Women's | £300 - £599 | translate:/Global/SiteRating: 3

At 448g (men’s L) the Mammut Albaron /Adamello is the lightest jacket in our test, and while it is certainly trimmed down to make that weight it still has some great features. It is made from Gore-Tex Pro Shell, as are many other jackets, but this feels like a thinner and therefore lighter version. To maintain durability you get reinforcement ...

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Arc’teryx Beta AR 2011

£340.00

The Arc’teryx Beta AR weighs in at an impressive 494g (men’s L) so it is one of the lightest jackets in our test. That weight advantage comes from the relatively short and stripped-down design, as you just get two external pockets, pits zips and a main zip. The fabric is quite a thin version of Gore-Tex Pro Shell, so there ...

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Helly Hansen Verglas 2010

£330.00

The Helly Hansen Verglas weighs 516g (size M); Helly Tech O2 fabric has extremely good waterproofness and breathability; stretch panels in shoulder and hem; two small high chest pockets; two very large hip pockets; removable snowskirt. But access to hip pockets easily obscured with rucksack belts; front zip has internal rather than external stormflaps; hood not as good as some.

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Adidas Terrex Feather 2010

£340.00

The Adidas Terrex Feather weighs 400g (size L); Gore-Tex Pro Shell offers extremely high levels of waterproofness and breathability; mesh pockets on chest increase ventilation and can be accessed while wearing a rucksack; fixed hood with wired peak can be rolled down and secured; excellent movement in sleeves. But very pricy for features; sealed pockets and a storm flap over ...

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Mountain Hardwear Optimo/Celeste 2010

£330.00

The Mountain Hardwear Optimo/Celeste weighs 412g (size M); Gore-Tex Pro Shell fabric; two large hip pockets; additional chest pocket; rolldown hood with excellent movement and large wired peak; pit zips. But price tag is high; others are lighter; access to base pockets is not ideal when wearing a rucksack belt; base pockets are mesh so they’re not watertight.

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Vaude Stretch Infinity 2009

£300.00

The Vaude Stretch Infinity general-purpose jacket weighs 552g (men’s L); stretch eVent fabric is extremely waterproof and breathable; pit zips; chest pockets easily accessed with rucksack on; front zip gets external stormflap; fine hood movement. But chest pockets are mesh-lined so not as waterproof as sealed pockets; hood peak is large and not stiffened.

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The North Face Heathen 2009

£300.00

With the The North Face Heathen jacket you do get a lot of features for the tiny weight of 332g (men’s M), so it should appeal to the lightweight walker. Firstly it is made from well-proven Gore-Tex Pro Shell, which offers excellent performance in terms of its waterproofness and its breathability. There are two chest pockets that are easily large ...

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The North Face Mammatus 2008

£325.00

The Mammatus winter jacket from The North Face weighs just 508g (men’s M); Gore Pro Shell fabric, so top waterproofness and breathability; two Napoleon chest pockets; two huge conventional chest pockets; pit zips for venting; outstanding hood fit and movement. But not worth the high price tag; main zip lacks external stormflap; large, soft peak easily distorts.