Jackets and Softshells


 

The North Face Flight Series Lightweight Jacket
The Flight Series was one of my first purchases as an intrepid walker on to the Lakelands Fells, this jacket is more sentimental more than anything else as I wore it the time I set foot for the first time on a Lakeland fell sometime during April 2008. The Flight Series is wind and waterproof.

 

Regatta Mantel Waterproof Jacket
If I use the term ‘you get what you pay for’ then this Jacket has it all for under £35.00 So impressed with the Jacket I scaled Scafell Pike for the first time in adverse weather conditions, needless to say the Regatta Mantel did not disappoint.

 

Paramo Fuero Windproof Jacket

Bought on a whim from my local Go Outdoors store and wore it during my first ascent on Skiddaw back in March 2010. The Fuero does exactly says on the tin, it's a neat windproof jacket that packs away into a neat little bundle to carry in your pack.


 

Rab Latok Alpine Jacket 2011

The Rab Latok is still to this day one of the most versatile outdoor hiking jackets on the market, when Rab produced this they made a licence to print money it seriously is that good. Made from eVent ® 3 layer storm fabric the Latok is serious about keeping the wind and more importantly the rain out. With an agile fit and storm proof zips it is no wonder I have practically worn the Latok out. The Rab Latok is Helmet compatible.


 

Montane Sabretooth Soft-Shell Jacket

My newest addition to my walking wardrobe comes with the ever complacent Montane Brand. The Sabretooth soft shell comes highly rated with the newest outdoor technology in the form of Polartec Power Shield, a lightweight soft shell jacket that can tackle almost anything the outdoors can throw at it. Described as wind and waterproof the Sabretooth is not storm proof so care must be taken when walking when heavy bursts of rain are predicted.


 

Montane Sabretooth Soft-Shell Jacket
I bought this second Sabretooth Soft-Shell after realising how well the first generation performed but after nearly 8 years of on and of usage mostly during the Summer and Autumn months it started to develop wear mostly on the back were my pack would lean against, second came the fading but after 8 years this type of wear can only be expected so when I upgraded I went straight for another Sabretooth. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

Mountain Equipment Firefox Jacket
A great waterproof but sadly lacked the active fit that I was used to with the Latok series. Taken as backup through the Summer months the Firefox short life on the Lakeland Fells came to an end once Rab revealed its newest edition.

Rab Latok Alpine eVent 2015
Rab burst back onto the scene with the Latok eVent in Spring 2015. Sadly however, after trying my usual size large (size 42 chest) I found that that I now needed a medium which was slightly too tight but I continued to wear the Latok for around a year while taking extra care not to gain any weight! Another fine example from Rab of what is required for a lightweight waterproof jacket sadly tinged however by the confusion with sizes.


Rab Vapour Rise Alpine Jacket
The Vapour Rise Alpine Jacket is a light-weight, highly breathable softshell jacket using Rabs tried and tested Vapour Rise technology to offer the ultimate climbing and multi-sport jacket.

Rab Latok Alpine eVENT Winter 2017

I purchased the 2017 edition as soon as it arrived on the shelves and as always was impressed with the quality of the new Latok finding again a size medium active fit fitted perfectly. I wore the jacket weekend after weekend until I realised that that snug fit was getting to tight for comfort, although I hadn't noticed in myself I thought I must have put on a little extra weight until I read in a review that the 2017 Latok was prone to shrinking! Although this was good news for my waistline it didn't install confidence when spending close to £300.00 on a jacket only for it to shrink.

At the moment I'm still disappointed with the Latok series and once more with the confusion of sizes which is still an on going issue.

Please Rab, restore my faith.


Rab Arc Waterproof Jacket 2018/19
 

Montane Prism Down Jacket
The Prism is an excellent down jacket and is ideal for keeping the upper core temperature warm on cold Winter days when used as a layering system. However, I prefer less bulk therefore I tend to layer with thin base layers rather than a down jacket. My Prism however still comes in handy when on dog walks during the Winter months.

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket
The Microlight is versitile all around down jacket which will keep you warm when used as a layering system, wild camps, dog walking and even looks great around town.

ALPKIT Resolute Soft-Shell Jacket
Not a windproof as the Montane Sabretooth but copes well as an extra layer from Spring through to Autumn, however the fit is perfect will longer arms than for when you need that extra reach. Something else I really like is the length of the jacket which is slightly longer than the Montane.

Mountain Equipment Garwhal Gore-Tex Jacket
I'm a huge fan of Mountain Equipment's Garwhal jacket, so much so that I purchased another after mine was stolen from my car, along with the Rab Arc waterproof jacket as seen above. If it wasn't bad enough to have your car broken into while at work, can you imagine the horror when not one but two jackets were stolen? I'm a huge fan of the Y cut of the Garwhal, along with its length and draw-down hood. The Garwhal meets all my winter expectations.