Salewa Agner Durastretch £150
On first impressions this jacket appears rather simplistic, with a minimalist style and only basic features. But, out on the hill, it transforms into a real gem – super-comfy, ultra-stretchy, wind-resistant, water-resistant, and with an athletic cut ideal for agile movement in the mountains.
Made from a reasonably tough, recycled Durastretch fabric – a stretch-woven soft shell fabric with additional elastane – this jacket delivers decent breathability, copes fine in light showers (courtesy of the PFC-free DWR finish), and provides a touch of warmth (but it’s certainly not designed to maximise warmth).
Features include a wellshaped hood, integrated collar, elasticated wrist cuffs, waist hem adjustment, patch pocket on the right sleeve, and two map-sized zippered hand pockets, which are positioned high to enable access while wearing a hipbelt.
But the real USP is the stretchy fabric, which delivers first-rate freedom of movement and holds its shape well (the waist hem doesn’t lift, for example) during dynamic mountain antics.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
The hood isn’t adjustable and doesn’t have a wired peak, and there’s no Velcro closure on the wrist cuffs. The athletic fit won’t suit all body shapes and it’s not the warmest option. Overall the design is tailored towards scramblers and climbers, rather than hillwalkers.
■ MEN’S SIZES S-XXL
■ WOMEN’S SIZES 6-14
■ WEIGHT 437g (men’s medium)
Verdict
A super-stretchy soft shell with an athletic cut and minimalist design – but it won’t suit everyone.