Columbia Women’s Explorer’s Edge Waterproof Insulated Jacket

(£200, columbiasportswear.co.uk)

What the brand says: Designed for adventure and the great outdoors, this jacket is waterproof and fully seam-sealed whilst still breathable with vented underarms, so you stay dry all day. Combining maximum warmth with minimum weight, the 80g insulation combines with advanced thermal reflective lining to keep you warm on the move without heavy layers. Available in three colours, it also has adjustable cuffs, a comfortable chin guard, a drop tail and zipped hand and chest pockets.

What Katy says: ‘This could easily have sat in the thick jackets category as the innovative technology inside gives it a warmth much like a padded down jacket. The shiny gold lining covered with a black, tiny circle pattern looks super cool and spaceage, and reminds me of the emergency silver ponchos they put on people after an accident to keep them insulated.

And it’s this black and gold fabric that’s responsible for the insulation level, despite the jacket’s lightweight feel – it feels a similar weight, if not lighter, than the Regatta Birchdale (shown opposite), when holding one in each hand. The sleeves are a winner for multiple reasons: zipped underarm vents mean you can quickly cool off if needed without removing the jacket; the gold lining goes all the way down to the cuffs and joins onto stretch-fabric thumb loops, thereby keeping wrists completely warm and dry; Velcro straps also mean you can gather in the cuffs when it’s pouring down.

‘The hood offers good protection, although I’m not a fan of back-adjustment loops; if you need to adjust mid-walk, it’s hard to see/feel what you’re doing – I have to take off the coat to do so. The two side pockets are comfy, and there’s a handy chest pocket. I just would have loved for this coat to have been longer (see intro) as then it would be near perfect for me.’

Fit: ★★★★★ Functionality: ★★★★★ Style ★★★★★