OUR TESTERS
Country Walking always tests products for both men and women. Our reviewers Nick Hallissey (NH) and Rachel Broomhead (RB) have notched up thousands of miles on foot, so they know the value of good kit at the right price. This test took them to Thetford Forest, Northumberland, the Brecon Beacons and the hills of Somerset.
N SOME WAYS, ‘mid layer’ is a terrible description for what we’re looking at here. This test is all about soft shells and fleeces, and there will be many days when these remarkably adaptable jackets and pullovers will be all the outer layer you need. The only reason we don’t tend to call them outer layers is that they are usually a) less waterproof than a waterproof, and b) less insulating than an insulated jacket. So the idea is, these are the layers you can wear
your next-to-skin baselayer and your thick or waterproof outer. Thus they end up being called ‘mid layers’ – that perfect sandwich filling of warmth and windproofing (and very often, water-repellency) that makes the whole layering system work beautifully. They are generally the most adaptable and versatile garments in the entire outdoor kingdom, and often the cosiest too. So although it’s technically accurate, the phrase ‘mid layers’ does them a bit of a disservice. But what else should we call them? We could have tried headlining this review as ‘Extremely Clever Jackets and Pullovers That Do Pretty Much Everything’, but that wouldn’t fit the space. So hey ho, let’s get on with it. Whatever you want to call them, these jackety-coatyjumpery things will make a huge difference to your walking comfort.
ICOUNTRY WALKING
About our reviews
We’ve chosen 14 jackets which should be widely available in stores and online as this issue goes on sale. Most are available in men’s and women’s versions (denoted by these dots ). We rate each jacket for comfort, versatility, features and value for money.
We don’t pick an overall ‘winner’ as no single option will suit every walker, but both Nick and Rachel have picked a personal favourite, and one that offers the best value for money.
Shop around and you’ll probably find the gear we review on sale for less than the RRP. Our are the lowest prices we could find from reputable retailers (high street and online) at the time of going to press.