Expert Review: Flylow Men's Malone Shell Jacket
All photos courtesy of Raphael Alland
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the jacket, which I purchased with my own money in June of 2021.
My Take
The Flylow Malone Jacket is a great option for someone who wants a shell jacket that is both comfortable to wear and technical. I wouldn’t guess that this jacket is 20k/20k rated while feeling so buttery soft.
Breckenridge
About the jacket I own
- Model: 2021 Flylow Malone Jacket
- Size: Large
- Fit: True-to-size
About me
- Height: 6’0”
- Weight: 185lbs
- Experience: Five years of skiing and snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought this: June 2021
- Days tested: 30+
- Where I’ve used it: Colorado and California
- Conditions I’ve used it in: Fall/winter/spring, sunny and blizzards
How it performs
What I was looking for
I wanted to retire my Flylow Knight jacket to upgrade to a jacket that was 20k/20k (the Knight jacket is 10k/10k). I was really happy with Flylow’s products and preferred the function of a shell, so I knew I would get a better shell jacket from Flylow.
Beaver Creek
Why I chose this gear
Flylow sells two 20k/20k shell options targeted for the resort: Malone and Quantum Pro. Since I ski 70+ days each season, I decided to purchase both at the same time. The Malone was a year newer than the Quantum Pro. Because I’m between sizes, I chose the Malone in a Large and the Quantum Pro in an XL in order to compare the fit.
Winter Park
What I love about it
- Quality of Materials: The Malone jacket stands out for its comfort. The recycled material for this shell is super soft and supple.
- Breathability: The 20k/20k fabric of this shell is very breathable. It also has armpit vents for those extra warm days.
- Weight: This jacket is very lightweight when compared to the Quantum Pro. This allows the hood to sit better on the shoulders when not in use.
- Other: If one is environmentally conscious, this shell is made from 100% recycled materials.
- Style: This jacket looks more like a traditional ski jacket and is shorter than other options. If one wants to use it for snowboarding, I would opt for the Quantum Pro instead.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Fit: As someone who is between sizes, sizing down was a mistake. I would recommend sizing up. I found it too constricting when adding multiple layers. If I'm giving up insulation in a jacket, I need to be able to add down underneath, and I can’t in this size.
- Durability: I did manage to stain this jacket in its first season of use. I tried handwashing it and using a washing machine (following product care instructions) and was unable to lift the stain. It seems to be more porous.
- Pockets: This jacket has less pockets than the Quantum Pro.
- Warmth: This jacket is less warm than my other Flylow jacket. Although it would be good for uphilling or backcountry use, it didn’t keep me as warm on the chairlifts.
Copper
Favorite moment with this gear
I had this jacket on for a surprise powder day in April at Copper. It was closing weekend, but it sure didn’t feel like it! There were no lines and lots of smiles.
Value for the money vs. other options
Every product Flylow makes is worth the price they advertise. I would say that both the Malone and Quantum Pro are appropriately priced and were worth my purchase. If I did have to choose one over the other, I would pick the Quantum Pro due to its increased durability and resistance to harsh weather.
Final verdict
Overall, one can’t go wrong with Flylow. It is a 20k/20k shell jacket that is comfortable and eco-conscious; the Malone jacket is a perfect option.
Flylow Men's Malone Shell Jacket
- We price match
