I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

Tomoko Fukutaki, a mother of one who loves mountains, rivers, the sea, snow, and everything in between, and an outdoor writer active in outdoor and winter activity magazines, shared her recommended items for this fall.

The scorching heat is finally fading away in the Kanto region, with cool breezes finally blowing even during the day.

I've been trying out the TB Oze Jacket 2.0 in the field since I got it this spring. I've been wearing it on the low mountains near my house before it gets too hot, but I personally thought that autumn would be the time to really get the most out of this jacket.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

The Oze Jacket 2.0 is the women's version of the Yari Jacket 2.0, also from TB, which is for men.

Until last year, women who wanted to wear TB's waterproof and breathable shells had no choice but to choose the XS or S sizes of the jacket and pants from the popular "Tsurugi Series," which won an APEX AWARD in 2013. However, the "Oze Jacket 2.0" is a three-season outer jacket with sizes and patterns designed specifically for women. Compared to the "Tsurugi Jacket" and "Tsurugi Light Jacket," which are pullover jackets that you put on over your head, the Oze Jacket 2.0 (men's Yari Jacket 2.0) is a highly versatile full-zip jacket that was created last year in response to numerous requests from TB users.

It's an updated version with different materials, so that's why it's called 2.0.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

An image of the Oze Jacket 2.0. The hood fits nicely around the neck when lowered.

So, why did I think this could be used from autumn?

After trying it out in a variety of situations, I personally found it to be a jacket that could be used both as rainwear and as a shell for cold climates.

The updated 2.0 model uses the 3-layer "Aqua Breath" material, which TB developed in collaboration with Toray over two years. It's worth noting that this material is not only waterproof and breathable, but also places particular emphasis on breathability to keep the inside of the garment dry.

This material was created because not only the athletes that TB supports, but also the TB staff who plan and develop the material, are involved in activities that require a lot of physical activity all year round. When you move your body a lot, clothing inevitably becomes "steamy," so the material's dual functions of breathability and breathability make it perfectly suited to Japan's hot and humid climate.

In fact, I chose to go out on the trail on a rainy day, and when a strong wind blew, I could feel the breathability of the fabric (especially when wearing short sleeves and exposed skin underneath). Of course, even with breathability and moisture permeability, there are limits to how much you can handle depending on the amount of sweat you produce, but even when I tried other companies' products at the same time, the feeling of "exhaust" and "passing through" was noticeable.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

"Aqua Breath" is a material that emphasizes breathability. It allows not only water vapor such as sweat to pass through, but also air, so I found that it quickly eliminated stuffiness and heat even when I started climbing and my exercise level increased.

On the other hand, it also has the side of being a mountaineering shell that you'll want to take with you to the mountains from autumn to early winter (when there's no snow). The outer material is made of 15D ripstop nylon, which has enhanced abrasion resistance, and the longer round tail compared to the Tsurugi and Tsurugi Light provides solid protection for the back from wind and rain. It also has a roomier fit than TB's women's medium size products, so it didn't feel bulky even when layered with a thin fleece or dynamic thermal clothing.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

The fabric is soft and stretchy, so it doesn't feel stiff when layered. Personally, I think the body could be tightened a little more since the fabric is stretchy.

When your activity level increases and the breathability and ventilation of the material is no longer enough, you can open the pockets on the front to allow for direct ventilation.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

It's hard to see in the photo, but the inside of the large-capacity front pocket is mesh, a convenient feature that serves both as a pocket and as ventilation.

The front pocket can be fully opened and closed from top to bottom, regardless of the position of the harness, even when wearing the backpack. It is perfectly positioned so that there is no interference between the top and bottom, making it extremely convenient to use as both ventilation and a pocket.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

The hood is shaped to fit a helmet.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

TB originally started out making shells for freeride skiing and snowboarding. Because helmets are the norm in these sports, the hood design is particularly well thought out, and it fits perfectly. Drawcords on both the vertical and horizontal sides allow for fine-tuning of the fit.

I tried wearing it in the mountains in autumn. OZE JACKET 2.0 Review

Left) The cuffs are designed with ample room to accommodate watches with large bezels or to allow for easy insertion and removal of the wrist even when wearing gloves. Right) The inside of the collar that touches the chin is lined with microfleece. These are small details, but they are appreciated in the colder months.

It's not exceptionally light, but I got the impression that it struck the best balance among the various components, such as the thickness of the fabric, the shape of the hood, and the zipper, which is designed for ease of use.

By the way, what surprised me was how supple the fabric was, something you wouldn't expect from a hard shell. It doesn't have the stiff, crisp feel that shells have, and you don't feel like you're wrapped in something stiff. If you're familiar with Polartec NeoShell, which TB has used up until now, you might understand what I mean when I say it reminds you of that softness. If you liked that, you'll love this.

It's waterproof and breathable, yet breathable and comfortable to wear. It's versatile enough to be used in a variety of situations, so it's a shame to keep it in a drawer and limit it to mountain use. It's perfect for not only mountain hiking, but also outdoor festivals, mushroom hunting, dog walks, and grocery shopping, from spring to autumn (early winter).

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