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Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > REI Telus Jacket > Test Report by Ryan Lane Christensen
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INITIAL REPORT |
Reviewer Information | Backpacking Background |
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Name: Ryan L. Christensen Age: 49 Gender: Male Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 235 lb (107 kg) Email: bigdawgryan(at)yahoo(dot)com City, State, Country: Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA |
I began backpacking at twelve, continuing until 25. After an extended hiatus, due in part to a bad back, I resumed cycling, hiking, and backpacking several years ago. I also snowshoe and cross-country ski. I am a midweight backpacker, but carry a full array of necessary gear. |
Men's Telus Rain Jacket | |
Manufacturer: | Recreational Equipment, Inc. (a.k.a. REI) |
Manufacturer website: | http://www.rei.com |
Place of Manufacture: | China |
Year Manufactured: | 2013 |
Materials: |
Shell: 100% polyester w\nylon backing; 100% polyester trim panels Lining: nylon tricot Waterproof Membrane: eVent waterproof breathable membrane |
Sizes Available: | Men's Small, Medium, Large, XL, and XXL |
Colors Available: | Black\Black; Cast Iron\Squash (brown\yellow); Sky Dive\Shale (light blue\gray) |
Warranty: |
REI’s guarantee doesn’t cover ordinary wear and tear or damage caused by improper use or accidents. If your item has a manufacturing defect in its materials or workmanship, you can return it at any time. See our limited warranty. You can return or exchange purchases from REI or REI-OUTLET by mail or at any of our retail locations, regardless of whether you made your purchase online, by phone or in an REI store." |
MSRP: |
$249 US |
Product Specifications | |
Manufacturer's Specifications | |
Weight: |
Listed Average Weight: 1 lb 7 oz (652 g) |
Tester's Actual Measurements | |
Weight: |
1 lb 9.2 oz (715 g) [Men's XXL] |
The Telus jacket, hereafter referred to as the "Telus" or "jacket," is a waterproof, breathable, and windproof rain jacket or shell. The Telus has eVent waterproof breathable membrane in the hood, shoulders, and outer arms. The torso and inner arms of the Telus are waterproof, breathable, and windproof 4-way stretch fabric. In fact, REI claims the Telus is windproof up to 60 mph (96.6 kph).
The jacket has a full-length water resistant front zipper with a zipper garage at the top. There is a full-length storm flap behind the zipper. There is a Napoleon pocket on the left breast and two zippered hand-warmer pockets, one on each side. Like the full-length zipper, the three exterior pocket zippers are water resistant and have zipper garages. All exterior zippers have zipper pulls.
The brimmed hood has elastic drawcord and a captive cordlock on each side of the hood opening. In addition, there is drawcord and a captive cord adjuster in the back of the hood. These three adjusters are intended to provide means for the wearer to fully adjust the hood.
The sleeves have angled cuffs which extend coverage over the tops of the hands. Each sleeve has an adjustable hook-and-loop closure at the cuff. There is a pit zip under each sleeve. The pit zips have adjustable double sliders arranged in a bottom-to-bottom relationship.
Under the left handwarmer pocket, there is a small discrete REI logo. On the right sleeve, near the cuff just above the hook-and-loop closure, there is an eVent logo.
Inside the jacket there is a zippered mesh pocket over the right breast. On the inside of the Napoleon pocket over the left breast, there is an e-cord port for headphones and the like. The hem has a drawcord with two captive cordlock, one on each side. REI calls these 1-hand adjusters. I will test how easy these adjusters are to operate and snug the jacket around my waist with one hand. The intent of these adjusters is to enable the wearer means to cinch the bottom of the jacket tight around the waist to prevent drafts, etc.
Inside the jacket there are three tags sewn in the seam along the left side, near the hem. One is an eVent tag and lists care instructions. Another lists the materials and the third lists place and date of manufacture. Also inside, on the upper back, below the hood is a a tag with the REI logo and Men's XXL shown.
eVent Fabric Care Instructions:
"For optimum performance, frequent washing and drying is recommended."
The Telus jacket came with three product tags attached to the main zipper. One of these is an eVent tag, the other two list the featurs of the Telus jacket, state the REI 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, and also shows the size and price.
Initially I was impressed with the feel of the fabric; it is not your slick, crunchy rain jacket. As I examined the Telus, I was further impressed with all of its features. The attention to detail is quite noticeable in everything from the various adjustments, pit zips, to zipper pulls, angled cuffs, to the e-port in the inside chest pocket.
After removing the jacket from the box it arrived in, I examined it for noticeable flaws. The jacket appears to be well constructed of high-quality materials and workmanship. I did find a couple of loose threads. However, I did not find any loose seams, fraying material or other noticeable defects in materials or workmanship. Next, I donned the jacket to check sizing--it fit quite nicely. Finally, I checked all zippers and drawcords; they worked smoothly. I can't wait to get the Telus out into the Idaho winter for some real testing.
Initial Pros: |
Initial Potential Cons: |
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