Sherpa Adventure Gear Lakpa Rita Jacket

The Sherpa Adventure Gear Lakpa Rita Jacket was designed specifically for alpinists who climb the world’s biggest and most difficult mountains. The requirements by alpinists for a wind and waterproof jacket that breathes well and packs down to almost nothing are the same attributes that hold true for recreation backcountry skiers. This 40-denier ripstop eVent fabric jacket is named in honour of Sherpa Adventure Gear’s ambassador Lakpa Rita Sherpa. He’s an acclaimed mountain guide who has guided hundreds of people to the summit of Everest on a total of 17 ascents. Lakpa Rita Sherpa is the face of Sherpa Adventure Gear, literally, as he is on many of the company’s marketing materials and hang tags for their products.

The Lakpa Rita Jacket has an active cut for adventure and offers up great range of motion thanks to the arm panel design. eVent has a well earned reputation for superior breathability when compared to other brands like Gore-Tex and hence the need not to include pit zips in the Lakpa Rita Jacket. This eliminates weight and ensures that packability is maximized; two key elements for any successful backcountry skiing worthy jacket. The technical numbers come in at 20,000mm for waterproofing and 20,000g for breathability which in my books is what is required; anything less is just not up to the job. The jacket’s zonal construction uses a beefier 70 denier eVent fabric in high abrasion areas such as the forearms, shoulders and around the hem. This provides added protection from water and wear and tear where you need it most.

With four pack and harness compatible pockets on the Lakpa Rita Jacket there’s no shortage of storage. The two hand warmer pockets are extremely large and the two Napoleon pockets offer up good functionality and aren’t just for aesthetics. All pockets come with water-resistant zips and integrated zipper garages to keep the weather out. The main zip on the jacket also has a generous storm flap so you won’t feel the cold or wet.

The Lakpa Rita hood is very large and helmet compatible. The hood adjustment and hem draw cords are recessed and out of the way to keep things snag free and simple. There is, however, only one rear adjustment on the hood. It would be nice to have the traditional side adjustments on the hood as well but this single configuration seems to work well at cinching things down and the mouldable wire brim adds to the customization that helps keep the weather out.

The Sherpa Adventure Gear Lakpa Rita Jacket is a minimalist design with only the things you really need and nothing more. This makes it an easy choice for backcountry skiing or more hardcore alpinist adventures if you so choose.

Fabric:

Main Fabric: 100% Nylon Ripstop, DWR, eVent ePTFE lamination, 40D X 70D
Contrast Panels: 100% Nylon, DWR, eVent ePTFE lamination, 40D x 40D taffeta, air permeable

Features:

- 20,000mm / 20,000g rating.
- Helmet compatible hood has contoured brim for increased weather protection and a one-handed cinch system at center back to fit snugly around your face.
- Harness and backpack compatible seams for minimal chafing.
- Two large hand pockets set higher for harness compatibility.
- Arm panels placed for maximum mobility.
- Two large chest pockets provide quick access to necessities.
- Hem adjustments are set into alcoves so bungee will not catch on harness or straps.

Verdict:

Sherpa Adventure Gear has always been one of my personal favourite gear brands mainly because of the story behind the company but also because their products continually impress. In the early days of the company there were some hiccups with sizing and quality but that appears to be well behind them now as Sherpa Adventure Gear has knocked it outta’ the park with the Lakpa Rita Jacket. I have been testing the Lakpa Rita Jacket for two months now in all kinds of backcountry skiing, resort skiing and city life conditions and it’s durability and design have stood up to all measures of snow, wind and rain. In addition to this the Sherpa Adventure Gear Lakpa Rita Jacket fits incredibly well. Its not bulky or loose and provides great range of motion thanks to it’s construction and eVent fabrics. Well done!

For the full scoop on Sherpa Adventure Gear have a read of the story behind the company and if you are interested in other Sherpa Adventure Gear product reviews have a read about the Sherpa Adventure Gear Varun Jacket, the Sherpa Adventure Gear Mukti Pullover, Sherpa Adventure Gear Gyalen Soft Shell Pants, Sherpra Adventure Gear Khangri Soft Shell Jacket and the Sherpa Adventure Gear Banns Tech Quarter Zip.

SPECS:

Price: $369 CAN
Colours: Blue, Red, Black
Size: S-XXL
Weight: 435g / 15oz

PROS:

- Light weight and very compressible.
- Four pockets that offer up plenty of storage options, all of which are harness and pack compatible.
- Mouldable wire brim on the helmet compatible hood is a must have feature.
- Built in zipper garages keep water out and the over all design simple.
- Hidden hem synch avoids hang ups on gear and other things.
- eVent fabric allows your body moisture (sweat) to breath through the fabric and keep you warm and comfortable. It does this twice as fast as other popular brands.

CONS:

- An internal pocket (with media port) would be a nice addition to the four pockets already found on the jacket.
- There is no stowable hood option.
- Secondary fabrics found on shoulders, arms and at the hem are the same colour as the rest of the jacket. If they were a contrasting colour it would make for a more interesting looking jacket—personal opinion here.
- Single rear adjustment on the hood may not be enough for some but I found it to work well.

Rating: 9/10

Fit / Mobility                   2/2
Packability                       2/2
Waterproof / Breathable  2/2
Features                          1/2
Quality / Price                  2/2

This is only our opinion. Do you disagree? Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Join the discussion in the forums here, and let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.

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