Soft shell
Product 2019
Woman, Man
The Vaude Shuksan 3L is a versatile jacket for mountain sports. We used it mainly for ski touring, with pants of the same name (Shuksan Hybrid pants). The big advantage of this Shuksan, apart from its versatility and breathability compared to a classic protective jacket is that it has a Ceplex Green® membrame (we’ll talk about this later) but overall it behaves more like a breathable soft shell. The Shuksan is cut for action, uphills: ski touring uphill, mountaineering, ice climbing, snowshoeing.
Its stretch fabric moves with you without restrictions. The design has been carefully studied. We particularly appreciated the size of the cuffs to slide over the top of several under layers and a large watch, and over gloves easily ensuring wind and snow protection. The adjustment strap is easy to use even with cold hands and powerful. The fabric is tough, as usual you would need to see its durability after lengthy usage; for example when carrying skis on your shoulders.
With the outdoors in mind the Vaude Shuksan 3L is equipped with two large central pockets with vertical zips. Mountaineering skiers know how useful these type of pockets are for shoving in their skins before a fast descent. There’s enough room for gloves, even goggles. The waist area is left free from any hinderance in case of harness use.
To limit weight, the jacket is not kitted out with a snow-skirt, we could’ve imagined this as a removable option.
The hood is quickly adjusted at three points. The first at the back of the head, just pull on the elastic to adjust the volume. To tighten the collar you will find the elastics in the breast pockets, you pull to adjust. These systems are simple and efficient. It is easier to tighten than to untighten.
The testers loved the high collar, ideal for great protection against the wind and avoiding heat loss.
The waist adjustment is classically at each side, precise and the elastics are well-proportioned.
The finishings and assembly are loyal to Vaude’s reputation. Impossible to criticize: the height of precision, careful assembly, perfection to the eyes and zips slide well, easy to grab even with gloves on. The hood has a semi-rigid visor that doesn’t get stuck on the back of a helmet when it’s down. We liked the rear cut that descends over your kidneys.
With our dry winter we weren’t able to really test the jacket in wild rain storms.
And the last interesting detail: “green”. At test4outside.com we often hear the brands’ environmentalist speeches, most of which are merely environmentally washing, or DIY actions or materials supposed to protect the planet. Some, even sing about the struggles or causes that they support for their brand image (animals saved…). But in fact when we look more closely the most polluting membranes are still used and the manufacturing process is far from environmentally friendly. Vaude decided to eliminate the use of PTFEs in their textiles: less showy, and much more complicated, and much more crucial. In 2019 even their zips will have the same green branding. Creating a membrane without PTFEs is not a simple affair. It sounds amazing but the Ceplex Green PTFE-free membrane is made from recycled polyurethane with S-coffee (recycled coffee sediment extract). The lining is made from 100% recycled polyester. Vaude don’t search publicity they are looking for green solutions to apply to their products. The Vaude Shuksan 3L is a beautiful illustration of this.
The Vaude Shuksan 3L is a very good jacket, well designed, breathable, tough, comfortable, not thermal because it is designed for active mountain sports: ski touring, mountaineering, climbing, etc. It is almost like a soft shell. An excellent product in a “Green” vein that wins our FIRST Award.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.
