Based out of Montana, outdoor apparel brand FORLOH has been making waves in the hunting market with innovative styles for both men and women. The company’s recently launched ThermoNeutral Down Collection is designed to provide the ultimate insulation. Unlike conventional down, it can regulate body temperature to fit a wide range of conditions while providing water resistance and breathability. The Activ-Dri Drown treatment keeps each individual feather of the 650-fill RDS organic duck down 60% drier than the competition, allows it to dry quickly, and retains its loft and weight-to-warmth ratio to keep you toasty in the field.
Rather than stitched baffles, sonic welds maintain the water resistance of the ripstop nylon by eliminating stitching holes, through which water could seep in and penetrate. This construction also makes the pieces much more durable. FORLOH’s Perf-Weld allows moisture to escape away from the body through micro-perforations in the sonic welds to wick away sweat and regulate core temperature, from intense treks up the mountain to long sits in the stand.
Impressively tough for down layers, the collection is constructed with 100% military spec quantum 40D ripstop nylon. It can easily go from the treestand to the blind or through thick, stubborn brush with ease. Each item features a fluorine-free, bluesign-certified DWR treatment for shedding precipitation.
The ThermoNeutral Collection is available in both men’s and women’s styles–as well as options for youth–in a variety of camo and solid colorways. FORLOH’s Deep Cover pattern is designed for hunting below the treeline in heavy canopy. The Exposed pattern is perfect for sitting above the treeline or in barren landscapes. And the Snowfall pattern is ideal for blending in when the ground is white. All pieces are sourced, designed, and manufactured in the United States, including the organic duck down which comes from an Amish duck farming partner in Indiana. FORLOH backs everything with a lifetime warranty.
FORLOH ThermoNeutral Down Jacket
FORLOH
The lynchpin of the ThermoNeutral Down Collection, this jacket is ideal for wearing over a base layer and under a rain jacket. It sports a streamlined fit and offers the perfect level of insulation for practically any activity level. There are two fleece-lined zippered hand warmer pockets, one zippered chest pocket, and two internal gear pockets for storage. With an adjustable waist, the jacket is lightweight at just 4.3 ounces in the women’s model and 5.8 ounces in the men’s model. The ThermoNeutral Down Jacket is available for $399 in women’s sizes XS-XL or men’s S-3XL.
I got to put this jacket to the test, and it definitely lived up to the hype. It’s incredibly warm without being bulky, and everything from the durable fabric to the sharp details to the overall look screams quality. The back is cut a bit longer, which is great for preventing gapping that could expose skin to the elements when you bend over or raise your arms. The three external zippered pockets and two internal pockets provide plenty of storage, although I would’ve liked the chest pocket to be a bit larger.
I’m usually between a women’s XS and S, and I’m glad I went with the latter on this one. It fits well for an insulation layer, but I would recommend sizing up if you plan to use this as an outer layer with more than one thin layer underneath. The sleeves also run a bit short for my build. The jacket I tried out is black, which makes it the perfect piece for layering under a parka while hunting as well as wearing on its own to keep me warm while hiking or running errands. It helped cut wind and kept me dry during a drizzle. It’s a solid piece that would fit well into any outdoorsman’s kit.
FORLOH ThermoNeutral Down Vest
FORLOH
For added insulation without limiting arm mobility, this vest is an excellent layering option. It’s so lightweight and versatile that you probably won’t ever have to take it off. But if you do, the piece is also super packable. Like the jacket, it features a longer-cut back for more coverage as well as two zippered hand warmer pockets, one zippered chest pocket, and two internal gear pockets. The women’s vest weighs in at a featherlight 2.5 ounces, while the men’s vest tips the scales at just 3.7 ounces.
FORLOH ThermoNeutral Down Pant
FORLOH
Equipped with bonded double ripstop fabric on the seat, knees, and cuffs, these pants provide added protection and durability in the areas you need it most when trudging through thick country or posting up on the side of a mountain. The waist features both Velcro and elastic for added security while you’re on the move. The pants sport full-length side zippers for easy on and off without removing boots as well as a shaped bottom hem with over-the-boot secure snap adjustment for a tailored fit. The women’s pants weigh just 4.9 ounces, and the men’s pants weigh just 6.2 ounces. Both ring in at $399.
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The post Gear Review: We Tried Out the FORLOH ThermoNeutral Down Collection appeared first on Wide Open Spaces.
