Klättermusen

Asynja

Despite poor water repellency treatment and a flawed hood, this breathable jacket performs well.

£232 390g (men’s L)

recycled fabric, pockets, cuffs, lightweight

hood adjustment, poor DWR

Materials: 3-layer Cutan recycled polyamide

Hood: rear drawcord, stiffened peak

Front closure: zip with outer flap

Length:

Pockets: 2 chest

Hem: shockcord

Cuffs: shockcord

Sizes: men XS-XXL, women XXS-XL klattermusen.com

The Asynja is a lightweight waterproof jacket designed for summer use. It’s made from Klättermusen’s 3-layer recycled polyamide fluorocarbon-free Cutan fabric that has a hydrostatic head of >20,000mm and a moisture vapour permeability of >20,000 g/m². Waterproofness is provided by a polyurethane membrane.

Klättermusen no longer uses fluorocarbon DWR (durable water repellency) treatments because of the environmental hazards. But fluorocarbonfree DWRs are generally not as long-lasting as fluorocarbon ones and need replacing more often. I was disappointed that the DWR on the Asynja started to ‘wet out’ after only a few hours’ wear in the rain, meaning that the outer was absorbing moisture, which reduces breathability. The fabric has a soft handle and a slight stretch and is comfortable to wear.

The Asynja is short with an extended back. Two angled chest pockets roomy enough for maps sit above a pack hipbelt. Zips are protected by wide flaps. The hood has a stiffened peak and a rear drawcord. To stop the peak falling over my eyes I had to tighten the drawcord until the hood felt slightly uncomfy. Once adjusted the hood gave good protection and moved with my head. The shaped cuffs’ shockcord closure makes it quite easy to get a precise fit. There’s shockcord at the hem too. The front zip is covered by a wide flap with studs top and bottom. The zip hasn’t leaked.

In use the Asynja performed well, keeping me dry in heavy rain, and was quite breathable. I like the pockets and the cuffs but not the hood. I just didn’t like having to tighten it so much to ensure good visibility. Along with the poor DWR this is a shame as otherwise the Asynja is a nice, comfortable jacket. Outside of winter conditions it should cope with all wet weather if you’re happy with the hood and don’t mind restoring the DWR more often than you might with other jackets.