p50-53 walking jackets Which? January 2005 - Which.co.uk

50
JANUARY 2005
Walking jackets
NEED TO
KNOW
Walking jackets use
special membranes,
coatings or fabrics to
keep you warm and dry.
MEMBRANES
Gore-Tex is often used
as a generic term for
hi-tech, waterproof and
breathable fabrics. It’s a
microporous membrane
with millions of tiny
holes, big enough to let
sweat out but too small
to let rain in.
Types on sale include:
three-layer Gore-Tex –
durable and relatively
cheap, but quite stiff
and heavy; two-layer
Gore-Tex – more
breathable and softer
but can be pricey; new
Gore-Tex XCR –
improved breathability.
Similar membranes
include Sympatex,
Conduit and H2n0.
COATINGS
Microporous coatings,
such as Triple Point and
Drilite Plus, are similar
to microporous
membranes. Hydrophilic
coatings, such as Isotex
and Dual Protection, are
made from materials
which carry sweat away
from your body.
DIRECTIONAL FABRIC
The waterproof fabric
has fibres shaped like fur,
trapping air to keep you
warm but repelling liquid
(rain). The fabric is soft,
quiet, easy to fold and
comfortable. Regular
waterproofing is advised.
POCKETS
A few well-placed pockets are always
useful but make sure they’re
accessible when you’re wearing a
rucksack. As on the Paramo Cascada
(1), it’s also best if zips are covered
with flaps so that the contents of your
pockets stay dry. Chest pockets with
mesh linings can be unzipped to
improve breathability.
BEST BUYS
Whether you’re walking the dog or bagging your
next Munro, our Best Buys will keep you dry. But,
fortop-class performance, you’ll have to pay topdollar
prices. If you take your outdoor pursuits quite
seriously, then splashing out on one of our Best
Buys is likely to pay dividends. That’s not to say
there aren’t some decent mid-priced jackets out
there – but the best in our test all cost £170 or
more. Jackets that scored less well in our test are
likely to leak and be less breathable.
Four jackets lead the pack with outstanding
performance across the board. These are well
designed, use top-quality fabrics and should last
well if you look after them properly.
The best jacket we tested is the Paramo Cascada
(1). The Paramo jacket is unusual because it
rejects conventional waterproofing in favour of a
system using directional waterproof fabric (see
left). It is well designed: a high collar will keep you
warm in the winter, the hood has a wired peak and
you can adjust it to get a snug fit and still see well.
There’s an internal map pocket at chest height,
plus roomy hand pockets that are easy to reach
even with a rucksack on your back. The front zip is
a breeze to use even in high winds. Not only did
this jacket withstand our lab tests superbly but
1 Paramo
enthusiastic feedback from our expert reviewer
says it all: ‘It’s as near a perfect garment for walking
– ranging from town to wild country – as you can
get’. Praise indeed. Available in both men’s and
women’s cuts, in five sizes and four colours, the
Cascada costs about £180 from independents.
Coming a close second is the Craghoppers
Equinox (2), which uses a new waterproof
membrane called eVent. Without getting too
scientific, this is a microporous membrane similar
to Gore-Tex, but with many more, smaller holes.
This doesn’t affect how waterproof the jacket is but
it does improve its breathability. This is because
eVent allows water vapour (from sweat) to escape
from the jacket more quickly than any form of
Gore-Tex does. But it’s not just about technology.
This jacket’s well designed, with loads of zipped
pockets, including a map pocket, an internal pocket
and two large pockets on the front. It’s even got
PHOTOGRAPHY NICK WRIGHT

JANUARY 2005 51
FIXED HOOD
Fixed hoods are preferable to detachable ones as you
can’t lose them and water won’t leak down the back of
your neck. Some can be rolled down into the collar, like
that of the Paramo Cascada (1). On jackets with a
detachable hood, like on the Craghoppers Equinox (2),
make sure the collar is high and there’s a good overlap
to avoid leaks down the back of your neck. A wired or
stiffened peak will keep rain off your face – especially
useful if you wear glasses. Being able to adjust the
hood’s size improves fit, especially if you wear a hat
under your hood.
VELCRO CUFFS
All the jackets on test have Velcro cuffs.
Opening them helps ventilation and will
stop your arms from getting sweaty.
Elasticated cuffs help keep warmth in. But
beware of fleece
trims around the
cuffs. Unless they
have been treated
with water
repellent, you
could end up with
cold, damp wrists.
DRAW CORD
Craghoppers Equinox (2) has
a draw cord at the waist
which helps trap warm air
inside and keeps you cosy if
you stop for any reason – for
example, to admire the view
or retie your boot laces.
2 Craghoppers
Caring for your jacket
ZIPS
The Paramo Cascada (1) has double
storm flaps. These are essential as
they stop rain leaking through the
zip and soaking your chest. A double
layer is best, with studs or Velcro to
keep the overlapping fabric in place.
Some jackets have water-resistant
zips that help keep the rain out. A
two-way zip (see inset pic) that opens
from both top and bottom is useful to
control ventilation and help you reach
trouser pockets. Zips around the
armpit area provide extra ventilation
if you’re working up a sweat. Make
sure they’re not too bulky. Try zips out
before you buy as some are easier
to use than others.
Over time, jackets
become less breathable
as mud and salt from
sweat block the pores
of your high-tech
membrane or coating,
and water repellency is
lost as the specialist
coating wears off.
Washing your jacket can
restore its effectiveness.
Clean your washing
machine very thoroughly
– especially the detergent
dispenser drawer – as
even traces of detergent
or fabric conditioner will
affect water repellency.
Do up the zips and select
a gentle wash cycle.
Do not use normal
detergent. There are
many specialist cleaners
(such as NikWax and
Granger’s ranges) but
pure soap flakes are just
as good and great value.
If water repellency is
failing, add a branded
spray-on or wash-in
treatment. Tumble-dry
your jacket at a low
temperature (or
press with a cool
iron) to reactivate
the fabric’s
water repellency
treatment.

52
JANUARY 2005
cosy hand warmers on the front. The
pockets on the outside are well
protected with storm flaps to stop
rain getting in. The hood is roomy
and is easily adjusted. The Equinox
is a sturdy jacket but it can feel a bit
stiff and bulky, so it’s more suited
to use in the colder months. You’ll
find it in independents for about £220 but
stocks may be low as it’s being replaced by
the Craghoppers Epoch. This jacket also uses the
eVent membrane and will cost around £175.
The Berghaus High Trails (3) is made with the
advanced Gore-Tex XCR membrane. This is softer,
more comfortable and more breathable than earlier
Gore-Tex versions. The High Trails is a general
purpose jacket. Our expert liked it very much and
said it has a ‘feel-good factor’. There’s a rollaway
hood with a large peak and the jacket is long enough
to keep your bum warm. It has loads of pockets –
enough for all those bits and pieces you want to
hand. And there’s the option of an attachable fleece
forcolder weather. It’s available in a range of colours
in both men’s and women’s fittings. It’ll set you back
about £200 from Cotswold Outdoors, Ellis Brigham
and Field & Trek. A new version of this jacket is
coming out later this year which has a shorter zip for
attaching the fleece.
Another general-purpose jacket, and also a
worthy Best Buy, is the Tog 24 Zealand (4). This
uses classic two-layer Gore-Tex to make it
waterproof and breathable. It’s slightly longer than
other jackets, which means that in light rain your
legs are better protected. Access to the lower
pockets is easy, even when you’re carrying a
rucksack. There are reinforced shoulder panels to
protect against the rub of rucksack straps, and a
deep map pocket. A rollaway hood with a wired
peak, chin guard and comfortable fleecy collar, plus
a front zip which is protected by double storm flaps,
complete the package. The Zealand is available
only in a man’s cut and comes in four sizes and four
colours. It costs about £170 from Tog 24 stores.
Choosing a jacket
Consider how you’ll
use your jacket. If
you’re looking for
one to keep the rain
off while on a
leisurely stroll or
walking the dog,
you probably don’t
need to spend £200.
Check that the
length of the sleeves
and the body are
right for you and
that the hood and
chin guard are
comfortable.
Make sure zips are
accessible and the
pockets are
convenient and big
enough for the gear
you’re likely to carry.
You might also try
folding the jacket to
see whether it fits
into your rucksack.
KEY
w q s u d
Best
SCORE
3 Berghaus
Best Buy
Worst
This ignores price and is based on:
Waterproofness
(inc repellency & rain room) 40%
Breathability 30%
Durability 30%
TABLE NOTES
We tested 23 of the best-selling jackets
from leading manufacturers, suitable for
regular weekend walking.
Specification
Price The typical high-street price if
you shop around. Lightweight Our
expert rated these jackets as more suited
to fair-weather walking. Elastic
cuffs These help keep warmth in.
Pockets The total number of pockets
(internal and external).
Performance
Breathable We measured how much
water vapour could pass through the
fabric. Higher ratings mean you won’t feel
so sweaty. Repellency Water should bead
and run off the fabric surface. A high
rating means this effect is working. Longterm
repellency To simulate ageing we
exposed the jackets to heat and humidity
for three days and then washed them to
see how durable their repellency was.
Waterproof We measured the pressure
of water needed to make the fabric leak.
Fabrics with higher ratings are better at
keeping water out. Rain room We put
the jackets on a mannequin and subjected
them to two hours of heavy rain. Low
ratings indicate serious leaks (through
zips, say). A high rating means that the
mannequin stayed dry. Durability We
tried to puncture and tear the fabrics to
see how tough they were. The higher the
rating, the tougher the jacket.
Walking jackets
MODEL
1 Paramo Cascada
2 Craghoppers Equinox
3 Berghaus High Trails
4 Tog 24 Zealand
5 Keela Kandura
6 Berghaus Paclite
4 Tog 24
7 Mountain Equipment Drilite Plus
8 Berghaus Glissade II
9 Mountain Equipment Paclite Firefly
10 The North Face Prophecy
11 Sprayway Sidewinder
12 Sprayway Compact a
13 Rohan Cloudcover 1
14 Regatta Elbrus
15 Lowe Alpine Trail Pro
16 Marmot Rim
17 Craghoppers Carlson
18 Lowe Alpine Rush
19 The North Face Venture
20 Marmot PreCip
21 Schöffel Countrywear Alabama Venturi
22 Trespass Cougar b
23 Tog 24 Mackenzie 3-in-1
a An upgraded version of this jacket is available for
spring/summer 2005 b A new winter collection
will supersede this jacket

JANUARY 2005 53
The rest on test
What if your budget won’t stretch to our
Best Buys or if you aren’t a hardened
rambler but want a jacket to keep you dry
when on short strolls? There are plenty of
waterproof and breathable jackets that should
keep you dry without breaking the bank.
At just £80, the Mountain Equipment Drilite Plus (7)
stands out as an affordable, high-quality jacket.
Breathability isn’t as good as some on test but the hood is
superbly designed and the pockets are mesh lined so will
help with ventilation if you’re getting warm. Other good
sub-£100 jackets are the Sprayway Sidewinder (11)
and the Regatta Elbrus (14). The Sidewinder
(£60 online) is comfortable, with
well-protected pockets at the
front and a zipped chest
pocket for keys or phone. The
Elbrus (£80 from Regatta
stores and independents)
has vertical side pockets
which are rather shallow
and the chin guard is a bit
Mountain Equipment Drilite Plus
Sprayway Sidewinder
low and baggy but it’s
waterproof and great value.
We also looked at one budget
jacket – the Newport from Peter
Storm, at just £45 from Millets.
We haven’t included it in our table
because, at this price, it’s not really comparable to the
other jackets, and it will be replaced by an upgraded
version next month. It’s lightweight and comfortable and
has some good features, but it’s not very effective at
repelling water. In heavy rain the jacket quickly
becomes sodden, which means that,
although you won’t get wet, the jacket will
feel heavy and cold. The water repellency
worsens with age and, unlike with
most other jackets, tumbledrying
doesn’t restore the
effect. The fabric also tears
easily. But, at a quarter
of the price of some of
our Best Buys, this isn’t
really surprising.
Regatta Elbrus
FURTHER
INFORMATION
YOUR RIGHT TO ROAM
As of last autumn, 4,000
square miles of private
English and Welsh
countryside are in the
process of being opened
up to the public under
new rights of access. For
information, see www.
countrysideaccess.gov.uk.
A WEEKEND WALK
Bored of the same old
trails? The Which? Guide
to Pub Walks in the
South East (£10.99)
might inspire you. To buy
a copy, call 0800 252
100 and quote GPG00.
You can also order online
at www.which.co.uk/
bookshop.
Specification Performance Score
Price Lightweight Fixed Elastic Velcro Pockets Breathable Repellency Long-term Waterproof Rain Durability (%)
(£) hood cuffs cuffs repellency room
180 y y y 3 w q q w w w
220 y y 9 q q q w q w
200 y y 5 q q q w w w
170 y y 3 q q w w w q
110 y 7 s q q w q w
140 y y y 2 q q q w w s
80 y y 3 s q q w w q
150 y y y 3 q q q w w q
165 y y y 3 q q q w q s
150 y y y 3 q q q w q s
60 y y 3 s q q w q w
90 y y y 3 q q q w s q
100 y y y y 3 s q q w w q
80 y y 8 s q q w q q
100 y y y 3 d q q w q w
120 y y y y 4 u q q w q q
75 y 5 u q q w w q
70 y y y 2 s q q s u w
80 y y y y 4 q q w s u s
70 y y y y 2 s q q s u s
140 y y 7 q q q s u s
70 y y y 4 d s u s q q
100 y y y 8 u u s s w u
84
81
80
80
77
74
74
73
73
72
72
71
69
68
67
67
64
62
55
54
51
45
44