Review: Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket

A high end waterproof shell jacket designed to be used as part of a layering system for protection on wet and windy days.

The Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket uses a three-layer construction which includes the brand’s own recycled Texapore waterproof membrane. It’s a superb choice for both rainy and windy days, with space for multiple layering underneath. Plus, the hard shell fabric, that is made from recycled materials, is constructed using breathable fabric technology as well as underarm vents to allow for added airflow.

Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket: The stats

Features of the Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket

Fabric

The Texapore Ecosphere Pro material is made using zero waste recycled materials. PET bottles are used for the outer layer and the product is Certified by Global Recycling Standards. This makes for an excellent choice if you are environmentally conscious. It has a waterproof rating of 20.000mm and breathability of 15.000g/m²/24hrs so you don’t compromise on performance with the eco technology. I would say that the material feels slightly heavier and thicker compared with other lightweight shells making this more of a medium weight. And it’s going to be great coming into winter.

Hood

I really like the hood. It is adjustable at the back allowing you to fit it perfectly to your head. It’s nice and spacey and I have been able to use multiple layers under the hood without it feeling tight. The peak is adequate but could perhaps have a stiff peak to allow a better structure, especially in the wind and rain we’ve had recently in Wales. The front adjusts to allow tightening around the face and it has a lovely high neck with a soft cuff which stops rubbing on the chin.

Vents

The jacket features pit vents with waterproof zips to provide a bit more air flow for this toasty jacket. In fact, the vents sit more on the upper arm rather than the armpit. I personally feel they could be a bit longer to provide better airflow as this jacket creates quite a lot of warmth due to its thicker fabric. Despite this, they were really easy to use in this location and zipping them up and down is less tricky than the longer vents I’ve used in the past.

Pockets

There are two chest pockets with waterproof zips. At first I disliked not being able to put my hands in my side pockets. However, in time I’ve got used to these and they’re actually super useful and fit a lot in. I tested this on a budget flight to Scotland for a hiking trip. I’d scrimped on baggage so stuffed these pockets full and the advantage of the chest pockets became apparent; more space, less bulk! The zip pulls work well with thin gloves but would be more tricky with thick winter gloves.

Hem

I like to wear lots of layers when hiking and I chose a medium jacket where in fact I am probably technically a size small. This means that I really like the adjustable hem which allows me to make the jacket snug on the hips despite its slightly larger fit. It doesn’t have extra length at the back, however, which I personally prefer in a jacket.

Cuffs

The cuffs are adjustable. However, the arms are on the short side, which threw me a bit. I love to tuck my hands inside my jacket arms on a super rainy day and it’s just not possible with this jacket. I have adjusted to this change and in late summer it’s not been a huge issue. But on a winter’s day when it’s pouring down and I want my hands to stay as dry as possible (even in waterproof gloves), I may choose another option.

Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket review

First impressions

My very first impression when putting on this jacket was that the sleeves are short. And where are my side pockets?! I’m clearly a lazy walker as I love hanging my hands in pockets! Despite this, the jacket holds up well and has some really nice features showing the quality and consideration put into the design. I felt it provided a good amount of space for multiple layering and had a really nice quality look.

Uses for this jacket

I’ve tested the jacket on multiple day hikes up in Scotland and Wales in heavy rain and it has held up well on the waterproofing front; always bone dry underneath. I have noticed that after a time the fabric has stop beading. However, this isn’t unusual and the waterproofing hasn’t been compromised. It’s also been well tested as a windbreaker. It’s super warm, and features like the high neck allow cozy comfort. I’ve mostly used this for hiking but also plan to take it out ski touring this winter. Yes, I’m happy enough with the breathability and weather protection that the jacket offers to trust its performance in the extremes that ski touring throws at you. This gives it a big tick on the versatility front for me.

Comparison

This jacket is replacing my North Face summit series jacket (4 years old) which has a Gore-Tex membrane and offers a different feel. The features I miss are the side pockets, longer zips under the arms and a stiff peak. I would also say that the Gore-Tex membrane offered superior beading with a lightweight feel. However, it didn’t offer the eco-technology that the Kammweg offers.

In general, I am enjoying the quality feel of this jacket. It certainly feels more of a medium weight option in terms of warmth compared with the summit series. And in that respect they are a different design, both with their merits. The Kammweg jacket feels like a quality product with greater durability; the material feels more robust and I expect to be wearing this for years to come.

Eco-design

This is becoming more important to every purchase I make these days and the description of the fabric and company makes me feel good. Despite having good breathability, the thickness of the fabric gives greater warmth compared with previous Gore-Tex jacket. This feels noticeable when trying to control my temperature on a steep ascents (especially in perimenopause!). Despite this, it’s not a game changer and the vents can support a quick cool off. In fact, this is a happy pay off for a more eco-concsious design, especially coming into winter when it won’t be an issue at all.

Pros of the Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket

The Kammweg is a high quality and good looking jacket. I love the high neck and also that the bungee and zip cord match so nicely! All of the tightening toggles are of lovely quality and it has a snap fastener at the bottom of the front zip which feels very considered.

Cons of the Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket

The sleeves are shorter than I would like. However, other reviews say the length is great, so this is more of a personal preference. Design-wise, a stiffer peak would have made more sense to me the match all the other respects of the jacket that hold up so well against the wind and rain.

Verdict

The Jack Wolfskin Kammweg 3l Waterproof Jacket is a high quality, hard shell jacket that performs exellently to hold out the wind and rain and it also suitable for the more extremes of ski touring. There are some really thoughtful design features as well as good eco-credentials.

It gets 4 out of 5 stars from me. It’s a quality jacket which would be a 5 with a stiff peak, longer arms and larger vents. That said, I’ve been sold on the chest pockets and can live without my preferences as it’s such a comfortable, high performing and good looking jacket.

It is on the pricey side when it comes to jackets. However, I feel it has good durability, versatility and impressive eco-technology, making it worth the investment.

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Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

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