Westcomb Focus LT Hoody Review

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?

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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

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

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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.

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.

this could very well be a nice jacket!

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

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

"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.