Parker White Gore-Tex Stretch Weapon Jacket

Alongside the Dojo Pant/Paclite Jacket, 686 also sent me a full stretch Gore-Tex kit in the form of the Weapon Jacket and matching Dispatch Bibs seen in this review. I've mentioned this before, but I'm the kind of guy who avoids technical jackets unless conditions actually require one. Usually, I'll only grab a 'proper' ski jacket only when touring and during storms. However, this was my first experience with Stretch Gore-Tex and the Weapon has somewhat changed my opinion on whether I'd wear a full-blooded ski jacket out of choice rather than necessity. Sure, a hoodie or windbreaker ultimately gives more freedom of movement, but the Weapon, especially in its shell-only guise is probably the best jacket I've owned in terms of the comfort vs performance tradeoff.

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The jacket is one of 686's 'Smarty' offerings, aimed at providing all you need for all conditions in a single purchase. The outer shell is just that, an uninsulated 2L Stretch Gore-Tex jacket, but it's sold with a zip-in 600-fill-down insulator. Unlike some brands, both are also standalone pieces and the shell/inner look great worn separately. I rarely found I needed the inner down jacket on the hill. That's no surprise, I almost never wear more than a hoody and a baselayer under my shell, but I did find myself wearing the inner as my day-to-day jacket because it's incredibly comfortable and looks great. The inner down midlayer also fits shorter and snugger than the shell, meaning that while the jacket in a large (I'm 5'9, 145lbs) ticks all my ingrained bagginess requirements, the inner alone allows me to pass as a respectable adult. Worn together, I can't imagine ever needing anything warmer.

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In the past, I've come across an assumption that when you buy a combo jacket (shell + inner), neither is as good quality as buying individually. But as far as I can tell, there are no corners cut here. Both the inner and shell are top-end products and the shell in particular stands out. In terms of comfort vs performance, the tradeoff is second to none I've tried. I've had softer/thinner jackets which were a touch more comfortable, and I've had other Gore-tex jackets that offer the same performance. But I've never had a top-end technical jacket that's as easy to move in as the Weapon. In the past, I have always shed my jacket as soon as I was in the park or playing around in the resort, but with the Weapon, I felt no need. I can't really pay it a higher compliment than that in terms of comfort.

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And of course, being a high-end jacket, all the tech boxes are ticked. 2L Gore-Tex, Gore-Tex taped seams, tons of pockets and storage options, RFID blocking inner pocket... you name it the Weapon has it in its arsenal. And unlike some (most?) Gore-Tex shells, it actually looks really good too. The fit is tall and decently baggy, but not so baggy it gets in the way when touring or hiking. Match it with the Dispatch bib and you've got a full outerwear setup that will take you anywhere a sane person dares to tread, whatever the conditions. - [tag=105085]@Twig[/tag]