Gear Assessment: TEREN Cloudland Shell

Out of doors fanatics most likely do not demand extra out of any single piece of attire than hardshell jackets. An excellent hardshell must be so many issues. It must be an barrier in opposition to wind and rain and snow, however keep breathable sufficient to stay on whenever you begin busting a sweat, whether or not you are climbing or paddling or biking (or whenever you drank too many beers and are about to get into an impromptu jiu jitsu match together with your buddy across the campfire.)

It must be straightforward to slide on and off, and lightweight and compact sufficient to vanish right into a pack, however sturdy sufficient to face up to rock scrambles and bushwhacking. It has to supply clear traces and dynamic motion, so it does not inhibit athletic efficiency, but additionally be spacious sufficient to accommodate mid and base layers beneath.

It wants inside and exterior pockets, and those who work with a pack waistbelt or climbing harness. It wants a hood that matches over a helmet with out blocking headlamp beams, ventable armpits, and on and on and on….

A model chances are you’ll not have heard of—TEREN Designs—has tossed their hat into this demanding subject, with a waterproof jacket referred to as the Cloudland.

Does it dwell as much as the hype?

After a number of weeks of testing this hardshell in situations starting from persistent drizzle on forested trails to surprising downpours round city, I’ve a solution for you.

Execs

• BREATHABLE: Rattling this factor breathes effectively
• DURABLE: Construct high quality is bomber—zippers, seals, material—I actually do really feel snug bushwhacking, scrambling, and romping round whereas sporting it.
• WEATHERPROOF: It has a high-end ranking for water and windproofing, made much more spectacular by the breathability
• FEATURES: Nicely-designed pocket format, comfortable neck liner, articulated (3-way regulate) hood, dual-zip pits. Total a pleasant array of technical options

Cons

• PRICE: It isn’t low-cost ($499)
• FIT: It is a bit saggy / heavy. It leans rugged, and I get the sense TEREN is concentrating on extra of the fishing, motorcycling, tenting, searching, survivalist subject than the “athletic” or “ultralight” crew. I would not take this on a technical roped climb, high-mileage hike, or journey the place I actually wanted to maneuver quick and lightweight.

First Impressions & Design Philosophy

Pulling the Cloudland Shell out of the field, the primary impression is of substance and high quality. The ripstop material feels strong and sturdy, not flimsy or overly “crinkly” like some ultralight shells. The zippers are all YKK, monitoring easily and sealing tightly even when pulled from awkward instructions. Each seam is well-taped, each pocket and pull-cord feels purposeful.

TEREN’s About Us spouts a few of the traditional nonsense (“TEREN is greater than a model. It’s a life-style”) but additionally lists three core tenets: Versatility, Innovation, and High quality. Within the case of their hardshell jacket, the Cloudland, I would say they dwell as much as these.

The design shines by way of instantly, and it strikes an excellent steadiness. Whereas full of technical options, its clear traces and impartial tones make it simply as residence over a midlayer on a mountain move because it does over a button-down in your technique to the brewery. I recognize that TEREN did not go for any wacky neon colour schemes right here. It is only a cool, clear jacket.

A Observe on Sizing

TEREN is an American model (Chattanooga, TN), and not less than within the case of this jacket, their “True to Dimension” feels bigger than many European technical attire producers (and a few American ones, too).

I put on an XL in virtually each technical hardshell I’ve ever owned – Arc’teryx, Patagonia, BLACKYAK, Mountain {Hardware}, Black Diamond, you title it — and TEREN’s XL does ‘swallow’ me a bit. It is also value mentioning that I did not actually take a look at their sizing information, in order that’s maybe on me. So 1) I might try this, and a couple of) If unsure, I might dimension on the low finish.

Specs at a Look:

• Value: $499
• Materials: eVent Direct Venting™ 3-layer laminate
• Water Column: 20,000mm
• Breathability: 36,000 MVTR ( g/m²/24hr) (!!!)
• Pockets: 4 exterior zippered, 2 inside mesh baggie
• Venting: Twin-pit zips on both facet
• Hood: 3-way adjustable, helmet-compatible
• Weight: 22.4 oz

Efficiency within the Discipline: Unpacking the Options

A shell lives or dies by its efficiency in opposition to the weather, and that is the place the Cloudland actually stands out. There isn’t any denying that that is an costly shell, however with regards to preserving you protected, the Cloudland is fairly rattling bomber.

Waterproofing & Breathability (Unbelievable)

This shell’s large promoting level is its eVent® Direct Venting™ 3-Layer Laminate (Yes, not like virtually each different main hardshell on the market, the Cloudland just isn’t made with Gore-Tex. I would say that is an excellent factor, this laminate is fairly spectacular.)

In TEREN’s personal phrases, that “three-layer” element merely means the fabric is manufactured from three separate layers. “The face material, membrane and backer are all bonded collectively to create a single, cohesive material … this enables for moisture vapor to flee concurrently stopping rain from penetrating, which retains you dry on the within.”

They don’t seem to be bullshitting right here. The shell boasts fairly spectacular stats: a 20,000mm hydrostatic head and a 36,000g/m²/24hr breathability ranking.

To interrupt it down for non-tech heads, the primary metric refers to water column (i.e. waterproofing). It implies that if you happen to put a tube over the material, you possibly can fill it to a peak of 20 meters of water (~66 toes) earlier than any water would begin to leak by way of. It is value mentioning that 20,000 is nothing to scoff at. 20,000mm+ is about as excessive because it will get.

The latter metric (36,000g/m²/24hr) also called MVTR (Moisture Vapor Switch Price) refers to how shortly moisture can translate by way of the material. Particularly, it signifies to what number of grams (g) of water vapor can permeate one sq. meter (m²) of the material (from inside to outdoors) in 24 hours.

Lengthy story quick, 36,000 could be very, excellent. I do not know that I’ve ever seen a jacket with a ranking that top earlier than, and it makes me strongly take into account searching for eVent over Gore-Tex sooner or later. Whereas no waterproof jacket can defy physics totally, the Cloudland comes rattling shut, considerably lowering that “private sauna” impact. You possibly can actually work up a sweat on this shell, and it will vent extraordinarily effectively. I used to be diving into lengthy, arduous hikes the place I dwell in Alabama, and even throughout uphill climbs once I’d usually strip right down to my undershirt, I did not really feel the necessity to take the Cloudland off.

However whenever you’re cranking out severe warmth, even essentially the most breathable membrane wants assist. One other good function of the Cloudland are two pit zips on both facet. Each are straightforward to function with both hand, as a result of one zips up, one zips down. When each are unzipped, they create large openings that permit for quick and really efficient warmth dumping.

Match, Articulation, Pockets, and Hood (Blended Bag)

The Cloudland has a pretty athletic match—it’s trim sufficient to keep away from clunkiness, however with sufficient room for layering beneath. The articulated elbows and underarms permit for an excellent vary of movement.

That mentioned, I might say its undoubtedly on the “roomier” facet of hardshells. The tail is fairly lengthy, and it isn’t a shell I would put on with a harness. It focuses extra on sturdiness and safety than it does shaving off weight. (At 1.4 lbs / 22.4 oz, its heavier than many opponents.)

That mentioned, it truly is sturdy. I do not hesitate to scrap this sucker up once I hike off-trail, and it by no means comes away worse for put on. I really feel prefer it’ll be in my closet for years and years to return, which to me (and I feel the common client), is extra vital than just a few ounces shaved off in weight.

The pocket format is strong. There are two excessive hand pockets, positioned to stay accessible whereas sporting a backpack hip belt or climbing harness, and two bigger, decrease pockets close to the hips. All 4 are protected by YKK zippers. Inside are two mesh pockets, for a complete of six storage spots.

The hood is sweet, too, though reasonably par for the course with different high-quality hardshells. It has a stiffened, laminated brim, and a three-point adjustment system (one on all sides of the face, one on the again of the top) so you may cinch it down to suit round your helmet or hat or head. There’s additionally a neck liner that wraps across the collar, so the jacket blocks wind and chill each with the hood up and hood down. All good things!

The Catch: That $499 Value Tag

There isn’t any getting round it: that is an costly piece of attire. At $499, the Cloudland Shell is on par with the highest-level choices from revered, tried-and-true manufacturers within the trade.

With that in thoughts, this isn’t the shell for the informal day-hiker who solely sees rain just a few occasions a 12 months. It’s additionally not for the ultralight fanatic for whom each gram is sacred.

It is also not for anybody on a decent funds. There are many jackets available on the market from actually bomber manufacturers for half the worth that supply strong climate safety. You possibly can snag an Arc’teryx Gamma, for instance, at ($260) and naturally there are cheaper choices, like Patagonia’s Torrentshell ($179), or ones which can be a bit pricier however nonetheless $100 or lower than the Cloudland. Mammut’s Taiss HS ($389) and Black Diamond’s Recon ($315) come to thoughts. I’ve all of those hardshells in my closet.

That mentioned, if I used to be going to be within the backcountry for days or even weeks on finish and I needed to deliver one hardshell that may maintain me dry, I feel I would seize my Cloudland.

THE VERDICT

So, is the TEREN Cloudland Shell value it? The reply is sure, however provided that you may “shell” out the money. (Hah. Hah.)

Do not count on a slim, trim jacket that packs down right into a Nalgene, however if you happen to’re searching for severe weatherproofing, married to a few of the finest breathability within the hardshell sport, the Cloudland is value wanting into. It is clear that these guys put some thought and intent into their jacket, and total, I am fairly impressed. I count on it will be in my closet for a lot of seasons to return.