WALKING: KIT ON TEST
Lightweight jackets
Lightweight waterproof jackets are ideal for summer showers, but will they keep you dry in long spells of heavy rain? Emily Woodhouse tries out some of the best on Dartmoor
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT GARWHAL (M/F)
£190; mountain-equipment.co.uk
The Garwhal looks and feels like a waterproof designed for battling mountain weather, but with a lighter material and slightly pared-down design. The Gore-Tex Paclite fabric is definitely waterproof. I tested it on an apocalyptically wet day on Dartmoor and stayed dry.
The Garwhal is fairly breathable, although if you’re working up a sweat for a long time the lack of underarm venting could be an issue. It has a slimmer fit than other mountain jackets in the test, but there is still room for a fleece underneath.
A broad stiffened peak and three toggles mean the excellent hood stays close to your face and is deep enough to hide in away from the elements. The two long and narrow chest pockets utilise most of the front panel; in a women’s size eight the pocket was just wide enough to get an OS map in and out. The pocket zips start at chest height so are compatible with a rucksack harness. The main zip is easy to use with an internal storm flap. The pockets don’t have storm flaps and not 100% waterproof in bad weather.
VERDICT: Lightweight, with everything you need in a jacket. ★★★★★
HELLY HANSEN LOKE (M/F)
£120; hellyhansen.com
The Loke is designed for hiking, camping, commuting and trekking, so can be considered an all-rounder. It seems to be for short, lower-level hikes; for example, the lack of peak on the hood means you get a damp face in mountain winds.
The fit is slightly slimmer than other hiking-style jackets in this test and it comes in a broad range of colours. This jacket does well in very wet conditions, but does start to get damp after long hours of rain. It still beads well, but starts to get soggy under the pressure of backpack straps. It gets clammy if you’re sweating, but underarm vents help to mitigate this.
The hood is good, but without a peak, it is not designed for walking into horizontal rain. However, it’s a good depth and is easily adjusted by two toggles at the front and a hook-and-loop tab at the back. The two waist-level pockets are a good, square size and zipped behind large storm flaps. The inside of the pockets is mostly mesh. An elasticated cord cinches the bottom hem.
VERDICT: Good entry level jacket for light rain spells. ★★★★☆
OUTDOOR RESEARCH HELIUM (M/F)
£160; outdoorresearch.com
The Outdoor Research Helium jacket is lightweight, waterproof and designed to be an all-rounder, appealing to both hikers and runners. The Helium has a running-style cut but a roomier fit than other similar designs so you can get several layers underneath, and the cuffs are long enough to tuck your hands inside. The waterproof Pertex Shield Diamond Fuse fabric performed well in a prolonged downpour. Although it is best suited for wearing with lighter backpacks to prevent any dampness seeping in.
Thanks to its roomy cut, the jacket doesn’t feel stuffy or sweaty, despite not having vents. The hood is a good size with a stiffened peak, but there is only one adjustment toggle at the back. For people with smaller faces, this can leave a way in for the weather around the front.
There is only one small pocket with a sewn in loop and clip for safely attaching anything you don’t want to lose by accident. Although only big enough for a wallet or compass, it is a handy chest-height pocket.
VERDICT: Roomy all-round waterproof in a huge range of sizes. ★★★★☆
PATAGONIA TORRENTSHELL (M/F)
£180; eu.patagonia.com/gb
The Patagonia Torrentshell is a classic-style waterproof for hiking. Patagonia is famous for its sustainable outlook: the Torrentshell jacket is made with 100% recycled fabric.
The shape is boxy. It feels very much like a normal waterproof hiking jacket, just a slightly lighter weight, at around 350g (depending on size). This jacket happily withstood long walks in the rain. I was very happy to wear it under a heavy rucksack without any risk of wetting out under the straps. It didn’t feel sticky but does warm up quickly. There are underarm vents to help assist air flow. The fit is spacious, with plenty of room for layers – although as the sturdiest, thickest jacket in this test, you might not need many.
The hood is effective: a good depth, with three adjustment toggles. The broad stiffened peak keeps out the worst of the rain and fits close to the face. There are two medium-sized pockets at waist height – deceptively large given the small opening, but not big enough for an OS map.
VERDICT: Durable waterproof jacket in a classic style. ★★★★★
HAGLÖFS LIM GTX JACKET (M/F)
£230; haglofs.com The Haglöfs LIM GoreTex Jacket is a pared-back waterproof for fast-and-light activities. It’s designed to be a superlightweight, packable backup waterproof, for when you are out in summer but the weather might turn stormy. It makes a good all-rounder for running and walking.
The GoreTex Paclite Plus fabric has a satisfying crinkle to it – light but crisp – and beads rain like you’re in an advert. This jacket is very waterproof and can keep you dry in a downpour. The jacket feels like a good balance between weight, waterproofing and breathability. It does have vents but they are inside the pockets so you can’t use both at once. The stiffened peak hood formed a central v-shaped point for me so there was not much face protection. The overall hood-to-face fit is otherwise great, held in place by elastic.
The pockets are positioned quite high so they’re easy to use with a rucksack on but are too small for a waterproofed OS map. The zip is sturdy, with an internal storm flap.
VERDICT: Very waterproof multi-use jacket with no faff. ★★★★☆
BBC Countryfile Magazine favourite
RAB DOWNPOUR ECO (M/F)
£120; rab.equipment/uk
If you’re looking for a classic mountain jacket style that’s lightweight but still covers the essentials, this could be the one. Despite an overall weight of only 280g or so, the 100% recycled Pertex Revolve fabric is thicker than most in this test; this definitely feels like a hiking jacket. In terms of sustainability, it’s made from monopolymer fabric, which makes recycling easier at the end of its life. With a longer cut in arms and torso, it has a roomy fit for as many layers as you need underneath.
It’s waterproof enough to keep you dry over long, slow days hiking in the rain. The soft-feeling fabric is also breathable, so doesn’t get very sweaty. Large underarm vents help cool you down when needed.
The Rab Eco Downpour has the deepest hood of any jacket I tested in this batch. It’s the kind of hood you can hide from the weather in, with a wired peak and three toggles to adjust it down – two at the front and one centre back. There’s a soft chin guard for comfort.
The pockets are large, with zips and storm flaps, but at waist height. Depending on where you wear your rucksack strap, this could get in the way. Unfortunately, the pockets are not big enough for an OS map.
VERDICT: Lightweight, classic hiking style that’s fully adjustable. ★★★★★
Emily Woodhouse is an adventure travel writer, editor and SEO specialist. She is a Mountain Leader based mostly on Dartmoor and is working towards her Winter Mountain Leader award.
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