When you hit the trails this Spring you need to be prepared for those Spring showers, among the items you’ll need to keep you prepared is a reliable light weight shell. We took to the town and the trails in the Nau Lightbeam Jacket last week to see if it’s the jacket for your next adventure.
Bad: No interior pocket. And as with most Nau designs, you have a rather limited color choice. We figure this will change with time though, and the colors their products are available in are great choices.
Good: Stitching is backed up at all the stress points, available in striped (our choice) or solid, 3 colorways, Nau’s very stylishly slightly offset front zip is back, wind flap that really works, pull strings for the bottom of the jacket are found both in the side pockets and inside the jacket along the lining, great zip away hood, stylish slim fit, right outer breast pocket has 2 compartments (side zip, top pouch with snaps), extremely lightweight (8 oz), great attention to detail.
“Performance: Our lightest jacket, the Lightbeam’s 100% recycled polyester is woven in a soft pucker weave that sits coolly on the skin, provides wind and weather protection and is treated with a DWR for water repellency. It’s also incredibly packable. The front zipper is offset to keep cold metal teeth off your chin. The hood folds down and zips away into the collar, while elastic cuffs and draw-cord waistband seal weather out.”
“Sustainability: The recycled polyester fabric was developed in partnership with Teijin, the fabric supplier behind ECOCIRCLE® technology, which produces fabric from post-consumer and post-industrial polyester waste. Closing the loop, at the end of its long life the Lightbeam Jacket can be recycled into polyester fibers for reuse.”
“Full neck with draw cord can be worn loose to hang easily or snug for added protection in inclement weather. Center zip with snap flap. Draw cords adjust fit at waist and hem. Two hidden on-seam zip pockets.” -Source
I love the fit of this jacket, so much so it’s become my daily Spring coat. It’s perfect for a pack-away jacket for a camping or backing trip, or even just to stash in you pack for days around town. It feels great and has the style edge we’ve come to expect from Nau, I really had to search to find something I didn’t like about this jacket. The lack of a interior pocket really isn’t a big deal at all since the Lightbeam has 2 outer breast pockets and two side pockets that zip shut. This is one item I don’t see myself hitting the trails without anytime soon. Nau has added some really nice details that make this more then just a great product.
It’s hood is far more useful then any other zip away hood I’ve seen, it has a small elastic band on the back which keeps it snug on your head and it has a bit of a visor on it to keep the rain out of your face. Nau has continually impressed me with each product of theirs we’ve reviewed for them, the Lightbeam is no exception. If you only add one jacket to your Spring wear for this season, this is a great choice. 10 out of 10. Premier. NC