Patagonia

Women’s Pluma Jacket

£500 372g (M)

hood, fabric feel/performance, panels/seams, underarm zips

one-way front zip, no soft chinguard

Fabric: Gore-Tex Pro 3L, 100% recycled nylon, 15D Gore Microgrid backer Sizes: XS-XL (men XS-XXL) Performance stats: 28,000mm / N.A Back length: 70cm eu.patagonia.com

I rarely comment on price but £500 is rather a milestone. Yet it has a near-perfect ratio of weight to protection, so this was the jacket I chose for my five-week summer mission in the Hebrides. The brand-new Pluma features Gore-Tex Pro. Panelling is impressive, with minimal seaming, including just one piece of fabric from hem to cuff under each arm. It adds up to comfy movement, with no feeling of restriction. The Pluma is lightweight, but length is generous: well over my backside and thighs. The laminated front zip is one-way, which surprised me given the length, and has no soft lining on the chinguard: an omission that makes a big difference to comfort. Underarm zips lack an extra backing flap, allowing smooth one-handed adjustment.

Everything is neat: cuff tabs are die-cut, and zip pulls and drawcords are discreet, along with welded seams and narrow tape. Side pockets are very slightly low so a hipbelt can interfere with the bottom section; that said, hand access is still possible and most of the pocket can be used. One outer chest pocket has a zipped security pocket on the inside face. The hood is excellent: not wildly big despite being helmet-compatible, and adjustable in every direction. A rear pull tag reduces volume, easy-grab toggles at the chest plus the rear-adjust shockcord under the peak snug it round the face, so the peak retains its protective shape and position. It moves well too with superb peripheral vision. So this is a very good jacket for walkers with deep pockets – comfy, quiet and protective – but the one-way zip and no chin protection are surprising choices at this level.