Product 2020
Man
The Salomon Icecool jkt, escapes the sterotypical product: membrane, under arm ventilation and chest pockets. The Salomon Icecool is kitted out with the “Flowtech” system that uses ventilation located on the chest allowing air circulation and temperature regulation.
The system of air entry is probably connected to the column that you see on the inside of the jacket, along the spine, and we also notice an air exit (and/or an entrance?) at the back.
This Salomon Icecool jkt provides solutions to the paradoxical construction of waterproof jackets that are not breathable: the breathable membrane during exercise is unfortunately not up to scratch despite all manufacturers efforts in doing so. Salomon took the bull by the horns with this Flowtech. You just lower the zip on either side and two gills appear. They are easy to access and this avoids the usual underarm inaccessible ventilation problem. When you ski the air enters the jacket and spreads throughout the Primaloft® insulation layer (the Icecool is an insulated protective jacket). The faster you ski, the better the effect! Two points: once open the base of the ventilation aren’t very aesthetic, and the zips are a bit difficult to use with gloves on. If you use a harness (crossing a glacier for example)the harness doesn’t obstruct the ventilation.
SO the Flowtech regulates this warm and comfortable jacket. In the cold and on chairlifts it provides good protection without needing a mid-layer.
The Salomon Icecool jkt is well-designed with a nice cut, inspired from piste skiing in its snug fit. We would’ve liked a higher collar for better protection in blizzard conditions.
The removable hood isn’t formed to fit a helmet underneath but is still appreciated before and after skiing. Its one-point adjustment is fast. A minimalist model that doesn’t protect that mush on the sides.
The membrane works well against bad weather, snow and sleet. The great regret is that the zips aren’t waterproof and water soon gets in if it’s raining. This is the same problem with the Salomon Icemania pant that we tested at the same time as the jacket. So the Salomon Icecool jkt is designed for piste skiing when the weather isn’t too nasty.
For everything else the Salomon Icecool jkt fulfills everything you need in a ski jacket: ski pass pocket, pockets for gloves or goggles, right hand safety pocket, breast pockets, non-removable snow skirt, comfortable collar, inner cuffs, sleeve Velcro adjustments, wide elastic waist adjustment.
Last but not least, thanks to the Primaloft® the jacket dries fast. You can machine wash it in cold water.
The Salomon Icecool jkt, now costs 350 euros (instead of 500 euros at the start of the season).
For piste skiing this jacket is both warm and breathable thanks to its ventilation system. Very comfortable to wear, only loses a few points on the non-waterproof zips.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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