The North Face Jammu Soft Shell Jacket

www.thenorthface.com
Waterproof-breathable laminates may be the space race of the outdoor industry. From Gore-Tex to eVent to 1,001 proprietary treatments, it’s easy to get washed away in the scientific minutia—even if the advances move us closer to the perfect form of weather protection.  Last winter Polartec introduced their latest solution, and it’s one of the best we’ve tested.  Dubbed NeoShell, the treatment boasts air permeability that rapidly accelerates breathability and moisture transfer—in other words, you stay dry, but you don’t overheat.  Jammu’s soft shell fabric avoids the crinkle of a hard shell (as you’d expect), but it’s also one of the smoothest on the market, with a tailored fit that’s at home on the street as in the backcountry.  Seam-taped construction reinforces the waterproofness, the helmet-compatible hood seldom annoyed us when it wasn’t wrapped around our heads, and the brushed interior ensures next-to-skin comfort.  The twin side pockets are sizable, and the mesh interior means you can dump additional heat if you’re really exerting yourself, while a Napoleon chest pocket is deep enough to hold precious electronics. At one pound, ten ounces, it’s not the lightest waterproof/breathable on the market—those looking for a stash-friendly emergency shell should look elsewhere. But the Jammu is tailor-made for hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, and traveling in cooler conditions that come with the promise of foul weather.