Who is using neoshell

I'd say unscientifically that the Rab Kinetic "feels" slightly more breathable than Neoshell and also "feels" like it would be slightly less waterproof. But that may have more to do with the face fabric than anything else. As far as I understand it, you can't really compare MVTR numbers between brands and fabrics that much vs is probably meaningful, but vs much less so. It's not a completely unbiased rating. Too many variables, test techniques and methodologies, some of which are better suited for one type of fabric, another for different types of fabric microporous vs.

Good point. Is the Rab material their version of Neoshell? The membrane seems to be made of PU as is Neoshell? Did you have durability issues with your neoshell? Had a Rab top if the line one which was brilliant out of the box but after a year of use water goes right through it and the breathability is gone. I did! I had pairs of rab neo shell trousers and 2 pairs of jottnars replaced. I suspect this is why you don't see it around anymore. It is a thicker fabric than the Rab version though Like most membranes I suspect it's the face fabric that decides how durable vs light choose one it is?

Your Name:. Email Address: you will also be emailed a Cc: [carbon copy] of this message. Neoshell - are any brands still using this?

New Topic Reply to Topic. This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings. Tallie 15 Apr Frank R. In reply to grump gnome: As far as I am aware, several of them are already discontinued Montane, Mountain Hardwear. Post edited at Generally, companies will pair lighter weight face fabrics with more breathable membranes because heavier face fabrics will limit breathability. Most NeoShell pieces are on the lighter side of 3L garments and their durability should reflect that.

Pants almost always take more abuse than jackets and the burlier face fabric and more robust laminate of Gore Tex Pro is a better choice for pants all around. I really dig the hand feel of that jacket.

I see what you mean about the difference between membrane durability and fabric durability. I agree with your comments on the Stingray jacket fabric. I found that it breathes pretty well, but I the Neoshell pants I have definitely breathe better. Hopefully a company will pair a heavier duty face fabric with the Neoshell membrane- it sounds like you would get the best of both worlds durability and breathability.

It is a lightweight fabric but has withheld ragged and sharp Ski edges on the shoulder. I kept looking for damage, but none was there. In moderate to beginning to be warm weather, I think I opened the pit zips Once or twice during hard skiing. And that might have been out of habit as much as need. I felt that I was able to layer lighter, due to not overheating and getting wet if that makes any sense. I see they have changed this. For I have been in high winds with Neoshell and not felt the chills.

I agree with your thoughts on the Switch, surprisingly durable. I like that the face fabric is supple as well and not stiff. I own a RAB Polartec Neoshell jacket and at first I was very impressed by the breathability and it seemed better than my previous Goretex Proshell jacket. Last winter was very mild so no cross country skiing for me and no heavy backpacks. I used it mainly for daily commuting on my bicycle. After about 8 months of use I went for a 1 week kayaking trip and it was raining daily.

I did not wear a rucksack but my shoulders and neck got wet and I was cold too. I could not understand it at first it is an expensive jacket, top brand, first months were great. After coming home I looked at the jacket more carefully and I thought if the membrane would leak then also light would leak through!

There was also some light penetration on the upper chest part near an end cap of an elastic band for adjusting the hood. The rubbing of the cap clearly destroyed the membrane. I took pictures, send it to RAB and they were directly replacing my jacket. Still I feel that durability is an issue and that it is a design problem. So I contacted a friend who has the same jacket bought at the same time and he too had the same problem and it is something you clearly notice with the light test.

So I am not that happy because I am afraid I have to send it back again in a few months time. For comparison, I my old Goretex jacket is delaminating but the membrane is still intact.

I did not wash the jacket because this could affect the membrane see other posts. However the distributer advised me to wash it regularly. They are even suspecting dirt from my skin that may have attacked the membrane! So my question to all of you: please hold your jacket against the light and report what you see! I can send pictures of the fabric if you want to know how mine looked like! There are definitely some people that are experiencing durability issues with NeoShell.

However I can say a few things. First, none of my NeoShell pieces show any damage when held up to the light. I do not know the timeframe for when these jackets were produced though. I have not experienced any membrane damage on my jackets however. I would love to hear how your replacement jacket from Rab holds up, this winter I will likely be putting in the majority of my days on the Centurion — If I have anything useful to report we will definitely update this article.

One thing to remember is that these membranes are extremely thin, lightweight and porous. They are fragile. There is no perfect membrane, but the bigger the pores, the better it breathes so it follows that the better it breathes, the more fragile the membrane is. If i may respectfully mention, usually when a review goes on the topic of sizing e.

My 2 cents thanks! Thanks for your comments. We typically try to base our sizing judgments on average body proportions. For instance, I know that I have pretty average length arms and torso for my build, but that I have a small waist.

I can see through my Marmot Neoshell at the hood, shoulders, and arms. It lost its waterproofness after about three months of wear, but it is so comfortable that I wear it as my daily jacket all year.

I wash in DWR every six months. Gore-Tex is like wearing a plastic bag, and the Pro is actually the least breathable of their membranes. My jacket is a Montane further faster Neo, and I had a pair of Rab Neo Stretch pants which I returned under warranty — seam issue not the Neoshell itself, and have swapped them for some Nexus pants. I do know that Rab are dropping it though — I get the feeling they have a cheaper deal with eVent, or are developing their own membrane.

Hi, can I ask how your Montane neoshell jacket is after a year of use? Any problems with waterproofness? Hi there. This is a great review. How does the NeoShell breath compared to a non-membrane softshell like what I use? And how windproof is it? Very windproof, and breaths almost as good as softshell.

Nice to eliminate that from the rucksack, as I hardly ever use it and get tired of carrying it. I also still like the true softshell for things like uphilling workouts and hard hiking, when breathability has to be maximum. Also is the neo as waterproof as a hardshell?

I can answer your question about the waterproofness: yes it is. Making your clothing waterproof is, however, not that big of a deal. Some plain plastic does that as good as the most expensive shells. Dry is dry. Depends on the hardshell. I disagree with Tom and would say the Neoshell jacket I tried extensively was not as waterproof as a plastic bag, but I found it to be plenty waterproof for most activities excluding things like backpacking in 10 days of rain, and stuff like that.

I had really thought that power shield pro was going to be the next big thing even more water resistance with great breathability but polartec seems to be pushing this stuff into quite a few more jackets, while power shield pro is left to languish.

I decided to buy the Rab. Yep, hardshell. I ordered it at Edge, just because you can pay with PayPal. I really hope it lives up to the expectations. However, I live in Holland, so the weather is… not always that good, if you know what I mean. Speaking of rain, it is absolutely gushing down here right now…. And I still have a small question: do you know how this shell compares to a softshell of a very good quality, like the Serendipity with Schoeller dryskin?

Oops, I of course mean the subjective breathability, not the whole idea. That difference is obviously quite clear. The neo shell fabric appears to be what I am looking for, I just need a designer to construct a ski jacket with powder skirt good pockets and a lift pass pocket on the sleeve. Let me know ehn its on the market. Be nice if there were a non-Alpine style jacket available — something with a body length more suited to general outdoors activity. I notice that many of these jackets do not have pit zips.