Okay, not everyone will like the smock style of the Hymir, mainly because it’s more hassle to get on and off than a regular jacket, but if smocks are your thing you’ll love it.
Build quality is great, but that doesn’t mean the Hymir is heavy or bulky – quite the opposite, in fact, since it’s made from three-layer Polartec Neoshell fabric, which is the lightest Polartec fabric available.
As well as being light the Hymir is also breathable, waterproof, windproof and very packable – it comes with its own zippered stuff sac (with carabiner loop) that is no bigger than a paperback book.
The helmet-compatible hood works brilliantly, giving great protection and vision thanks to the mix of wire stiffened brim, mouldable peak and easy adjustability. Below this is a half-length YKK Aquagard water-repellent zip which allows decent venting when unzipped.
Clearly this won’t be as good as a full-length zip in terms of ventilation, but it does help keep the weight down, which is a primary consideration in the Hymir’s design. Pit zips would have aided with ventilation too, but also increase the weight.
There’s one large, harness-compatible zippered chest pocket which will comfortably and conveniently hold an OS map, Velcro-adjustable cuffs and a drawcord- adjustable drop rear hem, and all-in-all this was our favourite shell and one that anybody considering buying a smock should take a look at.
