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Stoic Vaporshell 3L Anorak

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Stoic Vaporshell 3L Anorak waterproof jacket

Great wp/b shell, usually at an affordable price

Pros

  • Kangaroo pouch
  • Single side vent

Cons

  • No pit zips
  • Rubber velcro cuffs don't stay closed well

Fit & Comfort: I purchased a medium, my typical size, which I found to be a bit on the slim side and a little shorter than I would have expected, the sleeves are more than adequate length for me. I've worn it comfortably in the rain and in windy weather. It is an effort to slip on due to the slim fit and half zipper. Unzipping the side zipper makes getting it on and off easier, though.

Adjustability: There is a draw cord around the waist and in the hood.

Water Resistance: It has a claimed waterproof rating of 28,000 mm. I have only used it in a few light rain showers with good results

Breathability: It has a claimed breathability rating of 46,000 g/m^2, enough that I can feel the wind a little bit, but not so much.

Moisture: I haven't used it yet in warmer weather or in situations where I was concerned about sweat.

Warmth: It is just a shell without any insulation, I find that it blocks wind well enough.

Layering: If you take your normal size, you might be able to fit a fleece layer underneath, but not down.

Abrasion and Durability: The fabric feels pretty strong; it's ripstop polyester. I haven't subjected it to any significant abrasion, though it seems like it should be fine. All of the seams are taped.

Function: The only pocket is the kangaroo pocket, which is convenient to access and big enough to hold a map and a large smartphone without a problem.

Conditions: I've worn this shell in light showers and windy weather in the 30s-40s on short hikes and light backpacking trips.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $41.70 from backcountry.com

The Stoic Vaporshell is a pretty good jacket with a few problems.

The first problem I found right off the bat was that the rubber tabs on the cuffs do not stick to the velcro at all, so I ended up cutting them off, which was no big deal.

Another problem I've run into is that one cuff hole is significantly smaller than the other making it pretty difficult to get my right hand out of the jacket. This I'm sure isn't the case with all of the jackets. I measured to make sure it wasn't my hand that's huge!

It's also a little tight to get in and out of. You have to unzipper the torso zipper to let some slack out.

Other than that its a pretty solid jacket. It's pretty tough and won't rip when your going through thorn bushes or get it snagged on branches. It's been great shedding rain and keeps you nice and dry. It also doesn't get clammy which is nice on warmer days.

Overall I like this jacket and for the price it's a good deal. Just needs some tweaks.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $69

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Specs

Price Historic Range: $55.60
Reviewers Paid: $41.70-$69.00
Product Details from Stoic »

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