American cycling kit maker Ornot’s new Magic Shell Jacket takes advantage of a new next gen version of Polartec’s popular NeoShell waterproof fabric to deliver hardshell protection in a lightweight knit softshell. They call it the “lightest, stretchiest, most breathable comfort of any waterproof fabric, ever”, and it’s now in an all-conditions jacket you can also wear in heavy rain… Ornot.
Ornot Magic Shell Jacket w/ waterproof Polartec NeoShell
With the release of the $210 designed & produced in California Magic Shell jacket, Ornot claims to be the first to market with Polartec’s latest knit iteration of their NeoShell fabric. Unique for a waterproof shell fabric, the latest NeoShell is a highly stretchy, light knit fabric with unparalleled breathability, making it perfect for a close fitting cycling jacket. We’ve seen NeoShell a few times before, but this newest version is better than ever.
Ornot says they had set out to design an all-around cool to cold weather cycling jacket, and hadn’t even thought about making a rain jacket since they wanted better breathability than typically found in a waterproof shell. Looking for a close fit, no flapping in the wind that it clocks & water resistance, Ornot was working with softshells, until their partners at Polartec suggested the next generation NeoShell they were working on. Still technically a softshell, this new fabric features a knit face and backing with a high-stretch, extra breathable membrane layer in between. This new NeoShell claims breathability around 10-12,000g/m2/24hr making it at least 2x more breathable than best waterproof breathable shells on the market.
Now after almost a year testing the new fabric, Ornot thinks that the new Magic Shell jacket will replace pretty much every other cycling jacket in your closet.
Ornot Magic Shell tech details
Although the fabric is waterproof, Ornot has made the Magic Shell without taped seams in the interest of maintaining max breathability. What little water that gets in during heavy rain will be matched by the road spray on your face and dripping down your neck. Anyway the fabric will still keep you warm when your baselayers get wet.
The jacket features a full-length, two-way zip to let air in as you heat up on the climbs (it is a shell after all.) In the interest of a packable shell, the jacket does not get its own pockets, only a storm flap behind the zip, a hem gripper & a single rear reflective tag.
The new jacket comes only in all black for now, and is available in six sizes (XS-XXL). It is tiny & lightweight, a small claims a weight of just 220g, so you can even stuff it in a jersey pocket.
