ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearJack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: no tape, no problemJack Wolfskin’s innovative design isn’t flawless but it looks snazzy and can protect you from the elementsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. It’s waterproof, highly breathable and produced without using any seam tapes. Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the garment, but if you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell or a weather-ready daily jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt might be the best option for you.Reasons to buy+Sustainable credentials+Provides significant weather protection+Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks+Comfortable and durable designReasons to avoid-Gets dirty pretty easily-Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functionalWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
ActiveOutdoorsOuterwearJack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: no tape, no problemJack Wolfskin’s innovative design isn’t flawless but it looks snazzy and can protect you from the elementsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. It’s waterproof, highly breathable and produced without using any seam tapes. Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the garment, but if you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell or a weather-ready daily jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt might be the best option for you.Reasons to buy+Sustainable credentials+Provides significant weather protection+Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks+Comfortable and durable designReasons to avoid-Gets dirty pretty easily-Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functionalWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Jack Wolfskin’s innovative design isn’t flawless but it looks snazzy and can protect you from the elements
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. It’s waterproof, highly breathable and produced without using any seam tapes. Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the garment, but if you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell or a weather-ready daily jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt might be the best option for you.Reasons to buy+Sustainable credentials+Provides significant weather protection+Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks+Comfortable and durable designReasons to avoid-Gets dirty pretty easily-Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functional
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. It’s waterproof, highly breathable and produced without using any seam tapes. Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the garment, but if you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell or a weather-ready daily jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt might be the best option for you.Reasons to buy+Sustainable credentials+Provides significant weather protection+Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks+Comfortable and durable designReasons to avoid-Gets dirty pretty easily-Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functional
T3 VerdictThe Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. It’s waterproof, highly breathable and produced without using any seam tapes. Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the garment, but if you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell or a weather-ready daily jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt might be the best option for you.
T3 Verdict
The Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. It’s waterproof, highly breathable and produced without using any seam tapes. Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the garment, but if you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell or a weather-ready daily jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt might be the best option for you.
Reasons to buy+Sustainable credentials+Provides significant weather protection+Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks+Comfortable and durable designReasons to avoid-Gets dirty pretty easily-Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functional
Reasons to buy+Sustainable credentials+Provides significant weather protection+Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks+Comfortable and durable design
Sustainable credentials
Provides significant weather protection
Raised pockets are easier to access while wearing backpacks
Comfortable and durable design
Reasons to avoid-Gets dirty pretty easily-Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functional
Gets dirty pretty easily
Despite excellent waterproofing and breathability, it feels more stylish than functional
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Leading outdoor gear manufacturer Jack Wolfskin made waves last year with their Tapeless Jkt. The innovative jacket eliminated dozens of metres of tape, which didn’t only make the Tapeless Jkt more sustainable but also more breathable and durable. Now, the Jack Wolfskin is back with the second iteration of the jacket, the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt, the subject of this review.
Thebest waterproof jacketis an essential purchase for anyone who likes spending time outdoors, no matter the weather. And outdoor folks like their sustainable gear; after all, they spend a lot of time in nature and prefer to buy stuff that has less of a negative impact on the environment. So, is splashing the cash on the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt a good investment? Let’s find out.
[First reviewed July 2023]
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: price and availability
The Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt was released in April 2023 and is available to buy now atJack Wolfskin USandJack Wolfskin UKfor a recommended retail price of $500/ £440. It’s one of the most expensive non-technical waterproof jackets, although I must add that premium waterproof garments aren’t generally cheap. The jacket is only available in men’s version and in one colourway, Silver Grey.
UPDATE 01/08/23:Jack Wolfskin announced the launch of a women’s version of the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt. It comes in one colour, too, and costs the same ($500/ £440). It’s somewhat lighter than the men’s version at 370g (size small).
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: specifications
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: design and build quality
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt is all about, well, the lack of tape. Tape is used to seal the seams of waterproof garments ensuring they stay water-tight. The idea behind Jack Wolfskin’s innovation is that it removed this tape, making the jacket more comfortable to wear (i.e. no chafing) and sustainable to produce.
However, according to Jack Wolfskin, removing the tape also makes the jacket longer lasting, as seam tape is the weakest component in outdoor waterproof breathable apparel. No matter how advanced the fabric is, if the seam tape is not durable enough, it will compromise breathability, mobility and durability.
Enter the Zero Tape sewing technology. It allows the needle only to penetrate the outer fabric, not the waterproof breathable laminate. The manufacturer says this creates a continuous membrane layer in the jacket without any perforation, removing the need for seam tapes.
Said layer is the Texapore Core Fuse Stretch Ripstop with a 10,000mm water column and 6,000 MVTR value. This 3-layer fabric is waterproof, windproof and breathable; plus, it is said to last longer thanks to the Zero Tape technology. The zippers are also waterproof, while the cuffs and hem are drawcord-adjustable to help seal off your upper body from the elements if needed.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: performance
Although I was sent the Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt a couple of months ago, I had to wait until late July to test it, as we were blessed with unusually warm and sunny weather in June in the UK. July was pretty soggy, which isn’t great for anything apart from testing waterproof gear.
And to my delight, I felt terrific in the jacket. I had to pull the hood down and the hem right in to keep the wind out, but the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt did an excellent job protecting me from the elements. One problematic (in need of a better word here) area was the cuffs.
Unlike the hood and the hem, cuffs are adjustable using buttons. It is more of a fashion choice than a practical one, as it’s harder to close the jacket perfectly using only three buttons than an infinitely-adjustable cord. This is even stranger considering the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt weatherproof construction.
Another grief of mine is the colour and that the jacket not only gets dirty easily but it’s also impossible to remove these stains. This might be due to the dye being more environmentally friendly, or I don’t know, but offering the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt in a less light colour might be a better option. On the upside, the pockets are positioned well and indeed easily accessible, even while wearing ahiking backpack.
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
(Image credit: Matt Kollat/T3)
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: verdict
The Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt falls short of being the ultimate sustainable waterproof jacket in only a few areas. I appreciate that Jack Wolfskin found a way to combine an environmentally conscious design approach with comfort and durability – it’s remarkable how protected you feel in the jacket.
That said, it feels the company is sitting on the fence a little bit about the purpose of the Tapeless 2.0 Jkt. Is it a fashion piece or a highly functional garment? Some features suggest the former, while the weather-ready construction the latter. Maybe it’s a bit of both.
Not everyone will be able to justify the price of the Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt, but I guess that’s not the idea anyway. If you can’t decide between getting a hardcore waterproof shell you can use on the trail or one that can be used as a daily jacket, this might be an excellent option for you.
Jack Wolfskin Tapeless 2.0 Jkt review: also consider
A jacket that costs the same and does the whole style-and-substance business better is Klattermusen’s Syr Unisex Levitend Hooded Parka. It has a moisture vapour permeability of over 20,000 g/m²/24h and a hydrostatic head of over 20,000 mm, making it an incredibly capable outdoor garment. And all that without sacrificing style. Read my fullKlattermusen Syr Unisex Levitend Hooded Parka review.
For something better-suited for hiking, try the Arc’teryx Beta Jacket. It does hit all the major high notes, especially if you’re seeking a lightweight and packable waterproof shell. The one-handed hood is a neat touch, but helmet-wearers will be better served elsewhere. Read Mark’s and Ruth’s jointArc’teryx Beta waterproof jacket review.
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