TREW Cosmic Jacket
Size: Extra Small
Color: Pistachio
Days Tested: ~35
Reviewer: 5,’6” 125 lbs
Test Location: Niseko, Japan; Alta Ski Area; Silverton; Summit County, Colorado
Features:
- Durable 3-Layer Gelanots® Fabric- 20,000mm waterproof/breathable
- YKK Aquaguard® water-resistant zippers
- Helmet compatible hood
- 16-inch pit vents
- 360 degree DWR fleece-lined collar
- Drop-in goggle pocket
- Mp3 wire routing
- Internal mesh and pack friendly pockets
- Weight: 23 oz
Product Video: TREW Cosmic Jacket
MSRP: $460
If you have read either Will Brown’s or Jonathan Ellsworth’s TREW reviews, Trew’s dedication to high-quality, durable products should be quite clear. I didn’t find any significant differences in the Cosmic jacket’s burliness, versatility, or stylishness, so instead, I’ll talk more about the functionality of specific features and how well the Cosmic works for women.
FIT
Depending on the brand, I am generally either a small or medium in women’s jacket sizes. Trew’s sizing is men’s only, though, so an extra small (their smallest size) was the best fit. The sleeve and torso lengths were correct, but it was definitely wider than a typical women’s jacket. Still, I was pleased with how well the Cosmic fit me as a slightly smaller skier (5’6” and 125 lbs).
Trew’s whole line features a baggier, freeride cut, however, which could be a potential deterrent for women seeking a slimmer, athletic fit. Those who do prefer tighter fitted jackets or who are smaller than I am might want to wait on a Trew jacket for now—in two seasons, they’re planning to introduce a women’s line with more accurate sizing and gender-specific cuts.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
As someone who gets cold pretty easily, I was initially skeptical how well the Cosmic would work for me in all conditions.
Pretty much all sixteen days I skied in Niseko this February were cold, sometimes with high winds and pelting snow. I’d brought a heavier puffy jacket, but I actually ended up reaching for the Cosmic most days. As Will Brown mentioned in his Eagle Pant review, Trew’s Gelanots fabric is completely windproof and locks in heat.
The Cosmic is still a shell without any insulation, however, so in order to stay warm, I definitely had to add an extra layer or two. But once I found the right combination (usually two layers of long underwear, a lighter jacket, and occasionally the puffy), I was fine even in sub-zero temperatures. The wider cut of the torso also meant I could comfortably add more layers.
I didn’t get the chance to test the Cosmic’s waterproof capabilities in the rain, but there were plenty of days in Niseko (as in, 15 out of 16) and several at Alta where the snow just refused to quit. And no matter how much snow accumulated or how wet it was, there was no hope of any moisture seeping through the Cosmic’s fabric.
Back Stateside in Colorado and Utah, this winter was unseasonably mild, and those windy, toe-numbing days were few and far between. On the mild to moderately cold days, though, I found the Cosmic Jacket was again perfect with the right layering (one or two fewer layers than the colder temps in Japan).
I also tend to overheat easily (high-maintenance, I know), so the right combination of breathability and venting is crucial for me on warmer touring days. One of the hottest days I had this season was this past March at Silverton, in Southern Colorado, which is renowned for its steep and rugged hike-to terrain.
About mid-day, the temperature was nearing 50 degrees, and there was no room in my pack to shed the Cosmic. Considering I probably would have been sweating hiking in just a tank top, I prepared myself for a miserable 30-minute climb in a thin layer of long underwear and the Cosmic. After getting into a rhythm, about ten minutes in, I realized I was completely comfortable. With the jacket unzipped and the 16” pit vents wide open, I had plenty of airflow and happily cruised to the top.
So the Cosmic functions beautifully across a wide range of temperatures, but what else do you get for the price?