Bushwalk Australia

Hello

I came across this new product (new for me) NeoShell and I was wondering if it is available in Australia and what are the opinions about it. I heard that it is supposed to be better quality than Goretex, but this is manufacturer's opinion...I am really curious if anyone had experience with this shell - good or bad.

Cheers, Kasia

Not sure if it's available locally yet. Rab make some stuff with it. Not sure who else yet. Backpacking light included some jackets made with it in their state of the market report a while back and were fairly underwhelmed by its performance if I remember correctly. At least compared to its claims.

As far as I know, no one in sydney stocks the neoshell yet.

I bought a Rab Neoshell jacket from the US last year, but had to return it for store credit as I got sent the wrong size. I bought it at full price so wasnt prepared to sell it at a discount. Didnt get to test it but the material seemed more like my hardshell with abit of stretch, rather than like my other tradional softshells.

When you say better than goretex, keep in mind goretex have many different types of fabrics. The new goretex active shell has had good reviews.

try rab stockists for the stretch neoshell, its obtainable in nz by ordering through stockists, it's $700
http://rab.uk.com/stockists/internation ... =Australia

check the north face to see if they have brought their jammu jacket into the country.

i doubt you'll find any other brands in aus who use neoshell. apart from marmot but their neoshell is fleece lined

its more breathable than gore tex in the laboratory.
except gore tex active shell in practice in the field can be more breathable because it gets bonded to thinner fabrics.
but a lot of active shell garments are marketed as garments for day activities only.
which makes me wonder how durable it would be over time with a heavy pack on

I am thinking of importing one from Europe that is why I am asking for opinions what You think about it. I haven't seen it and I have no idea how good it is so I am hesitating to bring it to Australia. I have had my Karrimor Goretex for 15 years and I cannot destroy it to get a new one.

field tests show its splitting hairs over which of the more recognised membranes are more breathable, how dry the DWR keeps the outside of he shell plays a bigger part in how well a shell keeps breathing, that and how thin the fabric is,,, thats reflected by the comments of a lot of people on this site.

I've just ordered a Westcomb Apoc from the U.S. Hunted hard; it's $480 usd nearly everywhere. Then found one for $431 with free freight to Oz! (That's a first!) Will let you know what I think after it's seen a little rain.

That westcomb apoc, is a very nice jacket!

i did see a marmot zion in paddy pallins. First store that Ive seen stocking a neoshell in Australia.

Yes, the Zion's on their website for $314 which seems like a great price. Would have thought they'd be advertising it, being as it's the newest best thing for the moment. I've got to admit that if Neoshell is as good as they say, why is it so hard to find? They've been testing it for about 2 years. Is there a problem with it? Or, are they just afraid of Gore? There's been a lot of press about that company and their alleged heavy handed tactics.
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/marmot-zi ... -mens.html

they seem to be sold out regularly in the online stores... over demand and or under supply?
bear in mind the marmot has a fleece lining, it's a cold weather jacket, it was released in the northern winter.