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Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Adidas Terrex Agravic Alpha Windbreaker > Test Report by Andrea Murland

adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield (Women’s)
Test Series by Andrea Murland

Initial Report - March 20, 2017
Field Report - May 30, 2017
Long Term Report - August 1, 2017

Tester Information

Name: Andrea Murland
Email: amurland AT shaw DOT ca
Age: 31
Location: Elkford, British Columbia, Canada
Gender: Female
Height: 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)
Weight: 130 lb (59 kg)

I began hiking frequently in 2006 and have since hiked in Western Canada, Australia, and spent 2 months backpacking in the Alps. I spend most weekends either day-hiking or on 2-3 day backpacking trips, with some longer trips when I can manage them. I also snowshoe and ski in the winter, but don’t have a lot of experience with winter in the backcountry yet. Elevation is typically 500-3,000 m (1,600-10,000 ft), in the Canadian Rockies and the Selkirk, Purcell, and Monashee ranges. I try for a light pack, but I don’t consider myself a lightweight backpacker.

Initial Report – March 20, 2017

Product Information

Manufacturer: adidas
Manufacturer's URL: www.adidas.com
Model: adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield
Year of Manufacture: 2016
MSRP: US $159.00
Colours Available: Clear Onix (tested), Easy Orange
Sizes Available: S, M (tested), L
Listed Weight: None
Measured Weight: 165 g (5.8 oz)

Care Instructions: Machine wash cold delicate cycle, do not bleach, tumble dry low, do not iron, do not dry clean.

Description & Initial Impressions

adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield
The adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield Jacket is a lightweight hooded windbreaker that is lightly insulated in places. The outer fabric is Pertex Quantum, which is advertised as being very durable. The jacket has Polartec Alpha insulation in key locations for a bit of heat retention.

The jacket actually looks like it has three types of fabric, to me. The first (“Fabric 1” in the below picture) is the Pertex Quantum alone, which is a light, almost see-through fabric with a ripstop pattern. This fabric makes up the hood and the top and sides of the sleeves. Second (“Fabric 2” in the below picture), there is the Polartec Alpha/Pertex Quantum fabric, which is the same outer fabric but with thin insulation. This insulated fabric covers the front of the jacket, wrapping around the top of the shoulders and very slightly down the back. It stops just below the shoulders on the sleeves. Finally, there is a third fabric (“Fabric 3” in the below picture)that also looks like a lightweight ripstop nylon but is less slippery and less transparent than the other face fabrics. This fabric covers the bottom of the sleeves, through the underarms, and the back of the jacket.
Fabrics

As far as features go, the jacket is of quite basic design. The front zipper is backed by a storm flap and tucks into a zipper garage at the top. There are two handwarmer pockets. The sleeve cuffs are elastic. The bottom hem of the jacket has a drawstring which is adjustable on both sides of the jacket. The hood has light elastic around the edge and the volume is adjustable with a drawstring on the back of the hood. There is a fabric hang loop inside the jacket at the collar. There is very little on the jacket for logos, just a black stripe with the adidas logo and “TERREX” near the left pocket.

From the neckline of the jacket in the front (not counting the collar), the jacket measures 55 cm (21.7 in) in length. The back of the jacket measures 68 cm (26.8 in) in length from the neckline/top of the collar to the bottom. There is a slight dropped hem at the back. The sleeves measure 75 cm (29.5 in) from the neckline to the cuff.

The jacket packs down into its right pocket for storage. The packed jacket measures approximately 20 x 13 x 8 cm (7.9 x 5.1 x 3.1 in) but could be compressed smaller. The pocket zips closed to keep the jacket packed up, and there is a hang loop for attaching the jacket to a pack or harness.

Trying It Out

Of course, the first thing I do when a jacket appears in the mail is try it on! On the size chart I am a size small for bust measurement, but a medium for waist and hip measurement. Picking the medium was a good choice. There isn’t really a great deal of extra room in the chest, and it fits well everywhere else. The jacket is almost long enough to completely cover my behind, so it’s a good thing I paid attention to the hip measurement! It doesn’t seem to be binding across my hips, so that’s good. The sleeves aren’t tight on my arms, leaving room for some light layers underneath. Although the sleeves are a bit long on me, the elastic cuff makes it so that they sit comfortably at the wrist and just bunch a bit above that. If I pull the sleeves all the way down they reach to the end of my fingers. The collar comes up quite high when zipped all the way up, and I was able to adjust the volume of the hood down to a comfortable level.

Summary

This looks like a well-made, lightweight layer for windbreaking duties. I’ll have to see what I think of the lightly insulated body and uninsulated sleeves, as I usually layer the opposite of normal (you’ll find me in armwarmers instead of a vest), but everything looks good so far!

Field Report - May 30, 2017

Field Conditions

Over the past two months, I have used the adidas Agravic jacket while hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, running, and road cycling around the Canadian Rockies.

I started off the test by taking the Agravic on a 3-day snowshoeing hut trip. Temperatures hovered around the freezing mark and we had weather ranging from sunshine to wet snow. I wore the jacket on all three days at various times through the day. I snowshoed between 14 and 17 km (8.5 to 10.5 mi) each day, at elevations between 1700 and 2200 m (5600-7200 ft).

I also used the jacket on an overnight SAR training exercise. Again, temperatures were just above freezing while we were hiking through patchy snow. We hiked about 6 km (3.5 mi) each day and there was no precipitation.

The Agravic got used on three day trips. The first was backcountry skiing, and I used it at the ridgeline and while skiing down. The temperature was about 5 C (41 F) and it was sunny. The second was a 6 km (3.5 mi) hiking trip with 1300 m (4265 ft) of elevation gain in temperatures up to 20 C (68 F). I wore the jacket at the summit and for a while on the ridgeline descent. The final day hike was a 15 km (9.3 mi) trek through extensive snow sections. I used the jacket briefly while having a snack at the waterfall at the end of the hike, as the falls were generating a cold wind despite the ambient temperatures of about 20 C (68 F).

In addition to the trips detailed above, I used the jacket on a number of short excursions. I used it three times for after-work backcountry ski trips, all of which were at temperatures around freezing and with a length of 2.5 km (1.6 mi). I used the jacket on the way up and down the mountain. The jacket was worn for four runs, all with a length of about 5 km (3.1 mi), and in temperatures ranging from -5 C to 10 C (23-50 F). As well, I wore the Agravic while cycling twice, on rides between 32 and 38 km (19.9-23.6 mi) long and at temperatures of about 10 C (50 F).
Field Use

Observations

In general, I have enjoyed using the adidas TERREX Agravic jacket. My preferred uses were for running and cycling, but I found it useful while hiking as well.

Warmth, Wind & Water:
I found that this jacket did a good job of breaking the wind. While hiking I put it on a few times while I was resting at my destination, usually in the breezy location of a summit or ridgeline. The jacket cut the wind, though my arms were still generally chilly. Particularly if I was wearing short sleeves underneath, it was hard to tell if the fabric of the jacket was just cold against my skin or if a bit of wind was getting through, but I think it was just the fabric.

The insulation on the front and shoulders of the jacket is light but effective. I overheat rapidly when I hike, so even if I wanted to break the wind or keep my arms covered I usually found myself wishing I could ditch the insulation. I noticed this less while running or cycling, probably because my back was uncovered and there was more wind to get rid of heat. On the other hand, my arms were still often chilly. I’d probably be happier with insulation on the arms and not the torso!

The Agravic jacket is not even a little bit water resistant. On my very first trip with the jacket, we had wet snow the morning of our second day while heading out snowshoeing. It was warm, so I didn’t want to put on my full shell, so I threw on this jacket instead. Water beaded initially, but after about 10 minutes (of snow, not rain) the jacket had wetted out and my sleeves below were wet. The insulation kept my shoulders and torso drier by absorbing the water. Unfortunately, that means that even on a day when I’m not expecting any precipitation, I can’t take this jacket as a light shell instead of my rain jacket. It has to be an addition to my pack rather than a substitution.
Wet Sleeves

Fit:
The jacket fits well. I’ve found that I don’t mind the longer length, as I chose the appropriate size for it not to be riding up. The extra length while running and cycling is particularly nice. Although I’ve used the hood a couple of times while on a breezy summit, in general I’ve found the hood more annoying than useful. When hiking it bunches against the back of my neck on top of my pack and then lists to one side, which I don’t like. When running and cycling I don’t like having it flapping behind me. Thankfully, it’s such a thin, light material that I can actually tuck the hood down inside the jacket and not notice it, even with a pack on. That’s how I’ve worn it for every occasion that wasn’t lunchtime.

Durability & Cleaning:
The jacket looks as good as new, so no issues there yet. Despite the light colour, I haven’t gotten it too dirty yet, probably because we’re still mostly working with snow where I live. After the three-day snowshoeing trip and SAR training, the jacket smelled like smoke as well as a bit like body odour, so I washed it with my regular clothes (warm water, regular detergent) and hung it to dry. It cleaned up nicely.

Summary

The adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield Jacket has been working well for me. I particularly like it for running and cycling. It seems windproof and the insulation is effective, though it leaves my arms chilly. I’m looking forward to spring moving into summer to see what I think of the insulation in this jacket in that season. As well, we’ll see if I find it a useful enough piece of gear to be an addition to my pack, as it can’t replace a rain jacket!

Long Term Report - August 1, 2017

Field Conditions

Over the final two months of this test, I have continued to carry and wear the adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield Jacket for hiking in the Canadian (and Montana) Rockies. The various trips are summarized below.
  • Mt. Fernie day hike, 9.4 km (5.8 mi) with 930 m (3050 ft) of elevation gain on dirt and rock trail. The weather was cool and periodically rainy. I carried the Agravic most of the hike and put it on at the top for warmth while eating lunch.
  • Waterton to Goat Haunt day hike, 14 km (8.7 mi) of dirt trail. It was sunny, warm, and dry. I carried the jacket the entire hike, wearing it on the boat ride the 14 km (8.7 mi) back in the other direction.
  • Alki Creek day hike, 9.7 km (6 mi) with 550 m (1805 ft) of elevation gain on dirt trail. It was a cloudy but warm day, and the Agravic stayed in my pack.
  • 3-day backpacking trip in Montana’s Glacier National Park. The days were 25.5 km (15.8 mi), 20.6 km (12.8 mi), and 10.7 km (6.6 mi) in length. The first and second days were a mix of hiking with a full pack and side-trips from camp with a day pack. The days were all hot, about 30 C (86 F), and sunny, so I carried the Agravic, but used it on the first day for warmth at the top of Stoney Indian Pass. Most of the use of this jacket was to keep mosquitoes away any time we stopped for a break.
  • 2-day backpacking trip to Bryant Tarn, 8.6 km (5.3 mi) each day plus a 2.8 km (1.7 mi) side-trip, almost exclusively on rock (either dry creek bed or talus and scree). The weather was hot and dry while I hiked and I carried the jacket, using it in camp in the evening and morning to keep bugs and wind off. I also used it at the summit of Mt. Bryant to break the wind. It was put away in favour of a rain jacket during evening thunderstorms.
  • 2-day backpacking trip on Victoria Ridge. The total distance was 27.9 km (17.3 mi), with 25 km (15.5 mi) and 1500 m (4920 ft) of elevation gain in one day on rocky off-trail terrain. The weather was very hot, up to 32 C (90 F), and dry, but I did wear the Agravic when I took breaks on the peak or ridgeline.
  • Crypt Lake day hike, 20.0 km (12.4 mi) with 655 m (2150 ft) of elevation gain on dirt and rocky trails. The weather was hot and dry again and the jacket stayed in my pack.
  • Rope Rescue practice. No hiking, but I did wear the jacket to cut the wind and add a bit of warmth in the morning.
  • Spineback day hike, 9.3 km (5.8 mi) with 725 m (2380 ft) of elevation gain on dirt trails. The weather was still hot and dry, but I did put on the jacket while taking a break at a pass that was still snow-covered, and also while sliding down the snow slopes to descend.
Field Use

Observations

I found the jacket to be more useful while hiking in hot weather than I’d thought earlier in the test.

Warmth, Wind & Water:
Moving into summer during this part of the test, I rarely wore the jacket while actually being active. It was just too hot out to be wearing a jacket at all, nevermind one with light insulation. I used it mostly as a windbreaker while on ridges and summits taking a break. The jacket does break the wind effectively, and even in hot weather I don’t overheat in it, despite the insulation.

I wasn’t sure after the Field Report if this jacket would be a useful piece, as it can’t replace a rain jacket. However, I found it to be very effective at keeping mosquitoes away while in camp. It was nice to be able to throw on a light layer that wasn’t too hot but also kept the critters off.

Fit:
I still think the fit of the jacket is good. I haven’t noticed the hood getting in my way as much during this part of the test, as I’ve been wearing the jacket for short periods while stationary. I don’t think I’d change anything about the fit!

Durability & Cleaning:
The jacket still looks very good. There are no stains or snags. Any smell from wearing it disappears with washing, and I’ve just been washing it with my laundry in regular detergent in the washing machine. I’ve washed the Agravic twice more during the past two months.

Summary

The adidas TERREX Agravic Alpha Hooded Shield Jacket was a very nice layer to have this year. I particularly enjoyed wearing it for cool-weather running and cycling. However, it was also a very nice light layer for breaking the wind on mountain summits and ridges. I was most pleasantly surprised to find that it was an awesome piece for keeping mosquitoes from eating me alive. I think this jacket will keep a place in my closet as a versatile item.

Thumbs Up:
Well-proportioned fit
Light insulation but still breathable
Lightweight
Effective windbreaker
Mosquitoes didn’t bite through it

Thumbs Down:
Poor water resistance

Thanks to adidas and BackpackGearTest.org for the chance to test this hybrid jacket.



Read more reviews of Adidas gear
Read more gear reviews by Andrea Murland

Reviews > Clothing > Jackets and Vests > Adidas Terrex Agravic Alpha Windbreaker > Test Report by Andrea Murland



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