Breathability of 70,000g/m²/24h. Workman's 2025 Spring/Summer Collection "X-Shelter Ultra-Breathable Rain Jacket & Side Full-Zip Rain Pants" Review: This comfort at this price is unbelievable

The evolution of breathability in rainwear over the past few years has been remarkable. Professional outdoor brands have been releasing products for high-intensity activities that allow sweat to escape more easily, and the world has advanced so much that what was once considered satisfactory now feels like the norm or is not enough

And now, that trend has finally reached Workman. This time, we're introducing the " X-Shelter Ultra-Waterproof and Breathable Rain Jacket & Side Full-Zip Rain Pants ." It uses a waterproof and breathable fabric that offers outstanding breathability that rivals that of outdoor brands, and I even got a chance to dig into the details, including all the features you'd want.

I tried wearing it on mountain hikes in March and April on sunny and rainy days, so I'd like to review it right away

Main features of the X-Shelter Ultra-Waterproof and Breathable Rain Jacket (Trekking Model) and Side Full-Zip Rain Pants

The Workman X-Shelter Ultra-Breathable Rain Jacket and Side Full-Zip Rain Pants offer the waterproofing needed for mountain climbing while remaining exceptionally breathable, making them ideal for comfort during Japan's harsh summers. Combining a 2-layer fabric with a breathability of 70,000g/m²/24h and a 3-layer fabric with a breathability of 50,000g/m²/24h, these rainwear also feature underarm ventilation zippers for maximum ventilation, maximizing the escape of sweat and minimizing discomfort during hot weather or intense activities. Other features include a dial-type hood for a comfortable fit, Velcro and drawcord sleeves and hems for a secure seal, three-dimensional cut and moderate stretch for ease of movement, a front double zipper and snap buttons for adjustable ventilation without flapping, and high-rise left and right zippered pockets that do not interfere with the hip belt. The rain pants feature a full side zipper for easy on and off while wearing shoes. The affordable price is also a major attraction.

Favorite points

• Excellent breathability comparable to specialty brands (underarm pit zips for excellent ventilation)
• Highly water-resistant fabric that meets all standards
• Adjustable hood with dial for a perfect fit
• Draped and stretchy for ease of movement
• High functionality designed for serious mountain wear, down to the small details such as zippers and cuffs
• Durable fabric that can be used all year round, even in the snow-free season, regardless of activity
• Surprisingly low price considering the performance

Points of concern

• The front is neither a waterproof zipper nor a double flap, so you need to be careful of water seeping in from the front in heavy or prolonged rain
• Slightly low water repellency

Main specifications and evaluation

Detailed review of wearing it on a spring low mountain trail

Comfort and ease of movement: Moderate roominess, 3D patterning, and stretchability provide a high level of comfort and ease of movement

The size is loose but not too bulky, giving it a standard silhouette. I am 176cm tall, 63kg, and have a slim build with long arms. I wear size L and it fits just right

The first thing I noticed when I put it on was the surprisingly firm and comfortable pattern, which I wouldn't expect from low-cost rainwear. The standard fit isn't too tight, and the 3D pattern is carefully crafted to take into account the flexion of the shoulders and elbows, so it fits my body perfectly. Thanks to this, even though it's not particularly light at around 367g for a size L, it doesn't feel too heavy when you wear it. Additionally, all of the fabrics used in the jacket have just the right amount of stretch, so the garment doesn't feel tight when bending and stretching your arms or rotating your shoulders while you move, providing a comfortable fit

The lining is made of a smooth three-layer fabric from the hood to the shoulders and arms, and a two-layer laminated area that is highly breathable and stretchy.The areas that come into contact with the skin are mostly made of three-layer fabric, so it is very comfortable to wear

In addition, the back of the neck is lined with brushed fabric to prevent hanging loops and to protect against dirt and abrasion, and a chin guard with an extended flap is placed where the zipper touches the lips, showing that attention has been paid to even the smallest details 

Microfleece fabric is bonded to the back of the neck, enhancing comfort and durability by absorbing oil and sweat from the back of the neck, where dirt tends to accumulate

It also has a chin guard to reduce the discomfort caused by the zipper touching your chin, and perforations to improve breathability

Waterproof and breathable: "These amazing specs are not just for show" - excellent resistance to stuffiness. On the other hand, waterproofing is a bit of a concern in heavy rain or prolonged rain

The X Shelter Ultra Breathable Rain Jacket is made with Workman's proprietary waterproof and breathable fabric, "X Shelter," which, as its name suggests, boasts extremely high breathability. Its astonishing breathability reaches a maximum of 70,000g/m²/24h in the 3-layer section and 50,000g/m²/24h in the 2-layer section (both according to the B-1 method), a level of performance rarely seen even in rainwear from serious outdoor brands. The product description and microscopic photographs reveal that this is a porous membrane, which means that it allows water vapor to pass through directly, which should result in faster breathability.

However, as with any rainwear, there are various methods for measuring breathability, and each manufacturer uses their own method, so a simple comparison is not possible, and high or low numbers do not necessarily directly correlate to the actual resistance to sweating. Of course, the higher the number, the better

So, to see if these figures hold true in the field, I decided to go on a few hours of hiking on the trails towards Tanzawa on both a normal sunny day and a day of heavy rain

First, hiking on a non-rainy day. Even on a cool March morning, a short climb in the mountains inevitably leads to sweating inside your clothes. However, perhaps due to the jacket's high breathability, the speed at which you start to feel stuffy is significantly slower than with other regular rain gear, and the inside of the garment stays fairly dry. That said, unlike so-called "breathable" membranes, it doesn't let the wind through, so personally (and the fabric isn't that thin) I don't feel like it wicks away as much moisture as other "thin, breathable" rainwear. That may depend on personal preference, but in any case, considering the price, it allows for incredibly comfortable movement

In addition to the high breathability of the fabric, the key feature of this jacket is the underarm ventilation zippers. If you open the zipper all the way, you can release the moisture all at once, so there is almost no room for the situation where you get too stuffy and uncomfortable. What's more, the position of this ventilation is slightly offset so that the zipper crease doesn't get stiff when you bend your armpit, which is a nice touch

Next, I wore it in heavy rain

Here, just like on sunny days, the jacket's breathability was high. However, perhaps because the DWR (durable water repellent) treatment on the jacket itself isn't that strong, the water repellency quickly wore off and water began to seep into the outer fabric. As a result, it felt like the jacket wasn't performing to its full potential compared to sunny days, which was a bit disappointing. However, there is no rain jacket that never loses its water repellency, and sooner or later, this situation will arise with any rain gear, so even with that in mind, there's no doubt that the jacket still had high breathability

At first, it repelled water, but after just a few minutes of wearing it, the water-repellent properties started to decrease

About waterproofing

Regarding the waterproofness of the jacket, heavy rain was hitting the hood and shoulders throughout the test, but even with a fair amount of rain, the water resistance of the jacket fabric itself (10,000mm for the 2-layer fabric, 20,000mm for the 3-layer fabric) meant that there was almost no problem with water seeping in. The seams are also securely taped, so there is almost no need to worry about water seeping in through the seams

Unfortunately, the front zipper on this jacket is not waterproof, nor is it a double-flap design (there is a waterproof flap on the back of the zipper), so although you won't often find yourself in a situation where water is constantly hitting this point, it's important to keep in mind that it's not foolproof in the unlikely event of a storm or prolonged rain

Functionality: Comfortable hood, practical details

Adjustable hood with dial for easy fit

The outstanding functionality of the X-Shelter is not only due to the performance of the fabric, but also to the convenient adjustable hood, which can be adjusted to fit the shape of your head with just one dial

Simply push the dial on the back of your head in and turn it to the right to easily find the perfect fit, and it follows your neck movements perfectly. The brim is long enough to keep out rain from the front, and it's well-designed. Simply roll up your entire hood and tighten the dial at the end, and you can pack it away without needing a stuff sack

Double front zipper and snap buttons to prevent flapping

The front zipper is a double zipper that can be opened from the top and bottom. This is convenient for outdoor use, as it allows for ventilation and prevents interference with harnesses. Incidentally, this front zipper pull can also be used as a whistle in case of an emergency

Furthermore, even when the jacket is fully open, you can use the snap buttons on the chest to prevent it from flapping around

There are ample hand pockets on both sides with waterproof zippers to prevent water from getting inside

Velcro cuffs and drawcord hem

The wide cuffs allow for easy on and off even over gloves, and can be adjusted with Velcro. Suitable for a wide range of wear from early spring to early winter

There are drawcords on both sides of the hem, which can be tightened to prevent rain and cold air from entering

Highly functional overpants that combine protection with practicality for mountaineering

The pants that will be sold together with the product have a loose, straight fit and are designed to be worn over trekking pants as overpants, while still maintaining a stable, clean and neat silhouette

Like the jacket, the three-dimensional cut around the crotch and knees and moderate stretch allow for natural freedom of movement (although the side zippers are a bit stiff)

The side zipper can be fully opened from the feet to the waist, so you can easily wear it even while wearing thick trekking boots. This is especially useful when it starts to rain

The waist can be tightened with Velcro on both sides, so it fits a wide range of sizes

There are four pockets in total, one on each side and front and back, providing excellent storage capacity, as is typical of Workman

Summary: High-performance, cost-effective rainwear that's perfect for day trips or overnight hikes where comfort is more important than waterproofness

It's impressive to think that in 2025, a jacket priced well under 10,000 yen can achieve a maximum weight of 70,000g/m²/24h, a performance previously unheard of even by serious mountaineering brands. The completely satisfying comfort, high-quality materials, and meticulous functionality down to the finest details make it virtually unmatched at this price point. If I were to be greedy, I'd wish it were just a little lighter, and the front zipper more waterproof, but from my experience wearing it, I didn't feel it would be a major problem unless I was on a multi-day, full-scale mountain hike

However, for such tough and long routes, you should use a reliable model from a serious outdoor brand, not Workman. From the beginning, this site has said that Workman is a perfect product for light hiking, as an entry model for beginners before buying a serious model, or for veterans who understand its features and are willing to compromise. In that sense, even if you consider it within the above range, you will be more than satisfied with this rainwear, and you will wonder if there has ever been a more cost-effective option

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