Arc’teryx Agrium Hoody

£360 360g (M) very warm, top-quality down, lightweight, eco credentials

expensive, not hydrophobic Shell: Arato nylon Insulation: 116g of RDS-certified 850 fill power European goose down, bluesignapproved 45% recycled polyester insulation Sizes: men XS-XXL, women XS-XL arcteryx.com/gb/en

As lightweight down jackets go, this is extremely warm. Partly that’s due to the down’s high quality, but also because the fit is very good, and the hood is seriously snuggly – although it isn’t big enough to go over multiple hats and balaclavas. Recycled polyester insulation is used in areas prone to moisture. This process is called Down Composite Mapping. I haven’t noticed this making any difference, but as the down used is not hydrophobic, this can’t hurt.

This jacket has strong environmental credentials. The down RDS-certified and the synthetic insulation is 45% recycled (and bluesign-approved), and the shell is coloured with a process said to use minimal resources. The jacket is also manufactured at a Fair-Trade Certified facility.

As with others here, cuffs and hem are elasticated, with an adjustable drawcord on the latter. It’s a warm and packable jacket at a light weight, but sizing is snug. Combined with the form-fitting hood, this makes it more suitable as a warm layer for use around camp, or for carrying just in case, rather than a chuck-it-overeverything jacket for winter days out.

The cost is also very high and the down, while top quality, is not hydrophobic.