Canada Goose is perhaps more well-known for its heavy-duty, Arctic exploration down gear, but the HyBridge Lite Hoody proves it has just as much to offer in the lofty and technical department as well.
The weight-to-warmth ratio of this jacket is superb – a men’s medium only weighs 331g and works in temperatures as low as -5°C. It packs down easily too, which means you can speedily stuff the jacket into virtually any corner, compartment or pocket of your backpack. The slim fit is also nicely-tailored, which uses stretch panels on the sides and underarms with elasticated hem and cuffs to prevent the restriction of movement and the jacket riding up. The pockets aren’t adequate for maps, but you can just about squeeze your hands into the lower pockets while a pack hip belt is on (these pockets keep your hands insulated and cushioned behind a wall of down), and the top pockets, although small, are easily accessible. All have pleasantly chunky zip pulls.
The light and stretchy hood is effective with vision only slightly impaired when turning the head. I didn’t get to test this in severe wind, but its airy construction and stretchy rand suggest it would be difficult to blow backwards. The jacket’s 10D fabric, although suitably hardy for an insulating under layer, might need some care if worn alone as an outer layer on dry and mild days in rugged environments (there is very minor fraying on one of the cuff seams after one month of use). I was not originally sold on the thumbholes, but they have proven efficient in protecting and warming the hands. Yeah, it’s not cheap, but this is a fantastic lightweight jacket which will work well in almost all UK-based winter weather (except the most extreme).
Price: £550
Weight: 331g (medium)
canada-goose.com
