Marmot Baffin Half-Zip (2012)

This is a kind of hybrid style of jacket that offers more warmth than a fleece with a bit of extra waterproofing thrown in. As a pullover style it won’t be to everyone’s taste, and it isn’t the easiest to take off in a hurry. But the thinking is that you shouldn’t need to take it off so often because the soft shell side panels add extra breathability, meaning it adapts well to changing temperatures. It sits somewhere between a fleece and a jacket and functions best as a mid-layer, or as an insulated windshirt. It’s much warmer than a fleece, with less bulk, although it’s not as warm as the more heavy-duty jackets out there. Its short cut and lack of a hood mean it doesn’t really offer enough protection in the wet.

Review from Country Walking magazine, February 2012.