When light and fast is the name of the game it can be difficult to make gear selections that fit the objective and still cover your ten essentials while running. From missions into the mountains to training runs during the shoulder and Winter months, this jacket is an essential piece to your kit. Living in the pacific northwest, it is raining, snowing, and blowing wind more often than not, and likewise I just do not leave the house without some sort of jacket. Previous to picking up the Bonatti Pro I was running with the Patagonia Houdini, and while I do love that option for its packability, its repellency is not to be tested. The Bonatti Pro checks all of the boxes (and more) for me when it comes to an ultra lightweight shell. The storable chest pocket design has almost become standard for shells of this caliper, and the Bonatti Pro makes good use of it. If you are familiar with the above mentioned shell, you will know that the material is dangerously thin, and while the Bonatti Pro is similar in functionality, the fabric used is notably more robust and therefore significantly more repellent. The only trade off here is that when stored into the chest pocket, the overall zipped package is a bit larger. That being said, a worthwhile trade off for the upgrade in material durability and repellency. The hood on this jacket seems to have received speckled reviews. The hood is designed with the outer roof (to collect and shed accumulation), but it has an inner elastic liner that situates itself against your forehead. The thought here is to keep the hood from bouncing and flying off while you are moving. Having taken this shell into 40kph winds, in a whiteout, while actively snowing, this liner absolutely does its job in keeping the hood in place. As previously mentioned, the material used for the Bonatti Pro is notably thicker than some of its competitors, but the reliable repellency is what really sold me on this shell. The first time I took this out it was raining steadily and my head, shoulders, and trunk stayed entirely dry. The rain beaded up on my shoulders as one would expect from a fully waterproof GTX jacket, but with all of the breathability and lightweight mobility of an ultra lightweight shell. To make a note regarding fit, I am incredibly picky when it comes to selecting apparel. I am 6'0", 150lbs and built like a rail. I like my clothes to be form fitting, and to be cut long and skinny. Salomon's clothing is known to run this way being a Euro brand, and the Bonatti Pro stays true to the long and slender cut. The medium reaches to my wrists but does not bunch up, the trunk does have some room (it is designed to go over your vest if need be, though I don't tend to run this way even when it is raining), but even with a bit of room it does not feel billowy or ill-fit. The length runs to below the waist which is ideal because it keeps run off away from your waist band. Fit is one of my top qualifiers in picking apparel and I end up passing over a lot of gear choices because of this, but the Bonatti Pro is a spot on fit. If you are a year 'round trail runner, a well suited shell is a nonnegotiable, and I would highly recommend the Bonatti Pro as an essential piece to your kit.
Jonathan Foster, backcountry.com
March 9, 2020