Since our testing period, this jacket has been slightly modified. From what we can tell, the storm flaps have been removed from the outer hand pockets, and there are several new colors to choose from. Compare the new version (first photo, white) to the version we tested (second photo, maroon).
As we haven't tested this latest version, the text from here on out speaks only to last year's version of this jacket.
This isn't a jacket that you want to be wearing when you're unexpectedly caught in a snowstorm. The outer shell is DryVent, which means it's waterproof and breathable. Which is great, but it doesn't provide much warmth on its own. The interior fleece layer does a decent job of keeping us warm, but it doesn't compare to the superior warmth of down insulation. It does an okay job in mildly cold weather, but once temperatures started to drop, we were cold.
The hood and pockets have no insulation, so they don't hold any warmth. Luckily, there is enough room to fit a beanie underneath it. You can always wear gloves, but the outer pockets would be a lot warmer with fleece lining.
Were are disappointed in this jacket's waterproofing. When we tested it in the shower, water initially beaded up and rolled off, but it eventually started to saturate the outer fabric. The waterproof and breathable membrane works, and the underlayer doesn't get wet, but the DWR (durable water repellent) finish does not shed water nearly as well as the Editors' Choice award winner the North Face Outer Boroughs Parka.
Because of how thin the insulation is, when we were caught outside in stormy weather, we could really feel the wind cut.
We are impressed by how comfortable we are when we wear all these layers together. We had no issues with this jacket running small. When worn independently, each layer is comfortable. There's enough room underneath the outer shell to wear a sweater or thicker layer. The fleece liner doesn't offer as much room underneath it to wear a thick layer, but we didn't find that to be a problem.
Whether worn separately or together this jacket is extremely lightweight. The jacket weighs a total of 1.3 lbs. It would almost work well for someone that likes to hike or spend time outside hiking. It's easy to separate the layers and even tie the fleece around your waist if you get too hot.
The only issues we have with this jacket in terms of comfort is that the pockets are thin and have no insulation. There is also no fleece liner in the pockets, a feature that most jackets have that help keep your hands warm in cold weather. So, if you like this jacket, you may want to bring gloves when you go outside!
Simple, athletic, and sleek, the Triclimate is a sporty jacket. As such, it's great for running around town, going to the gym, or going for a walk.
The only issue we really had with this jacket in terms of style, was when we wore both layers together, the fleece liner poked out of the sleeves. It's not the biggest deal, just something to keep in mind.
The Arrowood Triclimate Jacket's most important feature is its three-in-one construction. The outer shell is waterproof and breathable. The interior layer is a fleece zip up. They zip together to create a mildly warm winter jacket, but it's not a coat intended for below-freezing temperatures.
The outer shell has two exterior pockets. They aren't fleece lined. This small and subtle feature works wonders in cold weather.
The inner liner is a fleece zip up. It's a great layer for mild weather, but when worn by itself it doesn't compare to the warmth of the puffy down layer.
Both layers only have a normal main zipper, not a double-sided zipper. We didn't find this to be a problem because of the jacket's short length. If the jacket reached mid-thigh or above our knee, a double-sided zipper would come in handy.
We didn't have any durability issues with this jacket during the months that we tested it. The thick and smooth outer shell did a reasonable job repelling water and handling the weather. The DWR coating isn't the best, so we recommend refinishing it early and often.
There is minimal stitching on the outer shell, so we don't foresee snags as a major issue. The same can be said of the inner fleece layer as well.
This jacket is a little expensive for what it offers. Yes, there is a waterproof shell, a fleece liner, and when worn together you have a warmer jacket, but it's not that warm. It may be a great value for someone that's in the market for a mild jacket, but if you are looking for a winter jacket, we recommend that you keep looking.
