SummerGearGuide
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Waterproofs<br />
CLASS OF 2023<br />
CRAGHOPPERS<br />
MARIS<br />
/ BRONTE<br />
£100<br />
Outstanding value, this.<br />
A 2.5-layer waterproof<br />
whose outer layer is<br />
made from part-recycled<br />
polyester finished with<br />
plant-based EcoShield<br />
DWR. The AquaDry<br />
membrane works a<br />
treat, and there are<br />
three zipped pockets<br />
to keep trail essentials<br />
secure, plus a fully<br />
waterproof zip.<br />
craghoppers.com<br />
FÖHN<br />
PACKABLE HOODED<br />
JACKET £120<br />
Not the toughest<br />
jacket, but as the<br />
name suggests, this<br />
one is designed to<br />
be your packable<br />
emergency layer<br />
when you’re<br />
travelling light or<br />
get caught in<br />
an unexpected<br />
shower. It’s<br />
lightweight,<br />
breathable and<br />
compressible.<br />
wiggle.co.uk<br />
ALPKIT<br />
SIGMA £160<br />
A fully-loaded three-layer<br />
waterproof, suitable for<br />
all seasons but light<br />
enough for summer,<br />
for well under £200?<br />
That’s impressive and<br />
so is the Sigma, a<br />
versatile hardshell with<br />
next-to-skin comfort<br />
thanks to a soft-touch<br />
backing fabric. And as<br />
it’s fully recycled and<br />
recyclable, Alpkit say<br />
it’s their lowestimpact<br />
jacket yet.<br />
alpkit.com<br />
SPRAYWAY<br />
VECTIS / FEN £100<br />
A big success in our recent<br />
waterproof test, the Vectis<br />
and Fen jackets are terrific<br />
lighter-weight jackets (just<br />
284g) at a very reasonable<br />
price in these tricky times.<br />
Their low weight, athletic cut<br />
and excellent breathability<br />
combine really well on<br />
energetic ascents, and<br />
Sprayway’s HydroDRY<br />
membrane seldom lets you<br />
down. A good peaked hood<br />
and decent pockets too.<br />
sprayway.com<br />
MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE<br />
BACHILL £120<br />
Usually sold for a lot less than the RRP<br />
(selling for £70 at time of writing), the<br />
Bachill is a great-value package.<br />
At 5000mm its hydrostatic<br />
head rating isn’t the highest,<br />
so it’s for fending off drizzle<br />
and showers rather than<br />
prolonged heavy rain, but<br />
it’s light and packable; the<br />
kind of jacket you can stow<br />
in any rucksack for any trip,<br />
and with waterproof zips and<br />
taped seams, it’s still likely<br />
to be a reliable option right<br />
through into the autumn.<br />
mountainwarehouse.com<br />
BERGHAUS<br />
PACLITE DYNAK £170<br />
It’s always a treat to find a<br />
Gore-Tex jacket for under £200,<br />
and the Dynak is a fine example.<br />
It used the lightweight Paclite<br />
version of Gore which is<br />
still about as reliable as<br />
waterproofing gets. And it<br />
doesn’t skimp on features,<br />
with adjustable hood, hem<br />
and cuffs, easy-access zipped<br />
pockets, articulated sleeves<br />
and a fully adjustable,<br />
stiff-peaked hood. As Berghaus<br />
put it, ‘this can be your best mate<br />
on a summer hike.’ Hard to argue.<br />
berghaus.com<br />
SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 2023 29
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