Tierra Roc
Blanc Jacket test & review
Test
I’ve worn the
Tierra Roc Blanc Jacket for about 10 weeks this winter, icefall climbing in
both the European Alps & the Canadian Rockies – which equates to over 50
days climbing ice & mixed routes
Fabric
The Roc Blanc
uses a three layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell membrane with a brand new top face
fabric. Pro Shell is best for extended trips in severe conditions. It’s less
breathable than the Tierra Rockette Active Shell, but its solid no nonsense
membrane makes it warmer & more durable than the Tierra Rockette Active
Shell, which in turn makes it far better suited for trips into the higher
mountains in both summer & winter where you’ll encounter the worst in what
the weather can throw at you.
Fit
The Roc
Blanc’s a very good tailored fit, they call it ‘athletic’ but I’m not sure that
I’d fit that! It’s great though, feeling very trim with no access, but being
well articulated at the same time. When placing the ice tools above your head
the jacket doesn’t ride up above your harness. The sleeves are long & a
good length, especially for someone like myself who stands up at 6ft. The
sleeves again are well cut, so that when you need to stretch out the cuffs stay
where they should & don’t ride up your arm. The sleeve cut & articulation
is made even trimmer due to the under arm ‘pit’ zips being off-set towards to
the front of the jacket & not bulking up the area underneath the arm ‘pit’.
Features
The
jackets well designed & very functional. The lines are clean with minimal
excess due to the trim fit. Two
crossover chest pockets provide quick & easy access & a good size to
fit a map, spare gloves or knife & abseil tat. Unlike most jackets the Roc
Blanc has unique ventilation zips that sit just in-front of the arm rather than
underneath the arm which are sometimes awkward to open & close. These zips
allow easy access when on the move & when ventilation is a priority. The
sleeve cuffs have good strong Velcro fasteners which really wrap around &
seal the wrist. The storm hood’s a good size allowing the helmet to fit neatly
underneath it. The wired peak keeps off the worst of the weather & gives it
a great shape. Neat hood adjusters thread back neatly inside the jacket, but at
the same time can be adjusted from outside with gloves on. The zips throughout
are totally waterproof, neat & don’t feel like they’re going to fail any
time soon! The draw cord at the base of the jacket can be used to tailor the
fit even further.
Conclusion
It’s
a solid no-nonsense jacket which looks great, is well designed, functional
& a lovely trim fit.
Stay
safe
Ade
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