Products: Reviews Rab Summit Jacket
They say: "Whether you're trekking or climbing, you need a jacket that can provide protection and warmth. The Rab Summit jacket has been created with a Pertex Endurance shell to help you out. Tough and abrasion resistant, it protects against all the weather Mother Nature can throw at you.”
LFTO.com says: “The Summit is in a league above most other duvet jackets. It packs 250g of down insulation into a box wall construction for ultimate efficiency, minimal cold spots and oodles of insulation. There is also a detachable down hood to make this a more versatile garment. There are two external pockets, two internal pockets and you get a stuffsack. The shoulders, sleeves and waist are also reinforced for hard use. But at 980g this is a heavy option and all that extra warmth may be too much unless you’re heading for the coldest corners of the British mountains or you simply feel the cold a great deal. The higher price tag and weight are also drawbacks unless you really need the higher level of performance.” Verdict: “Buy it if you want real warmth and performance for regular cold winter mountain use, rather than a lighter weight, and therefore less warm, option.”
LFTO.com rating: 4/5
Price paid: £200
www.rab.uk.com
Jacket They say: “The water-resistant, wind- proof men's Micro Puff jacket is super warm, highly compressible and ideal as insulation or outerwear in cold climates.”
LFTO.com says: “This insulated jacket is the big brother to Patagonia’s popular Micro Puff Pullover. It features a full-length zip and a hood and the jacket is filled with Polarguard Delta, a top- quality synthetic insulator, and
Patagonia Micro Puff
gets a water-resistant shell. The jacket feels comfortable and fits well. The two main pockets easily take a map and are just about high enough to allow reasonable access when wearing a rucksack. There is a smaller internal zipped pocket and an internal mesh pocket. The hood gets a drawcord and volume adjuster, and it fits okay, though it‘s not the best. In general this is ideal for taking in the summit view, camping or putting on partway up a winter route. But the hood cannot be rolled down to the collar (others can be). Other jackets may also give you a few more pockets. If money is tight, there are cheaper alternatives, of course. There is no adjustment at the cuffs or collar, and no reinforcement on the jacket to protect it against abrasion. The hood doesn’t fit perfectly, but neither do some others, so the drawbacks are minimal.” Verdict: “Buy it if you prefer a slightly lighter jacket with fewer pockets and a hood that cannot be rolled down.”
Haglöfs Barrier Hood Jacket
They say: “The Haglöfs Barrier Hood jacket is stuffed with Thermolite Micro 100g/m2 and 150g/m2 that provides a second layer using a high heat capacity and high compressibility and lightness. Other features in the design and construction of the Barrier Hood are the wind protection and resistance to moisture and water due to its hydrophobic DWR treatment. Its hood is designed for a perfect fit thanks to its three channels of adjustment with elastic cord. Preformed sleeves achieve maximum freedom of movement and adaptation.”
LFTO.com says: “This duvet jacket uses Dupont Thermolight insulation, has massive chest pockets, is equipped with a fixed hood, packs into the pocket, has comfy PowerStretch cuffs, offers excellent arm movement and is ideal as a back-up warm layer in spring to autumn. But the hood cannot be rolled down or removed and it’s not as warm as others.” Verdict: “Buy it if you want a very functional warm layer for use as a back-up in moderately cold weather.”
LFTO.com rating: 2/5
Price paid: £95
www.haglofs.com
LFTO.com rating: 5/5
Price paid: £140
www.patagonia.com
GoLite Virga Jacket
They say: “The ideal jacket for stuffing in a pack when the weather looks unpredictable.”
LFTO.com says: “This multi-activity jacket has two hip pockets, a fixed hood, front zip with single stormflap, is waterproof and is made from breathable fabric. Pocket access is easily obscured by rucksack belts, the hood has no adjustment on it so it either fits or it doesn’t, and you can’t roll it away either, and there is no reflective piping.” Verdict: “Low price and low in weight, but pockets and hood let it down.”
LFTO.com rating: 1/5
Price paid: £50
www.golite.com
Reviews courtesy of Trail magazine and
LFTO.com www.sgboutdoor.co.uk 25
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