Fleece: TNF Windwall Women's
11th Dec 2005
The womens Windwall II windproof fleece looks like a nice jacket at first glance. Available in Black, Moonlight Ivory, Syra Red and Brownie, the colour schemes are a little unusual. I have the Syra Red version, which is a nice ‘softer than bright’ red. Many people have commented on how nice it is.
The jacket is very comfortable, soft, yet hardwearing, and is very easy to wear. I have worn it mainly whilst walking and biking and it has become my most used piece of kit. I often wear it when I would have put on a waterproof, purely as it is so warm and windproof. It has also kept me dry in light rain (I haven’t worn it in anything worse than that).
The manufacturer states that it is 90% windproof, but allows a limited degree of air permeability. Basically, it keeps the wind out, but doesn’t get sweaty. I would vouch for this. It is has seen a lot of use, and has stayed fresh and clean. Whilst out biking the snow started to fall, and there was quite a wind. I was still really warm (apart from my hands!). The only thing I haven’t tried yet is running in it. There are no under arm zips, so I’m not sure how well it would fare with extreme sweatiness!
The quality of the fabric, the stitching and the finish is great. I have worn it every day for about a month, and there are no real signs of wear and tear. It is looking more worn now, not quite ‘bobbling’, but certainly rougher than when it was brand new.
The fit of the jacket is great for me. I like the fact that it is closer fitting than my old fleeces. It’s more stylish and easier to move in. It is fairly short, so not good for people who want to keep their bum warm. There is a hem ‘cinchcord’ which I have used a few times to stop the draft. There is a vertical breast pocket, fairly small, so probably good for keys or phones, but I haven’t needed to use it.
Finally, there is a hood on this model, which I love. It is close fitting, so stays up, but this results in it feeling a bit short from the crown of your head down the back. The zip goes right up over the chin, and creates a nice comfy and stylish look around the face. I have used the hood a lot and would say it’s worth buying this model for this feature.
The jacket retails at £99.99, and I would say that this is a fair price for what has become an indispensable piece of kit for someone who is outdoors most days, and enjoys being out in all weather.
Reviewed by Hayley Lever on behalf of planetFear