Kirsty Pallas find the Berghaus Ridge Seeker durable – but with one major downside.
This jacket from Berghaus is about as classic a jacket you can get. The Gore-Tex 3L fabric feels tough and durable, meaning the Berghaus Ridge Seeker feels ready to take a bit of a battering in winter.
Kirsty Pallas’ verdict
Overall, it’s a solid jacket with good features that are almost ideal but just need a little tweak to make it a great jacket.- durability
- roomy fit
- pocket placement
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £350 |
| Weight: 440g (size 10) |
| Materials: Goretex 3L 100% polyester with ePE membrane |
| Hood: Wired peak with volume adjusters at back and sides |
| Front Closure: 2 way waterproof zip with internal storm flap |
| Underarm/Side Zips: 2 way pit zips |
| Pockets: 2 hand pockets, 1 external chest and 1 internal chest |
| Hem: Drawcord adjustment |
| Cuffs: Velcro |
| Sizes: 8 – 20 |
| Men’s version: Yes |
| berghaus.com |
There’s a good selection of pockets with the hand pockets just big enough to fit a map, and both the internal and external chest pockets a good option for a phone. The hand pockets do sit lower than I’d like, and so get in the way of a rucksack or harness waist belt, which limits what I put in them.
There are long pit zips, good if you know you get hot and need ventilation, but I did find the zip pulls would catch on each other a bit as I walked. The hood is also big and accommodates a helmet, but can also easily be adjusted to reduce the volume.
I did find all of the little adjusters and zip pulls quite fiddly with big winter gloves on, so they need a bit of practice and good dexterity!
The major drawback for me is the fit – it felt very big for me. The sleeves are long and wide right the way down, and the hem flares out, which catches the wind if it’s not tightened up. It wouldn’t be my first choice for climbing or mountaineering where I want a snug fit and be able to see down to my feet easily.
The advantage of large cuffs is that there’s absolutely no problem getting bulky winter gloves tucked in, but they’re so big that I can’t quite cinch them down tight enough without gloves, there’s just not enough Velcro.
Overall, it’s a solid jacket, with good features that are almost ideal but just need a little tweak to make it a great jacket.
Testing Conditions
These jackets were all tested through Autumn and early winter in Scotland while hillwalking, biking and mountaineering in a mix of rain, snow and even some sunshine. Kirsty is a short size 8-10 and was aiming to get several layers under each jacket. All weights are taken from Kirsty’s own scales.
This review was first published in the April 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.
