Teton Bros.'s guide to choosing a shell for spring and summer

Shells that block wind and rain are essential items for comfort and safety in the field. Rain shells worn on rainy days are highly waterproof and offer excellent breathability to prevent rain and reduce stuffiness while on the move. Wind shells that stop the wind are extremely lightweight and compact enough to fit in a pocket, making them highly portable.

Teton Bros. offers several specifications and designs for both types of jackets so that you can choose the one that best suits your purpose and conditions.

In this column, we will introduce three rain shell models and two wind shell models, explaining their concepts, fabric characteristics, and how to use them.

Of the five spring and summer shells introduced here, the biggest difference in functionality is waterproofness.

Unlike a fully waterproof shell, a wind shell can repel light drizzle, but it is not waterproof against continuous rain. However, it is lighter, weighing about half the weight of a waterproof shell, and is compact enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Although it is very thin, it is a shell that can be used in a variety of situations.

Among them, the ROCK JACKET (4) is a product specialized for climbing, so for all-around use in a variety of fields, we recommend the WIND RIVER HOODY (5).

All three waterproof shells on the left are designed to perform as rain jackets.

From the left, the YARI/WS OZE JACKET (1) is a full-spec standard model. It's perfect for long-term mountain trips and serious mountaineering, and is also a great choice for your first rainwear purchase. The FEATHER RAIN JACKET (2) is made from the same material but is extremely lightweight. It's also perfect to keep in your backpack as a backup when good weather is forecast.

The TSURUGI LITEJACKET (3) is a unique piece that is typical of Teton Bros. It functions well as a rain shell, but its comfort makes it a versatile outer layer as well. It's a piece you'll want to wear even on days other than rainy days.

YARI JACKET / WS OZE JACKET

The YARI JACKET and the Women's WS OZE JACKET are Teton Bros.' classic spring/summer shell jackets. They offer full-spec shell functionality perfect for mountaineering and long-term mountain trips, including alpine terrain.

The full-zip closure makes it easy to put on and take off in sudden rain or changeable weather. The large diagonal ventilation on both sides improves ventilation around the armpits, where large arteries are located close to the body surface, for a cooling effect. It's also easy to open and close, even while wearing a backpack.

The hood is compatible with alpine helmets, the cuffs are slightly wider so you can wear gloves without feeling stressed, and the Velcro fastening prevents wind and rain from getting in.

The material used is lightweight and highly abrasion-resistant "Stretch Cordura Super Durable 3L," which not only provides sufficient waterproofing and breathability to protect the body, but also provides fabric strength (high abrasion resistance) against rubbing against rock surfaces and pumila, stretchability that follows your movements, and comfort.

The WS Oze Jacket has the same basic functionality as the Yari Jacket, but is designed with a pattern that is tailored to the female skeleton.

Feather Rain Jacket

The Feather Rain Jacket is made from the same material (Stretch Cordura Super Durable 3L) as the Yari Jacket and WS Oze Jacket. This shell is lightweight while taking advantage of the strength of the material.

The hood is not helmet compatible. It features a single large-capacity chest pocket and simple cord-elastic cuffs, resulting in a minimalist design with essential features. Despite being a 3-layer shell, it weighs an impressive 185g (size M). This lightweight yet durable shell is ideal for mountain running, fastpacking, or as an emergency shell to keep in your backpack.

While it's slimmer than the YARI JACKET and WS OZE JACKET, the lightweight, stretchy fabric and range-of-motion patterning ensure unrestricted movement. The armholes are roomy enough for layering on colder days.

TSURUGI LITE JACKET

The Tsurugi Lite Jacket is a shell that is suitable for a variety of activities during the snow-free season (mainly spring and summer) and inherits the functionality and design of the Tsurugi Jacket, which was developed as an ice climbing shell.

The material is Teton Bros.' proprietary breathable waterproof material "Täsmä," which is highly waterproof and breathable, and has excellent stretchability despite being nylon. It's also soft, comfortable, and easy to move in, unlike a fully waterproof shell.

Its greatest feature is that it is a pullover. The double zipper ventilation that opens wide from the neck to the sides allows for effective ventilation while eliminating the difficulty of putting on and taking off a pullover.
The lack of a zipper in the center of the jacket makes the garment itself lightweight, and the lack of a zipper on the abdomen area makes it comfortable to wear, making it suitable for a wide range of spring and summer activities.

ROCK JACKET

The ROCK JACKET is a wind shell for rock climbing that is lightweight, durable, and windproof.

Designed for use while climbing, the jacket is made from HPPE (high-strength polyethylene), which has high abrasion resistance and tear strength, making it resistant to abrasion against rocks and other surfaces. Due to the characteristics of the material, it is more windproof than breathable, making it suitable for keeping warm when climbing at high altitudes or belaying.

Compared to Teton Bros.' classic WIND RIVER HOODY, it is less stretchy and breathable, but makes up for it with significantly higher wind resistance and tear strength, and the three-dimensional cut is designed to accommodate movements such as raising your arms, so it is stress-free.

WIND RIVER HOODY

The thin, lightweight windshell WIND RIVER HOODY is a long-selling item from Teton Bros. for spring and summer.

It has a good balance of wind resistance, breathability, and water repellency, blocking the wind while trekking, allowing sweat to wick away when exercise intensity increases, and repelling drizzle.

This season, the fabric has been changed to improve its ability to move away from the skin when you sweat, minimizing the discomfort of the fabric sticking to your body due to sweat. In addition, by using recycled nylon, which is extremely durable among general wind shells, the strength against tearing and abrasion has also been improved.

It can be worn over a fleece as a wind shell in strong winds, and is also suitable for keeping warm in chilly weather.
It is useful for all aspects of outdoor activities, such as trekking, mountain running, and backcountry hiking during snowy seasons.