Brand:BLACKYAK
Material:Three-layer GORE-TEX® fabric
Size:L
Color: Yellow
Tester: Da Huang (Qinglv Outdoor)
Test Period:1,2012.4.1―212.4.5
2,2012.4.25
Test Environment:1, Kubuqi Desert, temperature approximately between minus5°C to20°C, strong winds.
2, Beijing’s Western Suburbs Yangtai Mountain Scenic Area, heavy rain, temperature5°C to10°C, moderate rain.
3Mid-month, through Sina Weibo@GORE-TEX-R-brand, I learned about the2012Gore Equipment Testing Team recruitment campaign, so I submitted an application to test the Kubuqi Desert route. I was honored to be selected as one of the testing team members. I chose thisBLACKYAK three-layer GORE-TEX® fabricjacket.First Impressions of the Jacket — Lightweight
The size of the package in the picture shows the two garments packed together, yet there was still plenty of room to compress them into an even smaller volume. The weight displayed
The package size in the picture shows two pieces of clothing packed together, yet there is still plenty of space to compress them into an even smaller volume. The weight is displayed.1points14kilograms, of course including the express packaging and clothing tags, which is consistent with the900grams stated on the label. Of course, this is the weight of two garments.
For comparison, the weight of these two garments is actually equivalent to that of two bottles of drink. I am quite satisfied with this weight — it’s reduced and the volume is convenient to carry — “lightweight” is myfirst impression of thethree-layer Gore-Tex™ fabric.
After unpacking, the garment felt great in the hand, with the fabric being more “light” and “soft” compared to traditional materials. Windbreakers usually give the impression of being “stiff,” with a texture similar to nylon or plastic, but this one felt soft and thin. This is probably thecharacteristic and advantage of thethree-layer Gore-Tex™ fabric.
The down inner lining can be worn alone or combined with the windbreaker. There are connection buckles at the collar and cuffs, which is very convenient. This allows adaptation to a wider range of climatic conditions. The temperature difference in the desert during this trip was significant, making it a good test of insulation performance.
Initial feelings wearing the windbreaker before departure — [Appearance, Color, Comfort]
1[Appearance] The design is three-dimensional, with yellow as the main color. The elbows and shoulders, which are prone to wear, are reinforced with black abrasion-resistant material. The chest features a yak logo, and the hood is large enough to shield against strong sunlight and rain. I’m very satisfied with the appearance design, and it also received praise from my teammates — the first impression was that the garment looked great.
[Color] The color of the garment appears very vibrant in the sunlight, which is necessary from the perspective of safety and visibility in outdoor activities. However, this time it slightly clashed with the golden-yellow of the desert, but it made no difference — young people tend to prefer these bright colors anyway.
[Comfort] The first impression of the garment is that it is very light. This was confirmed before departure, and reducing the weight of clothing naturally improves comfort. In addition, thethree-layer Gore-Tex™ fabricis extremely soft, and there is no noticeable friction when moving, which also contributes to improved comfort. As for specific comfort in terms of breathability and windproofing, we’ll discuss that later.
Testing in the windy environment of the Kubuqi Desert — [Windproof, Breathable, Abrasion-resistant, Portable, Comfort]
[Windproof] On the day we arrived in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, a strong wind warning was issued by the city, advising people not to go out. Our local driver also called to confirm whether we still planned to cross the desert as scheduled, and suggested we postpone it. But after discussion among the team members, we decided to proceed as planned. This posed higher demands and challenges on both our mental state and equipment, but we felt well-prepared. Time to put it to the test.
The winds in the Kubuqi Desert were indeed very strong, at least exceeding6on the Beaufort scale. Walking in the desert, the resistance felt significant. The whole desert seemed to slowly shift like ants moving house, with sand constantly tumbling. Sometimes visibility was poor; other times, when the wind died down, you could see endless patterns created by the wind, with no trace of human footsteps.
For thethree-layer Gore-Tex™ fabric,this was a perfect testing opportunity, so I simply walked quietly, feeling the protection it provided. After a full10hours of testing, I can confidently say that thethree-layer Gore-Tex™ fabricperformed excellently in windproofing. I wore a quick-drying shirt underneath, and under the strong wind, I didn’t feel the fabric being penetrated or experience any coldness or discomfort. The following two days of hiking further proved this — the wind was no longer an obstacle to our progress.
【Breathability】 The three days of hiking were also three days of full sunshine. Sweating was inevitable, and sometimes I was drenched in sweat—especially in the desert in April under the blazing sun, trudging forward with a heavy backpack, feeling as though the strength was being sucked out with every step on the sand. But with the wind blowing outside and sweat building up inside, that’s the most common discomfort in outdoor travel. Fortunately,the breathability of the three-layer Gore-Tex® fabricalso needed a platform to truly shine. I naturally tend to sweat a lot, so I wore a quick-drying base layer underneath along with this three-layer shell jacket, hoping to tackle the issue of internal moisture. The quick-drying shirt absorbed most of the sweat, but heat primarily escaped thanks tothe breathability of the three-layer Gore-Tex® fabric—otherwise, the inside of the shell would have turned into a sauna. Thankfully, throughout the day, I didn’t have to worry about when to take layers off or put them back on. The auxiliary zip vents at the collar and underarms were enough to handle the issue, avoiding the misery of catching a cold or feeling stifled.The breathability of the three-layer Gore-Tex® fabricwas something I truly felt the impact of.
【Durability】 The lightness and softness of the three-layer Gore-Tex® fabricmight make one doubt whether its durability has been compromised. But after three days of intense desert trekking, I found its performance in this aspect to be excellent as well.
The desert hike involved a lot of ups and downs, slips, falls, and even moments where I couldn’t resist rolling and jumping down sandy slopes. I felt the fabric was tough enough, and key areas like the shoulders and cuffs featured reinforced padding for extra abrasion resistance, which further boosted durability.
【Portability】 The design of the shell jacket hasn’t changed much—it follows a fairly traditional, portable design with standard large side pockets, inner chest pockets, and the underarm zip vents for breathability—all of which enhance convenience and reduce fiddling during hikes.
【Comfort During Hiking】 With windproofing and breathability as the foundation, comfort during hiking naturally improved. On sunny days, it kept me sweat-free without feeling stuffy; during windy conditions, it blocked the wind from sapping my body heat. Over those three days and nights in the desert, I gained a deeper understanding and more direct feel forthe three-layer Gore-Tex® fabric. It not only delivered outstanding functionality but also maintained excellent comfort.
4On the25th, Beijing experienced particularly heavy rainfall. Since I live close to Yangtai Mountain, I put on the shell jacket and went for a quick jog—partly to enjoy the rare downpour and the fresh air afterward, and partly to test how the jacket performed in wet weather.
【Waterproofing】 Under medium-to-heavy rain conditions, while walking and jogging for30minutes, I took some photos of the jacket. As the images show, its water resistance is strong, the hood offers comprehensive head protection, and there was no internal seepage.
【Breathability】 Wet weather is also a major test for breathability. While jogging, if body heat isn’t properly vented, it can lead to condensation buildup inside the jacket. In this regard,the three-layer Gore-Tex® fabricperformed well—when I touched the inside of the jacket, it felt dry, with no clamminess.
【Comfort】 For outdoor activities in the rain, staying dry is the most important measure of comfort. Thethree-layer Gore-Tex® fabricprovided a great comfort experience here—keeping the interior dry while ensuring external waterproofing, offering a solid option for future rainy-day adventures.
Suggestions and Overall Review
【Recommendation】: If the down jacket could incorporate some design and innovation in terms of being dirt-resistant, it would be even more perfect. The connection rings between the inner lining and the outer shell are somewhat fragile, not very stable and prone to damage.
【Overall Evaluation】:Three-layer Gore-Tex® fabricIt performs excellently in all aspects such as windproofing, waterproofing, and breathability. Undoubtedly, it is a powerful tool for outdoor travel, especially in extreme weather conditions, where it can fully demonstrate its “strengths” by shielding you from wind and rain.
For the original review report, please click:http://www.huwaiclub.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=32889