By Chris Townsend

February 09 2011

TGO Rating 3.5 stars

Finisterre describe the Storm Track as a softshell jacket, though it doesn’t look much like the stretch woven softshells that dominate the market.

To me, it’s a superior choice to any of those garments as it performs better, being waterproof, windproof, very breathable and quite warm – none of the stretch softshells can do all four well. The Storm Track is a two-layer garment in the Paramo style with a thin outer shell and a brushed inner with the raised side away from the body. As with Paramo garments this keeps out the weather whilst transmitting body moisture rapidly.

Where it differs from Paramo is in the cut, which Finisterre describes as “slim” and “ergonomic”. This means it’s closer-fitting and cut to follow the shape of the body. I’m normally a medium but found the large Storm Track more comfortable and still a snugger fit than a medium Paramo. The rest of the design is excellent apart from a few minor niggles. The adjustable hood is particularly good. It has a wired peak and gives great protection while moving with the head. The big side pockets have two-way water resistant zips and can be used for ventilation. The zips are accessible when wearing a pack hipbelt but the bottom of the pockets is cut off. I like having four accessible pockets but I wish one was mapsize.

All the zips are top quality toothed Riri ones. There’s a wide stud-fastened flap behind the front zip so you can get some ventilation without having the jacket gaping open by opening the zip and leaving the studs closed. The side pocket zips have fairly stiff long rubberised pullers. The chest pocket zips and the main zip have long pullers made of soft webbing. These pullers are a nuisance. The pocket ones can catch in the main zip and the main zip one can lash you in the face in windy weather. They should have pullers like those on the side pockets. As it is, these pullers are easy to remove. The cuffs are wide, which is good for ventilation, and the sleeves can be easily pushed up if necessary. The tabs on the wide Velcro cuff fasteners stick out awkwardly though and I kept catching them on gloves and poles and other items. They could be a little shorter and round the other side of the cuffs.

The Storm Track has coped admirably with some foul weather in the Cairngorms – rain lower down, sleet and wet snow and a galeforce wind on the tops – and is a good jacket for cold conditions, being far more breathable than any garment with a membrane or coating. The lining makes the Storm Track about as warm as a windshirt plus midweight base layer so it’s not one for warm weather. It’s not that bulky or heavy but I still wouldn’t want to carry it in the pack in case of need. This is a jacket for wearing all day. The fabrics seem pretty tough and as it can be reproofed repeatedly it should last a long time. While I’m quite happy with Paramo’s similar jackets it’s good to see an alternative with a different cut for those who don’t like the Paramo shape.