Women's | translate:/Global/SiteRating: 2 | 500-999g

A rather broad fit and also quite short so be prepared to go up a size. Quite heavy, with a tough Vibram sole that provides good shock absorption and grip. Out in the hills they performed well, keeping out water even in really wet grass, although they felt a bit hot and sweaty at times. The midsole is really stiff ...

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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 ...

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AKU Ultra Light GTX

£145.00

A surprisingly narrow and unforgiving fit that will only suit women with narrow feet. They’re lightweight, though, with a soft, medium-high ankle cuff. The Gore-Tex lining will keep your feet dry, and the suede and mesh uppers are very breathable. But the very lightweight sole and narrow heel don’t provide much shock absorption, which doesn’t inspire confidence on rough terrain, ...

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Grisport Ascent

£57.50

The Ascents are soft and comfortable unisex boots that will especially suit walkers with wide feet. They’re best-suited to low-level terrain, as the soft uppers and flexible midsole don’t provide much support. However, they have a a chunky sole that grips well, especially on rock, and the heel and toe are reinforced to protect from knocks. They’re very lightweight, and ...

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Technicals Nimbus 2009

£65.00

The Technicals Nimbus multi-activity shoe weighs 884g (pair, size 11); mesh upper for maximum breathability; stiffened toe box; reinforcement around shoe for more durability. But no waterproof lining; outsole lug pattern is very shallow and easily clogged so not ideal for grip in mud; very bendy sole unit offers minimal support.

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Merrell Chameleon Arc Mid 2009

£85.00

The Merrell Chameleon Arc Mid weighs 952g (pair, size 5); waterproof lining; rubber toe bumper; Vibram outsole with reasonable stiffness. But it’s a mid-cut boot so not as protective as those with higher ankle cuff; outsole lugs not as good as some others for grip as no heel breast; upper not as durable as those with less stitching; upper not ...

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Regatta Lady Fast Track Mid X-LT 2009

£70.00

The Regatta Lady Fast Track Mid X-LT weighs just 752g (pair, size 5); Isotex waterproof lining; reasonably aggressive outsole lug pattern to keep a grip in mud; excellent price. But very flexible sole and upper with a soft toe box, so not the best for rocky ground.

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Tog 24 Vail

£100.00

The fabric is quite stiff and heavy. We liked the deep fleece-lined handwarmer pockets and the adjustable removable hood. The wide Velcro cuffs also rolled up easily.Design is feminine and the windproof fabric will keep you warm on cold, wintry days. Showerproof, too, but not as breathable as some, and the heavy, brittle fabric was a little cumbersome to walk ...

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Rohan Mountain Pass 2008

£149.00

The Rohan Mountain Pass multi-activity jacket’s fabric rated as extremely waterproof and extremely breathable; mesh lining; rollaway hood with stiffened peak moves well with head; two deep hip pockets; dedicated map pocket; great price. But 832g (men’s M) is very heavy; access to base pockets is easily obscured; hem and cuffs tend to ride up when reaching up; no reflective ...

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Lafuma LD Lane

£60.00

Disappointingly the hood was a bit small, and could have done with a stiffer peak. Will keep your body dry, but not your face in heavy rain. Large well-placed handwarmer pockets, but the pit zips were fiddly to operate and provided very limited ventilation.VITAL STATSColours: Bright red, meadow green, fresh blue, khakiSizes: XS-XXLFabric: Climaway RipstopKey features: Hood that stows into ...

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Craghoppers Madigan

£80.00

A good length in the arms and body. The zip-off hood is rather small, though, and didn’t protect the sides of the face too well. A feminine looking jacket that will keep you dry, although the AquaDry fabric isn’t the most breathable. The insulated “hot pockets” were certainly very warm and large map pocket was a bonus.VITAL STATSColours: Cloud blue, ...

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Sprayway Monsoon IA

£160.00

Long in the body. Deep, adjustable hood, which proved totally bomb-proof in a gale. Its bulk made the Monsoon quite warm. Comes with a useful array of deep pockets and wide opening pit zips. Lots of features make it quite heavy, however.VITAL STATSColours: Five including sunset/black and marine/blackSizes: 8-18Fabric: Gore-Tex PerformanceKey features: Zip and pack (ZAP) hood, interactive zip, drawcord ...

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Dare2B Precipitate 2008

£60.00

The Dare2B Precipitate multi-activity jacket has a low price; very waterproof, very breathable Isolite 15000 fabric; reflective panels; rear pocket and scoop tail for biking; pit zips; double stormflap. But 726g (men’s L) is very heavy; higher price brings better fabric; hip pockets easily obscured; chest pocket too small; hood movement is poor; large hood peak easily obscures vision.

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Marmot Palisades

£170.00

Lovely and snug with soft, rustle-free fabric and fleece-lined collar. Has a wonderfully deep hood, too, but it was really hard to do up properly. An attractive jacket which will keep you totally dry. However, the hood was much too fiddly to do up securely in the wind, and it comes with features for skiing, which many won’t need.VITAL STATSColours: ...

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Outdoor Scene Ascent

£70.00

Soft and spongy and limited arch support left feet feeling tired and vulnerable. Quite narrow at the toe, but the upper was soft enough to compensate, so it didn’t give any real discomfort. The Vibram sole didn’t feel as stiff and substantial as some. The low ankle cuff and minimal midsole support makes them best for low-level walks only. Lightweight.VITAL ...

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Helly Hansen Odin 2008

£350.00

The Helly Hansen Odin winter jacket weighs just 690g (men’s L); Helly Tech extremely waterproof and extremely breathable fabric; rubberised reinforcement on shoulders; zip-out snow skirt; superb sleeve movement; map-sized hip pockets; small chest pocket; reasonable hood fit and movement. But pricy; zips lack stormflaps; hip pocket access easily obscured by rucksacks; peak not the best.

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Tog 24 Hanover 2008

£160.00

The Tog 24 Hanover general-purpose jacket’s Gore-Tex fabric is extremely waterproof and very breathable; mesh lining; two hip pockets ideal as handwarmers; smaller chest pocket; front zip stormflap; removable hood, wired peak; pit zips. But 986g (men‘s L) is quite heavy; hip pocket access is easily obscured with rucksack belts; no external map-sized pockets; fabric not as breathable as higher-priced ...

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Patagonia Storm 2008

£185.00

The Patagonia Storm general-purpose jacket features 100% recycled polyester with H2No waterproof and breathable treatment: double stormflap; mesh lining; pit zips; excellent movement in sleeves; good hood fit and movement. But 844g (men‘s L) is very heavy; access to main hip pockets is easily obscured; chest pocket too small for maps; large, soft hood peak can flatten.

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Peter Storm HighLite

£50.00

The Peter Storm HighLite general-purpose jacket weighs just 554g (women’s M); low price; waterproof and breathable StormTech fabric; two deep hip pockets; mesh lining adds comfort; hood rolls into collar. But poor pocket access while wearing a rucksack; hood has no peak for extra protection; sleeves ride up easily; high price brings more waterproof and more breathable materials.

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Merrell Trust/Quick 2008

£100.00

The Merrell Trust/Quick general-purpose jacket weighs just 678g (men‘s L); waterproof and breathable OptiShell fabric; polyester lining adds comfort; pit zip venting; two hip pockets; chest pocket; external zip stormflap; fixed hood with peak; stylish material. But access to pockets is easily obscured with rucksack belts; chest pocket is very small; hood peak is too large and floppy.

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Marmot Superhero 2008

£180.00

This soft shell jacket’s Gore Windstopper fabric is very wind- and water-resistant and hard-wearing; insulated shoulders and sides; extra-breathable armpits; rollaway hood. But small chest pocket; relatively heavy at 682g; high price tag; pockets easily obstructed by hipbelts or climbing harness; hood movement not ideal.

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Golite Gauntlet 2008

£190.00

This soft shell jacket uses stretch Trinity waterproof breathable fabric with sealed seams; abrasion-resistant, 100% windproof; long pit zips for added ventilation; iPod pocket inside; removable hood with volume adjuster has good fit and movement. But high price tag; 710g is relatively heavy; base pocket access is easily obscured by rucksacks; more of a waterproof than a soft shell.

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Keela Zenith/Zenita 2008

£80.00

This soft shell jacket boasts waterproof fabric (but not taped seams); side vents; chest and hip pocket just about take an OS map. But 700g is relatively heavy; less stretchy than some; access to hip pockets is easily obscured by rucksack belts; no collar adjustment or hood to keep draughts out.

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Keen Trail Wasatch Crest Waterproof

£85.00

Like most Keen footwear, this trail-running shoe features the wraparound rubber toe protector that is moulded into the outsole. A more unusual feature is the angled lacing that is designed to allow a more natural flex of the toe. The upper is not mesh like most other trail-running shoes, but it‘s lined with waterproof and breathable eVent, so your feet ...

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Wynnster Glacier

£50.00

This windproof fleece from Wynnster is not a great fit, with a long, loose body and no drawcord at the hem. The arms are a reasonable length, but the collar is too low and the lining feels scratchy against the skin. The length and weight of this fleece makes it uncomfortable for energetic walking, but the Cirrus 200 fabric keeps ...