OEX Tirran Waterproof Jacket In-Depth Review

The OEX Tirran is hailed as a high-end mountain waterproof at a mid-range price. But is the acclaim for OEX’s latest jacket justified? Adventurer, climber and outdoor photographer Mark Pickersgill (@theyorkshirewanderer) went to find out for himself by testing it on a rainy hike up the Old Man of Coniston. Here’s the rundown.

Does the OEX Tirran have good waterproof performance?

The Tirran is a 3-layer mountain jacket designed to keep you dry when you’re far from shelter. The waterproof membrane is sandwiched between two protective layers which maximises durability and waterproof longevity. If you’re a numbers person, then you’ll be pleased to hear that it has an impressive Hydrostatic Head rating of 20,000mm. Coupled with YKK AquaGuard® waterproof zips to keep you bone dry whatever the weather.

Mark: “The most important aspect of a shell jacket is its ability to keep you dry, this does that with ease. When I was caught in a rain shower water just beaded up and ran off keeping me dry underneath. Not only does this act as a waterproof barrier but also reduces the impact of cold weather.”

How does the OEX Tirran fit?

The jacket has a ‘mountain athletic fit’. That means it’s going to give you freedom of movement to manoeuvre through scrambling sections while having enough room to layer up on cold days. It has articulated sleeves that maintain full coverage as you move and stretch and a fully adjustable helmet-friendly hood.

Mark: “The OEX Tirran fits like a top-end jacket with articulated sleeves, pit zips and a hood to accommodate a helmet with adjustments. It’s perfect for a varied range of activities, whether that be hiking or climbing.”

Is the OEX Tirran Jacket comfortable?

The true test of a mountain waterproof isn’t just whether it can keep you dry on your way to the trig point. It’s whether it can keep you comfortable enough so that you don’t overheat as you exert yourself. The irony is that some jackets will block out rain but cause you to sweat excessively from within. Not the Tirran. 20,000 g/m2/24hrs might look like something off Einstein’s whiteboard, but what it means is that the fabric of this jacket is exceptionally breathable. And when you’re really pushing yourself to your limits, the pit zips are on hand to add extra ventilation.

Mark: “Layers are so important on the mountain. With its 3-layer ripstop fabric being waterproof and windproof it helps your layering system work to its optimum. For added ventilation, it has pit zips for that dump of heat at key points.”

What pockets does the OEX Tirran Jacket have?

The pockets on the Tirran Jacket are laser-cut and bonded, removing the risk of stitching coming loose. There are two chest pockets big enough for a map, a soft internal pocket to protect your valuables and two tucked-away hand pockets that are raised so they can be accessed when wearing a harness or hip belt.

Mark: “Easy access pockets allow for fast movement and a place to store essentials where you need them, keeping them dry with the waterproof zips. Pockets large enough to store a map and compass aided navigation, and a soft fleece-lined pocket was a welcome surprise for phone storage for that added bit of protection.”

Is the OEX Tirran Jacket packable?

On those days when the weather just can’t make its mind up, a jacket that can be packed away without filling your rucksack is important. The Tirran packs down impressively considering its 3-layer construction, but it’s not as compact as other lightweight 2.5-layer options.

Mark: “Being a hard shell, it is not as flexible and packable as a lightweight zip-on jacket but does offer more protection. When I used it on hikes I found it comfortable enough to wear all the time, keeping a dry bag in my rucksack in case I needed to de-layer and pack it up. A simple technique of folding and rolling the jacket will give you a small pack down size keeping more room in your rucksack for other essentials.”

Summary: Should I buy the OEX Tirran Jacket?

If you were to give me a blind test to see what this jacket was worth brand stripped I would have said mid-high-end to rival Mountain Equipment/Arcteryx. Coming in at the price point is honestly a bargain for what you get. If you are looking at hiking and you need a high-performing jacket that doesn’t break the bank then this one is one of the best choices.