This isn’t the warmest of the jackets tested but it has some good features and if you’re heading out for some tented nights that you expect to be chilly rather than Baltic it presents be a good option. The snug collar and (external) hem drawcord help to eliminate any risk of draughts sneaking into the body of the jacket. The elasticated cuffs do similar but are a little too tight to roll up over baselayer sleeves if that’s sometimes your preference. Cut at the midriff isn’t overly generous but it does hold the jacket close to your body, maximising warmth by proximity. The hand pockets are spacious and the inclusion of a bottle pocket in a reasonably minimalist jacket a nice surprise but I’d have swapped the internal zipped pocket for decent accessory pocket on the chest.
Mountain Equipment Arete
John Manning climbs inside a fridge to put 15 insulating tops to the test
Specifications
Details
FILL: 675 fill-power goose down(160g) PACKABILITY: stuffsack WEIGHT: 440g (XL) & 16g stuff sack FABRIC: He30.rs POCKETS: two zipped hand, one internal bottle, on zipped internal HOOD: n/a SIZES: Men S-XXL, Women 8-16 PRICE: Ј120 WEBSITE: mountain-equipment.co.uk