Polartec Neoshell anyone?

[Ramanonos]

I've read some hype about the new Polartec neoshell being a better alternative to event and Goretex. Reviews saying it's very breathable. But we all know how those magazine reviews work... I suppose I believe the hype about breathability; but I'm concerned about waterproof. On the one hand GTex, is great on the waterproof side, which is important in PacNW, but is pretty bad on breathability. It's a tradeoff, I know... I've had condensation inside freeze up on me (dangerous) with goretex, but I'd hate to switch over on hype alone and discover polartec leaks like a siv in the rain. Especially out... there

[Dane]

I've been using several Neoshell garments for a year now. It is not hype....it works as advertised, may be even better.

 

Several reviews and a comparison to other technologies in the NW rain on my blog.

[xhen]

Any word on who's carrying it? I think Westcomb and Rab, if I remember Dane's stuff right? I see that the new GTX stuff is being carried by Patagonia (at least it's better to H2Crap) and others. But, I'm a Polartec (and Dane) fan and have been eyeing this for a bit...

[Ramanonos]

At $400+, it seems like a pretty unknown bet. My old Northface shell is my trusted workhorse. I know it will keep me dry in ugly conditions high on the mountain, but I wouldn't wear it working out because like all gortex, it becomes really wet inside. I'm intrigued by the breathability claims of polartec, but worried about waterproof. Sounds like Dane thinks its the real-deal. That's really been the only non-sponsored opinion I've read. Thanks. I may need to pull the trigger.

[layton]

goretex proshell has probably come down in price, and is surprisingly breathable

[Zoran]

I don't own Neo-Shell garment yet.

 

Maybe you don't know but Cloudveil is making one for this coming fall. It's called Cold Peak or something like that. I would like to see it. Cloudveil making great stuff.

 

Mammut and Eider have Neo-Shell garments but Eider won't be available in US this season.

 

 

 

 

[LSD1977]

As Dane said Neo Shell is not hype!

 

I have the Neo Shell coat Mammut put out and it is the real deal. I have been using in now for a few months and love love love it. A couple weeks ago i did a cold approach to a climb on a 0% morning. I had a Cap 1 base layer, a R1 hoody, then my Mammut Neo Shell then a Arcteryx Atom Lt on top of it all.

 

I know quite a bit of clothing but it was a cold start and i figured i would shed the Atom Lt up trail a bit. We where moving at quite a clip as we where not sure the climb would be in and wanted to be able to get out and to another climb in such a case. Being the case i never did stop to take it off.

 

My point is i did a 4.5 mile back country jog with the usual ice climbing gear and 6 inches of fresh powder and the coat never got wet inside. Yes i was sweating quite bad and wet but the amazing thing was no condensation under the Neo shell.

 

Mind you different Neo Shell jackets are made of different weight and stretch material. For instance the Rab Stretch Neo Shell is like 550 grams and the hand much like a pro shell kinda weight. The Mammut Gipflegrat Neo Shell is more like a soft shell in weight or thicker and 700-800 grams but stretches like crazy and no way in hell you are gonna tear or get the stuff to pull or pile. I can see this jacket still being worn in ten years!

 

Ow yeah and no way you are gonna get wet in either even in full on rain. I tested that walking the dogs a couple times now.

 

Gore Active shell is also pretty good but nothing like this Neo Shell from what i can tell so far and also fragile like most Gore Products.