UKC

I managed to put a very large gash in my hardshell jacket the other week, which has effectively written it off! So, I'm after a new jacket...

I just tried the Crux Torq on and it looks the complete business: tough and light, zero "features", pockets in the right place, good cut. Plus I dig the really fat zips, cos I was always fiddling around with the small zipper on my old Patagonia jacket, and it always made me nervous.

However. Two features slightly niggle me: the lack of a wired hood; the lack of pit zips. How effective is the hood in poor conditions? I know event is meant to be breathable, but how breathable is it in practice? I don't get too sweaty, but I have always appreciated pit zips in the past!

Anyone with any real-world experience with this jacket out there?

Cheers for any help!

In reply to DannyB: Worth checking the UKC gear review archives as there are more and more reviews in there each month.

This is editor Jack's review of exactly that jacket: http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=1777

Jack can probably answer a direct question as well if its not covered in the review.

In reply to TobyA:

Cheers for that. Yeah, I'd seen the review already and Jack's conclusions basically mirror my first (shop-based!) impressions.

Just wondering if there are any other owners out there - I really haven't seen the jacket out and about at all, and no one I know has one.

In reply to DannyB: The lack of the wire in the hood is interesting isn't it? Crux are so specialist I can't imagine that they just forgot, but generally I think for lousy weather having a wired hood is worth the few grammes more.

In reply to DannyB:

I don't have a Torq, but I use a Crux Flak jacket.

It's great in my opinion. I chose it because of the lack of features that I never use (extra pockets, pit zips etc). That way it's still light while being super tough.

The Torq looks slightly lighter with a slightly less tough fabric.

I can't comment on the lack of wired hood, since the Flak does have a wired one (which is massive and brilliant with a helmet), but as for breathability, it's by far the best hardshell I've ever tried (I think it's as breathable as my softshell jacket).

The cut of the jacket is great for me too, but I guess that depends on your shape.

In reply to TobyA:

No, it seems a purposeful decision to bring the weight down. However, I'm with you in that a wired hood is worth its weight in bad weather - I've had unwired hoods in the past, and while they've worked, the wired ones are always superior!

In reply to Glen:

Cheers for that!

In reply to DannyB:

Well, just got the shop to put it aside for me - picking it up this weekend, so we'll see how it goes. Good price too. Looks the best option out there: Rab Latok doesn't fit me too well, though I like the jacket and it's similar in concept to the Crux; Mountain Equipment Tupilak looks sweet but is a few notes more, although would be a very creditable alternative; can't afford Arc'teryx.

Cheers for the help, will post comments here once I've abused it a bit.

In reply to DannyB:

I have a Crux Flak Jacket (so not a Torq) - The design (not much to them but when you have one you realise you don't actually need that much just BIG front pockets) and quality of the jackets is excellent - would definately buy another if the need ever arises in the future.

Tip: Occassionally they have clearance items on their website which happens to be where I got my Jacket from at a bargain price.... unfortunately nothing on sale there currently though.

PS: Don't be fooled... the UKC name is coincidence... I'm not part of Crux the outdoor gear makers.

In reply to DannyB:

Friend of mine (works as instructor in llanberis)had a crux jacket - zipper let rain in and killed his phone - not a happy bunny.

In reply to DannyB: I got one a couple of weeks ago, having looked at them for a while. I got mine 30% off at S&R covent garden! If you are in London try them as they had a few (plus Arcteryx) in decent sizes, not just XXL.

Seems excellent so far, good fit, good movement, hood a good fit with or without helmet, not noticed any problems with unwired hood and was out in Cwm Idwal last week and was very blowy withhorizontal rain. Nice simple design, no bells or whistles (one complaint is nothing to attach a whistle to!). With care should last but don't think will be wearing up thrutchy chimneys. Haven't had good experience withGoretex so looking forwrd to seeing how Event works, the DWR is excellent so far.

In reply to DannyB: Hi Danny,

Yes I have one and did the review for UKC that Toby linked above.

I won't repeat what I said in the review... so -

If it fits you, if it is the type of weight of jacket that you are looking for, I would say that it is a good buy.

There are a lot of good jackets on the market these days, and this is one of them. I think as long as you go with a good, trusted brand, then you won't have any problems, whichever jacket you buy.

Singular stories like "my mate had one and the zip leaked" don't make much sense to me, as of course, there could be a fault in any single item, but if you go with a good retailer and a good brand, if there is a real fault, then you can just return the product.

Not that I think you will need to with this jacket!

Cheers,

Jack

In reply to Jack Geldard - Editor - UKC:

Thanks again for the comments.

Jack, agree with the singular stories point! I guess the only design aspect of a jacket I'm really interested in is the hood (given the obvious: suitable fabric, weight, etc) - I actively recommended friends not buy the same jacket as my last one (Patagonia Stretch something, not the Element, something else) because the hood design was really bad. Hence the question about the Crux hood.

Anyway, cheers, and looking forward to putting the new jacket through its paces!