The new Salewa Pedroc PTC Alpha jacket is aimed at “speed hikers”, which I think means nothing more than fast walkers! I have been trying it out.
The jacket looked familiar and I then remembered that last year I tested the Salewa Pedroc Last year, I reviewed an earlier version of the Pedroc jacket.
There are other styles but this latest one is different because it includes Polartec Alpha technology.
What is Polartec Alpha?
Originally developed for the US Special Forces when they required a more advanced insulating material in their combat uniforms, this fabric is an insulation that regulates core body temperatures during both dynamic and static activities.
It’s claimed that Polartec Alpha is the “latest advancement in adaptable breathability to help to eliminate the need of shedding or adding layers while on the move”.
Salewa say of Polartec Alpha: “It’s a synthetic insulation that offers a rare combination of lightweight warmth and true breathability thanks to its ability to work with more open-construction face and back fabrics, which allow a small amount of airflow into the garment to rapidly draw moisture away from the body.”
Salewa Pedroc PTC Alpha jacket features:
- Body mapped design to offer a combination of weather-resistance and breathability
- Water resistant shoulders, front and back areas
- Highly breathable side and back panels
- Soft breathable mesh lining
- Wide stretchy cuffs with thumb loops
- Front zip with internal full-length windproof flap
- Two zipped outer pockets
- Elastic binding edged hem
- Stretch inserts for ease of movement
- Ergonomic sleeves and shoulders for a good fit
- Smooth side with no seams
- Optimal moisture transport to avoid chill effect
- Male and female designs.
Weight: Women’s jacket is 236g
Price: £150
See Salewa
On test: Salewa Pedroc PTC Alpha jacket
I like the fit of Salewa (it’s long and fairly slim) and I like that they think hard about their designs. The products that I have tried have always been of high quality and usually include some kind of innovation or new technology.
Last year I was impressed by the earlier version of the Pedroc jacket so I imagined I would like this up-dated Polartec Alpha jacket – and I do.
There are some nice new features, such as the wide, stretchy arm cuffs with thumb loops. I have the size 44 (and I usually a long UK10) and the arms are a good length for me. Using the thumb loops does not cut off my circulation.
On the torso I think I could have worn a smaller size for optimum fit but with a little extra room it means I can add a couple of baselayers underneath.
The fit is athletic and flattering and the torso is long, which I appreciate as I am quite tall, so you do not get an airy gap between trousers and top.
The jacket feels stretchy in all the right places. The arms are a soft fabric and they fit snuggly but not annoyingly because the fabric is so stretchy. It’s the same around the sides. There is a really good freedom of movement in the jacket.
The high neck collar offers extra protection from the weather, although I would have liked to see a stretch fabric hood on the jacket. There are two zipped pockets that offer extra protection for the hands in cool weather.
The choice of colours in this jacket is good. Salewa seem to appreciate that not everyone wants boring black and I like the peachy orange colour, if only for a change.
Last year, I had a few people question the usefulness of the Pedroc jacket because it is not fully waterproof nor fully wind resistant or fully anything really. However, I found it to be a great style of jacket for Scottish spring and summer weather.
When faced with the type of fickle whether that usually occurs in Scotland – from light rain one minute to wind to sun and back to drizzle – it’s really useful to have one jacket that can deal with all these conditions.
The newly updated Pedroc offers the same protection but with enhanced insulation thanks to Polartec Alpha. And it really does work.
The jacket is lightweight and I didn’t think it would be anywhere near warm enough for a blustery early summer walking in the hills. But it was surprisingly good.
The front panels kept the wind off and the side and back allowed the sweat generated from fast uphill walking to evaporate. The longer cuffs kept my hands warm and the high collar was really useful as I climbed to higher altitude.
The jacket coped just fine with light rain. The water-resistant areas are adequate for keeping off drizzle. When the rain becomes heavier you need to add a more waterproof jacket over the top but for generally mixed spring and summer weather the Pedroc is a great item to be wearing.
It is also washable in a machine and I simply added some DWR washing liquid to give it an extra water-repelling boost.
I am not sure I can find much to fault in the jacket except perhaps that I’d like a hood. It’s not cheap at £150 but it is highly versatile and could be worn for other activities such as running, cycling and skiing.
See Salewa UK.