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Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Adidas Outdoors Terrex SkyClimb Jacket > Test Report by Gail StaisilAdidasTerrex Skyclimb Fleece Jacket Test Series by: Gail Staisil, Marquette, Michigan  Initial Report - November 7, 2017 Field Report - January 14, 2018 Long Term Report - March 15, 2018 November 7, 2017 Tester Information Name: Gail Staisil Age: 65 Gender: Female Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m) Weight: 160 lb (73 kg) Location: Marquette, Michigan USA Email: woodswoman 2001 AT yahoo DOT com Product Information
Initial Impressions and Product Description  The Terrex Skyclimb Fleece Jacket arrived in the color Grey Five and in the correct size of XL. Workmanship is very neat and I couldn't find any hanging threads or other imperfections. I would consider the jacket a trim fit but I can certainly wear a light base layer under it. Overall there are no areas in the jacket that I feel restriction while wearing it. The jacket is fabricated with a couple of different materials making it a hybrid of sorts. The front of the jacket and the top of each sleeve about three quarters of the way to each wrist, is fabricated with a reportedly windproof but breathable fabric called Pertex Equilibrium. It also is reported to be water repellant. According to the manufacturer "during high aerobic activity, moisture is transported away from the skin to the outside of the jacket". The rest of the jacket is a waffle-type stretch fleece including a separate layer of it underneath the Pertex areas. The hood, lower sleeves and the back of jacket are just the single layer of fleece.  Jacket Features The front of the jacket features a full-length zipper which tops out at the base of the hood providing full neck coverage if desired. Fabric is slightly folded over the top edge of the zipper to likely prevent catching on my skin! The hood is form fitting shaped to my head. There is a hang loop inside the back neck area of jacket. Two roomy handwarmer pockets inserted into the side seams are zippered and could easily hold a pair of gloves, phone or other large objects. The face of the inside of each pocket is waffle fleece while the back of the pockets are made with light mesh reducing bulk and likely providing more ventilation. Sleeves are inserted into the jacket in a raglan style and the underarm measurement to sleeve edge is approximately 25.5 in (65 cm). Sleeve edges are finished with a stretch binding as is the bottom edge. The length of the side seam from each underarm to the lower edge is 17.5 in (44.5 cm). Care Care instructions were inserted into six layered tags inside the jacket side seam in more languages than I have ever seen on a care tag before. The jacket (with all zippers closed) can be machine washed with cold water on a delicate cycle with like colors. Mild detergent and no fabric softener should be used. However an "anti-static cloth" can be added to tumbler. Summary I would consider the Terrex Skyclimb Jacket to be trim fitting and sleek in appearance. High tech fabrics are used to make the jacket high performance. Top of Page Field Report: January 14, 2018 USA Locations and Conditions During the field test period I have taken one backpacking trip of two days as well as one snowshoe-in rustic cabin trip of five days. Trip locations were both in the Hiawatha National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The forest included large stands of hemlocks, maples and beech trees. Elevation ranged from above 600 ft (183 m) to almost 2,000 ft (610 m). Location of Trip #1: Hiawatha National Forest Length of Trip: 2 days, 1 night backpacking (Dec 2-3) Pack Weight: 26 lb (11.8 kg) Distance: 10 mi (16 km)  Sky and Air Conditions: Semi-cloudy, frosty Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 39 F to 26 F (4 C to -3 C) Location of Trip #2: Hiawatha National Forest Length of Snowshoe-in Rustic Cabin Trip: 5 days, 4 nights (Dec 29 - Jan 2) Sled Weight: Not weighed, but very heavily loaded with gear and fresh food, prob at least 50 lb (23 kg) Distance: Not calculated, but backcountry skied every day probably at least 4 mi (6.4 km) Sky and Air Conditions: Cold, a bit of sun, lots of new snow, cloudy Precipitation: About 8 in (20 cm) of new snow Temperature Range: 16 F to -9 F (-9 C to -23 C) ------------------------------------------------------ Trip Talk  Since receiving the Adidas  Terrex Skyclimb Jacket, I have worn it
extensively besides the two extended trips listed above (at least
four times per week). It has been worn for a variety of sports
besides backpacking including day hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry
skiing and classic skiing. In November the jacket started out as a great outer layer for hiking as the temps were comfortable at around 40 F (4 C). During the early December backpacking trip the high was a bit less than that and it was perfect with a single mid-weight wool top underneath. I hadn't planned on wearing the jacket for sleeping but I ended up doing so. I had become kind of cold during the night with the temps down to 26 F (-3 C). I always have a bit of trouble staying warm when the weather changes into winter, even though my sleeping bag is rated at 15 F (-9 C). Anyway it helped to wear the jacket to bed and I placed my down jacket on top of my chest inside the sleeping bag for more warmth. For the last month it has been mostly below zero to single digit weather (-18 C to -13 C). I've had to wear the jacket more often as a middle layer with either a down or synthetic vest over it or else an anorak. Lately it has been worn a lot with my Wintergreen Parka (supplex parka with lining). Although it is hard to see in the picture to the right, it is one of the layers I had on with my red Wintergreen Anorak. The jacket layers well as it has no features that would catch on anything or add extra bulk.  When I wear the jacket for cross country skiing it seems to be a perfect way to keep the wind at bay but also allows venting so that I don't end up soaking wet. Underneath the jacket I mostly wear a single or double layer of wool depending on temps. That said, if I combine two layers of wool one is extremely lightweight whereas the other is mid-weight. If it is colder than 25 F (-4 C) I wear an insulated light vest over the jacket. Although it would fit underneath, I prefer to wear the vest over the jacket as sometimes I end up taking it off (way easier to do). Oftentimes during skiing, a lake-effect snow band will come through for ten or fifteen minutes. It has not wet through the jacket. The jacket is simplistic in design really, so its basic features work well enough. I find the handwarmer pockets to be roomy enough to stow a pair of gloves, phone, or hat. The hood is adequate for those times when I want to be a bit warmer and I did wear it all night on my early December backpacking trip. The zippers work smoothly. I haven't felt the need to wash the jacket yet but will do so in the long term period. Top of Page Long Term Report: March 15, 2018 USA Locations and Conditions During the long term test period I have taken two more snowshoe-in rustic cabin trips, a ski-in to a lighthouse trip and an extended backcountry ski trip to Yellowstone National Park and other areas including the Teton range. Trip locations were in the Hiawatha National Forest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in the states of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. The forests included large stands of hemlocks, maples and beech trees and lodge pole pine in the western states. Elevation ranged from above 600 ft (183 m) to above 7,500 ft (2286 m). Location of Trip #3: Grand Island National Recreation Area Length of Backcountry ski into Lighthouse Trip: 3 days, 2 nights (February 9-11) Distance: 21 mi (34 km) plus a day trip of 5 mi (8 km) Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 28 F to -9 F (-3 C to -23 C) Location of Trip #4: Hiawatha National Forest Length of Snowshoe-in Rustic Cabin Trip: 4 days, 3 nights (February 12-15) Sled Weight: 40 lb (18 kg) Distance: 12 mi (19 km) Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy, some sun Precipitation: None Temperature Range: 37 F to -8 F (3 C to -22 C) Location of Trip #5: Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming) and Teton Range (Idaho, Wyoming) Backcountry ski trip (February 23- March 4) Distance: Skied for 4-6 hours daily Sky and Air Conditions: Mostly cloudy, some sun, snow Precipitation: New snow 14-16 in total (36 -41 cm) Temperature Range: 23 F to -12 F (-5 to -25 C) Location of Trip #6: Hiawatha National Forest Length of Snowshoe-in Rustic Cabin Solo Trip: 3 days, 2 nights (March 11-13) Sled Weight: 40 lb (18 kg) Distance: Snowshoed and skied approximately 14 mi (36 cm) and then skied another 6 mi (10 km) on the way home Sky and Air Conditions: Cloudy, snowy Precipitation: At least 15 in (38 cm) of new snow Temperature Range: 34 F to 8 F (1 to -14 C)  ------------------------------------------------------ Trip Talk  I have continued to wear the Adidas Terrex Skyclimb Jacket for many snow activities. It has more often been worn as a mid-layer but now that most of the super cold weather is past, I have been wearing it as an outer layer like intended. It seems to be the perfect jacket for when temps are in the mid-20's (4 C) or above, layered just with a light or medium wool top. If there is more than a light wind, I often layer a thin vest over it especially when I start out my activity (usually removed quickly). It has been a great layering piece. It is very unadorned so layering a piece over it is no issue. I can't tell you how many times it has been under my Wintergreen anorak this winter. On my latest trip while pulling a sled, it worked perfectly as an outer layer with just a light wool hoody underneath. I didn't get overheated. The only thing I removed while pulling my gear sled was my neck gaiter. That seems to really regulate any heat issue (picture on left). I also like the hood feature. It has come in handy many times if I was a bit too cold or I forget my neck gaiter. The tall neck adequately covers the entire neck region. I have not only remained comfortable while wearing the jacket but I also have remained dry. Even when it was layered and I started to feel too warm, the jacket did not wet out. The water resistant outer shell has also fended off wet snow and I have remained dry. This was especially evident on my last trip when I pulled my gear sled out during a snow event and then cleaned over 15 in (38 cm) of snow off my Subaru and consequently looking much like a snow-covered woman after that. On the way home I drove to a groomed ski trail about 15 mi (24 km) away. I didn't change my jacket even though the outside of it appeared wet. The outer surface dried quickly in the car and I was ready to ski for another couple hours. I continue to love the simple design of the jacket. I often stuff the handwarmer pockets with my phone or emergency responder. The durability of the jacket is not in question as nothing has malfunctioned including the zippers. I have washed the jacket with my regular laundry with no issues. I have a feeling that I will wear the Terrex Skyclimb Jacket for a long time. Tester Remarks Thanks to Adidas and BackpackGearTest.org for this opportunity to test the Adidas Terrex Skyclimb Jacket. This concludes my Long Term Report and the test series. Top of Page Read more reviews of Adidas gear Read more gear reviews by Gail Staisil Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Adidas Outdoors Terrex SkyClimb Jacket > Test Report by Gail Staisil | ||||||||||||||||||||||