Inselberg Infima Jacket Review

As a newcomer to the technical outerwear market, Inselberg is hitting the market with high-quality designs that are built to excel under the most technical conditions. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, the brand has access to some of the most iconic mountains and weather conditions as inspiration for their small, but mighty product line. I’ve had the Inselberg Infima Jacket in review and this hybrid design is ready for just about any adventure.

Inselberg Infima Jacket Features:

• Breathable and water-resistant nylon outer shell
• Polartec Power Grid underarms for breathability
• Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation
• 3D anatomical fit with added stretch and mobility
• Butter cuffs for added comfort
• Dual hem toggles to seal out drafts
• Brushed hand pockets and internal zip pocket
• TPU zipper pulls
• Weight: 315 grams (medium, actual)
• MSRP: $220 USD

Pushing the Infima to the limit

Admittedly, the Inselberg Infima Jacket isn’t truly a “running” jacket, but how else am I going to push it to the limit? It has remained cold in Utah, with unpredictable weather, so the Infima arrived just at the right time to test it in both cold (low-20’s) and warmer (mid-40’s) conditions — primarily trail running with some hiking mixed in for good measure.

With any new brand, sizing is always a big unknown. At 5’11” and 175 lbs., I looked at the sizing chart and chose a medium. I’m glad to report that it’s just right. Slipping it on and zipping it up further confirmed the right sleeve and hem lengths and a comfortable fit throughout the chest, back and shoulders. It’s not an aggressive fit. I’d call it a regular fit — with the ability to comfortably wear lightweight layers underneath.

Interestingly, the construction of the Infima Jacket features a softer outer fabric (recycled nylon blend) mated to a stiff nylon liner. It does provide added structure to the jacket to keep it from getting frumpy when wet, but it also makes it feel less comfortable next-to-skin. That lining does allow me to easily slip the jacket over a variety of lightweight layers, so that’s a bonus. Still, I’d prefer a softer fabric liner.

The mini cuffs are an interesting design choice and remind me of my soccer jackets in the 1980’s — with added sophistication. These buttery-soft mini cuffs are super-comfortable overall, but aren’t quite wide enough to offer a slam-dunk interface with gloves. It’s not a dealbreaker and even an extra 5mm would make everything go unmentioned. Dual hem toggles are nice for keeping out drafts, but I could see just offering a single-sided toggle could be sufficient. As it is, the adjustments are unobtrusive and make it easy to seal out drafts.

As you can imagine, this hybrid jacket is built to be versatile. I can wear it as an outer or mid-layer depending on the temperatures and activity choice. Initial testing was done on a 20-degree morning trail run. The trails were mostly snow-free, but there was plenty of the white stuff around. The Polartec Power Grid side panels immediately offer both stretch and breathability. Every stride was comfortable and the jacket never felt constricting. As long as I was running, I was warm with the combination of Polartec/Primaloft to help control airflow and warmth.

At the end of that cold, morning run, I did notice some saturation in the back panel and added warmth on the top of the shoulders. Since it’s not a running-specific jacket, I didn’t expect it to perform perfectly, but I was impressed as the miles added up and found it to be a good cold-weather trail running option. Primaloft Gold Insulation Active+ is made as an active insulator (as the name suggests). It absolutely kicks butt over any natural insulation for active pursuits. But, I’ve found it to be less performant than the 3DeFX Insulation found on the Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie — which has become my go-to winter trail running jacket.

Once I ventured into warmer temperatures, things changed. Primarily, breathability was pushed to its limits. Even though Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation is excellent, I felt added warmth around the shoulders and back. And, the front panel started getting saturated. Usually, I can unzip the jacket and get added airflow, but the collar doesn’t open up wide when unzipped, so it didn’t have as much effect as I would have liked. I did stay warm and the Infima does breathe well, it’s just not as adept as a winter trail running jacket as I would have liked. I’d stick to hiking or slower-paced trail running to keep the jacket from getting overwhelmed.

I usually choose to wear items several times between washing. After a single run, the Infima Jacket would be rendered stinky enough not to wear it around much. I would definitely run in it again, but pulling it on to walk the dog or run to the store in the evening wasn’t ever an option — unless it was fresh out of the wash.

I usually prefer hooded jackets, but going with a standard collar does make for a better mid-layer. The height and diameter of the collar is just right. And, those zipper pulls make it easy to zip/unzip. I think the collar could use a softer, micro-brushed lining to make it feel more cozy. This is especially apparent after slipping my hands into the front pockets that do feature a brushed lining. My hands are always eager to dive into those pockets when walking the dog at night or before/after a cold morning run. I dig the hidden zipper design and the easily-grabbed zipper pulls. I would suggest offering a similar lining on the inside of the collar as the brushed fabric inside the pockets for added comfort.

Construction quality is superb — with tight seams and a modern design. No question, Inselberg is aiming for Arc’teryx and their overall fabric quality is definitely comparable. Going with brand-name fleece and insulation is helpful for brand recognition and market validation, but it does add to the price. That said, at $220, the Infima Jacket feels about right.

Fit: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs., wearing the size medium.

Buy Now: Visit Inselberg.com