Kit review: Jack Wolfskin Topaz jacket
The ever widening “fashion canyon” between Little Miss and I grows again. Witness the chat as we walked the dog this week while I was wearing one of my test jackets, the Jack Wolfskin Topaz jacket for women:
Me: “Oh I really like the look of this Wolfskin waterproof jacket. It’s beautiful.”
Little Miss: “Hmmm. Well, that all depends on what you think is beautiful. It is a nice jacket for an outdoorsy kind of thing, if that’s what you mean. I don’t think you can call waterproof jackets beautiful though.”
Me: “Er, well, it is in a lovely shade of blue and look at how nicely it fits. Look at the hood and the adjustable cuffs and the double fronted zip.”
Little Miss glanced at me, rolling her eyes: “Really mum! Are you for real? It’s a waterproof jacket. Only you could think it’s beautiful!”
Me: “Oh, well, yes I do. I think it’s really lovely. And it keeps the rain out, too.”
Little Miss: “Yes, mum, it’s a waterproof jacket. It’s meant to keep the rain out.”
Me: “Oh, right, yes. You’re right. Of course. Do you have any homework?”
Little Miss: Deep sigh.
Do you know what? I don’t care if my daughter can’t see the beauty in the Jack Wolkskin Women’s Topaz Jacket. One day, when she’s grown up and more sensible, she will.
What Jack Wolfskin say about the Topaz jacket:
This waterproof Jack Wolfskin Topaz jacket (for men and women) hiking jacket is a firm favourite. Designed to cover a broad spectrum of uses, it is highly suitable for multi-day hiking trips. It features:
- Weight: 725g (Size M women’s)
- Five pockets, including two side pockets, an inner pocket and large mesh inner pouch.
- Super-soft non-rustle waterproof and very breathable Texapore Smoothlight 2L fabric
- Detachable hood with adjustable volume and field of vision
- Inner zip for attaching a fleece jacket inside.
- Venting pit zips.
- Sizes Xs to Xl
- Wide spectrum of colours.
- Priced around £150.
What I think about the Women’s Topaz jacket
It looks good! This is necessarily important but if you like the look of a jacket you are more likely to get good wear out of it. These days, with so much emphasis on designs, there is no reason to have a non-good looking waterproof jacket. The two-tone aqua and light blue jacket that I was sent by Jack Wolfskin is, in my opinion, beautiful!
It fits well. I have a size small and I’m usually a size 10 to 12 but there is still plenty of room for a few layers underneath while still having a feminine shape. The arms a long enough for my Mr Tickle arms and the jacket length is perfect for hiking, even in the rain.
The weight is heavier than jackets with a higher price tag because the Topaz is lined with a mesh liner. This most likely adds extra warmth and structure to a jacket although I have never really understood the need for a lining. It guess would be possible to wear the jacket over a short-sleeved baselayer and still offer skin-to-jacket comfort. The lining does offer some level of comfort.
The fabric is very soft, as the labelling suggests it should. It doesn’t rustle like other waterproof fabrics and it is very good at keeping out the rain and wind. I tested this jacket on some very wet days while dog walking and didn’t have a single droplet of rain on my baselayers.
The hood is lined and has a peak to keep the rain off your face. Not all hoods work well in the wind but the Topaz did a good job.
The jacket did well for breathability although I did not wear it for extended mountain hikes. It did a great job on easier going hikes, though. I am not convinced it will be brilliantly breathable , however, because of the lining but for my dog walking and shorter hill walks that had me sweating it didn’t find my baselayers excessively damp from the sweat.
I also like the fleece detail feature on the inside of the top of neck cuff, so that when the jacket is fully zipped up it still feels soft against your face.
The jacket does what it says on the label. At £150, it’s a middle market waterproof that is ideal for lower-level or hill walking and hiking.
Oh, and I love the wolf print logo. I always have had a soft spot for the logo!
In my opinion, the jacket is also good looking enough to wear to the office on a rainy day or out to the pub. For your information, many friends said they really liked the look of the jacket, even if Little Miss was dismissive!