Men's | Not Yet Reviewed | Warm layers

If you feel the chill or have some serious cold-weather mountaineering planned then the PHD Minimus Down Vest is the right gilet for you. It uses high-quality 800 fill power down to deliver extreme warmth despite weighing a tiny 240g (size M). It also packs down seriously small, so it’s perfect for stashing in your pack for chilly lunch stops ...

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Páramo Torres Gilet 2011

£78.00

Gilets are really useful as throw-on lunch stop insulation, so one designed specifically as an outer layer makes obvious sense. The Páramo Torres Gilet has a windproof, water-repellent Nikwax outer that can be treated to increase wet-weather performance – although our tests found that it was remarkably waterproof even without additional treatment. The fast-drying synthetic fill lends itself to use ...

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Rab Generator Vest 2011

£75.00

A gilet that packs away into its own inner pocket and can be used as a camping pillow? You’ve got to admit that’s pretty cool. The Rab Generator Vest uses synthetic Primaloft to deliver damp-proof insulation. It doesn’t quite pack the warmth-per-gram punch of down, but it does hold up much better against our typical British mountain weather conditions. The ...

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Mountain Equipment Orion Vest 2011

£70.00

The first thing that’s apparent about the Mountain Equipment Orion Vest is its rugged durability. The fabric is EXOlite II, which is hard-wearing as well as having four-way stretch for freedom of movement. It was one of the most water-resistant gilets in our test, and would certainly see off intermittent showers on the hill, as well as providing a breathable ...

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Rohan Equator Shirt 2010

£45.00

One for the bar rather than the trail, the Rohan Equator Shirt is a lightweight, comfortable shirt with two zipped pockets at the chest and looped hangers inside allowing you to hang and dry it quickly. And if the sleeves aren’t short enough already you can even tie them back further to reveal the full magnitude of your ‘guns’ or ...

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Páramo Kea Light Shirt 2010

£46.00

While the cut and styling of the Páramo Kea Light Shirt hark back to colonial days, this is a hugely practical shirt that’s wicking and breathable enough for light trekking and comes with a host of secure features including two hidden zipped pockets and closely spaced buttons and collar to keep bugs out. It’s quick-drying and has a sun protection ...

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Craghoppers Nosquito 2010

£45.00

The Craghoppers Nosquito is a cracking shirt that looks better than the majority of clothing aimed at the travel market. Made from ‘Nosquito’ material, it is designed to ward off bugs and with good venting on the back it should keep you cool. It has a sun protection factor (SPF ) of 40 and one hidden internal zipped pocket that ...

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Lowe Alpine Capricorn Shirt 2010

£45.00

With the Lowe Alpine Capricorn Shirt, European design sensibilities have led here to deliver a more cheerful design. It comes with an ultra-violet protection factor of 40, and promises to be easy to wash and dry. It has a zipped pocket at the chest and straps to shorten the sleeves to mid-bicep. No venting make this of limited appeal for ...

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Kathmandu Marudi 2010

£40.00

The Kathmandu Marudi is 100 per cent recycled and the company has signed up to 1% for the Planet. Not suited to long days trekking it does look fairly stylish in the departure lounge and has a discreet zipped pocket big enough for your passport and boarding card. Colourful but still not hip enough for full moon parties on the ...

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Mountain Hardwear Ravine 2010

£45.00

If you’re looking for a short-sleeved shirt for a walking trip in a hot country the Mountain Hardwear Ravine is the best option. With mesh venting at the back and under the arms it will keep you cool yet still looks sufficiently non-techy to warrant being worn to the bar. Two zipped pockets on the chest add security and a ...

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GoLite Parapoa 2010

£45.00

A hint of safari suit means you can pay homage to Steve Irwin with the GoLite Parapoa. This shirt is very cool (both climatically and sartorially) with one secure zipped pocket and little stretch to the material. It feels less run-of-the-mill than the majority here and is a great option although it’s not made for full days trekking. Review by ...

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Vaude Samur 2010

£45.00

The Vaude Samur shirt is made from cocona – a coconut-derived fabric that is odour-resistant. It feels less instantly airy than other tops here but it is comfortable and offers a sun protection factor (SPF ) of 25. It’s a good, functional top that would work well on gentler walks and at the all-you-can eat hotel buffet. Review by Matt ...

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Berghaus Tshort Haul 2010

£40.00

Berghaus has hit this market perfectly with the Tshort Haul, managing to produce kit that is practical and well cut. The shirt feels silky and cool, and comes with antimicrobial treatment that means even if you do get hot the clothing won’t pong. There’s a zipped pocket at the chest and mesh at the back to help wick sweat away. ...

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Haglöfs Neo Short Sleeve 2010

£55.00

The Haglöfs Neo Short Sleeve is made from quick-drying, recycled polyester that promises not to pong after a few days thanks to its Active Odor Control materials. A zipped chest pocket with mesh lining is both secure and aids venting. It won’t be what you want to wear up a hill, but it looks stylish enough for a full day’s ...

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Karrimor Hawk

This soft shell weighs 450g; completely windproof; durable, exceptionally water-resistant fabric; ideal design for running and mountain biking or climbing. But very little insulation; not the most breathable; two-way stretch fabric; no OS map-sized pockets; access to hip pockets is easily obscured by rucksack belts; no hood.

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Columbia Sierra Falls

This soft shell weighs 506g; 4-way stretch fabric; map-sized hip pockets; smaller chest pocket; collar drawcord; brushed polyester collar; excellent movement in sleeves. But access to hip pockets easily obscured by rucksack hipbelt; cuffs are a very loose fit without any form of adjustment to keep draughts out; relatively loose cut.