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Product Review

Mission Workshop Interval Jacket Reviewed

Photos AJ Barlas

Soon enough we'll be riding exclusively in rain jackets here in B.C., but now is the time for windshells with the cool air and high alpine riding available.* Mission Workshop is synonymous with top-shelf design and the Interval microlight jacket fits that mold. Claiming both wind and water resistance in a super lightweight shell is a bold statement. Add the 225 USD price tag to the mix and Interval has lots to live up to. 

*Recent snow has affected this a bit but it’s still go time 

Highlights

  • Fabric: 89% Nylon / 11% Spandex
  • Claimed Weight: 140g / 5oz
  • Anti-odour and Anti-static
  • Wind Repellent
  • Water Repellent
  • Stash-able Zip Hood with 3-point adjust
  • Thumb loop
  • Welded cuffs, hem, and hood
  • MSRP: 225 USD


Weighing a claimed 140 grams puts this firmly in the featherweight category, up against jackets like the 7Mesh Northwoods windshell. The Interval packs down really small, includes a hood that folds into the collar and one zipper pocket on the left side. It also includes thumb loops, which skiers or snowboarders may be familiar with.


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Amazingly, AJ can throw Blue Steel without using his eyes - Ed.

Jacket Fit

Slipping the size large jacket on my 191cm frame revealed a near perfect fit. It’s not as form-fitting as the 7Mesh Northwoods, as one example, but there's a great balance of roominess and fit. The waistline is where the generous cut is most apparent and there isn't any form of adjustment to compensate. Thankfully the extra material around the waist doesn't snag or buffet. 

In riding position, the longer back provides ample coverage from wind and roost off the rear wheel. Sleeve length is long enough to comfortably reach my wrists with my arms extended,* which comes in handy on the bike, and the elasticized thumb loops easily hook on when they are needed. 

*My ape index is 1.037

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La Tigré?

On the Trails

I’ve been riding in the Mission Workshop Interval jacket for the better part of six months. The jacket quickly became a go-to thanks to the stash-able hood, which I'm a big fan of. It easily packs into the collar and is even simpler to remove. Hood coverage is excellent and there are no problems getting it up over helmets like the TLD A1 or the Specialized Ambush.

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The hood easily covers a half lid like the TLD A1…

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And there's plenty of room to move about with it on. 

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The hood stows away inside the collar and isn't bulky of uncomfortable. 


I was always a massive fan of thumb loops on snow jackets and I really appreciate the added security they offer. There is one downside though. Riding gloveless as I do, the loops are easily noticed and distracting on the grips, but I doubt they’d cause issue with gloves. 

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With bare hands, the elastic can disrupt the connection with the bike. 

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When not in use, the thumb loop goes almost unnoticed. 


Thanks to the Interval jacket's light weight, the pocket on the side is best left to small objects—a credit card or driver's license. Even a key becomes immediately apparent, with the weight of the object tugging and causing the jacket to sit strangely. It performs very well as a windbreaker and will keep brief, light showers away from skin and base layers but if it ever rains properly, I'd reach for a designated rain jacket. 

The jacket is expensive and is considerably more than the 7Mesh Northwoods.* It does include a stash-able hood, which is a bonus, but lacks some of the adjustability—the waist and neck adjustments on the 7Mesh jacket are nice. It’s also better at repelling water and doesn’t sweat up inside as easily as the Northwoods jacket. Do these points make it worth the price? I’d be hard pressed to say yes, especially when a $100 Royal jacket with similar construction is close to as comfortable, even though it misses some of the features. 

*The Northwoods jacket retails for 175 USD

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The pocket is stealth and well hidden on the left side. It's easy to access but requires two hands to open.

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It's probably best left to small, light objects though given the light weight of the jacket.


Mission Workshop’s Interval windshell fits in perfectly to their product range and comes with the associated cost. They’re well made, include some unique design cues and function very well. Can you get the features in a lower cost alternative? Most likely, but if you are into anything that Mission Workshop does, you will be very happy with the jacket. 

Head to the Mission Workshop website for more on the Interval Microlight Windshell Jacket.




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Comments

Captain-Snappy
+2 Andrew Major Endur-Bro

So ~$292 CAD, before duty and taxes. I appreciate solid, well made garments, but it ain't for this dad with daycare bills. I'll stick with my $50 6 YO, RF 'plastic bag' jkt, for now. As Señor Major says, it's about the "min-max'ing". I'd also feel pretty stupid about OTB'ing and shredding the elbows of a $300 jkt.

Reply

IslandLife
+2 Andrew Major Velocipedestrian

My thoughts exactly... for my winter riding needs, I just hit up my local MEC.  For $200 bucks you can get 2 jackets!  1. Their "Fury" wind jacket (similar to this but actually has a waist elastic and their "Auqantor" rain shell with vents.  

This way I don't feel so bad when they inevitably get stained from the constant mud roost or scraped up or torn from sudden and unexpected off-bike close-up trail inspections.

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AndrewMajor
+1 mzro

I’m going to trounce my reputation here a bit, but if I have one luxury other than a nice traditional cappuccino it’s good rain gear. I ride a lot in the winter and it makes a huge difference to my enjoyment.

For example, I’m testing a pair of Race Face Agent Winter pants right now and I’ll wear them rain or shine for fall rides. They’ve been experience changing. They’ve seriously negated a drawer full of gear.

Anyways, now that I’m here. I’m not a windbreaker guy - give me a sweater or give me a rain jacket.

On the rain jacket front, I’m a sweaty beast and I’d rather be soaked with rain than swimming in my own sweat shower. I think the best blend of breathability, durability, stretch, and lightweight (cause I take it off when the rain stops) is the new Race Face Conspiracy jacket (note the rubberized elbow/forearm). That’s $250 CAD. So yeah, not $50 but I think $250 is solid value for this particular shell.

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Kenny
+1 AJ Barlas

Yeah, especially in spring/fall it seems your only real options are soaked in rain or soaked in sweat. It's still too warm out for even the best hardshells to not be stifling. 

I have a mission workshop meridian, $600 cad worth of fancypants. It's decent but it's no magic bullet. The thing about all these jackets is that once the outer fabric wets out you might as well be wearing a $25 rubber raincoat from Kmart. 

So needs to be washed and DWR reapplied every few rides. I hate washing such an expensive price of gear that often. But, if I don't, it peeforms like a cheap piece of gear and then what's the point? Catch 22. 

For this reason I find the goretex shakedry interesting but it's not marketed to MTB since it's fragile. Having to replace my $400 rain coat every time I have a rapid unplanned dismount is also not super practical. Lol

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bornslippy
0

I had the race face chute. It fell apart. zippers broke. seams outside came apart. inside taped seams came apart. Got a warrant replacement. Same thing. I don't know about spending  $200 or more on their crappy quality jackets again.

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DemonMike
0

I think I would pay that price for a all weather jersey. For me jackets only come into play if I start the ride and it's pouring out. Any other time and it,s a good vest and base layer, and if I get wet oh well.

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RAHrider
0

I only have one Mission Workshop product - their limited edition courier bag. Have to say - it is the best courier bag I have ever owned (or seen for that matter). I have been using courier bags since the 90's and owned my first timbuk2 back then. The quality of the materials, design and craftsmanship of the MW bag I own is far superior to anything else. Although it is expensive stuff, I would recommend trying anything from them. That said, I don't think this would be my next product from them that I try.

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GladePlayboy
0

Raceface Nano jacket at $110 has been working awesome for me.

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Kenny
0

I just impulse purchased an mt500 pullover. The huge side/pit vents, basically long enough to turn it into a cape/poncho of sorts, make it seem like a good candidate - being able to open it right up for the climb them batten down. The hatches for the way down. They also claim very impressive water resistance/breathability numbers for their fabric.

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