Trew makes some really great gear for skiers, snowboarders, and splitboarders. The Wander jacket is the pinnacle of their line up. It is the lightest weight, yet most functional of their touring outerwear. It features Dermizax NX waterproof breathable membrane that claims to be the most breathable stormproof membrane in the world. Strong claim! So we took the Wander jacket into a blizzard and climbed a few mountains in it. Then we shredded some amazing pow. How did it stack up to the claims? Let’s find out!
If you are looking at the Wander jacket, then you probably spend a lot of time in the mountains, probably doing some backcountry touring, whether it is skiing, splitboarding, snowshoeing or whatever the heck you want to do in the backcountry. Bottom line is, you know you need a waterproof jacket, you know you don’t want lots of do-dads to break and you just want what works. You need a few pockets in which to put some gloves, probably some skins, and your phone. You need a jacket that is not baggy, that fits well over your beanie (or even your helmet) you need adjustable cuffs and you need it to be lightweight, but not so light that it is delicate. Sound about right?
Many companies claim to have the most waterproof or perhaps the most breathable jacket out there. What if you just want a jacket that is both? Is that too much to ask for? Nope. TREW heard all the above requests and made the jacket to answer those needs. They tapped on Dermizax NX for the waterproof/breathable membrane, they made hand pockets that are big enough for your skins, they made the fit just right. Bottom line, they made the jacket you need and nothing you don’t.
We were blessed with a random blizzard on the weekend we tested the jacket. These are the kind of storms that bring the pow we love. They also bring the wind, the chill, the whiteout, the suddenly blue sky, then the sudden white out again. When you are touring uphill in these conditions, you don’t want to stop and keep shedding layers as you heat up, nor do you want to stop and add layers as the winds pick up. You just want to get to the spot, transition, and shred!
We started our days at 3 am for an alpine start. The jacket stayed on until 3 pm for post shredding beers. it was that versatile. When the wind picked up, the jacket stood up. When other hard-shells in our group wet out, the Wander did not. When the heat of the uphill tour would usually require us to open every vent, none needed to be opened. All this went on behind the scenes so we could focus on enjoying the tour and, or course, enjoying the rides down! That is what a good shell should do. Just do its job and not get in the way of yours. Our tester is 6’1” 200lb 45” chest 33”waist and found the XL to be perfect.
Basic features are 2 hand pockets, 2 internal mesh drop pockets (yes!) 1 smallish napoleon pocket (just big enough for a phone and chapstick. Cohaesive cord management system, helmet compatible hood, and RECCO reflector. All this at 20 oz thanks to 40 D body and 80 D in the shoulders and bottom hem (where your backpack hip belt would sit)
Trew nailed it with the Wander jacket. This is the one and done jacket. MSRP $419 for both Men and Women and available only from TREW Gear
add these to the kit!
See also
Leave a Reply