Issue #036 Review

The Lab: ION 3 Layer Jacket Scrub Amp and Softshell Pants Shelter in Review

In the “The Lab” we present the latest products and put them through their paces for you. Some undergo long-term tests, while we check others out only briefly. This time we reveal how the ION 3 Layer Jacket Scrub Amp and Softshell Pants Shelter fared.

According to a famous saying “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!” And that’s just as true as the fact that girls get cold a lot faster than tough guys do. That’s why our Cari has been using the ION Shelter-Softshell Pant and the ION 3 Layer Jacket Scrub Amp for several weeks.

ION’s fashionable 3 Layer Scrub Amp jacket is fitted at the waist and tightly cut. This design makes for a very stylish look and helps to expel the moisture from the inside. One more highlight is the stretch fabric, which is pleasantly light and won’t restrict your movements when riding your bike. The best part? It’s both wind- and waterproof. Now there are no more excuses not to go for a ride in foul weather! Raindrops simply roll off the jacket. The venting holes under the armpits and breathable material will keep you nice and dry on the inside, even on the sweatiest of climbs. The elastic material on the cuffs and waist-belt hold the jacket in place even when riding actively and in combination with the extended back make for a warm and dry ride. At chest-height, there is a pocket with a sewn-in microfibre cleaning cloth. In heavy rain the hood fits well over a helmet and doesn’t slip down thanks to an integrated elastic cord.

The hood fits perfectly over the helmet
The outer pocket is ideal for sunglasses, smartphones and wallets. In addition the integrated microfibre cloth is very handy for mucky glasses.
The sewn-in elastic bands on the wrists and hips allow for a perfect fit even in sporty riding positions

Cari loved the great fit and elastic water-repellent material of the long softshell trousers. ION’s tight-fitting Shelter pants provide total freedom of movement when riding on the trails. To prevent damage from saddle friction, the insulated fabric has been reinforced in the crotch, inside leg and waistband areas. An additional coating prevents dirt and water from getting inside the trousers. The solid construction helps here, and the tight seams reinforce the trousers and make them even more robust in the most vulnerable areas. ION’s Shelter Softshell trousers are tightly cut around the ankles, a design that prevents them from rubbing against the cranks when pedalling. Two side pockets offer enough space for a multitool and mobile phone.

The zippers at the leg end turn the softshell pants from stylish, tight-fitting trousers into a practical companion on rainy days
The padded side pocket has enough room for a smartphone
Areas subject to more wear and tear are reinforced with a stronger fabric. This allows for a longer service life.

After a muddy trail session, you can wash both the trousers and the jacket at 30 °C in the washing machine and both of Cari’s garments are still looking like new even after repeated washing.

Conclusion

ION’s 3 Layer Scrub Amp jacket and softshell Shelter pants are the perfect antidote against the winter blues and will help you to get on your bike even when the weather is foul. The fit and look are simply great!

Strenghts

  • high-quality materials
  • comfortable on and off the bike
  • perfect fit

Weaknesses

  • pricey

Tester Cari
Duration 2 months
More information ion-products.com
Price Trousers: € 159,95 / Jacket: € 249,95


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Words: Carina Faißt Photos: Valentin Rühl

About the author

Carina Faißt

With a solid background in the fashion industry and project management my role is to support Max-Philip and Robin helping them to bring various projects to life while coordinating a number of marketing tasks. This means I often spend endless hours working on my laptop — but the results are more than worth it. Oh yeah, the fact that we often hold meetings while riding our bikes, travel across Europe and regularly meet for lunch and after-work rides makes all the hard work even more bearable!