WINDPROOF JACKETS

The best lightweight jackets – from warm and cosy softshells to minimalist windshirts and windcheaters – that keep the worst weather at bay

We test softshells and windcheaters to find the best lightweight jackets.

Arc’teryx Gamma SL Hoody, £140, arcteryx.com

At 278g (men’s large), the Gamma SL (superlight) hoody is available in men’s and women’s versions and feels minimalist while you’re wearing it, but punches well above its weight when the elements get feisty. The double-weave main material is breathable, reliably windproof and impressively water-resistant

– it kept us dry even during persistent rain showers, with droplets running off the surface without being absorbed. It features four-way stretch and moves with you. The hood, which fits over climbing helmets, has a peak for extra protection and can be adjusted with a toggle at the back of the head. The whole garment can be rolled up into the hood and fastened with the toggle. Elasticated cuffs, an adjustable hem, high neck protection and the stormhood keep out wind and rain. There are two generous hand pockets with zips but no chest pocket. The main zip is small and looks fairly fragile but, overall, this is a lovely jacket.

VERDICT: Ultra-light, extremely functional, with good looks and all the right technical features. 9/10

Montane Men’s Dyno LT Jacket

£120, montane.com

Weighing in at 585g, the British-designed Dyno delivers protection and performance. Montane describes it as close fitting, but we found it fairly generous (the large felt like an XL). With reassuringly chunky zips on the hand and chest pockets, this jacket is built to last, not to be lightweight. The handsome softshell jacket protects against light showers and can be rolled up into the helmet-compatible peaked hood.

VERDICT: Good-looking, dynamic and robust, this should last for years. 8/10

Forclaz Trek 900 Windwarm mountain-trekking softshell

£64.99, decathlon.co.uk

Designed and tested in Mont Blanc valley, this impressive and affordable jacket is one of the warmer softshells on test, with a fleece lining made with 100% recycled material and a wind-blocking outer. High-venting material at the back lets heat escape, but it’s only mildly water repellent. It weighs 490g (men’s large), with zipped pockets, and rolls into its own hood.

VERDICT: A highly featured windproof jacket with an excellent price tag. 8/10

Berghaus Corbeck (men’s) and Skerray (women’s) Wind Smocks

£75 (Corbeck)/£70 (Skerray), berghaus.com Extremely lightweight (172g men’s large), this smock can be scrunched into its own pocket, so is perfect as a just-in-case jacket to take on a trail adventure. The minimalist design is purely concerned with protecting you from wind and drizzle; there’s no thermal lining and just one large chest pocket. The newer version has an air vent at the back to improve airflow.

VERDICT: No bells and whistles, just lightweight windproof protection. 6/10

Salewa Puez 2 (men’s) and Sorapis (women’s) Durastretch Hooded Jackets

£120 (Puez 2)/£125 (Sorapis), salewa.com Made in the Italian mountains and weighing just 287g (men’s large), this lightweight wind- and water-repellent sport jacket has sensational stretch, clinging closely. The Puez 2 has only twin chest pockets; the Sorapis only side pockets. The elasticated hood works well with a helmet.

VERDICT: A high-performing pair of lightweight alpine softshells. 8/10

Páramo’s Ostro (men’s) and Alize (women’s) Windproof Jackets

£100, paramo-clothing.com

Páramo is always innovative and different, and so it is with its Ostro and Alize windproof jackets. The side pockets are actually open vents with a little pouch for storage. Offering protection against light rain, this lightweight jacket (169g in a men’s large) can be stashed into a side pocket, but there’s no zip. The neck is so high that you can’t put the peaked hood up or down when it’s fully extended.

VERDICT: A utilitarian windcheater aimed at hikers, bikers and runners. 7/10

Fjällräven High Coast Lite Jacket

£160 (men’s), £165 (women’s), fjallraven.com Made in Sweden from 100% recycled polyester, this super-lightweight (184g in a men’s large) wind-cheating jacket is thin and breathable, warding off wind and light rain, and drying quickly. An adjustable hood can be zipped away into a pocket on the collar. As well as hand pockets, a large chest pocket doubles as a stuff sack for the jacket (only on the men’s version).

VERDICT: Tidy, lightweight, eco-friendly jacket; pricey but performs well. 8/10

Keela Hydron Softshell Jacket

£150, keelaoutdoors.com

Born in the chillier corners of Britain, this softshell jacket in men’s and women’s versions tips the scales at 650g (men’s large). Sporting a peaked hood, four pockets and seven chunky zips, this coat for colder days has excellent thermal performance and it is the only jacket on test to feature pit zip-vents, which are a quick, effective way of dumping excess heat.

VERDICT: A three-season-plus windproof warrior that will keep you warm in all but the worst weather. 7/10

Rab Borealis £75, rab.equipment/uk

The Borealis has been created by climbers for climbers. The two zipped pockets are on the chest, to be accessible when you have a harness on, and the hood is low profile, to sit easily beneath helmets. That said, you don’t have to be a climber to love this wind- and water-resistant jacket. It’s beautiful, affordable, breathable, lightweight (308g men’s large) and it performs superbly.

VERDICT: A brilliant and well-priced wind-cheating jacket for climbers and general outdoor adventurers alike. 9/10

Alpkit Resolute Jacket

£89.99, alpkit.com

As the name suggests, the Resolute won’t shrink in the face of hard conditions, with a tough interior, robust materials, solid design and water-repellent coating to keep you warm and relatively dry. There is some stretch, though less than other jackets on test. The adjustable peaked hood fits over a climbing helmet, while an inside fourth pocket can stash a phone. At 625g (men’s large), the jacket has heft. Sizing is generous.

VERDICT: A hardworking, impressively priced softshell for all seasons. 7/10