep out the cold

The high collar to block the wind and the hood with drawstrings on both sides are designed with careful consideration given to fit and protection from the cold. However, the fit is a little loose, and for people with small heads, the brim tends to hang forward a little. This isn't an issue if you wear a cap, but it would have fit better if there was Velcro or a drawstring at the back to adjust the size of your head

The hood has an adjustable drawcord at the neck, and while it generally fits well, the brim is soft and tends to slide forward

By the way, this hood can be rolled up and fastened to fold like a collar, so you can choose the style you prefer

Wide adjustable waistband for a secure fit even on slimmer pants

So far we've looked at the details of the jacket, but I'm also impressed by the pants, which are designed with great attention to detail considering the price

For example, the waist. There are no belt loops, but instead the width can be adjusted using the Velcro on both sides. This adjustment range is quite wide, so it was able to fit a wide range of body types, from people with slim waists like me to people with larger waists, in a balanced way (see photo below)

The waist adjustment function was very easy to use, with a wide range of adjustment and strong adhesive Velcro

It has a deep rise and can be securely fastened with double buttons at the front (see photo below)

Adjustable hem width for low and mid-cut shoes

The hem is equipped with a zipper that can be tightened or widened, so it is compatible with a variety of hiking boots, from low-cut shoes to mid-cut hiking boots. In addition, the hem can be tightened with a drawcord, so you can change the fit of the ankle and the silhouette (see photo below)

The hem can be tightened for a neat fit (left) or widened to cover the entire boot (right). The opening can also be tightened with a drawcord

What's more, there is a hook on the front that can be hooked onto your shoelaces to prevent them from slipping up, and like gaiters, it helps prevent pebbles, gravel, and other debris from getting in from outside (see photo below)

The hooks that secure the instep prevent the hem from riding up and act like gaiters to keep out pebbles and sand

As you'd expect from Workman, the bag is equipped with plenty of pockets. There's a top-accessible pocket in the front and a zippered pocket on the side, both of which are deep enough to hold a lot of things (see photo below). There are also two pockets in the back, so the number is more than enough

Although it has a sleek appearance, it has ample storage space with hand pockets (left) that can be accessed from the top on both sides, and a zippered cargo pocket (right) that can be accessed from the side

Summary: A jacket and pants for autumn and winter activities that offer unbelievable performance for the price, perfect for mountain climbing

The Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Hoodie & Pants meet or exceed all the basic functions required of a softshell, and also boasts amazing water-repellent properties and an astonishing price tag of less than 3,000 yen. They are sure to be useful throughout the year for a wide range of outdoor activities in moderate temperatures, such as mountain climbing in spring and autumn, low mountains in winter, and high mountains in summer

For the past few years, I've personally felt that Workman has tended to make more lightweight products geared towards camping when it comes to outdoor gear, but I can confidently say that this jacket is an excellent value for money that even serious mountaineers will love. Of course, there are some aspects where it can't compete with high-end soft shells from specialized mountain brands, such as the quality of the stitching, the detailed handling of each part, and the design. However, it's a bit much to expect at this price, and in terms of comparisons in this price range, you won't find anything comparable to this model anywhere

Of course, this is the perfect jacket for those who want to get hold of a jacket that can be quickly thrown on for various mountain situations at a reasonable price, but even if you're just getting by for now, adding one to your wardrobe may prove useful in unexpected places. Workman is a great choice for that kind of ease

For details and to purchase the "PREMIUM Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Hoodie & Pants,"

It seems that the products will be released in stores from September onwards, but please check the official online store

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