Review: Artilect M-Shadow Canyon Jacket
Price
£450
Gender
Mens (womens cut available)
Brand // Manufacturers
Artilect
What we liked
Brilliantly functional
Lovely ergonomics
Clever cosy practical design details
What we didn’t
Honestly can’t think of a negative about this bitta kit (price maybe)
The Verdict
THE SHORT READ…
So, we were lucky enough to do a podcast with the designer of this jacket – Trent Bush, snowboarding legend and ex-creative design director at Burton. The way he approaches design and mountain wear was intriguing to listen to. Artilect is between art and intellect, he says. Rider based design development, he says. So how did his words and theories translate into an actual quality outer shell? Very well indeed…
THE LONG READ …
Another fully waterproof jacket… yeah, yeah, yeah. But has anyone ever really believed this? There’s always some tiny leak, or is it internal sweating? Well – turns out Trent is as good as his word. This jacket is a fantastic bit of kit. As I’ve worn it over the 23/24 winter weeks thus far it continues to quietly surprise me.
30k / 3 layer waterproofing, fully taped seams and all that jazz – it has everything you’d expect to see in a high end weather proof shell. But it really works well on the mountain. But even as you hold it, you notice there’s no hard, cardboardy stiff outer, which many jackets have – nope, this one is soft and kind of cosy feeling.
This means it’s got unrestrictive movement – and it doesn’t ruckle up in the mid rift area – the thing seems to sit and hang well on you. What black magic is Trent using?
The zips are all perfectly placed – like that excellent restaurant waiter who knows what you need before you’ve even ordered it – this jacket serves everything up with style and with class. It’s pretty light too, 495g. So it’s gonna pack small – and the fact that it’s supple means it folds easily to fill every spare corner of your avibag.
The main hand pockets underline the cosy vibes, lined with fine soft material, so if you stash your glasses or goggles, they’re not going to get scratched up.
The back of the neckline also treats you to a softer section, so there’s no danger of awkward rubbing here that those stiffer jackets have. The hood fits well over a helmet, or can be pulled in to fit without one.
And, if you’re a snowboarder, as I am, and you spend an inordinate amount of time reaching right down to do your straps up – you’ll be pleasantly surprised that the jacket stretches brilliantly – there is no movement limit with this bad boy.
Trent, I salute you Sir. Great job. Loving your work. Loving this brand, very keen to try out more Artilect gear. Trent tells us to give his merino thermal wear a go – says it’s mind-blowing. From a sceptical kit junkie – I’m 100% in.
SUMMARY…
Artilect run an A-SYS layering theme through their brand. This outer shell is mega waterproof and breathable, I never got sweaty in it once, left me dry and cosy at all times. Don’t know what black magic they are applying but I like it a lot.
Intended use is genuinely mountaineering / hiking / ski snowboarding. A super useful jacket for your winter and summer quiver.