Salewa Puez 2 Powertex 3L £225

IT'S GOOD

What sets this jacket apart from many others is how it manages to couple the low weight with all the core features a hillwalker needs. It is made from a 3-layer laminate like others here, but has a thinner construction so is more supple and lighter. There are two good chest pockets like other jackets too, and these are easily accessed above a rucksack belt and provide ample room for an OS map. The hood has a wired peak and a pleasingly close fit. It moves with the head better than most too. The body is not the shortest either, so you get a little more protection around the bottom and groin than some jackets here offer.

HOWEVER

This Salewa jacket unfortunately doesn’t have a few of the ‘nice to have’ details. Firstly the sleeve movement is not quite the best, so the cuffs tend to ride up a little more than those on the higher-priced jackets. Also there is no third external chest pocket. The thinner material feels a little colder too, as it tends to compress a little more than stiffer fabrics, meaning this jacket is not the best for winter walks. The fabric is probably going to be slightly less durable than a heavier jacket, but that should only concern the hardest of users, as for most walkers this is easily durable enough. There is no women’s version either.

VERDICT

A superb hillwalking jacket if you want something slightly lighter and don’t need the best sleeve movement or a third external chest pocket.