Berghaus Paclite Peak £190

At 355g for a men’s small, this is the heaviest jacket here. For gram-counting ‘ultra-lighters’ that’ll be a deal-breaker. For others it will be a positive – a reassuring sign that the fabric is thick and sturdy enough for some real mountain weather. The Paclite Peak could, therefore, be seen as a halfway house between a fullyfledged winter waterproof and a super-thin summer one.

The cut is rather traditional and roomy (with space for layering underneath), while the features are similarly classic: adjustable hood, dropped tail, Velcro cuffs, hem drawcord, two hand pockets and one internal zippered pocket. Large pit zips under each armpit provide good ventilation – a nice feature that lighter jackets often omit – and the YKK front zip has a robust stormflap and zipper garage at the collar. The Paclite Peak utilises Gore-Tex’s Paclite fabric (not Paclite Plus), with a 28,000mm HH rating.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY...

For some the fit will be too baggy (the fabric had a tendency to bunch up in folds for me, particularly at the arms), so it’s best to try before you buy. The fabric is noisy and feels a little plasticky, and the overall construction is a tad heavy.

■ MEN’S SIZES XS-XXXL

■ WOMEN’S SIZES n/a

■ WEIGHT 355g (men’s small)

Verdict

A well-priced, reliable waterproof with great credentials – but it’s a tad heavy and not the comfiest.

“Sturdy enough for some real mountain weather”