Precision Mountaineering Wasatch 2000
By Matt Smith

The Precision Mountaineering Wasatch 2000 is a three layer shell with Hippora H2000 (TM). The inside of the collar area is lined with a soft micro fiber fleece. The inside of the torso is lined with Dry Lining Mesh to wick the water away from your body. The sleeves are lined with polyester. The exterior shell is made of rip stop nylon and denier nylon. The shoulders, elbows and lower back of the shell are made with heavier denier nylon which is very abrasion resistant. All seams are sealed. There are several easy to use pockets located on the front and sides of the shell. Three of the front pockets are waterproof. The hood can fold up and stow in the collar. The hood is waterproof with a visor. The Precision Mountaineering Wasatch 2000 has pit zips, a back vent with a mesh panel and a very versatile core vent system. Also featured in the Wasatch 2000 is a powder skirt, and waist and bottom drawstrings. The Wasatch did not come with manufacturers weight specifications, but I found it to weigh about the same as most comparable three layer waterproof/breathable shells. The Wasatch is less compressible than a two layer shell, but packed small enough to fit easily into the top of my already full pack. Precision Mountaineering's Wasatch 2000 retails for $250.

Since I give off a lot of vapor during physical exertion, I have searched for several years to find a shell with core vents, pit zips, and a back vent. So far this is the only shell I have found that has all three. The extremely functional core vent system has some wonderful innovations. The main zipper is two way, and runs down the left side of the torso rather than down the center. Two half-length zippers run down the center and right side of the torso. I have found three useful arrangements of the core vent system. The center zipper can be unzipped to allow air to circulate only around the neck area. If only the half length zipper on the right side of the torso is open there is slightly more air circulation. If the half length right zipper is fully unzipped and the left zipper is half way unzipped the entire center panel of the coat can be folded and stowed in one of the front pockets. This allows a tremendous amount of air circulation. Each configuration is simple to use even when wearing a backpack. These three scenarios can be used together with the pit zips and back vent to control core temperature very effectively.

I wore the Wasatch on several consecutive rainy days and as with most micro porous laminates I had no problem with leakage. I found the Wasatch to be very wind resistant. Even very cold winds couldn't seem to penetrate the shell. The nylon powder skirt can Velcro closed tight around your waist. This keeps wind gusts from sneaking in under the bottom of the shell. The generous seams in the shoulder area allowed a wide range of motion without pulling up the bottom of the coat. The hood is roomy and lined with the same wicking mesh as the torso. The drawstring pulled the hood closed tightly around my face. The hood does lack some sort of adjustment in the back to reduce the volume of the hood when it is not being worn over a helmet. The visor is quite flexible and runs nearly to the chin. This presented some problems when I cinched the hood tight as the visor tended to bunch and wrinkle.

Rivulets of water would stream off everywhere the visor wrinkled rather than running to the end and dripping off. Perhaps if the visor were smaller and stiffer it would be more functional. Since the Wasatch 2000 is not insulated it was suitable for use even on warmer days when I needed wind and rain protection. I was able to regulate my temperature quite well by using the venting system. I also found that the Wasatch 2000 was warm enough to wear on relatively cold days with only a base layer and a tee shirt. I have worn the Wasatch on days as cold 30 F with no fleece or insulating layer and been comfortably warm.

Summary: The Precision Mountaineering Wasatch 2000 is a very versatile shell, which can comfortably be used over a wide range of temperatures and conditions. The functional vent system can be very useful to someone who perspires a lot. It is light enough to take backpacking, yet warm enough to take skiing. I think this is one of the best mid-priced waterproof/breathable shells available.

Matt Smith is a canyoneering specialist for GearReview.com.

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