Black Diamond Highline Stretch Shell £270

This jacket has a trophy cabinet full of gongs thanks to its “revolutionary” PFC and water-free DWR coating that delivers “superior and longerlasting performance”. How? The chemistry is somewhat bamboozling, but basically this eco-friendly DWR (known as GTT Breathable Water Protection Technology) is “hyper-fused” to individual fibres, rather than being sprayed onto the surface. This means there is more DWR in the actual fabric, so it won’t wash out or rub off as quickly as conventional DWR treatments (as you see when jackets stop beading rain). The result is a longer-lasting DWR that never requires re-application.

More time is needed to fully judge this long-term durability, but our initial tests were positive with excellent beading. Everything else with this jacket feels premium: the drop tail for full bum coverage, excellent adjustable hood, slim-line cuff tabs, humongous pit zips, 3-layer construction with comfy stretchiness, and fully taped seams. The membrane is Black Diamond’s in-house BD.dry fabric with a 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY...

It’s rather pricey, at £80 more expensive than the Berghaus and Montane offerings. The dropped tail over the backside won’t appeal to those who prefer a jacket cut at the waist, and the weight is higher than other ultra-light jackets.

■ MEN’S SIZES XS-XL

■ WOMEN’S SIZES XS-XL

■ WEIGHT 335g (men’s small)

Verdict

A premium jacket with good features and reliable performance – but it’s not the cheapest or lightest.

“Premium and award-winning features”