Westcomb Focus LT Hoody Review

[Stephanie Jordan]

Companion forum thread to:

Westcomb Focus LT Hoody Review

[Robert Burke]

Ryan,

Great review. Thanks! The jacket that was almost meant to be.

Bob Burke

[Dean F.]

Now THIS is the detailed sort of review that impresses me about BPL. Some don't live up to the standard, granted, but in general BPL reviews are outstanding.

So if the Focus LT isn't quite living up to the hype just yet what IS the current state of the art in UL rain jackets? Is it still the ID eVENT jacket?

[David Chenault]

#3 zips on full-zip jackets are a pet peeve. Under ideal conditions and use they last, but I don't think that's a realistic expectation for backcountry gear.

[JP]

–

[wayne R Clark]

ok its 60 grams over, we get the point, dont go on and on about it, how much do YOU weigh and how much does your overnight hiking kit weigh? and you have an majorissue with 60 grams? sometimes i'd rather have the extra 60 grams, for a stronger product than obsess at having 60 grams less. westcomb addressed the issue and have updated their weights. like your life isnt going to end because of an extra 60 grams. shame about the cuff, but westcomb usually replace the garment when theres a failure of it, they ahve a good warranty, did you approach them about the cuff failure at all? if so what was tehir response? dont throw the baby out with the bath water over 60 grams and a cuff, there are far more dodgy brand ds and garments out there.
i'm getting a focus shortly and i'll see how it goes for me, i'm spending ten days on a trip in it. but i'm not going to cry ov 60 grams and a broken cuff, i'll talk to westcomb if my cuff is a problem and go from there. otherwise i'll enjoy what otherwise seems to be a pretty good jacket for teh weight.

[Joseph R]

Hi Dean,
I'd recommend checking out the Rab Pulse/Kinetic jackets. I have a Kinetic and like quite a bit – still need to put it through the wringer, but initial results – the pertex shield+ fabric is fairly breathable and quite durable, maybe not as breathable as 3 layer eVent, but not bad for a 2.5 layer fabric and the chest pockets are mesh backed and well placed to function as vents when needed. Probably makes sense to size up depending on your intended layering strategy – the shoulders are a bit snug compared to the outdoor gear fit I'm used to – it's perfectly acceptable for my 3 usual season insulation layers (Stoic Hadron, Rab Xenon), but not enough room for my Rab Infinity down jacket. Weight is 231g/8.14oz for my men's medium (going with the Pulse would save you an extra oz or so, although the Kinetic is the more functional design), and it sells for about $100 less than this Westcomb.

Cheers,

Joe

[Peter S]

Would be:

– Rab Demand pullover
– OMM Cypher smock

[Jerry Adams]

I've been experimenting with #3 zippers on synthetic vest, gaiters, and on pyramid tent

So far, they are working fine, but if they failed, no big deal since they're MYOG

The jurie's still out, but I'm leaning toward #3 zippers, but maybe on an expensive product that I want to last a long time, #5 would be better

[Peter S]

Wayne, this is BacpackingLIGHT…

And BTW, – deceptive advertising is always bad

[JP]

–

[Peter S]

Why do you need full front zip?

I'd take a 3 layer e-vent jacket over a paclite, a cuben or any 2.5 layer any day – less clammy and more durable.

[JP]

–

[Peter S]

Josh, i definitely hear ya! That's why i have both pullovers and full-zips in both wind jackets and rain jackets. I prefer Full-zips for everyday use, but pullovers for Hiking, because you don't get any "waist-belt and zipper grinding" and the weight savings i can somewhat "transfer" to a less clammy 3 layer membrane, that IMO does more for keeping a nice climate inside the jacket than a full-zip 2.5 layer membrane.

But if i where to own only 1 rain jacket, i'd definitely get a full-zip also.

Cheers!

[wayne R Clark]

westcomb said they had changed the design, it may be they neglected to update their website when the design change and the weight went up , it may not be deliberate
ok 60 grams overweight is an issue but the point was made in the first sentence. i think we're intellegent enough to understand the implications of that as it perteins to lightweightbapckpacking but there comes a point where it is just overkill to go on about an issue…
i've read far more good things about swetcomb than bad things i wouldnt be so quick to tar them with a brush about being deceptive.
they've been given no right of reply over the whole review at all.

[Peter S]

Or it may very well be deliberate…who knows…but like every other "light outdoor gear maker", there's money in being lighter. That's what we have BPL for. To stop marketing BS.

Edit: BTW, the repeating of the weight differential by Ryan Jordan had IMO a nice touch of humor/sarcasm – i thought it was pretty funny, because i know how geeky i can get about light backpacking

[wayne R Clark]

well the design change definitely altered the weight a bit if not entirely. so i'd give westcomb the benefit of the doubt , they should have right of reply, they dont sepcialise in ultralight gear. so it may have just been thenm not payhing as much attention to the weight of their garments as specialist ultralight brands do. a lot of brands and people wouldnt think much of 60 grams. westcomb dont have bad reputation, they have good warranties on tehir gear so i wouldnt be so harsh on them, when it could well be an oversight. again they arent a specialist ultralight gear maker but they are being put under the ultralight spotlight. something that tehy probably arent that used to.

[W I S N E R !]

Sixty grams is a big deal when when you are dealing with an audience that will buy a $200 jacket and sell it at a loss (even though it's perfectly good) in order to spend another $280 on a newer, shinier model that supposedly saves 60 grams.

This is BPL after all….

[Peter S]

this could very well be a nice jacket!

[Stephen M]

Thanks for the review Ryan, you just saved me a bucket of cash.

I have been using a 310g Montane Quickfire Event jacket for about 4 years and was thinking of upgrading to the Westcomb offering, now that I know there is only a 50g difference I won't bother.

Cheers,

Stephen

[Peter S]

Well, if this jacket wasn't aimed at geeky gram-weenies, then Westcomb shouldn't care about this thread at all..

[Andrew Manies]

Not to jump on the bandwagon, but I had similar concerns about the Focus and opted to get the Shift LT instead. Yes, it's 11 oz (medium), but has better construction all-around and I'm guessing comparable breathability. Since it's another 2 oz more than the Focus, though, I'm sure there are plenty of Gore ActiveShell or proprietary membrane jackets in its higher weight category. I just love the fit of the Shift and its minimal feature set. Worth considering, anyway.

[Ryan Smith]

Great review! For $300, I expect the actual weight to be much closer to stated. Hard to believe this was an oversight by Westcomb.

Ryan

[Andy Jarman]

I'd like to know where this one stands in the market;

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/wpb_jacket.shtml

4.7ounce, full zip, breathable, custom made to fit you, $225, and from a great bunch of people who like to look after their customers.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

"they've been given no right of reply over the whole review at all."
Ryan was clearly talking to them about the weight issue and most likely they knew about the review. And regardless, the review is negative because of black and white issues (grommets, wrist issues and weight). It's not a negative review based on subjective criteria.

I own a Westcomb jacket and it's been great (bought it right from the factory). The fit is awesome and I really like how the Focus LT has the same long cut too – unlike most rain jackets that pour rain down your backside when you bend over. I would buy a 9oz rain jacket, even though the 7oz claimed weight was one of the main things that distinguished this jacket from the mass of light rain coats out there. I would like to see the grommets and wrist issue fixed though.

[Author]

Posts