Arc’teryx Atom LT Vest £120

Used by slightly-behind-the-curve deputy editor, Jenna Maryniak Used for 5 months

The gilet was always a bit of a mystery to me, first there was the pronunciation (jeee-leh… gill-let, gee-let… aargh!), and second, I had never even considered it as part of my layering system. And then, on a very cold day on The Old Man of Coniston, my colleague lent me her Arc’teryx Atom LT Vest. Well, let’s just say, it’s now on permanent loan. As an extra layer in your rucksack, it’s ideal – it doesn’t take up much space and keeps you warm in all the important places with its Coreloft insulation. It’s also great for warmer days when it gets a bit chilly higher up. It’s super-light,

comfy, has a water- and wind-resistant shell, stretchy and breathable side panels – plus three good-sized pockets. There’s a men’s (S-XXL) and a women’s (XS-XL) version, in a range of colours. £120 may seem a lot for a jacket that’s had the sleeves removed, but the features of the Atom and its multi-functional use make me wonder why it’s taken this long for me to discover the gilet. A snuggly extra layer that’s ideal for hillwalking all year round.