Alex Roddie tested the Haglöfs Roc Down as part of his comprehensive review of the best down jackets for 2022. Here’s how it performed on the hill.
The Haglöfs Roc Down top is as basic as they come, with ultralight shell fabric, top-quality down filling, no hood, and few additional features. It’s marketed as a highly water-resistant down jacket, suitable for use as a mid-layer in cold conditions, and thanks to a good fit, big enough to fit over a thin fleece, superb freedom of movement, and no faffy external cords or toggles to snag inside your jacket, it can work well in this niche.
I found myself turning to theHaglöfs Roc Down high up on the Ben Avon plateau in a nasty early winter storm, complete with deep windchill and horizontal snow. Layered between a thin fleece and my waterproof jacket, the Roc Down did an excellent job of regulating temperature. Perspiration did not affect the lofting ability of the down, although of course it was compressed under my shoulder straps and hipbelt. A downside is that the incredibly thin inner fabric is not as downproof as it could be; there were quite a few tufts of down stuck to my fleece when I took it off. I have concerns about long-term durability if used in this way regularly. The cuffs and hem are elasticated, but this is the only jacket in the lineup without a hem adjustment.
Overall, I’ve found this great as a ‘just in case’ warm layer that you can chuck in your bag and then not think about until you need it, thanks to its low weight, high compressibility, and damp-resistant down.
Read more: 10 of the best down jackets for 2022
