Breathability
Testing the Pyramid was my first long-term experience with Polartec Neoshell, and I came away impressed. I spent 11 of my 24 days in the Pyramid Jacket touring, and found that I could keep it on longer than any other waterproof shell I’ve used prior. I was able to skin in temperatures right around freezing without overheating while wearing the Pyramid Jacket and a midweight baselayer. This was a noticeable improvement from any waterproof membrane I’d used before, including Gore-Pro and Outdoor Research’s AscentShell.
I’d still reach for ultra-breathable softshells like the Strafe Recon Jacket when temps get past the 40’s and I’m not expecting a lot of precipitation, but I was very impressed by the Pyramid Jacket’s breathability given that it is still waterproof.
Weather Resistance
I wore the Pyramid Jacket through plenty of very wet snow and some rain, and never had any water get through the membrane. However, I noticed that the DWR seemed to fail quicker than with traditional hardshells like the Arc’teryx Sabre and Alpha FL. I think this might be due to the supple nature of the fabric, and possibly from the looser weave of the face fabric on the colorway I tested. So, for those of you who often find yourself skiing in wet storms, I’m not sure the Pyramid should be your first choice. But for places like Colorado that rarely get any warm, wet storm cycles, I think the Pyramid would be a fine choice, and it offers a significant bump in breathability compared to traditional membranes.
As this was my first experience with Neoshell, I was curious about how this air-permeable membrane would deal with wind. During my time in the Pyramid Jacket, I never felt any wind come through in the way that it would with a fleece or the softshell fabric of the Recon Jacket. However, in very windy conditions when I was only wearing a baselayer under the shell, I could feel a slight cooling of the fabric. This was pretty subtle, and actually something I appreciated since, if I’m only wearing a baselayer and shell, it’s probably pretty warm. In colder weather when I added a thicker midlayer to my kit I didn’t notice any cooling of the fabric or wind penetration.
Durability
Apart from the powder skirt, the Pyramid Jacket has been very durable during my 25 days in it. As always, it’s difficult to gauge a garment’s durability during such a limited timeframe, but I’ve been pleased with how the Pyramid has held up so far. As I said before, the 100-denier fabric is pretty hefty, and although the great degree of stretch does mean it snags a little easier than stiffer shells, it has shrugged off many encounters with rocks and branches. If I experience any issues with durability during my continued use, I will update this review accordingly.
So, Is It Really a “50/50” Piece?
Strafe is clearly marketing the Pyramid as a jacket for both the backcountry and the resort, but I think that whether you’ll want to truly use it for both depends a whole lot on personal preferences. If you don’t mind the weight and bulkiness of the Pyramid, the jacket’s breathability does make it a decent option on the skintrack, and its generous feature set, durable fabric, and roomier fit make it a great resort shell (especially if you do a bit of hiking inbounds). More weight-conscious people will want to look elsewhere, e.g., Strafe’s own Cham 2 Jacket for similar breathability, fit, and features at a lower weight.
The Outdoor Research Skyward and Pyramid share several key features (supple fabric, lots of pockets, air permeable membrane), so I think it’s worth comparing the two as 50/50 pieces. I think they can both work for resort and backcountry use, it just again comes down to preference. The Skyward isn’t as breathable as the Pyramid (although it’s massive vents do a bit to make up for this), but it’s slightly lighter than the Pyramid (737 g vs 841 g, respectively). The Pyramid breathes better and features a more “freeride” fit (if that’s what you prefer), but it is heavier and bulkier. Both jackets work well in the resort, but neither jacket is very light, and if I was looking for a jacket strictly to use while touring, I’d probably opt for something a bit more minimal.
Bottom Line
The Strafe Pyramid Jacket is a comfortable, fully-featured shell that breathes better than most. Whether you’ll like it as much in the backcountry as the resort depends on what you look for in a touring shell. If you prioritize packability and light weight, look elsewhere. But if you don’t mind the extra weight and size in exchange for plenty of pockets and a hefty, comfortable fabric, the Pyramid is worth a look.