The Tierra Vastra is Chris Townsend’s Greener Choice of the waterproof hardshells tested in the winter of 2024/5.
The Tierra Vastra is made from the new ePe (expanded polyethylene) membrane from Gore-Tex which is fluorocarbon free – unlike the classic Gore-Tex membrane. This is a welcome development.
Chris Townsend highly recommends
It is an excellent jacket and suitable for year-round use, though perhaps a little heavy for summer. It’s also my Greener Choice.- ePe Gore-Tex
- hood
- pockets
- side zips
- not that light
- cost
| Quick specs |
|---|
| Price: £360 |
| Weight: 530g (L) |
| Materials: PFC – free 3 – layer ePE Gore – Tex polyester/polyethylene |
| Hood: front and rear adjustment, wired stiffened peak |
| Front Closure: YKK front zip, inner flap |
| Underarm/Side Zips: side |
| Pockets: 2 mid, 1 sleeve, 2 stretch inner |
| Hem: Drawcord adjustment |
| Cuffs: Velcro |
| Sizes: S – XXL |
| Women’s version: yes |
| tierra.com or trekitt.co.uk |
It’s just as waterproof with a hydrostatic head of 28,000 and adequately breathable with a RET of <13. I find it just about impossible to distinguish between the two different Gore-Tex fabrics in use.
The Vastra does rustle a little but has a fairly soft feel. It is comfortable to wear.
The design is excellent. The hood is helmet-compatible but can be snugged down over a hat or bare head without too much bunching of the fabric. There are front drawcords outside the jacket, which I prefer, and a stiff wired peak. The hood moves with the head so you can see to the side.
The external pockets are roomy. The bottom is cut off by a hipbelt but they can still be used and a map fitted in. The stretchy inside pocket can hold gloves or even a water bottle. There’s a tiny pocket on a sleeve designed for a ski pass and is not much use for anything else.
For ventilation there are zips down each side, easier to use than ones that run under the armpits. They work well for letting warm moist air out and cooler, drier air in and can be used to access pockets on clothing worn underneath.
The L size Vastra fits me perfectly worn over a thick fleece, proving comfortable and protective in some severe winter weather as well as on more usual rainy hill days.
It is an excellent jacket and suitable for year-round use, though perhaps a little heavy for summer. The cost is quite high but it does have that Gore-Tex name.
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.
