Gridline Anorak Men's

I was a prototype tester for the Gridline, and I’ve covered a lot of ground in it, from a cross-country bike ride to skiing in Alaska at -30°F. It’s remarkably light for how well it keeps weather out. It was my only rain and snow protection for 5,000 miles of riding, and I stayed fully dry even after hours of heavy rain. The breathability is excellent, better than most shells. With the pit zips open, it breathed as well as a windbreaker, and I run quite hot. The minimalist anorak design is great too! Highly recommend.

I missed out on the Shell that HMG made way back when and I've always kicked myself. SO neat to see them return to the apparel space and bring their ethos to keeping users protected from the elements (rather than just their stuff). I was lucky enough to be a part of the development process for this piece, focusing predominantly on fit/finish throughout the different prototypes.

Heading out on a 2-week expedition with a piece you haven't fully tested out is always a little nerve-racking, but generally worth it. I still remember the first rain/hail/snowstorm that hit crossing an alpine pass when I opted to throw on this layer. It performed that day and has ever since.

In a world of minimalist lightweight rain jackets (6-8 oz), this one stands out for how it actually feels. I haven't gotten the same clingy/clammy feeling that can sometimes come with high output activity in lightweight WP/breathable fabrics. Whether it is the ample mechanical venting or the fabric itself, this one just feels better... while still keeping the elements at bay.

I even took it out for a few trail runs to test wetting it from the inside out... the venting does its job!