Mountain Equipment Zeno Jacket

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UOG TOP PICKS – The Zeno is a lightweight, packable jacket that is perfect for spring and summer use. It has pit zips and mesh-backed hand-warming pockets to regulate moisture. The jacket gives good all-around protection; it’s a brilliant wind stopper and shrugs off even the heaviest rain. One of our Top Picks.

Mountain Equipment says: 

Our recycled 2.5 layer DRILITE® fabric gives the reliable waterproof and breathable protection needed for the days when you don’t manage to outrun the afternoon storm. Impressively lightweight but still featuring our proven Alpine Fit and Mountain Hood.

Our Verdict

The Zeno is low-weight and packable, making it a perfect jacket for spring and summer use; it would make an excellent multi-day jacket for week-long trips. It packs down very small so that it can be stashed in the front mesh pocket of a rucksack and quickly retrieved. It’s possibly the lightest jacket I have come across with pit zips, which, along with the mesh-backed hand-warming pockets, do a fantastic job regulating moisture.

Mountain Equipment’s hoods are always good; this is no exception; the hood isn’t helmet compatible, so not needlessly oversized. It has three points of adjustment, two around the face and one around the crown; you get an excellent secure fit that doesn’t impede your vision.

The jacket gives good all-around protection; it’s a brilliant wind stopper and shrugs off even the heaviest rain. It’s made from ME’s Drilite 50 denier fabric, so it’s more rugged than an ultralight shell; you can use the jacket with a fully laden pack without worrying it will damage the coat.

It’s a little “crinkly”. This may be because the jacket I had worn was brand new, but if you are annoyed by russeting jackets, it’s worth taking into account; that being said, it’s by no means overly loud, and you wouldn’t notice it over the sound of the rain.

If you’re looking for a jacket for the coast-to-coast or the West Highland way, I would give this jacket serious consideration.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Recycled 2.5-layer DRILITE® 50D fabric with PFC-free DWR
• Mountain Hood is fully adjustable
• Alpine fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves
• YKK® centre front zip with laminated outer flap and internal flap
• 2 large ventilated pockets with YKK® WR zips
• YKK® underarm pit zips with internal flap
• Adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords
• Packs into hand pocket with twin karabiner carry loops

Specifications

• Small weighs: 336g
• Medium weighs: 341g
• Large weighs: 356g
• XLarge weighs: 378g

Material & Construction

• 100% Recycled Polyamide, PU membrane

Help & advice:

• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Waterproof Jacket
• Time-Saver Guide to PFC Free
• Choosing a Waterproof Jacket
• MVTR Breathability
• Hydrostatic Head
• Recycled Content in Outdoor Gear