Alpkit Balance wp | £185
BEST FOR: The enlightened generalist willing to look beyond the big brands.
The fit of the Balance is great, with a dropped hem that covers most of the bum and a trim cut that’s just roomy enough for layering underneath. Movement is unimpeded by the jacket and the wicking knit backer inside is super comfy, adding a touch of luxury to an otherwise utilitarian piece of clothing.
The cuff is tapered to sit over the back of the hand and comes with a neat Velcro closure as well as being elasticated for versatility of fit and comfort.
The waterproof YKK Aquaguard zips are equipped with chunky pullers and run smoothly and snag free. Although there are only the two pockets they’re huge, so you won’t be short of storage space. Typical of other Alpkit gear the pockets are mesh lined so double up as ventilation when you exceed the phenomenal 30,000 MVTR (breathability rating).
Although the jacket only weighs 315g in a medium size it still sports a thick 50d ripstop face material which is as durable as it sounds. The overall build quality is surprisingly good, if anyone still thinks of Alpkit as a low-quality brand just because they’re comparably low cost then we urge you to try out some of their gear.
VERDICT: 10/10
Balance is the perfect name for this jacket and we rarely see kit that strikes it so well. Worth the money.
Fjallraven Raven | £225
BEST FOR: Going seamlessly between wine bars, hiking trails and campfires.
As part of the 50 year anniversary of their Greenland collection, Fjallraven have updated a classic; the Raven jacket. Fjallraven’s own description, “a timeless classic for a life divided equally between nature and civilisation,” is precisely why we rate the Raven so highly for the active traveller.
Firstly the style; everyone likes to look nice on holiday, right? The vintage, almost military style of the Raven can be dressed up or down and is much better suited to alfresco dining than your neon waterproof shell.
But it has the travel practicalities to back this up; stow away hood, endless pockets (very useful in the airport for travel documents and for filling prior to security) and a perfect balance between weight and fit – light enough for warm weather, and roomy enough for layering underneath.
And its outdoor credentials; like all G1000 garments, the weather resistance can be boosted to taste with Greenland Wax, while the rugged durability of the fabric is second-to-none. Those pockets come in handy in the woods too.
VERDICT: 10/10
Fjallraven’s stylish products may not be cheap, but they offer outstanding quality and therefore great value.
Arc’teryx Nodin wind jacket | £130
BEST FOR: Fast and light athletes looking for weight-saving performance.
The Nodin Jacket is instantly recognizable as a fast and light layer out of the box. Weighing in at a feathery 140g, it may weigh next to nothing but it’s certainly no lightweight when it comes to on-the-hill performance.
The Nodin delivers an impressive barrier against the breeze for such a minimalist piece, and the key to this is the Tyono 20 fabric – a 20D nylon material with DWR finish that ensures protection from wind and squally showers.
We tested the jacket as an outer layer on a speedy coastal ridge walk and can confirm that the Nodin really does keep the wind at bay. The weather was temperamental and the Nodin kept us warm and dry in between the showers.
When the clouds cleared, the sun came out, the wind died and we were warm enough to carry on in just a baselayer so it was time to remove the Nodin. The whole process of stopping and storing kit in your pack can be a bit of a faff but not with the Nodin.
It really takes no time at all to remove this jacket and pack it into its own pocket, transforming it from a high-performance weather barrier into a tiny bundle that weighs next to nothing and takes up minimal space in your pack.
VERDICT: 10/10
A high performance, low profile wind jacket that’s designed for hill walking but would suit multiple sports.
Vaude Zebru wp | £310
BEST FOR: Serious mountain users who don’t mind investing in top quality gear.
198g puts this jacket into the highly exotic 'ultralight' category where the price of kit can rise to exorbitant levels, and the £310 of the Zebru isn't exactly bargain basement. As such the Zebru is marketed towards serious mountain users like alpinists and climbers who don't mind spending a bob or two on top end kit. Saying that, there's no reason this jacket can't work well across a multitude of activities, especially if you like to push a punishing pace and aren't afraid of the weather.
The Ceplex Pro waterproof membrane contained within the 3 layers of the jacket is 100% PTFE free, which satisfies our inner eco warriors but performs well too. The 20,000mm hydrostatic head, taped seams and water-resistant zips successfully keep rain at bay and this is all in a quiet, soft and supple package.
The inner has a lovely next to skin feel should you be wearing the jacket in a hot weather downpour with only a t-shirt below, this adds to the overall feeling of comfort.
The two hand warmer pockets are perfectly placed for use with a pack, starting just above the hipbelt and staying well away from the shoulder straps. They're big enough to be map compatible and have water resistant zips which glide smoothly and are snag free.
VERDICT: 9/10
A three-layer jacket that provides rain protection this good at a light weight is a rare thing. Spendy, but worth it.
Sprayway Taku wp | £140
BEST FOR: Put quite simply, this is a great jacket for the Active Traveller.
The Taku uses a 2-layer construction which is generally favoured for urban and travel waterproof clothing, and bears out fantastically well in the Taku, making it feel soft to the touch and quiet when you’re on the move.
The mesh and taffeta lining feels great on the skin and much more like a normal everyday jacket than a highly technical one. We also love the looks of the Taku, the stylish and understated design making it as suited to espressos on a sunny terrace as to hiking in the hills.
Being stylish and comfortable doesn’t mean it falters in the rain though. The Hydro/DRY membrane provides a 20,000mm hydrostatic head and there are water resistant main and hand pocket zips as well as a chest pocket with storm flap.
The hem provides good coverage and split hem drawcords allow you to cinch it in tight in a storm. The cuffs are slightly tapered, and arm length is long providing excellent coverage which extends right over the backs of the hands.
The 480g weight of the jacket makes it suitable for a wide range of uses from hiking to cycling and travelling. Part of this weight can be attributed to a thick and durable 50D ripstop face fabric which should see the jacket through many years of abuse.
VERDICT: 8/10
The waterproof Taku impressed overall with a mix of travel- and active-friendly features for a decent price.
Salomon La Cote Stretch 2.5L | £150
BEST FOR: Hikers and hillwalkers looking for a light, stylish wateproof.
With just the right amount of bells and whistles, the La Cote 2.5’s purpose is to hike in a range of terrain and weather conditions and it has been built to that brief.
At 288g, the La Cote is both light and easily packable (simply roll it into it’s own hood) so it won’t swallow up excessive space in your pack. As a 2.5L waterproof jacket, it provides an effective barrier against the elements but without the same rigidity associated with a traditional hardshell thanks to the super stretchy fabric.
In terms of breathability, we’d give it a 3 out of 5 which will be fine for most hillwalkers venturing into cool, rainy terrain but it may be a touch clammy if you plan on using it as a running jacket or heading to the jungle for a rainforest trek.
Features-wise, the La Cote Stretch 2.5L Jacket is fit for purpose and no more. The hood is adjustable but not helmet compatible (which is just fine because we’re going for a hillwalk, not up the North Face of the Eiger – remember?) We look forward to taking it on lots of memorable but not necessarily super technical adventures this summer.
VERDICT: 9/10
All in all, the La Cote Stretch 2.5L Jacket is a great jacket that knows its limits and the needs of its market.
Finisterre Autan waterproof | £135
BEST FOR: Packing light for the eco-aware minimalist.
257 grams in size medium. Finisterre’s Autan is so minimalist, it demands as few words as possible.
The benefit to travellers is obvious – excess baggage avoidance and tiny pack size. But it also makes for a very unfussy look to ensure you don’t have to look like you’ve just descended from the Eiger when you head out for dinner in the rain. Although the 20,000/20,000 ratings for waterproofing and breathability will satisfy the need for weather protection on the hill as well as on the street.
The minimalism might go too far for some, as the pockets have no zips and the hood will not accommodate a helmet (in fact barely a chunky hat!), but it does have a dropped rear hem and hem adjustment, which are more useful features if we had to choose.
What really makes the Autan stand out is its environmental impact, where it is as minimal as its physical design. The DWR geeks will be aware that C6 DWR (durable water resistant coating – used by pretty much all waterproof makers) has become more common in recent years, as it degrades more readily than the longer-string C8 chemicals. Finisterre have gone a step further and adopted entirely fluorocarbon-free DWR treatments across the range.
VERDICT: 9/10
A highly attractive price point, especially if you’re consious of the carbon footprint of your travels.
