TGO Rating: 3.5
Lightweight, comfortable and reasonably breathable, the Tumalo isn’t a bad jacket. It’s slightly longer than most jackets tested. The hood moves with the head but the soft peak is pretty useless and the untethered drawcords can lash you in the face.
TGO Rating: 4
This is a waterproof for ultralight backpackers and for those who wear a windproof top or a soft shell most of the time and only need a waterproof jacket for prolonged heavy rain.
The Demand Pull-On is a simple smock designed to provide the performance of eVent at a minimal weight and it does this very well.
TGO Rating: 3
Gore’s Comfort Mapping adds insulating material to those areas where you feel cold so this jacket has thin fleece on the chest and a perforated coarser fabric on the sides and back.
The High Trails is a mix of hill and high street features. The fabric is soft and reasonably breathable but the lining can snag on inner clothing and makes the jacket quite warm.
This jacket makes a smart town coat whilst still performing okay for walking. It’s heavy though and bulky when packed so better worn all day than carried in the pack. The fabric is reasonably breathable though the sleeve linings can feel clammy.
The Torq is a good jacket for year round hillwalking made from a tough version of eVent that should stand up well to scrambling and mountaineering. It’s very breathable and there is good arm ventilation through the wide cuffs.
This is a practical, well-designed lightweight jacket that has the bonus of being made of partly recycled material. The whole garment can be recycled when worn out too.
A year ago Lowe Alpine launched Triplepoint Dynamic, a membrane with ceramic particles said to aid breathability, which will remind some people of the original, and pretty good, Triplepoint Ceramic fabric.
The Albaron is a functional lightweight mountain jacket with good breathability. It’s quite close-fitting – I didn’t find the Large size too roomy. The giant pockets easily hold maps and other gear.
