Our waterproof NeoShell® Reliance Jacket excels at many things–at the top of that list is keeping you dry and comfortable during highly-aerobic use. While not engineered for any one specific activity, its thoughtful design makes it a top performer for any outdoor pursuit. When backpacking, hunting or hiking in wet weather has you working hard, the Reliance’s outstanding breathability helps prevent the sweat buildup–because it does no good to keep the rain out if you’re getting soaked from the inside. To build the most breathable waterproof protection available, the NeoShell® fabric from Polartec® was the natural choice. The three-layer laminated fabric consists of an exterior shell with slight stretch that provides unparalleled ease of motion. The inner layer is a soft tricot backer that adds warmth and aids the dispersion of vapors. But the element that sets Neoshell® apart is the membrane sandwiched between them. Unlike other membranes, it’s actually a mesh of submicron filaments with randomly-sized gaps though which vapors and a slight amount of wind can pass, but water droplets cannot. The result is a jacket which breathes exceptionally well, stops 99.95% of the wind, and 100% of rain and snow. The slight amount of wind that is permitted to pass through the fabric is known as active air exchange, which makes the jacket feel a tiny bit cooler to wear and greatly contributes to its breathability. Not only is the NeoShell® Reliance Jacket our most-breathable waterproof protection, it’s incredibly full-featured. YKK® AquaGuard® zippers are used throughout the jacket to prevent water entry. The dual hand and chest pockets are sized and located for easy access. Ventilating pit zips add a further level of breathability and core-temperature control. The main zipper’s inner storm flap makes the front closure effectively waterproof, and the zipper garage, protects against neck-pinching. The two-way adjustable hood can be snugged down with one hand, and excess cordage is routed into the chest pockets to prevent flapping during high winds. The hood tucks into its own dedicated pocket, preventing interference with backpacks, hunting vests or hydration-bladder systems. The drawcord-adjustable hem is also one-hand-operable with hidden cord management. The NeoShell Reliance Jacket – combining the waterproof protection of a hard shell with the breathability of a soft shell into a jacket that can be worn all day, no matter the weather.