Chris Townsend awarded the Highlander Munro V2 Mountain jacket his Best Value buy in our latest hardshell tests.

The Highlander Munro V2 Mountain Jacket is a fully specified jacket suitable for year-round use at a low cost, making it superb value for money. The hydrostatic head rating of 20,000mm (the height of a column of water that can stand on the fabric before it leaks) compares well with that of many far more expensive jackets.

Chris Townsend’s Best Value

The Munro Jacket is comfortable and I’ve been happy wearing it in storms. It may be inexpensive but it doesn’t feel like a budget garment.
Pros
  • hood
  • pocket
  • cost
Cons
  • quite heavy
  • no women’s version
Quick specs
Price: £180
Weight: 580g (L)
Materials: 3 – layer PROT3X PFC Free polyester
Hood: front and rear adjustment, wired stiffened peak
Front Closure: YKK waterproof zip, inner flap
Underarm/Side Zips: two-way YKK zips
Pockets: two harness/hipbelt compatible, 1 inner
Hem: Drawcord adjustment
Cuffs: cuffs
Sizes: S – 2XL
Women’s version: no
highlander-outdoor.com

In heavy rain it has proved fully waterproof. Breathability however is on the low side at 15,000 MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate). Top end jackets are usually at least 20,000. In practice I have found condensation appearing inside a bit sooner than with the other jackets tested but it’s not been a problem. A main reason for this is that the Munro has long underarm zips so damp air can be easily expelled. This is an excellent feature, especially given the price.

The fabric is a little more crackly than some lighter ones but not annoyingly noisy. It has a soft feel.

Chris testing the Munro V2. Credit: Chris Townsend
Testing the Munro V2. Credit: Chris Townsend

The design is as good as on more expensive garments – better in some respects, in fact. The hood fits well and moves with the head. It has a wired peak and front drawcords that are outside the jacket and so easy to adjust.

The mid-torso pockets are roomy, easily holding maps, and accessible when wearing a pack hipbelt. The zips come with yellow pullers for ease of use when wearing gloves or with cold fingers. If these are too bright for your taste an alternative set of discreet grey zip pullers are provided, a neat touch.

The Munro Jacket is comfortable and I’ve been happy wearing it in storms. It may be inexpensive but it doesn’t feel like a budget garment. It is quite heavy, the heaviest jacket tested, and maybe overkill for summer backpacking, but at the same time it’s adequate for winter mountain use.

Testing conditions

Chris tested his jackets on day walks and multi day trips in the Scottish Highlands from spring 2024 through to early 2025. He is short and mostly wears a size large. Conditions included heavy rain, soaking drizzle, blizzards, and ferocious winds. Weights were measured on Chris’s home digital scales.

This review was first published in the April 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.