Trespass Defied TP100
Trespass is a privately owned sportswear leisure brand with headquarters located in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. The parent company, Jacobs & Turner Ltd, was established in 1938 as a manufacturer of workwear and outerwear. The Trespass brand was created in 1984, and is located on the West Coast of Scotland, a place they call “one of the wettest places on earth”. That certainly sounds like a great place to develop cold and wet weather gear to me! This traditionally European company has recently crossed the pond and will be offering products to the U.S. market, based out of Colorado. They make a wide array of adventure gear and clothing, and produce some truly top notch materials for their ski and snowboarding outerwear.
The Trespass TP100 Radium ski and snow jacket is billed as one of their top of the line products, and I now know why. The materials (with “tres-tex” breathable membrane technology) that are used in the jacket offer uncompromising wind, water, and cold protection, in complete comfort. The weight of this particular jacket is perfect, and was extremely comfortable in temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 degrees F, with the user wearing only a single light layer underneath. On one particular day there was driving 30 mph wind and snow.... no problem for this jacket. When Trespass says “windproof”, they mean it. Furthermore, it could easily handle much colder temps with the user sporting a midweight layer beneath.
The breathability of the jacket was fantastic in warmer temperatures, especially with the underarm zippers opened. The lined collar was a very nice perk when temps dipped, as well as the lined forearm area. If that is not enough for cold protection, just reach into the hidden neck pocket and pull out the included balaclava!
Other special features of the TP100 beyond the advanced fabrics include a removable hood, underarm vent zippers, a forearm zippered pocket, a snow-break stretch layer, a ski-pants loop attachment, and a magnetized closure over the front zipper (very cool!). Storage includes labeled inside pockets for an audio player, a phone, goggles, and sunglasses. There is definitely no lack of interior pockets. The one for the sunglasses was just a bit too small, as well as the phone pocket which was unable to easily accommodate an iPhone. The forearm pocket was very useful, as well as a smaller chest pocket exterior to the main zipper. Larger exterior chest or shoulder zippered pockets might be a nice addition for added, more easily accessible “outside” storage capability.
The color options and visual design for the TP100 are great all around, and there is no question that you are wearing one cool jacket. The strong suit for the jacket is clearly its amazing materials and unsurpassed comfort. There is no “bulky” feeling, just a natural feel you are happy to wear all day long and push the limits. Trespass has come to the U.S. ready to make an impact in a very competitive field... with products like this one, they are poised for great success.
Reviewed by: John Sabra, M.D.
PO Box 774448
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477