Gear Review: Trew BeWild Jacket

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Why Buy?

I’ve been looking for a versatile jacket… something that could serve as lightweight rain protection on backpacking trips in the High Sierra and White Mountains, but also be used as a wind/waterproof shell for winter hiking and snowshoeing. With the high cost of quality gear, it is a huge plus if gear is versatile and can be used during different seasons.

Trew is a company that I had seen mentioned via OutsideOnline.com. When I was asked if I was interested in testing the BeWild Jacket, I was quite exited after checking out it’s specs.

 

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Initial Impressions/Unboxing Photos

• I’m impressed with the quality/craftsmanship. YKK zippers are used throughout the jacket, all seams are sealed with tape and the jacket is reinforced at high stress points.  
• The jacket does have underarm zip vents, which is omitted from the jacket’s list of features on Trew’s website. Personally, I would not purchase a rain jacket for hiking if it does not have underarm vents. 
• The material is very interesting. Instead of feeling “garbage-bag-like” as one would expect with a lightweight rain jacket, the material used reminds me of the moon boots I owned as a kid back in the ’80s. 
• Although the jacket can be stuffed/packed into the chest pocket, the pocket can not be zipped up. It’s a tight fit and a reversible zipper should have been used on the chest pocket.
• The jacket isn’t ultralight at 12.6 oz (per my food scale), but for a 3 layer jacket, the weight is impressive. 
• I am 5 ft 9 in tall and weigh ~170 lbs. My chest measurement is 41 in and my sleeve length is 35 in. The jacket in a size medium fits nicely and I am able to comfortably wear multiple layers underneath it. 
• In terms of color, the jackets are lighter/brighter than they appear on the website. 

Here are some unboxing photos of the BeWild Jacket in two of the colors that are offered. I ended up keeping the black version. 

Aquamarine: 

 

Black: 

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My Observations

last update: April 2018, after 18 months of use

After having the jacket for 18 months, including 8 months of nearly everyday use (February ’17 – May ’17 and November ’17 to April ’17), I am very impressed. Here are some details: 

• The Good
  • The jacket does a great job at keeping out water and wind. I’ve used the jacket in rain and snowstorms and have not gotten wet. 
  • I have not gotten wet due to condensation forming inside the jacket. The jacket’s material breathes very well.
  • I have been surprised by the jackets durability. I’ve taken a few big spills snowboarding on icy snow, sliding several feet on my back. The jacket shows minimal signs of wear. 
• The Bad
  • I only have one complaint. The zippers are waterproof, so it takes some effort to get them to zip. Since the material is so thin and soft, it can be difficult to close the underarm zip vents without taking the jacket off. 
• The Bottom Line
  • The BeWild is my go to weatherproof shell, whether I’m hiking in the rain, shoveling snow, or hitting the slopes. 
  • I’ve found that I wear this jacket much more than I would have anticipated. Worn with layers, it is very versatile. By changing what I wear underneath it (i.e. down sweater, different weights of merino wool), I’ve used it as my primary jacket/outer layer for the last 6 months.
  • It’s one of my favorite and most worn articles of clothing!

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