Jack Wolfskin Exolight Pro Hardshell Jacket
Fresh powder snowshoeing. Deep winter peakbagging. Hardshell jackets are the go-to outer covering for winter adventures, and the Jack Wolfskin Exolight Pro is a good choice for whatever outdoor pursuit you choose. The Exolight Pro has room to stack layers underneath for a cold start to the day, plenty of pockets for storing extra gloves, hat, and snacks, and generous pit zips to cool off as you heat up. And it’s good at shedding wind, rain, and snow.
The Details
Weight: 18.9 ounces (535 grams) for a medium size men’s coat
Fabric: Texapore O2+ Hyproof Stretch Super DWR 3L
Pockets: Two large upper front pockets, small upper sleeve pocket, medium inside pocket
Pit Zips: Yes
Hood: Big; adjustable three ways
Manufactured: Bangladesh
MSRP: $399.95
My Thoughts
There’s a lot to like about the Exolight Pro, especially the multiple pockets that mean I don’t have to take off my pack to get at extra gloves, snacks, or anything else I want easily accessible during a cold-weather adventure. All the pockets are above a pack hip belt so I can use them without loosening the belt.
The two outside chest pockets are huge; I loaded them with extra liner gloves and snacks, and there was still room.
I put lip balm, paper map, and compass in the upper sleeve pocket.
The inside pocket can hold a small phone (my iPhone 6 just fits) or satellite communicator, but because there’s no outer insulation I prefer to store anything with a battery closer to my body and under insulation.
The hood is big; helmet-compatible big. There are three ways to tamp down the hood on your head, two of them drawstrings on the back of the hood. Those drawstrings pull the hood closer to the top and back of your head, and I leave them in that position so I’m not always fiddling with adjustments when I put on the coat. Drawstrings inside the chest pockets close the hood closer to your face, and I adjust those depending on wind, snow or rain, and temperature while I’m hiking.
The visor on the hood kept water from dripping onto my face while hiking in the rain.
The zippers are seam-sealed and the pulls have large loops that let me slide the zippers while wearing gloves or mittens.
Wide Velcro strips on the sleeves provide a tight fit around my wrists, and two drawstrings tighten the coat at the hem.
What About the Fit?
I’m 5 feet, 10 inches and weigh 162 pounds. The size large coat I tested has a trim fit but I’m still able to put on layers underneath. The length is good, with the coat falling just below my butt. The sleeves go halfway up my hands, allowing me to tuck thin gloves underneath. Anyone taller or heavier than me should consider an extra-large size.
Breaking Down the Fabric
The Exolight Pro fabric is heavier than the fabric used for a warm weather rain jacket, and with good reason. You’re more likely in the winter to encounter harsh winds and driving snow and sleet that can test a lighter outer fabric.
There’s a lot to digest in the names that Jack Wolfskin gives its fabrics and coatings, but the short answer is that the Exolight Pro is a highly water-repellent, breathable coat, and performs much like Gore-Tex.
Texapore: Jack Wolfskin’s proprietary fabric, incorporating a water-repellent outer shell and a waterproof PU (polyurethane) membrane.
O2+: Indicates the fabric has a high degree of breathability.
Hyproof: Designates the fabric is very waterproof.
Super DWR 3L: Additional water resistant outer coating.
About Jack Wolfskin
The 40-year-old German-based Jack Wolfskin is established in Europe and China, and over the past 10 years has made several unsuccessful efforts at breaking into the North American market.
Now, with the backing of new owner Callaway Golf Company, Jack Wolfskin is making a strong run in the United States and Canada with products in a price range comparable to The North Face and Patagonia.
In Summary
The Exolight Pro does what I would expect from a hardshell jacket: good water- and wind-resistance, plenty of pockets, and a sturdy fabric that should withstand the rigors of winter adventures for years.
Value
At $400, the Exolight Pro sits in the middle range for jackets in this category. Prices run the gamut from an indulgent $800 to a no-frills $250.
Comparable Jackets
Fabric: Gore-Tex Pro
Weight: 18 ounces
MSRP: $799
Fabric: Recycled Proflex fabric with a waterproof/breathable membrane
Weight: 14.9 ounces
MSRP: $280
Fabric: Gore-Tex
Weight: 10.5 ounces
MSRP: $249
The Jack Wolfskin Exolight Pro was donated for purpose of review.
Featured photo by Nate Owen
