Looking for a comfortable, warm and stylish down or synthetic top for your next adventure? Well, you can happily leave bulk at the back door, because there are plenty of lightweight insulation layers and jackets that perfectly fit the bill. Here are six of our favourites
MAMMUT RUNBOLD LIGHT IN
If you are looking for a truly lightweight insulation layer, then check out Mammut’s Runbold Light In. It has exterior quilting and a discreet elastic hem and cuffs. The two zipped hand warmer pockets are a decent size, and it also has the bonus of a third, zipped interior chest pocket. Other features include pre-shaped sleeves and chin protection. The Runbold is fashioned in a regular fit, and packs down small in one of the side pockets for days away and for when there is a nip in the air. This is an ideal alternative to a heavier down jacket, and I found it spot on for Nordic walking and brisk days out. Quite by accident, I discovered that you can also reverse it, should you wish. The Runbold may not be cheap, but, as always with Mammut, you are not short of quality for your money. £185, www.mammut.ch
SPRAYWAY MYLAS SKYDIVER
Not that I will be jumping out of aeroplanes any day soon, but the Mylas Skydiver is certainly one jacket I am happy to carry on my travels, due to its ultralight weight and packability in its dedicated stuff sack, aided by a construction of compressible micro baffle down. In fact, the Natural Duck down fill works a treat, keeping me warm and snug, and the jacket also benefits from the application of a water-repellent Teflon treatment, which allows the down filaments to resist moisture and dry faster. In a mountain fit sizing, features include an adjustable drawstring hem and lycra-bound hood and cuffs, two zipped Mountain pockets, inner zipped security pocket, and drawcord adjustable hem. £139.99, www.sprayway.com
BERGHAUS POPENA HOODED 2.0 DOWN
Berghaus has never failed to let me down with their down jackets over the years (pardon the pun), and the Popena carries on that tradition. Combining innovative technology with contemporary design, the manufacturer has once again created a stylish jacket which is ideal for warmth when needed. Body-mapping construction is employed to position the insulation, putting warmth where it is needed most. The Popena has a fixed, adjustable peaked hood, two hand-warmer pockets and an internal zipped pocket, two-way centre-front zip and sleeve articulation. Adjustable cuffs and drawcord adjustments guarantee a perfect fit. £199.99, www.berghaus.com
REGATTA ICEBOUND II
Ever mindful of the need for outdoors clothing for the whole family, Regatta has introduced the Icebound II, so dad, mum and kids can keep super-warm and look the part, too. This jacket has a durable, water repellent finish. Chevron quilted nylon with Warmloft fill provides reliable insulation, at the same time keeping the weather at bay. The jacket features two zipped lower pockets, stretch binding to the collar, cuffs and hem, inner zip guard, and packs down easily, thanks to the Warmloft down-touch water repellent insulation being highly compressible. The jacket is finished with a snug funnel neck with an ‘anti-rub’ zip garage on the collar, guaranteeing a protective, comfortable fit. Check out the slashed prices on the Regatta website. £70, www.regatta.com
SNUGPAK SJ3
As per usual for Snugpak, The (Softie Jacket) SJ3 is one of a range of weights, this being designed for spring/summer wear, should you be expecting temperatures to drop to 0°c. It is available in a Silver, Red or Blue colourway, plus Snugpak’s traditional Olive, Military Black (Clear Logo), Multicam camouflage and A-TACS camouflage colours. The SJ3 features a roll-away hood, sleek, concealed pockets, and a stuff sack. The design is tough, lightweight, highly windproof and water repellent. Tailored to fit to the contours of the body, the hi-tech Paratex Micro outer and Paratex Light inner premium fabric keep moisture away from your skin, with the 3oz Softie Premier filling reflecting and trapping heat for reliable dryness, warmth and comfort. £107.50, www.snugpak.com
SHERPA ADVENTURE GEAR NANGPALA
Named after the main trading route between the Tibetans and Sherpas of the Khumbu, the Nangpala is insulated with PrimaLoft Silver 750, a combination of goose down and PrimaLoft fibres which has special abilities, including the retention of 95 per cent of its warmth when it gets wet. In short, this jacket has an incredible warming performance in an expanded range of conditions. The attached hood adds crucial warmth at neck and head, and the hem and hood can be cinched in when you want to seal in body heat and deflect a cold wind. Other features include internal mesh pockets, and the handwarmer pockets and chest Napoleon pocket zip shut to secure necessities. Elastic binding at the cuffs keep cold drafts out, and the chest pocket has an exit port for a music device cord. £200, www.sherpaadventuregear.co.uk
