The BEST Ultralight Waterproof Jacket | Ronhill x Mountain Equipment GORETEX Shakedry
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- Опубліковано 22 вер 2021
- When you find a piece of gear that just works, it's a pretty magical feeling. Living in the Scottish Highlands we get to try out all sorts of waterproof gear in the harshest environments the UK has to offer and this jacket does not disappoint.
Made from GORETEX Shakedry, it's light, breathable and perfect for trail running or as a 'just-in-case' emergency shell on light and fast adventures. In this video, we break down the positives, negatives and technical features that make this jacket worth it's price tag.
As always, we buy and test all of our own kit, none of it is gifted, bringing you an honest opinion of the pros and cons of this waterproof jacket. We put The Ronhill x Mountain Equipment Shakedry GORETEX jacket through it's paces in our home, the Scottish Highlands. To give you a comprehensive overview, we took it trail running, hiking and wild camping to test it's ability in wind, rain, heat and everything in between.
Ronhill x Mountain Equipment GORETEX Shakedry Jacket: amzn.to/3kkUBUI
If you do think it’s all it’s cracked up to be, you can purchase your own on Amazon using the link above. It won’t cost you anymore, but we’ll get a little something back if you use our affiliate links.
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See you out there.
Superb presentation-answered all my questions.
Awesome! Glad you found it helpful mate. ☺️
Cracking jacket and a cracking video. Top stuff again Ben!
Cheers Max! Appreciate you watching mate. Look forward to seeing more of your hill adventures on your stories soon too.
Very helpful thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks
Hi there I don’t do any running those days are over all I do is fly fishing all over Scotland and I know you mean about 3lr Goretex I’ve had a few so called the best American fishing jackets and British all costing around £300-500 quite a few bob and over the years they’ve let me down with one thing or another so I’ve said to my son two years ago I am going light so he me bought a Patagonia torrentshell for both of us and they’ve been great , the only thing is sweating when you’re walking but other than that it’s great but after watching your video on this jacket I think this might be the one for us and for the price I think it’s ok as I have said I have spent a few bob over many many years so cheers for the recommendation for this jacket,so stay safe 👍💪🎣🏴🇬🇧
Hi Marshall, thanks for watching! Plenty of time spent standing about in the rain with fly fishing no doubt. Always been an admirer of fly fishing, it’s very mesmerising. Patagonia do some great kit, and have brilliant eco credentials, I like their stuff a lot. This jacket is definitely top draw though and from a British company too. Another option to consider is the HAGLOFS L.I.M. BREATHE GORE-TEX Jacket, it’s supposed to be a little more durable. It’s also slightly heavier and slightly more expensive. Anyway, hope you find the right option and happy fishing 🎣. Take care, Ben.
Have the Mountain Equipment Propeller Shakedry jacket and is the best waterproof I have used to date. Last outing was during my walk of the Cape Wrath Trail in some wild conditions. This material is excellent however I wish they could produce in bright colours from a safety point of view in the hills. Also would like trousers made in same material.
It’s interesting because I remember seeing the mountain equipment impellor when that originally and out, but it seemed to be discontinued really quickly. Then last year the propellor came out and now you can’t get the mend version at all.. don’t know why ME don’t make more of them, they are obviously selling. I saw you using it on one of your cape wrath vids actually, great test of it that. Agree on the colours and I reckon they will figure that out eventually. Trousers would be awesome, hopefully some come to market. Appreciate you watching and commenting!
Can i ask you both if you would feel comfortable wearing it with a rucksack for long periods? Basically is it robust enough to hold up to this? I would intend this as a 'just in case ' jacket. I have a heavier jacket for when I know things will be bad.
Hi Ben, This jacket seems like a really good bit of kit and I can see how useful it would be up in our neck of the woods with all the rain we get (this summer being the rare exception) great review, thanks. PS have you seem to have stopped posting vids of your hikes/Munro bagging escapades on UA-cam, or is there something i'm missing? ATB
Hey Stuart, thanks for watching! It’s a brilliant jacket for sure, light enough to have with you ‘just in case’ and still waterproof enough for a typical Highland downpour. So far, very impressed 👌🏼 our hikes and adventures will be back soon hopefully! Meg’s been dealing with a fractured hip for the best part of this year, so getting out hasn’t been easy. Recovery is going well though, so fingers crossed we’ll be back on the hills soon 🤞🏼
Hi Ben, I posted a reply from my phone but looks like it failed to come thro'. I just wanted to say sorry to hear about Meg's injury, shocking news. Please pass on my best wishes to her for a speedy recovery and I hope she's out in the hills again soon. ATB
Thanks Stuart, it’s been a frustrating few months but we’ll hopefully be back out on the hills in time for winter 🙏🏼🤞🏼 appreciate the well wishes!
Great review man! Interesting to hear more about this jacket as I feel there's been surprisingly little noise about it, but it sounds like it hits a pretty great sweet spot.
I recently got the Columbia Nanolite which I'd say is pretty comparable but a fraction more heavy-duty and hiking-orientated. I've been super impressed by the weight (207 g in Men's small) and waterproofness - I really do think that the OutDry and Shakedry technologies are game-changers. Can't wait to test it out in some proper winter weather!
Cheers for watching buddy! It is a really interesting bit of kit and the material needs to be used more and I think will with time. I guess the lack of colour and wear resistance as well as price has put many brands off initially. I’ve not tried any Columbia stuff but see they are doing some interesting stuff lately, that jacket sounds really good. Plenty of snow up high still to go give it a test, and it’s only early season 🙌🏼
@@OutdoorIntrigue Yeah that's right, it's a unicorn material for some but just an expensive niche for others (including the manufacturers). Adding the uncertainty of the pandemic into the mix, I think a few of the brands have been reluctant to really market it as much as you might expect. Columbia don't seem to have pushed much into the UK market but maybe they're starting to get a bit more traction with their OutDry range in particular.
Definitely, plenty of winter adventures to be had! Have fun out there guys.
I'm super interested in this material and the Columbia OutDry gear for hiking but it seems near impossible to find. I have a $1000 arc'teryx jacket that has really never had decent DWR on the shoulders and amount of spray I've gone through, I could have potentially bought something else by now. I've got to the point where I just don't feel like waterproof breathable clothing do what they say they do. Shakedry and OutDry seem to be a leap forward. In regards to hiking, there was a Shakedry Trail which used thicker more durable material but finding it seems to be difficult. Same goes for the Columbia gear. I don't really get why this stuff isn't getting traction in the market. If I could find a more durable option for heavier packs and some pit zips I'd be all over it.
Thanks for your review!
I know what you mean about Constantly having to buy and use re-proofer, it can be annoying and costly over time. You should check out the L.I.M Breathe GTX Shakedry Jacket from Haglofs, it looks a really good option for hiking. Not sure how easy it is to get hold of in the US if that’s where you are? But you’re right there aren’t a lot of jackets on the market using shakedry compared to other materials. I guess price is a big factor, as is it’s difficulty to dye and possibly work with. I think we will hopefully see more of it and other materials like it going forwards though. Appreciate you watching mate!
@@OutdoorIntrigue I'll check it out! thanks so much for the suggestion. Australia here. I have wondered if there's been some supply shortages during the pandemic. Or perhaps some new gen gear on the horizon. Cheers.
Nice to see an Aussie watching the channel it’s mostly U.K. and USA/Canada viewers. Yeah I think one of the drawbacks is durability, and brand have to pay a considerable licensing fee to use any Gortex products so they need to be sure of a return. Hopefully we see more technological advances in the space. Cheers, Ben.
Thanks for this review - really informative. Do you have any idea how this compares to the Gore R7 Shakedry jacket? Currently trying to decide between the two but can't find anything which outlines any differences.
Hey and thanks for watching! I haven’t seen the R7 in the flesh so I can only talk to what I have read about it. Basically they seem to be extremely similar, I struggled to find any big differences. Seems to be the exact same material, similar cut, similar price, the gore jacket appears to be slightly lighter. I definitely like the look of the hood on the Ronhill jacket more though. There doesn’t look to be much in it between them, but of course that may be different when you have them both in hand. Sorry I can’t help more!
The best jackets are the Gore jackets - sadly they've discontinued shake dry.
Yeah it’s interesting they’ve discontinued it.
Looks like a good pickup.. I just prefer blues and oranges for my rain gear.
You and me both!
what you haven't cut the tags off!! 😉 interesting to hear it has delaminated yet (i think that's the reason columbia pulled their featherweight) how many miles/k's would you guesstimate you've done with a pack on?
You’re right, let me just grab done scissors and cut those out! 🤣😂 So no delaminating so far. Really not sure on how many K’s specifically with a pack on but it’s over 500. Thanks for watching btw 🙌🏼
Nice one! I'm looking at the Gore G7 because as far as I know it's the only Shakedry with 30% thicker fabric but that might not be true soon... Hey any experience with OUTDRY? People were saying it's comparable tech to this
Haglofs do a shakedry jacket that is a thicker denier fabric I believe, aimed at hiking. I’ve not tried Outdry but have also heard it mentioned as a similar option so would be interested to see how it works. Cheers, Ben.
I'm still deciding between this and the Salomon S/LAB one.
The Salomon one looks really good. I like the look of the feature where you can wear it round your waist when not in use, not sure wether it’s actually practical, but looks cool. Price wise the Salomon option is a fair bit more expensive from what I’ve seen, but will be good quality I imagine. Let me know what you choose! Cheers, Ben.
@@OutdoorIntrigue I ended up getting both the S/LAB one and the Ronhill one. Ronhill one was a terrible fit for me, too tight on chest and sleeves too long. The S/LAB one I had to return and size up because it was too tight on my arms and in the new size there's still some restriction, but the hood fits huge the part you use to stuff the jacket into is just annoying extra fabric. So I picked up Gorewear R7 and although sleeves are again too long I can tuck these into themselves and the fit and hood are fantastic. Also it feels nice against the skin (they use a different backer). Oh and the it's a diffferent Shakedry they use different to the Ronhill one that has speckles and the S/LAB one that looks like brown leather, it's built for abrasion resistance so you can wear a pack on top.
Cheers ben. I’ve been looking at the ronhill shakedry for a while after seeing Ray highly rate his impellor- i see he has commented below - the breathabioity and weight are amazing. They don’t recommend the ronhill for backpacking and me have stopped making the impellor. Which all makes me thinking that for my needs (light fast hiking), the haglofs 2.5 gtx might be better at only 70g more. Will see. Have you done much backpack wearing with yours? Gordon
The Harold’s looks a great option, I have checked it out online previously been tempted. I have a Gortex active jacket of theirs that’s been my lightweight go to for hiking. I think ME make a new version of the impellor called the propellor, but it only seems to available in the womens version stock wise. I’ve used the ronhill for backpacking but sparingly as I know the wear will be it’s weakness. It’s definitely capable for backpacking but it’s longevity is a big question mark, and considering price that could be an issue. Appreciate you watching Gordon!
@@OutdoorIntrigue thanks ben. I think I recall reading that the propellor uses a thinner version of the gtx membrane too which could be even less durable. The weight and breath ability is just so attractive. We’re all hoping we go straight from summer to winter and miss the mush tho! Atb gordon
@@whenigotothemountains1203 Durability will be the trade off with all of these. But the weight and packability is just dreamy. Salomon do an option to, but again not hiking specific. I reckon a lot of these will fair pretty decently for ultralight hiking though. The mush has begun here mate, had 4 days of heavy rain. Take care, Ben.
Great review, What is the packability like? Does it pack into one of the pockets for example. Thanks!
Hey 👋🏼, it packs pretty small but not into a pocket. I just stuff it into my pack.
Do you find the jacket rides up at the back? I have a M (5'11" athletic build) and it sometimes rides up when moving steeply uphill. I was thinking of taking in the elastic slightly but its already fairly snug around the waist. Otherwise full marks. For me I wear a cap underneath the hood which seems really effective in driving rain.
Hey Tim, I can’t say I’ve found it riding up any more than most of my other jackets, probably less so I would say. I usually wear a running belt or a vest though which does impact it, especially the belt. I’ve got the medium also and I’m 6’2, I guess it depends on what you’re used to also. Can be really annoying though I know, I always like jackets that have a decent drop tail, helps so much to stop them riding and keeping the old butt drier. Sorry I can’t be more help on this one mate.
For UL backpacking, how is the durability with backpack straps causing wear?
Hey Jon, thanks for watching! 🙏🏼 so far, no issues at all, but I have been using it sparingly as I know that'll be it's biggest weakness. Saying that, the jackets been used on multiple UL wild camps, long runs using a vest as well as day hikes with a backpack. Haven't noticed any issues with the wear yet, but only time will tell.
Hmmm - from experience I'd say shakedry it pretty useless for ultralight backpacking - it will fail with micro-tears after even a tiny amount of abrasion. Ron Hill customer services will 100% tell you exactly the same. I've got the Montbell Peak Dry Shell which uses the slightly heavier Shakedry - and they too state clearly avoid situations where the jacket is subject to any abrasion. The issue is even with the heavier backing - the membrane is on the outside. Great jackets and great fabric if you aren't wearing a pack - next to useless if you are.
All fair points and the main issues with these jackets is exactly that, they don’t last.
Probably the reason why Shakedry has been discontinued.
Hi, good honest review, its on my list.
What watch face did you have whilst shooting the video.
Ta.
Hey, thanks for watching and glad you liked it. The watch is the Topo face on the Coros Vertix 2. Cheers, Ben.
Thanks Ben much appreciated 👍
@@pauldaniel2527 no probs mate.
Hi Ben, great review, thanks! Can the pocket be used as a pack pouch?
Hey 👋🏼, glad you liked the review! The short answer to your question is no it can’t be used as a pack pouch. I just tried it to see if it could work and the jacket does technically fit into the pocket of you stuff it hard enough, but it’s a super tight fit and the zips inside out. I am pretty confident it hasn’t been designed to do it and so it doesn’t work well at all. I usually just fold/roll it up into the hood. The whole thing does pack away tiny. Hope that helps! ☺️
@@OutdoorIntrigue Thanks, but good to know it packs away small by folding/rolling it!
@@haraldandergassen685 No probs buddy.
HI Ben, I really think about to buy this jacket. Actually, I use different brand for my trail running gears, so not sure about the sizing: in terms of jacket - I got ( Inov8 ) for XL sizing, adidas L sizing. Years ago, I had one Ronhill shorts in L sizing, which came a bit small. I am 187cm tall, 107cm chest. Would you please recommend the right size of the jacket? Thank you in advance Sebastian
Hey Sebastian 👋🏼 thanks for watching. I think a size large is likely to be good for you, as long as you aren’t needing to add layers.
Love Gortex but hate the environmental implications of forvever chemicals, hope someone invents a better waterproofing solution
Completely agree! Gortex are trying to be more eco friendly but they are so far from where they need to be it’s mad.
Hi need an excellent jacket for my attempt on Cape Wrath 8day ultra next May. This seems ideal as so waterproof. Would you agree??
Yeah it’s definitely a decent option for the cape wrath ultra! It isn’t the toughest as mentioned by Fraser, but if you’re using it for running with light kit it is fine. Obviously it won’t last long term with pack weight though. There are some solid options from Rab and Mountain equipment in this weight range currently, although not shakedry. Happy trails!
I’ve got one of these on order, my only rather trivial query is, why is the Gore-Tex logo on the fore arm upside down?:-). One assumes it’s advertising for those around you, not for you to look at your own arm….Hmmmm..
Hey 👋🏼, hopefully you enjoy using it once it arrives! You know I hadn’t even thought about the way the logo was placed 😂🤣, but I guess you are right it must be for the benefit of those we run past. Like a moving billboard, side of a bus style. Ha!
Remembered the logo is also reflective, which is hand for night visibility.
I would like a hem adjustment and brim to the hood. The water will roll over your eyes. What size do you wear?
Hey 👋🏼, yeah those features would always be great but they come at weight and this is a paired back running jacket so it’s light on features. It is very good though. I wear a medium, but that doesn’t leave much room for layering. Thanks for watching!
@@OutdoorIntrigue Also, these center zippers are not waterproof. Most outdoor brands use them because they are minimalistic and light, but they are difficult to move up and down and often stuck. Instead they should use Vislon type zippers.
I normally wear my jacket OVER my race vest.
Would you imagine this jacket would be a good candidate for going one size up for this?
Hi Rich, it’s definitely a candidate for wearing over a race vest. It’s pretty fitted so either size up or 2 sizes up depending on the size of your vest. Will obviously be a bit flappier when worn without a vest if sized up. There is a Gortex shakedry jacket from Dynafit that had a zip on the rear to expand it giving space for a vest underneath which is a very cool idea. Can’t remember the model name off the top of my head. Appreciate you watching!
@@OutdoorIntrigue Cheers!
hi, one question, is the fit more regular or more snug? I'm 174 cm x 64 kg, I'm taking a L model for women, no man because I didn't find it:(
It’s a fairly snug fit
Interesting Video
Pricy
There is nothing worse than a wet arse when your reasonable dry
So why do you need vents they let water in
Cheers
Yup it is pricey and jury’s still out on its longevity. Vents are usually under your arms in the pit area so it’s hard for them to let water in, and if it’s torrential or wind driven and causing an issue you can zip them up. I’ve always just found them to be effective. Appreciate you watching 🙏
LOL "is this better than Arc'teryx?"
News for ya: Arc'teryx had their own line of Gore-tex Shakedry jackets called the Norvan. Gore the company is discontinuing this line of shakedry jackets due to high cost to manufacture and it's impact on our environment
That’s not news, I’m well aware of the Norvan model from Arcteryx and Gores discontinuing of the fabric. Thanks for watching though.
Not available at all on the market. Any advise where to find it or the next generation of it. 25000 mm waterproof and RET breathability factor below 5??
Hey 👋🏼, just seem this. Seems to be available in lots of U.K. retailers currently. I see it and the new gore active model available on SportsShoes.com
I can only find women version in the UK. I emailed Ronhill customer support who said that Gore tex have stopped producing shakedry fabric :(
And recommend their active gore tex version.
@@25Welchy it does seem that shakedry has been phased out.
The goretex Active 2.0 jackets seem to be the next gen (see mountain equipment firefly). Same hydrostatic head (28000), pretty much as breathable (
@@AshRolls yup it looks like that is the way they have gone. I am a big fan of gore active, it’s definitely a lot more resilient than shakedry
hi, I was reading that the Shakedry fabric had some resistance and therefore durability problems, and I read that there have been variations in the fabric on some manufacturers. Is this true or do all gore-tex Shakedry jackets have the exact same fabric?
There were more than one version of the fabric as Haglofs had a slightly tougher thicker jacket using it. It seems to have been largely discontinued in general shakedry, I am not seeing it being used in any new products.
@@OutdoorIntrigue thanks, I was looking for a jacket with original Shakedry, no insulated, like with Polartec alpha. Other than the one in the video for now I haven't found any, it's very difficult, especially if it has a hood.
@@OutdoorIntrigue hello, here the review model is only available for women, I'm a man, so I don't know. Do you think it is feasible to wear a woman's garment? Or would that be big bullshit because the fit would be bad?
@@alsteooaai it really depends on body shape, but it’s probably not going to be ideal.
@@OutdoorIntrigue I understand thanks, last question, how much does this model weigh?
Shame it's got gortex written all over it in large high contrast font
Yeah that is pretty annoying indeed.
It's quite standard for Goretex products due to cost maybe people like to show it off
What can you say about the durability at this point?
It’s not massively durable. That’s it’s biggest flaw, I wouldn’t Hager it for hiking or hard use. I’d suggest a Gortex with a heavier face fabric for sure.
@@OutdoorIntrigue but yours is still in good shape or did you damage it?
@@nadsim154 it died from heavy use. Mostly just wear in key areas.
@@OutdoorIntrigue Oh ok thanks for the info, this thing is really not for hard use.
@@nadsim154 yeah it really depends on what you want from it, as it is well made. But it’s for running only really and ideally without pack weight. Certainly no bushwhacking or climbing
Looks a great jacket for running but I can imagine it wouldn't last 5 min doing scrambling in the peaks
Yup, abrasion and tear resistance are obviously pretty low, so scrambling or mountaineering of most sorts don’t suit this jacket perfectly. That said it won’t just fall apart and I’ve used it light scrambling on mountain runs and it was fine. Generally for more demanding mountain activities I would go for a heavier weight jacket though, likewise for heavy winter conditions. Horses for courses and all. Cheers for watching!
You can not use Shakedry with a back pack. The backpack will cause the Shakedry to fail. All manufacturers state this in their marketing material. 👍
I mean you can use it, and I did use it for backpacking. You will destroy it though, how long that takes depends on lots of variables. Looks like most of the shakedry options have come off the market now anyway. Happy trails.
When running, you sweat, which in my opinion means there's no need for a waterproof running jacket, as it doesn't keep you dry, as you're already wet from sweat. Walking/Hiking, yes, running? Bit pointless in my opinion. Nice jacket though.
Appreciate you watching and commenting. I definitely agree for lots of conditions and scenarios it is easier to just get wet. It’s certainly not always true though, particularly when running in temperatures in the -1 to +6 C range when it’s wet as it has a huge impact on body temperatures. Sweating is not as cold as freezing wind driven rain and certainly not as uncomfortable. The other times a jacket is great is on longer runs, if you are out in the mountains for 6 hours(or much longer in some cases), you won’t be ‘running’ non-stop and a jacket gives great protection, also from the wind. Likewise if you do have to stop, or get injured you can keep the weather off which can be a lifesaver in the hills.
Looks and sounds like a bin bag. My experience with Gore Tex jackets is that they tend to get quite clammy inside. Not tried shakedry though. Then again, the looks and sound of it is off-putting
Bin bag might be a bit harsh 😂. It is certainly an interesting material and it does have its down sides. It’s surprisingly soft to the touch though. Like all waterproof jackets Gortex can and does get clammy, depending on what you are doing and the weather. This material breathes incredibly though. I haven’t found it noisy even in strong winds, on the look though that’s more personal, and currently it only comes in black as they can’t dye the material. Anyway appreciate you watching and commenting!
Two hunnnndrraad annddd - I'm out :)
Yeah it is a hell of a lot of money for what it is, no question about it.
Do not put in washing machine! I know it's reccomended but not worth the risk
Did you wash yours in a machine then and it messed it up?
@@OutdoorIntrigue I've destroyed a few gore tex jackets by putting them on a sensitive wash. Really not worth the risk I would hand wash and drip dry then use the spray on nikwax proofing. I'm not am expert by any means though
@@tbrowniscool Interesting you say that mate, I wash all our Gortex jackets in the machine and tumble dry them, always have for years. I’ve found it’s the best way to keep them functioning nicely. Maybe you’ve had bad luck? Or your washing machines a bit tough on them 😂. I was concerned about the Gortex shakedry but it was ok in the wash, no tumble dry though.
@@OutdoorIntrigue Wow yeah maybe my washer is really brutal! Am terrible for washing merico wool with normal clothes too! Come out like kids clothes 😂. What's your opinion on gore tex paclite?
@@tbrowniscool Yeah Merino and wool in general is a pain to wash, gotta make sure it’s a cold wash. The new Merino blends with synthetic are much better though. Paclite and the current version paclite plus are really good, light, tough and breathable. 10 years ago the paclite versions were crap, now they are top notch. Obviously not as tough as pro but unless your climbing or trail breaking in forests you’ll not notice the difference mostly. Goretex active is very good to, breathability is immense.
gortex sucks! it's all about Glad force flex, with original scent!
Wtf are you on about mate?
@@OutdoorIntrigue garbage bags! cheap better than that overpriced gortex junk! plus I smell great! lol