Marmot Essence Jacket review

Biking at 10,000+ feet in RMNP.

This day I only got to  41 MPH,

 three days before 52...

First off from Marmot;

http://marmot.com/products/essence_jacket_spring_2011

The Essence is featherweight, hooded rain protection, mountain-tested by guides--ideal for ultra-light hiking, adventure races and multi-pitch alpine climbs.

Specks;
  § Superlight 12 Denier Marmot MemBrain® 2.5 Waterproof/Breathable Fabric,
      §  Micro-Stitched and 100% Seam Taped - for maximum waterproof protection

§  Attached Adjustable Hood with Laminated Wire Brim

§  Water Resistant Front Zippers

§  Chest Pocket with Water-Resistant Zipper - Chest Pocket with W/R Zipper

§  Integrated Cooling Vents

§  Asymmetric Cuffs with Velcro Adjustment

§  Reflective Logos

§  Elastic Draw Cord Hem - For Adjustability in Serious Weather

§  Angel-Wing Movement™ - Allows Full Range of Motion in Arms so Jacket Doesn't Ride Up

§  28" Center Back Length for Size Medium

Weight is 6oz/170grams for a Medium and it is made out of MemBrain Strata 100% nylon ripstop 1.6 oz/rd

About Strata;

 

MemBrain® Strata™

Marmot’s own lightweight waterproof / breathable technology. A lamination technology that rates a whopping 20,000mm in waterproof performance and 20,000 gr in breathability.

Requiring neither lining nor 3-layer construction like many similar lamination processes, MemBrain® Strata™ products are by far the lightest, most breathable garments in their categories.

Marmot’s proprietary 2.5 layer MemBrain® Strata uses micro non-organic particles on the inside of the lamination to increase durability and provide a dry touch instead of that clammy feeling you get from some other products.

The back print pattern is carefully designed to achieve the maximum durability and breathability. Abrasion tests rate 4-5 times better than regular MemBrain® (which is why regular MemBrain, as well as all 2-layer laminates require a separate lining).

Compared to 2.5 layer coatings in the market, our 2.5 layer lamination is about 100% more breathable. In addition, laminated stretch fabrics stretch more and have a softer hand than 2.5 layer coated fabrics.

This is my go to piece for cold weather biking and lightweight packing.  First for the biking.  It is super light weight and very compactable to fit in the back pocket pocket of my jersey.  There are no pockets or pit zips to add weight as these features aren't needed on this jacket.  It also has a hood, which for biking isn't appropriate, but it has a nice roll top feature that tucks it away nicely behind my neck and out of the catching wind.  It also breaths really well to not collect much moisture underneath.  I have the Orange color, which is High Vis, as I don't really want to get hit...again...ugh

I have also used this for super light backpacking trips into the desert Southwest and a climbing trip into the Tetons last summer.  Like above, it packs down to nothing and is hardly noticeable in the bottom of my pack until I needed it. In the Tetons I used it to keep the chill of the wind off me while we were waiting for the sun to heat up the rock just a bit more that early morning and it worked perfectly!  I did take it off when we started climbing though, as it is a very thin material.  If it did rip, the ripstop properties would keep it minor, but I still didn't want that to happen, as I actually really like this Jacket.

I like this Jacket and would recommend it to anyone for lightweight adventures. It sells for $175.00.