Ternua Klimmer Jacket review: light all-round shell

One thing strikes Jonas the moment he unpacks it: how little it weighs. The Klimmer Jacket feels feather-light and packs down small, so you can throw it in your rucksack just in case and never notice it is there. In the hand, it feels well made, with no flaws in the finish.

It pays to check the size chart. Our tester Jonas Rhau (1.77 m, 78 kg) sat between M and L and went for L, the right call. The regular fit sits comfortably and still leaves room for a warming layer underneath. Worn on its own or layered up, freedom of movement stays high. Credit goes partly to the elastane in the fabric mix, which gives the shell a bit of stretch.

Across four weeks the jacket saw all kinds of weather. Wind and moderate rain are no trouble at all. After one shower, when the temperature climbed again quickly, it stayed comfortable to wear, thanks mainly to the two pit zips under the arms. The two-way front zip also helps dump heat where you want it.

Now the honest verdict on rain. Technically the Klimmer is a genuine hard shell with a 20,000 mm hydrostatic head, taped seams and waterproof zips. Jonas stayed dry underneath even after 45 minutes in the rain. In longer, heavier rain, though, the face fabric gradually wets out. The beading effect fades and the jacket then needs time to dry. For a full day of sustained rain, Jonas would pack a dedicated rain jacket as well. For showers, changeable weather and everyday wear, the protection is more than enough.

Comfort is where the Klimmer racks up clear points. Worn on its own it keeps you pleasantly dry even when you are working hard, and the breathability of 20,000 g/m²/24h shows. One tip from practice: if you are layering, the layer underneath needs to breathe too. In changeable weather with a less technical mid-layer, Jonas started sweating sooner.

Overall, the mix of low weight, stretch and good ventilation works well. The jacket never feels like a stiff plastic bag. It moves with you.

Jonas is a big fan of the features. Four large, roomy pockets offer plenty of storage, and both chest pockets stay reachable with a hip belt done up. There is also a water-repellent sleeve pocket and an internal pocket for your phone.

Elastic drawcords and hook-and-loop tabs let you adjust the cuffs, hem and 3D hood to the wind and weather in seconds. A small but welcome chin guard stops the zip chafing your neck. It all feels considered, and it sits where you need it.

The fabric feels solid and hard-wearing. Branches in the undergrowth, an excited dog jumping up at you: the jacket shrugs it off. After four weeks Jonas found just two tiny scuff marks. The seams are cleanly finished and the zips look properly sealed. Stains rubbed off easily, and sweaty smells were never an issue after airing it out.

The materials stand out. The Klimmer is made from recycled polyamide, including old fishing nets, blended with elastane for the stretch. It is bluesign® and OEKO-TEX® certified and treated with a PFC-free finish. If certified materials and a PFC-free finish matter to you, this is a strong overall package.

The two-tone combination on test, bright orange with a berry shade, is a genuine eye-catcher. Outdoors, that strong orange also means good visibility, handy for an evening ride or a group tour. And around town? It works just as well: Jonas likes pairing the bright tone with dark clothing and wears the jacket outdoors and on the shop run when the rain starts up again.

That is exactly the Klimmer's strength. It is not tied to one use case. It is a reliable companion for plenty of occasions.