INSULATED JACKETS
Whether down or synthetic, a quality insulated jacket is an absolute necessity in cold mountain conditions – and can be a reliable source of comfort on hill walks
Columbia Powder Lite £80 If warmth is your priority more than technical features, this synthetic jacket offers great value for money. It’s made with Omni Heat Reflective material to ‘bounce’ heat back to you, keeping you warm in winter conditions. The low price does mean you sacrifice some key features, however; it’s not a particularly close fit, access to the pockets is obscured by a hipbelt and there’s no hood, though there is a £90 hooded version of this jacket.
Weight: 631g (size men’s L) Sizes: S-XXL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s) great warmth; very reasonably priced a tad heavy; no hood; pocket access isn’t great Trail tested Oct16 3.8/5 Trail Approved Sub Zero Hooded Unisex Down Smock £170 Sub Zero has listened closely to feedback for the redesign of its down jackets, with this new range featuring three new pockets. That tkes the total to five; three external and two internal. The ethically-sourced down-filling in this smock rates at 750+ fill power, but the jacket remains lightweight at 435g. The the hood features multiple drawstrings to ensure a perfect fit.
Weight: 435g (size M) Sizes: XS-XXL (unisex) + fantastic array of pockets; good warmth; good price - smock design makes layering and unlayering more time-consuming
MarmotAstrum£190
A unique synthetic fabric is used in the Astrum that makes it incredibly warm; its stretch material captures the pockets of air that sit close to the body and heat up. This helps to keep the weight down. Two good sized chest pockets, a well-fitting hood and intelligentlydesigned fabrics sweeten the deal here, as the Astrum isn’t cheap.
Weight: 488g (size men’s M) Sizes: S-XL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s) stretch insulation is a revelation on this very clever jacket expensive ; no adjustment on the cuffs Trail tested Oct16 4.6/5 Trail Approved ParamoTorres Alturo Jacket £170 The key difference in this synthetic jacket is that it’s designed to go over the top of a waterproof jacket, not underneath it – this makes it a great practical option out on the hills where windchill can make layering-up an unattractive decision. Although heavy, this is a seriously warm jacket that’s only really suitable for cold winter months. Two large pockets for storing maps or warming hands are a great addition.
Weight: 652g (size men’s M) Sizes: XS-XXL (men’s); XS-XL (women’s) very warm jacket that’s a practical option in harsh winter conditions quite heavy; hood movement isn’t perfect Trail tested Oct16 4.4/5 Haglöfs Bivvy Down Hooded£220 HaglÖfs uses a Pertex Classic Eco shell that is Bluesign-approved for this down jacket, giving it environmentally-friendly credentials. A wide size range will help you find a fit that is perfect; the cuffs are elasticated without Velcro tab adjusters, so that may affect some. It provides a decent level of insulation and has some resistance to water but you’ll need a waterproof hard shell for anything more than a light shower.
Weight: 581g (size men’s M) Sizes: XS-XL (men’s); XXS-XXL (women’s) a good all-round hill-goers’ jacket that performs no cuff adjustments; rather heavy; not as warm as other options Trail tested Feb17 4.0/5 Trail Approved
Jack Wolfskin Helium£130
A well-featured down jacket which comes in a huge range of sizes, increasing your chances of getting one that fits you properly! Men’s and women’s versions are also available. 700 fill 90/10 duck down insulation, a respectable weight and solid environmental credentials – it’s 100% PFC free – make this an affordable down jacket that delivers on performance just fine. You get two hip pockets, one of which the jacket packs down into.
Weight 444g (size men’s L) Sizes S-XXXL (men’s) XS-XXL (women’s) price; weight; packability hood and cuffs don’t adjust; not the warmest Trail tested Feb17 3.4/5
Criterion Activity £185
This is by no means the warmest jacket available, but it is exceptionally lightweight and comfortable – perfect for stashing in a pack for general winter walking or camping. The hood is fantastic, featuring a single rear cord pulling it closer to the head, ensuring it moves well and fits closely. A lack of hem or cuff adjustment is disappointing, and the Activity does lack some features found in other, more durable models.
Weight: 337g (size L) Sizes: S-XL (men’s) remarkably lightweight; a good down jacket for less than £200 warmer alternatives are available; it’s not the most water-resistant Trail tested Feb17 4.0/5 Trail Approved PHD Minimus Down Jacket K Series £299 If you’re interested in minimalist climbing or hiking, this down jacket offers a great warmth-to-weight ratio. It’s only 363g and packs 1000-fill power down. The outer is a thin 10-denier water-resistant fabric to reduce weight; although this is effective, it creates an annoying rustling sound as you move. Nor is the hood perfect – even when fully fastened, it doesn’t move with your head. A practical buy for warmth, but not the ideal article for all.
Weight: 363g (size L) Sizes: XS-XL (men’s) elasticated side panels; a very lightweight outer an annoying hood; the material rustles as you move Trail tested Feb17 3.4/5 Fjällräven Abisko Padded Pullover £160 This is more suited to tamer conditions, or used as an insulating mid-layer in winter. Its high collar and large zipped kangaroo pocket are great features to retain warmth, but it’s just a tad too light to be worn alone when the mercury drops. It folds up into its own pocket to transform into a pillow.
Weight: 310g (size men’s M) Sizes: XS-XXL (men’s); XXS-XL (women’s) extremely lightweight and comfortable; stylish. lacks a hood; not great insulation for its price tag Trail tested No, new
BerghausRamche 2.0 £350
That price tag might be the first thing to catch your attention but it’s by no means the only outstanding feature this down jacket offers. Berghaus’ 850+ fill power 90/10 Nikwax Hydrodown retains performance when damp compared to regular down, and it’s lighter. It’s a comfortable fit with enough warmth to make a difference on chilly evenings – you won’t struggle to pack it into a pocket either. The Extrem Microdown features the same technology and is available for £190 in a women’s version.
Weight: 464g (size L) Sizes: XS-XL (men’s) great warmth, a helmet-compatible hood; very lightweight the price may leave you feeling a bit cold Trail tested Feb17 4.2/5 Trail Approved