Mission Workshop claims the Altosphere’s membrane offers waterproofing on the outside but wicks away sweat from the body on the inside.
Mission Workshop added two items to its 2022 Acre Series Cycling Collection this week: a jacket and vest for braving the elements.
Named the Altosphere, this two-layer cycling shell offers many classic design features while combining protection against water and sweat.
Like any good cycling jacket, the Altosphere’s membrane protects from wind and rain. However, it’s also hydrophilic on the inside, which wicks away sweat from the body — even while resisting water on the outside.
“The more intense the physical activity, the more breathable the membrane becomes,” the company claimed.
Whether you opt for the jacket or the vest, both are ultralightweight and stretchy. They also have untaped seams that allow for “freedom of movement and increased air permeability,” Mission Workshop said.
Altosphere: Additional Specs and Features
How exactly does the jacket’s fabric offer both water protection and sweat-wicking? According to Mission Workshop, it’s all about Zero Wind, a hydrophilic membrane designed by Pidigi.
The Zero Wind membrane “allows the osmotic passage of the sweat from the warmer inner part to the colder external one,” according to the website. Mission Workshop treats the shell with non-fluorinated water and soil repellent for water resistance.
As for its other features, the Altosphere comes with a two-way front zipper, a rear pocket with reflective details, and a collar cut high for extra wind protection.
For easy storage, the shell packs down into its own back pocket. Owners can tie the jacket to their bike frame or seat bag with an elastic cord.
This Italian-made jacket weighs a claimed 4 ounces and costs $220 MSRP; the vest 3 ounces and $160 MSRP.
Learn more on the company website.
