There is nothing more annoying and uncomfortable than a fully zipped jacket scratching the front of your face. Not to mention how difficult it can be to move your head with the hood up and your jacket fully zipped–that is if you can even get your jacket fully zipped depending on how many layers beneath or if you are wearing a neck gaiter. So what are you supposed to do when the weather turns foul?
For the past three years, the Eider team puzzled over this design dilemma: how to engineer a highly protective jacket that could create a comfortable cocoon around the chin and face without limiting the movement of your head? The company turned to the zipper experts at YKK to develop a solution that would enable backcountry skiers to break free of the constraints imposed by the rigid center front zip.
The result is the Fix A Shape Zipper. Thanks to its unique teeth, the zipper creates a convex and then concave curve that follows the shape of your chin, protecting your face from exposure to harsh weather without compromising comfort or mobility. No more cramped necks or scuffed up chins–the Fix A Shape Zipper is exclusive to Eider and will be featured in their technical ski apparel for Fall ’16.
Built for backcountry skiers, the Shaper Jacket features the Fix A Shape Zipper. Made from a 3-layer, high-density weave Defender fabric the jacket is both durable and abrasion resistant on exposed areas, with a unique and modern style.
The jacket features 5 outer zippered pockets and one inside zippered pocket for your phone with cable routing. There are underarm vents for when you are skinning up and the stretch powder skirt is removable. The helmet compatible hood is adjustable and because of the unique collar shape-won’t restrict your head movement or block your vision. I really hope Millet eventually adopts this design for their climbing jackets.
The Shaper Jacket weighs 1 pound 8 ounces and retails for $550–available Fall ’16.
