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JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - Spring 2008 - Index

Merrell Radiate Jacket (www.merrell.com) MSRP: $400
Text by Lynda Haley
The flared arms, retro snaps and sleek design of the Merrell Radiate jacket made me think of cruising downtown in a rainstorm, but then the
Gore-tex® waterproofing and the sturdy material added a technical flare that made me yearn for the mountains. I sported the Merrell Radiate
jacket on a recent ice climbing trip to Ouray, Colorado. It was an unseasonably warm weekend for January, which made the icefalls wet and even
provided a rainy day in addition to the usual snowfall. These were the perfect conditions to put this fashionable yet technical jacket to the test.
Ice climbing requires a flexible and durable jacket. Although the Radiate does not have 2- or 4-way stretch and is a little stiff, it still allowed high,
extended reaches without pulling or tightness. The material, which is heavier than any jacket I would take hiking, provided extraordinary strength
against the ice and the wind. The second day of our trip was dreary and rainy, but the water beading on the jacket was beautiful. With the Goretex®
Pro Shell 3-layer waterproof, breathable fabric, the 8mm taped seams and the waterproof front zipper with a bonded storm flap, you can’t
help but stay dry. The hood was not large enough to fit over my climbing helmet, but as this jacket was not specifically designed for climbing,
that can be expected. The removable hood is convenient, although I rarely remove hoods, especially on waterproof jackets. Merrell uses snaps on
the front flap to cover the main zipper as well as on the sleeves to allow for size adjustments. While snaps are much sturdier than Velcro, they are
often hard to close, especially when your hands are cold. I particularly didn’t like the snaps on the sleeves because it only allowed for two sizes,
and so I was not able to cinch my sleeves tight enough to fit into my ice climbing gloves.
We spent our third day of the trip skiing at Telluride, so I donned the Radiate on the slopes. Again, the Gore-tex® perfectly repelled the
constantly falling snow and the three feet of fresh powder that sprayed me as I descended the trails. The heavier material also made the ride up
the lift cozy by adding warmth and blocking the wind. It would have been nice if the collar came up a little higher, as I was unable to protect my
mouth and nose from the elements. I also discovered that the pockets, while creatively designed, are not very functional. They were awkward to
get into and not very big. I couldn’t even get my small digital camera in one. The pockets can be entered from the top by unsnapping the flap,
but instead of the opening being the entire length of the flap, it is only a slit and that slit does not open very wide. There are also pockets that can
be accessed from the sides, which are easier to get your hands quickly out of the elements, but are still not good for storage. Pockets are essential
for storing snacks, maps, chap stick, etc., when skiing and this jacket didn’t come through for me. I also had the same irritation with the limited
cinchability of the sleeves and my ski gloves. I like a seamless covering of my arms so that no wind or snow may enter, and I had to constantly
readjust with this jacket.
The Merrell Radiate jacket is a great overall jacket, providing comfort, style and protection against the
elements. Right now, it only comes in black, but most likely that is because it is still new and hopefully
they will offer more colors soon. At $400, it is a little pricey for an around- town jacket, and if I were
going to spend that much, I would prefer to spend it on a more technical jacket. However, the
Gore-tex ® won’t break down when exposed to exhaust fumes like other waterproofing
membranes, so if you are going to be in the mountains Jeeping, this would be an excellent jacket
that will protect you in any weather and will look great in all the pictures.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Specifications and Features:
• Gore-Tex® Pro Shell 3-layer waterproof, breathable fabric
• Sealed with 8mm tape
• Waterproof, venting pit-zips
• Women’s sizes: XS-XL
Gear Guide