Gear Review: TEREN Cloudland Shell

Outside fans in all probability do not demand extra out of any single piece of attire than hardshell jackets. A great hardshell needs to be so many issues. It needs to be an barrier towards wind and rain and snow, however keep breathable sufficient to stay on once you begin busting a sweat, whether or not you are climbing or paddling or biking (or once you drank too many beers and are about to get into an impromptu jiu jitsu match together with your buddy across the campfire.)

It needs to be simple to slide on and off, and light-weight 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 would 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 called the Cloudland.

Does it reside 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.

Professionals

• 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 score for water and windproofing, made much more spectacular by the breathability
• FEATURES: Nicely-designed pocket format, cozy neck liner, articulated (3-way alter) hood, dual-zip pits. General a pleasant array of technical options

Cons

• PRICE: It isn’t low-cost ($499)
• FIT: It is a bit dishevelled / heavy. It leans rugged, and I get the sense TEREN is focusing on extra of the fishing, motorcycling, tenting, looking, 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 light-weight.

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 number of the standard 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 might say they reside as much as these.

The design shines via instantly, and it strikes a superb stability. Whereas full of technical options, its clear traces and impartial tones make it simply as residence over a midlayer on a mountain cross because it does over a button-down in your method to the brewery. I admire 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 identify 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’d do this, and a couple of) If unsure, I’d dimension on the low finish.

Specs at a Look:

• Value: $499
• Materials: eVent Direct Ventingâ„¢ 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 aspect
• 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 towards the weather, and that is the place the Cloudland actually stands out. There is not any denying that that is an costly shell, however in the case of conserving you protected, the Cloudland is fairly rattling bomber.

Waterproofing & Breathability (Unimaginable)

This shell’s massive promoting level is its eVent® Direct Ventingâ„¢ 3-Layer Laminate (Yes, not like virtually each different main hardshell on the market, the Cloudland is just not made with Gore-Tex. I might say that is a superb factor, this laminate is fairly spectacular.)

In TEREN’s personal phrases, that “three-layer” part 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 score.

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 via. 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) often known as MVTR (Moisture Vapor Switch Price) refers to how rapidly moisture can translate via 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 may be very, superb. I do not know that I’ve ever seen a jacket with a score that prime earlier than, and it makes me strongly contemplate in search of eVent over Gore-Tex sooner or later. Whereas no waterproof jacket can defy physics solely, 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, laborious hikes the place I reside in Alabama, and even throughout uphill climbs after I’d usually strip all the way down to my undershirt, I did not really feel the necessity to take the Cloudland off.

However once you’re cranking out critical warmth, even probably the most breathable membrane wants assist. One other good characteristic of the Cloudland are two pit zips on both aspect. Each are simple to function with both hand, as a result of one zips up, one zips down. When each are unzipped, they create huge openings that permit for instant and really efficient warmth dumping.

Match, Articulation, Pockets, and Hood (Combined 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 a superb vary of movement.

That mentioned, I’d say its positively on the “roomier” aspect of hardshells. The tail is fairly lengthy, and it isn’t a shell I might 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 after 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 believe the typical shopper), is extra essential than a couple of 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 quite 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 pinnacle) 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 a 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 business.

With that in thoughts, this isn’t the shell for the informal day-hiker who solely sees rain a couple of 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 provide 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 perhaps weeks on finish and I needed to convey one hardshell that will maintain me dry, I believe I might 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 anticipate a slim, trim jacket that packs down right into a Nalgene, however if you happen to’re in search of critical weatherproofing, married to a number of the finest breathability within the hardshell recreation, the Cloudland is value trying into. It is clear that these guys put some thought and intent into their jacket, and total, I am fairly impressed. I anticipate it’s going to be in my closet for a lot of seasons to return.