SNUGPAK

Impact

RRP £25 Target Price £19.50 Of all the fleeces you’ll read about in these reviews, you get the biggest bang for your buck with Snugpak’s aptly named Impact – 344g (in a medium) of it for £25 (less if you shop around). The Impact keeps thing simple. Thick and unfussy, it’s a mid-layer made for trapping body heat on winter hikes – a function it performed brilliantly during the icy embrace of the ‘Beast from the East’. Loose fitting yet wonderfully toasty, it also wicks sweat, which is a vital trait in cold conditions, because moisture trapped next to the skin saps body heat. It also felt very durable, with an anti-pilling finish to counteract abrasion. A snug, neck hugging collar (mercifully free from scratchy labels) helped lock in the warmth, and when I did feel like I was starting to overheat on uphill slogs, I could simply unzip its half-length zip to quickly vent excess body heat. You don’t get a hood or any pockets, and unfortunately (being a unisex garment) it doesn’t come in a version tailored to women’s figures. But if these downsides don’t bother you, the Impact will prove itself to be an excellent investment. PT