Enlightened Gear Copperfield Assessment

Backside Line

The Enlightened Gear Copperfield is an ultralight layer designed for minimalist hikers who worth weight financial savings above all else. At a mere 2.3 ounces, it’s one of many lightest windbreakers out there, making it good for thru-hikers, path runners, and fastpackers. Its 10-denier nylon material gives some degree of wind resistance however doesn’t maintain up within the highest winds like a heavier jacket. The Copperfield packs down extremely small, becoming simply into the palm of your hand or a hip belt pocket, so it’s all the time inside attain. Good for die-hard ultralight hikers, the Copperfield makes our checklist of finest windbreakers.

The Copperfield excels in minimalism, however its ultralight development comes with trade-offs. The material is skinny and fewer sturdy than different windbreakers, making it extra inclined to abrasions and tears in rugged terrain. It additionally forgoes options like hand pockets, adjustable cuffs, or a helmet-compatible hood, limiting its versatility for some customers. Moreover, the Copperfield gives good wind resistance for its weight, however it doesn’t carry out as nicely in sustained excessive winds or chilly circumstances as heavier choices.

In case you prioritize a featherweight design and don’t thoughts sacrificing sturdiness and options for packability and ease, the Enlightened Gear Copperfield is a unbelievable selection for ultralight adventurers seeking to shave each ounce. Although it could be too technical for many, the Copperfield will discover a house with the dedicated ultralight hiker.

How We Examined

Over two months, we wore the Copperfield jacket on hikes and runs in addition to backcountry and cross-country ski journeys to discipline check its efficiency in a number of circumstances. Our checks consisted of real-world publicity to the wind and parts. We additionally used a blow drier to check wind resistance and likewise accomplished a one-hour run whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability and moisture administration.

Wind & Climate Resistance

The Enlightened Gear Copperfield is marketed as a wind shirt. Though it has the complete zip and hood of a jacket, it resists wind and climate like a shirt. The ten-denier material is among the many thinnest we examined. Feather gentle, it doesn’t block wind in addition to we want above treeline or on gusty days. Testing its wind resistance with a blow dryer, we detected the slightest little bit of wind penetration via the fabric. Being ultrathin, it wets via immediately. In case you’re somebody on the lookout for a light-weight jacket over a bombproof one, then the Copperfield is the proper selection.

Breathability

Denier is the measurement of the thickness of the fabric utilized in a jacket. With a 10-denier face material, the Copperfield is the thinnest jacket in our lineup. This skinny materials lends itself to being breathable however not in addition to we had hoped. When testing this jacket whereas deliberately overdressed to check its breathability, we have been stunned to search out beading perspiration contained in the jacket. That moisture took longer to go via the fabric and evaporate than others we examined. Although it’s vastly extra breathable than a hardshell, the Copperfield can really feel clammy at excessive exertion ranges.

Weight & Packability

The Copperfield is the lightest jacket in our lineup at a mind-blowing 2.3 ounces. This amazingly light-weight jacket is so gentle that it’s hardly noticeable  – whether or not within the pack or on the physique. We cherished having the ability to pack this away and overlook about it till we would have liked it. It simply smashes into the palm of your hand, right down to the dimensions of a tangerine. Nevertheless, and not using a stuff pocket, it shortly springs again and expands in quantity. We discovered ourselves wishing for a stuff pocket, regardless of the minor weight penalty, to make this jacket extra manageable.

Consolation & Match

The Copperfield is without doubt one of the largest becoming jackets we examined. Marketed as deliberately a half-size giant to permit for layering, it felt extra just like a full-size giant. We advise sizing down if selecting to put on this jacket with out layers beneath. It runs lengthy within the torso and dishevelled via the arms and physique. We have been grateful for the elastic hem cinch to tighten up the additional materials.

Ought to You Purchase the Enlightened Gear Copperfield?

In case you’re a die-hard gram counter after the lightest jacket, then the Copperfield is the one for you. At a paltry 2.3 ounces, it’s onerous to get a lot lighter. That is the jacket to decide on for a thru-hike or ultra-distance run the place each gram counts. Nevertheless, it could be too technical for many different makes use of, and its trash bag look received’t work for some folks, both. Additionally, this materials doesn’t block excessive winds or moisture as a lot as we hoped. That being stated, it earns a spot in our lineup for the dedicated ultralight fans who demand nothing however the lightest of their package.

What Different Windbreaker Ought to You Contemplate?

Head to our gear information, to see the complete lineup of finest windbreakers.

Montbell Tachyon Assessment: One other ultralight jacket, the Tachyon gives extra options like zipped hand pockets and an inner stuff pocket.

Patagonia Airshed Professional Assessment: An especially breathable jacket extra akin to a shirt, the Airshed Professional is barely heavier than the Copperfield however with extra breathability within the arms and hood.

Patagonia Houdini Assessment: If the ultra-thin and glossy materials of the Copperfield isn’t your type, the Houdini is trim and easy with many colorways to suit completely different tastes.