Since age three, I’ve been clumsily sliding down hills with skis attached to my feet. It’s truly a passion of mine. No other sport allows as much freedom, variety and exilleration as Alpine skiing. Well, for me at least. My mother, a Swiss native, spent her winters teaching skiing in Vermont. Sealing my destiny on skis early in life. My father, on the other hand, a career Army Officer, involved moving to new locations every 2-3 years. Further benefiting my skiing career. New England, the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest and Europe all became my stomping grounds. Throughout my 40+ years on skis, I’ve constantly searched for the perfect outerwear. Clothing for a sport requiring strenuous exertion at times while protecting you from some of the harshest climates on earth. And I may have found something special from an unlikely candidate. The Techrock GTX Hooded Jacket from adidas Terrex.
adidas (small “a” is intentional) has been around since 1949. Most people recognize the three stripe logo on their shoes and activewear. In fact, my entire golf wardrobe consists of adidas. Shirts, pants, shorts, shoes, etc. To the point, I’ve been asked if they sponsor me. Terrex represents the adidas outdoor brand. Launched in Europe in 2008 and the US in 2011, the Terrex brand has secured its place among some of the titans of outdoor gear. Utilizing cutting-edge fabrics along with historic adidas garment knowledge, Terrex competes alongside several other brands I’ve used for skiing exploits. The Techrock GTX Hooded Jacket is the pinnacle of what a tech shell should be. Lightweight, highly breathable, flexible and designed for a specific purpose.
Weighing a mere 410 grams, adidas kept this jacket simple and streamlined. Perfect for skiing, hiking or alpine activities. In fact, the only pockets on this tech shell are a pair of vertically zippered chest pockets. Which is fine with me. I hate putting anything in traditional hand pockets due to the added bulk near my waist. Utilizing top of line 3-layer Gore-Tex PRO fabric, the Techrock jacket remains very breathable at high exertion levels. All while maintaining a completely waterproof and windproof barrier. Allowing the user maximum flexibility for layering underneath. Lately, I’ve been layering with the Climaheat Agravic Micro Down Jacket from Terrex. More on that piece in an upcoming review.
Despite having a closet full of technical outerwear, I do have certain jackets that I keep coming back to. Each one has something specific that I like about it. The Techrock GTX is one such jacket. For starters, it’s color is a bright orange or energy as adidas refers to it. Which really stands out on the mountain. Being visible is something I always consider while skiing in the backcountry. Sometimes you need to think like the rescuer. Other features that make this jacket stand out are waterproof zippers on both pockets and pit zips. Additionally, reflective accents are found on the chest logo, wrist closures and the back of the hood. The hood is helmet compatible and when fully zipped up, the face mask features a merino wool liner and exterior perforations to reduce moisture from exhaling. Drastically reducing goggle fog-ups.
Gore-Tex PRO information courtesy of gore-tex.com (used in Terrex Techrock GTX Jacket)
GORE-TEX® Pro products for mountainsport activities exclusively utilise a revolutionary, patent pending, 100 % ePTFE-based multilayer membrane system with a unique microstructure. The membrane is durably bonded to both the outer material and a specially developed robust inner lining. Outer materials that meet strict performance criteria (denier ≥40) and the patented, thin, low denier Gore Micro Grid Backer technology which enhances breathability, reduces weight, internal abrasion and snag resistance are paired with a demanding garment design specification to ensure the high performance of 3-layer GORE-TEX® Pro products.
All in all, I feel that the Techrock GTX is a top performer. I’ve had the opportunity to test this jacket while skiing near home but it’ll be packed for an upcoming trip to Colorado. Bumping my Mammut Nordwand PRO jacket. Although adidas Terrex hasn’t been around as long as some of the other recognized leaders in the outdoor market, I can tell you that they perform just as good or better. I tend to be brand loyal, so adding a few outdoor items from a company I’ve trusted and used my entire life is a good thing. Take a look at the adidas Terrex website and find the appropriate gear to fuel your next adventure.
