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Outerwear

686 Gore-Tex Smarty 3-in-1 Weapon 2020-2021 Snowboard Jacket Review

  • Waterproof/Breathability: Gore-Tex
  • Shell/Insulated: 3-in-1
  • Fit: Regular
  • Category: Backcountry/Resort
  • Size: S / M / L / XL / XXL
  • Colour: Black, Yellow and Brown/Green (Gigi Ruf Signature Colourway)
  • Price: $600

Why we chose the 686 Gore-Tex Smarty 3-in-1 Weapon Snowboard Jacket: A multi-purpose jacket that fights to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles.

Offered with a lifetime warranty, this 686 bestseller has got a facelift for 20/21. The Gore-Tex Smarty 3-in-1 Weapon Snowboard Jacket has been upgraded with a Hydrastash compatible powder skirt, new lining and a recycled Clo insulation. If this jacket wasn’t on your radar before, it sure should be now.

Instead of asking what this snowboard jacket has, it’s more a question of what does it not have? A Gore-Tex 2L construction, a removable 3-in-1 liner, insulation made out of recycled bottles and a bunch of other sick features. It’s a no brainer that this 686 jacket has been chosen for this year’s Whitelines 100.

“Instead of asking what this snowboard jacket has, it’s more a question of what does it not have?”

Even if you don’t know much about outerwear, you probably know that Gore-Tex equals quality, hence why their stuff is usually a bit more spenny – a price you have to pay when investing in a long-lasting jacket.

Gore-Tex is the industry leader when it comes to keeping the elements out, whilst also providing the goods for long-lasting durable outerwear. By putting your money into the 686 3-in-1 Weapon jacket, you’re making a conscious choice to invest in something that doesn’t require you to replace the jacket after a year – something which won’t just make your wallet happy but also Mother Nature as well.

Whilst a 2L jacket usually ranks a bit lower on the comfort zone than a 3L one, 686 has solved this problem with their 3-in-1 system. The removable liner adds both to the jacket’s warmth and comfort, while also working perfectly well as a piece on its own.

New for this season, 686 has used Clo Eco Vivo Insulation for the fill. This is a very breathable material, and thus exactly what you’d want from a good mid-layer. If you choose a layer that isn’t made out of a breathable material, it results in a situation where sweat isn’t able to escape through it – something which can quickly become uncomfortable. This moisture will also result in you getting cold, something which in turn might have more severe consequences.

“New for this season, 686 has used Clo Eco Vivo Insulation for the fill”

93% of the Clo Eco Vivo insulation is also made out of recyclable plastic bottles, adding to the jacket’s environmental score. The 80G filling will keep you warm.

Another new feature for this winter involves the lining. The jacket’s powder skirt and lining have been made Hydrastash compatible. The Hydrastash system is basically a little ‘bladder bag’ you fill with water and place inside the jacket. From that bag, there’s an unnoticeable tube running within the lining that comes out next to your mouth. This doesn’t just mean fewer drink breaks but the idea also aims to reduce the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles. It sounds gimmicky but it actually works really well.

Not lacking in additional features either, the 686 Smarty 3-in-1 Weapon Jacket has an easily adjustable helmet-compatible hood, a RECCO reflector, loads of pockets of which one is placed on the inside and specifically made for the phone. There’s also an audio cord outlet and tangle-free headphone loops, making it easier to plug in your tunes.

686’s upgraded Gore-Tex Smarty 3-in-1 Weapon Jacket is waterproof, breathable and warm, and made with the utmost respect for Mother Nature.

The model in the photo is 6’3” (190cm) tall and wearing size L.

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