If you have experienced living in Minnesota in April, you know that the weather is incredibly unpredictable. As of April 7, 2018 (the date I am writing this review) the temperature is currently 13 degrees with several inches of snow still on the ground. Springy right?!?
While it snowed 9 inches last week, later this upcoming week it will be 50 and rainy. This type of weather/precipitation fluctuation makes appropriate outerwear difficult. Down jackets get wet and hard shells aren't warm enough without quality layers underneath.
This cold and wet weather is what The Cayambe by Mishmi Takin was made to handle. If you aren't familiar with Mishimi Taken, they got their start with a successfully funded Kickstarter in 2016.
They currently sell a line of jackets and boots designed to handle a wide range of climates. I've been wearing their Cayambe Soft Shell for past month or so during these transitional springter (spring/winter) months, and here are my thoughts!
***While I was provided a sample for this review, my opinions and thoughts are 100% my own.
General Impressions of the Cayambe by Mishmi Takin:
The Cayambe by Mishmi Takin in a seam taped, windproof, waterproof, and hooded softshell jacket. Funded off of a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2016, it was designed for "aerobic activities in cold and wet conditions." It features:
- Textured fleece lining for additional warmth
- Pit zips
- Wrist gaiters
- Taped seams
- 2 front pockets
- 1 "Napoleon" pocket
- Adjustable and helmet compatible hood
- Weighs 30.5oz
Pros of the Cayambe by Mishmi Takin
Having received the Cayambe in February, I've been able to test it out in the aforementioned wonky weather of Minnesota spring. Never having owned a piece quite like this (I typically wear a larger down jacket in the winter, and fleeces/puffies in the spring, with a raincoat, as needed), I was excited to determine how and when I would wear it. Turns out I'd end up using it pretty much every day,
1. Wide range of weather: Since the Cayambe is lined as well as waterproof, it is a fantastic option to keep you warm and dry on cold and wet days. The lining itself also gives the wearer extra comfort as well as warmth.
I often wear it with only a tee shirt on underneath, and the fuzzy lining ensures that this is a pleasant (non-sticky or abrasive) experience. While the jacket is designed to allow the wearer to be active, the fit does accommodate at least 1 mid layer for warmth (I typically wear my Voormi High E Hoodie underneath).
So far I haven't been in any weather that makes me doubt the waterproofness or windproofness of the Cayambe. My Cayambe and I have experienced 2 blizzards, a couple days of light rain, several windy hikes across frozen lakes, and a bunch of 20 and 30 degree days. No complaints yet in regards to fending off the elements!
2. Durability: I LOVE my down jackets, but I'm also terrified that I'm going to destroy it. I'm by no means "nice to my gear," and I often struggle with the inner dialogue surrounding UL vs. durability.
While not particularly light (we'll talk about that later), the Cayambe is exceptionally durable. Rolling down hills or running through thick brush, I did nothing to damage the 4-way stretch material. It feels and performs like a jacket that can handle whatever you throw at it.
3. Wrist gaiters: The wrist gaiters are incredibly comfortable, and do a truly superb job of keeping the wind out. They extend right up until the base of your palm, ensuring that no skin is exposed between your gloves and your jacket. While a small feature, it's an element of the jacket that's pretty awesome.
Things to note:
1. Weight. While I'm a bit of a snob about weight, the Cayambe certainly chooses to be bomber instead of ultralight. That's not a bad thing, but it means that I'll either be actively wearing it, or I'll be leaving it at home. It's not something that can be brought as a contingency jacket. In addition to being almost 2 lbs, it's not built to be compressible.
2. Its a 2 1/2 season jacket: While perfect for in-between weather (spring/fall/parts of winter), the Cayambe isn't a jacket you are going to be able to use during the extremes of the weather spectrums. It's too warm for summer, and it's not insulated enough for the harshest winter temps. Again... this isn't a bad thing, its just important to note when you are trying to envision the Cayambe's utility in your kit.
The Verdict:
As advertised, the Cayambe by Mishmi Takin is absolutely wonderful for what it was designed to do: keep you dry and warm when it's wet and cold. It looks good, performs great, and the fuzzy interior ensures a comfortable wear. Kapil, the mastermind behind Mishmi Takin is an awesome dude, and I think we'll be hearing a bunch more about Mishmi Takin in the future!
Grab 12% off the Cayambe using the promocode "mishmi12" at checkout!
