Lightest Neoshell Jacket and Pants on the market.

I don't know the answer, but my Westcomb Shift hooded full zip jacket weighs 11 oz (size medium). The fabric on the Shift is fairly robust and it has some four-way stretch. It is also very quiet, it has a soft (cordura-like) surface, and a matte appearance. So, I would guess that a similar jacket made with a crinkly, ultra-thin, hardshell face fabric could be an ounce or two lighter. I don't know if such a jacket is available.

I'm not sure but I think it's the Westcomb Shift too. I have the Westcomb Swift, which adds pit-zips and is 430 gr. for a Medium (like Colin says, the Shift is roughly 100gr. lighter). As an aside, the quality, attention to detail and construction on the Westcomb garments I've seen or own has been truly truly amazing.

i have no idea on neoshell …

but i have several westcomb garments … even the fleece is triple stitched and not a loose thread in sight

its all proudly made in vancouver, bc

;)

Guys,

Sounds like the Westcomb gear is top notch, much appreicated for the replies.

Stephen, I'll second the comments about Westcomb here — absolutely top-notch kit. I've been replacing more and more of my Rab and Arcteryx bits with Westcomb and have no complaints.

For tops, the Shift LT is indeed the lightest NeoShell jacket option I'm aware of; Rab Myriad is likely next up the chain, but it's ~3oz heavier and probably suffers from Rab's narrow-shouldered cut. EMS makes a house-brand NeoShell Helix anorak that's 12oz; haven't seen it or tried it on, but historically their cuts and attention to detail are hit-or-miss.

For pants, the Rab Stretch Neo pants are probably your best option at ~17oz; well-reviewed at Cold Thistle and elsewhere. Rab makes a Fusion pant (Matrix softshell thighs, Neo calves) but they're a weird mix and are approaching 20oz.

I wish Westcomb would make a Neo pant. I have their eVent Cruiser LT pants which are heavy but bomber; I keep trying lighter options (Marmot Essence, Montane Minimus) and keep coming back to the Westcombs. The significant expansion of their line this season has me hopeful for a neoshell pant in the near future…

Hi Will,

It tried The EMS Neoshell Jacket and the fit was very poor so sent it back, I also tried a Shift and was swimming in an XL have not had a chnace to try a Large, I normally take an XL is rain gear to allow for layers, I seem to prfer the cut of RabMontane as that what I ahev been suing for years.

I hear you on the lighweight stuff, its really has crpapy beathability, fine for sitting in the pack in summer.

Stephan, this guy appears to make customs sized jackets/pants outta neoshell in three different fabric weights. Using the ligtest fabric weight he quotes jacket and pant weight of ~10ozs each. For $150 apiece seems like a great deal. Note the jacket doesn’t have a hood (though being custom) I imagine you could have one added.

foxwear website

Hi James,

I came across them before, I did not much information about them.

I just shopped around for neoshell pants and got the rab stretch neo pants on sale from backcountry. They have XL and XXL left:

http://www.backcountry.com/rab-stretch-neo-pant-mens-rab0131

I sized up from a normal L to XL but the fit seems fine for skiing. They may be a bit long/loose for use with trail runners but have a drawstring in the cuff that should help. I posted some fit picks on the hillmap blog:

http://blog.hillmap.com/2013/10/will-rab-stretch-neo-pant-keep-me.html

Mountain Equipment has announced a pant that looks to lack the 3/4 side zips of the rab and might be lighter but they haven't announced a weight:

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/clothing/waterproof/arclight_pant—863/

Golite has a more affordable pant that is a bit heavier but includes (removable?) suspenders and full side zips (non waterproof with storm flaps):

http://www.golite.com/Mens-Crestone-Polartec-NeoShell-Pant-P47030.aspx

All the other pants i've seen are heavier ski pants or bibs. THough brooks range does have a new claimed 17oz / 482 g bib:

http://brooks-range.com/Armor-Suit.html

They also have a couple of new jackets that are decently light.

13 oz / 369 g claimed Armor Lt:

http://brooks-range.com/Lt-Armor-Jacket.html

15.5 oz / 439 g claimed Armor:
http://brooks-range.com/Armor-Jacket.html

http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=567495

on neo shell durability for climbing … which you arent doing … but if theres issues with some you should know about it before hand

;)

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the article, will check it out later, your right they are not for climbing but they will see use with ice axe and crampons.

Hi ryan,

I looked at the rab Neo pants and at 330$ they are still out of my range, I have a pair of event pants already so may just get a Neo jacket.