As you might have noticed in my previous articles, I have a brand new winter softshell jacket : Haglöfs’ Jaw Jacket.

Overview

Winter softshell jacket, stretch, breathable and water repellent for men (the women version is the Jaw Q Jacket).

Fabrics:

• Main in Windstopper® Stretch Soft Shell (94% Polyamide, 6% Elastane)
• reinforcements in Windstopper® Soft Shell (94% Polyamide, 6% Elastane)

Manufacturer’s data:

• Exterior in a woven stretch provides excellent durability
• Interior of varying thicknesses combines good thermal properties with maximum versatility
• Very water resistant with excellent breathability
• Stand-alone fleece lined collar with 3-way adjustable hood
• Recco® Avalanche Rescue System Reflector
• DWR treated (Durable Water Repellent)
• Integrated, adjustable snow skirt with press studs to attach snow skirt to pants and hinder snow from entering
• Cuffs with Velcro adjustment
• Full-length, watertight zip with inner wind flap
• Articulated elbows
• One napoleon pocket, one laminated sleeve pocket and two long, ventilating torso pockets – all with watertight zips
• Cord adjustable hem
• Weight: 805 g (Size L)

Advantages/Drawbacks

The ergonomic design combined with stretch fabrics offers a great comfort
Good insulation and with good breathability at the same time
Excellent wind and water protection (be careful though it is just water repellent, not waterproof)
Recco® Avalanche Rescue System Reflector (it doesn’t prevent you from having a beacon a probe and a shovel with you and train and how to use them!)
Waterproof zips
Instead of ventilating torso pockets, under arm ventialtion zippers would have been more efficient
Although it’s very personal and it’s neither specific to this jacket nor to Haglöfs, I’ve never been convinced by Velcro for cuffs. I would have prefer thumb holes. It’s certainly not the case for everyone but for me who is taking a lot of pictures, frequent putting and removing of the over glove cause the cuff to slip away from over the inner glove despite tightening it with the Velcro. Cuffs never stay in between the inner and outer gloves and you end-up with an undesired ventilation at your wrist

Opinion

This jacket made from water repellent and windproof fabrics is dedicated to winter sports as the Recco® reflector and the snow skirt accessories prove it.

The stretch and conformable fabrics combined with the ergonomic design offers an excellent freedom of movement. Water repellent and windproof fabrics guarantee you and excellent protections against elements. For a wintersports softshell, waterproof zips are a real advantage. I don’t bring my Gore-tex jacket any more for snowshoeing tours and prefer this jacket which provides a sufficient protection for a better breathability.

As the problems I found are not major problems, I think the Jaw Jacket is ideal if you are looking for a winter multi-function but yet technical softshell.

Some may argue that it is an expensive jacket. Personally I have no regret as I think this jacket is worth its price as it is a great product.