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First test: Columbia Compounder Shell jacket

£195.00

Omni-Dry is Columbia’s latest waterproof and breathable fabric, and on paper it appears to stand beside the best that money can buy. With the proud claim that it is ‘more air-permeable than Gore-Tex’ and that it is ‘the ultimate in waterproof technology for the outdoors’, Columbia has clearly set out its stall. The question is, does it actually help hillwalkers ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Páramo Torres Jacket (2012)

£140.00

When it comes to insulating layers, Páramo says: why put it on under your waterproof when you can simply throw it over everything? But the question for a walker who will only use a jacket like this ‘just in case’ or when they stop for lunch is this: is it really worth the extra weight and bulk in their backpack? ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Mountain Equipment Alpamayo Jacket (2012)

£160.00

Designed primarily as a belay jacket to go over other layers, the Mountain Equipment Alpamayo is, as expected, generously sized as well as water- and wind-resistant. It’s very warm too – second warmest on test after the Páramo jacket – but then with extra warmth comes extra weight (526g, size 10 – third heaviest here) so it really depends on ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Sprayway Zao (2012)

£160.00

Of all the jackets on test, the Sprayway Zao is the only one to have a Gore-Tex outer shell, making it waterproof – rather than simply water-resistant. An insulating jacket suitable for use even in heavy rain or snow will keep you warm, and it means the insulation is well-protected against the wet too. But the problem for walkers is ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Finisterre Sastruga III (2012)

£185.00

As with everything made by Finisterre, environmental concerns are high in the designers’ minds. The synthetic fill is PrimaLoft Eco, made from recycled plastic bottles and the face fabric is also made from recycled polyester. The jacket has a tight, long fit. Even in a large it’s quite a snug fit and won’t suit those who prefer a more relaxed ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Columbia Prarion (2012)

£150.00

Although it uses 700-fill down, the jacket has added insulation in the form of Columbia’s Omni-Heat reflective technology. Silver dots are added to the lining to help bounce radiated heat back inside. In use it does seem to add extra warmth to the top, without making things too stuffy. However, the jacket still remains quite heavy for a down-filled mid-layer ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Craghoppers Risor Half-Zip (2012)

£60.00

A fleece for walkers who don’t want to be seen in a fleece. Has the feel of a comfy pullover, but is still highly practical. The outer fabric feels a bit more like thick wool than fleece, which makes it a little more resilient to abrasion and resists the dreading pilling of the fabric over time. The inner fabric retains ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Rab Double Pile (2012)

£60.00

A heavy fleece and therefore very warm. Double-pile fabric really traps the heat in. That also makes it bulky, however, and this certainly isn’t the kind of garment to tuck away in your pack for emergency use. Although it may not look like it, the face fabric has a water-repellent treatment which means that you can wear the top in ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Outdoor Research Exit Hoodie (2012)

£90.00

Thick, warm and rugged. A stylish jacket, that really looks more casual than it should. Performance-wise it’s great, offering plenty of warmth with its dual-texture Alpin-wool fabric. The tough wool outer fabric couples with a microfleece lining on the inside to trap warmth next to the skin. The top certainly is warm, although bulky with it. Pound-for-pound this isn’t the ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Sprayway W.N.W (2012)

£110.00

This jacket is new for 2011, although it’s actually an update of a classic model from the Sprayway line. It’s a straightforward, midweight fleece with an added Windstopper membrane. This wind protection boosts the warmth rating of the top without adding to the bulk, in a similar way to many soft shells. That extra layer of material also makes it ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 5
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Sprayway Nyx/Eos 2010

£130.00

With my head down I battled into the wind and rain. Helvellyn’s summit was close, but the weather was doing its best to prevent me from taking another step forward. In these conditions, it is the hood of a jacket that really makes the difference. With a great hood you can continue more comfortably into the wind and rain, reach ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Berghaus Ossa

£120.00

The Ossa is a nice looking jacket with quite a relaxed fit, but the arms feel heavier and less comfortable than some because of the large underarm pit-zips (although these do provide a welcome flow of air). The fabric is soft and fleece-lined for warmth and there’s a deep collar to bury your face in. On the downside, the pockets ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Rab Baltoro Light

£110.00

It’s not often that an article of clothing ticks all the boxes, but this does. The excellent fabric provides a decent amount of insulation and is also incredibly weather-resistant and very breathable. It has two huge hip/chest pockets that double as vents and the cuffs are fastened with Velcro. Single-handed drawcords adjust the hem, trapping or releasing warmth, and another ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 5
  • Owners' rating rating is 4.5
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Patagonia Guide

£120.00

The Guide offers good insulation and good weather resistance, too. Not quite as breathable as it might be when working hard, though. The pockets double as vents but the openings aren’t that big so don’t make as much difference as they might do. The zips are all DWR-treated so do a good job of keeping rain out, and the main ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Tog 24 Aviemore Powershield Hoody

£130.00

Quite heavy, and expensive, and for those reasons, it’s probably only really going to appeal to those that ski as well. But in its favour it’s very warm, it comes with an excellent hood and it’s also very weather-resistant and breathable. The pockets are huge, and provide venting as well as storage; the cuffs are Velcro-adjustable and the hem uses ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Gelert Ottowa

£40.00

This is a lot of jacket for £40. It’s quite heavy, and doesn’t pack down that well, which certainly rules it out for lighter weight walking, but it is very warm, and it certainly keeps some light rain out. It’s reasonably breathable, too. The sizing’s quite big, so try before you buy, and this means the collar is a bit ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Montane Sabretooth Jacket 2009

£150.00

The grey area between soft shell and fleece is spanned by the Montane Sabretooth, which is described as a ‘highly technical soft shell’ jacket as it is more wind- and water-resistant than other fleece mid layers. But most importantly it does not have a membrane so it is far more breathable than most soft shells. DesignThe Montane Sabretooth is a ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 0
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Berghaus Mera Peak 2009

£240.00

What does your jacket say about you? Back in the late Nineties the name Mera Peak said mountaineer and serious skier. The Berghaus Mera Peak was the 2-layer Gore-Tex version of the 3-layer Berghaus Trango Extrem, a benchmark mountaineering jacket that allowed the casual observer to identify Brits in Chamonix at over 100 paces. But times change, designs evolve and ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 4.5
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Keen Genoa Peak WP

£85.00

Lots of padding makes the Genoa feel very comfortable initially but the fit is very narrow. They have a unique round-toed design which can make them feel rather clumsy, and although the all-leather uppers look great, they are quite warm. Lacing system is rather fiddly and doesn’t do a very good job of holding foot securely. Stiff midsole makes them ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 2
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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The North Face Hedgehog XCR

£80.00

Good midsole support, which will be appreciated on rougher ground. Fitwise, they are made around an average last, and they have plenty of padding. There is an odd ridge running down the centre of the footbed, though, and this felt very disconcerting. In action, the very low ankle encourages fast movement but doesn’t offer as much support as most shoes ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 4
  • Owners' rating rating is 3.5
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Salomon Exit Aero

£55.00

With a mainly mesh upper and no waterproof lining, this is the cheapest and one of the lightest shoes tested. It has limited midsole support, and leaks like a sieve, but it will work superbly in dry, hot climates or on well-surfaced trails; and will also do a great job for the fast and light brigade, who don’t mind getting ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Merrell Pantheon Sport Gore-Tex

£85.00

Very light with a soft, flexible midsole that makes it feel more like a beefed-up trainer. Gore-Tex XCR waterproof lining and a deep tread pattern that works well on a variety of surfaces. Fit can be easily fettled courtesy of good lacing. It’s well-padded, especially at the cuff and tongue, so feels good when you first put it on; and ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Brasher Helium X CR

£85.00

Amazingly light, especially for a shoe with a waterproof lining. But overall they feel more like a running shoe than a multi-activity shoe. For walking, this will suit those that are prepared to sacrifice comfort and support to save weight, but they are just a bit too flimsy for the really tough stuff unless you have very strong feet and ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Regatta Fast Track X-LT

£60.00

At first glance £60 seems like a good price for a pair of shoes for walking, and it certainly would be if you only really wanted them for casual use and really easy trails, but the Fast Track has a flimsy midsole that lacks the kind of lateral support needed for rough and rocky trails, and the tread pattern doesn’t ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
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Merrell Siren Ventilator Waterproof MID

£80.00

An incredibly soft, lightweight and comfortable boot that is really a mid-height multi-activity shoe. They flex easily and breathe exceptionally well, making them a good choice for casual summer walking. They’ll keep out water, too. A good lacing system ensures a snug enough fit, and the moulded heels help keep feet comfortably in place. The very low ankles don’t provide ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 2
  • Owners' rating rating is 0

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Country Walking magazine

Trail Magazine

Country Walking

Trail

Trail Running magazine

Outdoor Fitness magazine

Trail Running

Outdoor Fitness

 

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