USED AND ABUSED

Berghaus Extrem 7000 Hoody £130 (men’s and women’s available) Used by all-weather walker and deputy editor, Jenna Maryniak Used for 2 months

I really didn’t think there was much to talk about when it came to mid-layer fleeces… but this versatile Berghaus hoody is full of features that make it stand out from the rest.

First, it is firmly on the cool-not-geeky side of technical clothing and looks great. The versatility of this mid-layer is in its multifunctional hood. The in-built neck warmer can be stowed around the back of the neck when not in use; pulled over the head and around the neck when required; or pulled up over the nose like a balaclava.

I usually find a hood gets in the way on a mid-layer when it rains, but you can barely feel this one when stowed, and it’s close-fitting so it can be worn under a helmet or another hood.

The body is made of two different thicknesses of Polartec Power Grid fleece, which is super lightweight, and the thicker parts do a great job of keeping you warm where you need it most. It works brilliantly under a shell, thanks to the fitted design.

The cut is a little longer in the body than normal and, if anything, the fit is a little too snug around my hips, but thanks to the fact the material is stretchy, it’s not a deal breaker. It also has nice long sleeves which have thumb holes. Already this fleece has made its way into most areas of my life and has attracted a lot of envious comments. I can see it will become a regular on my kit list for mountain walking all year around.