Salewa states that the Pedroc Hybrid Alpha 2/1 jacket is “lightweight, highly breathable and water-repellent, with thermo-regulating Polartec® Alpha® synthetic insulation”. It also offers a “protective mid or outer layer for active mountain activities”.
Features
- Polartec Alpha active synthetic insulation, which offers “breathability and warmth only when you need it” and “effectively regulates your core body temperature in colder conditions”.
- Polygiene permanent antibacterial, anti-odour treatment “so you can wear the jacket more before it needs washing”.
- Zip-off sleeves fitted with YKK QuickBurst™ zipper technology to transform the jacket into a gilet
- Hybrid body-mapped construction to combine the insulation with a windproof polyamide fabric on the front and breathable back and side panels.
- PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish
- Padded hood with elasticated front opening
- One-hand adjustment hood
- Packs down small into its integrated compression pouch.
- Front zip with internal full-length windproof flap
- 2 zipped outer pockets
- Elastic cuff
- Wide elastic hem
- Reflective details
- Soft breathable mesh lining
- Ease of movement through stretch inserts
- Ergonomic sleeves and shoulders for a good fit
- Bluesign® approved fabric
- Four colours for men and three colours for women
- RRP £195
Pros: What’s good about the Salewa Pedroc Hybrid Alpha Softshell jacket
I have been testing the jacket as an outer layer while running on cooler days. I confess I am already a big fan of this type of jacket and through winter I usually wear something similar over a t-shirt on almost every run.
I like the combination of lightweight insulation at the front, where you need it on chilly or windy days, and a lighter, stretchy fabric elsewhere. The Salewa jacket also has light insulation in the outer area of the arms.
The hybrid style keeps the weight of the jacket down. It also creates a jacket that is easy to wear because there is freedom of movement with the stretch fabric.
Other great features are the wide stretch-fabric sleeve cuffs and the cuff at the base of the jacket. These offer a really comfortable fit.
The sleeves can be zipped off to turn the jacket into a gilet. This makes the product versatile and useable almost year-round (depending on where you live!). The sleeves are fairly easy to zip on and off, although do see my notes below.
The light water-repellency is useful, especially for colder season training. Sometimes a waterproof jacket is simply too warm for days with light rain.
Meanwhile, because the Salewa Pedroc Hybrid Alpha Softshell jacket is breathable it offers protection from the rain but without making you feel too hot.
Even when the insulation does wet out, it seems to keep your body temperature just about perfect. Note, this is not the sort of jacket I would choose for a warm and wet day but rather I would wear it in the cooler seasons of autumn, winter and early spring, whatever the weather.
There are two useful zipped pockets, one of which acts as a storage pouch. The zip works both ways so it is easy to zip it up when being used as an inside-out stowing pouch.
For maximum protection around the neck and head on windy days you can pull up the nicely fitted hood and zip up the front zip.
The jacket is easy to wear and easy to run in. It also has the benefit of Polygiene antibacterial, anti-odour treatment, which does work! For the purposes of this review I have worn it for some five runs and sniffed the armpit area afterwards. So far, there is only a little whiff of sweat!
Cons: What’s not so good about Salewa Pedroc Hybrid Alpha Softshell jacket
The jacket fit is a bit too roomy. I prefer neater fitting layers for running. I am usually a standard UK10 and the Salewa size 10 feels a bit loose.
Fabric that has been used in the insulated areas makes a rustling noise when you move. This annoys me a bit when running.
The zipped sleeves can be almost completely unzipped while the jacket is on but I found it impossible to get them to completely zip off until I took off the jacket and gave them a tug. Really, the best way to unzip and zip back on the sleeves is to remove the jacket.
When the sleeves are zipped on and you are wearing it over only a vest, as I often do, you can feel the plastic of the zip on your skin. I don’t like this. I suggest it should be worn with at least a t-shirt for better comfort.
The front zip catches a little on the narrow windproofing strip of fabric behind the zip. This is a bit frustrating if you are in a hurry. It would be good if the strip was just a little wider to avoid this hassle.
Salewa say the hood has one-hand adjustment. I have no idea how you would do that. I had to use both hands: One to pull the elastic through the toggle and the other to hold the toggle still. It’s not a big problem but it’s not a feature that is fairly described.
It’s nice to see four colours for the guys, but why not four for the women, too?
At £195, the jacket is pricey.
Conclusion
The Salewa Pedroc Hybrid Alpha Softshell jacket is nicely designed and has some thoughtful features.
It is best worn on cooler days of early spring, autumn and winter.
The hybrid design keeps the weather out and the weight down. It’s also great for breathability.
However, the price feels a bit hefty.
| Score | |
| Design | 9/10 |
| Features | 8/10 |
| Performance | 9/10 |
| Value | 7/10 |
| Total | 8.25/10 |
Other jackets you may want to try:
Columbia Titan Ridge III Hybrid jacket
Adidas Supernova Climaheat Wrap jacket
Montane Women’s Lite-Speed Jacket
All images Salewa.com except when stated.
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