Advnture Verdict
A near-perfect jacket that benefits from the newest light, waterproof Gore Active fabric with the most useful features.
Pros
- +
Adjustable hood
- +
Chest pocket
- +
Reflective details
- +
Water-resistant zips
- +
Glove-compatible zip cords
- +
Thumb loops
Cons
- -
No hem or cuff adjustment
- -
More expensive
- -
Only available in black
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Ronhill & Mountain Equipment Tech Gore-Tex ShakeDry: first impressions
The Ronhill & Mountain Equipment Tech Gore-Tex ShakeDry is an outstanding collaboration from two leading outdoor brands: running specialists Ronhill and Mountain Equipment, experts in hiking and mountaineering. This happy union has bred a near-perfect lightweight running jacket for fast-and-light activities.
Employing ShakeDry technology, this is one of the most breathable jackets that you can currently buy, thanks to this innovative new fabric. Gore have taken away the protective face fabric that usually goes on top of the waterproof membrane, removing the need for a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment to the face fabric, increasing breathability and reducing weight as there is now nothing to absorb water when that DWR gradually wears away through use (if not reproofed regularly).
Fit-wise, the jacket allows you to run unrestricted: it’s relaxed around the hips with elastic each side rather than an adjustment cord. The arms are plenty long enough to accommodate the small thumb loops and the partly-elasticated cuffs make for a good fit.
The main zip has a storm flap behind, a chest popper/press stud for easy venting and a long pull cord good for use with running gloves on. The chest pocket has a water-resistant zip too (and a note written inside saying it’s not fully waterproof to warn those tempted to put an unwrapped smartphone inside).
There is no peak to the hood, which is one of the few drawbacks, but it does fit well round a ponytail and adjusts with a clip at the back. Apart from the lack of peak to the hood the only other downside is that this fabric is only available in bin-bag black, which doesn’t make you the most visible runner on dark road; there is reflective detailing to help with this. The jacket meets all FRA and ultra distance race requirements.
• RRP: $316 (US) / £240 (UK)
• Weight (Men’s size M): 180g / 6.3oz
• Colors: Black
• Hydrostatic Head: 27,000mm
• Breathability: 27,000 g/m2
• Compatibility: Light, packable and waterproof for serious mountain use
Ronhill & Mountain Equipment Tech Gore-Tex ShakeDry: on the trails
After running in the Tech jacket in very heavy rain we do think that Gore-Tex Active fabric with ShakeDry Technology is currently the most waterproof and breathable around at the moment.
If you have another £100 in your budget and you aren’t looking for the lightest of light jackets (around the 100g / 3.5oz mark) then it is definitely worth considering.
We also prefer the fit and features on this jacket over the Salomon version because of the adjustment in the hood and external chest pocket (easier to use than an inside pocket as no one wants to open their jacket up to access one of these in the rain!).
We’re not sure if Gore will be able to manufacture this fabric in different colors eventually – this would be worth keeping an eye on because black is not the safest color for runners, especially not road runners, and even trail runners will need to run on roads sometimes to access the trails.
