HI GEAR Rainpod (£21.99)

HI GEAR Rainpod (£21.99)

By John Manning

September 20 2011

TGO Rating 2 stars

Like other black jackets supplied for testing, the Rainpod (also available in blue) absorbs heat noticeably. Perhaps not an issue in colder months – a boon then, perhaps – but in summer, when you might face heavy showers one minute and bright sunshine the next, that can lessen comfort considerably. When walking hard I found moisture build-up – especially on the arms, shoulder and back – was greater in the Rainpod than with almost any other jacket. Only my head felt  comparatively dry – the hood is the only part of the jacket that has a mesh lining.

The modesty sized hood needs no volume adjustment; its single-hand operated drawcords enable a reasonable seal around the face but it’s easy to over-do it and distort the front of the hood. As there’s no peak, protection is very minimal. The bum-covering Rainpod is one of the cheapest jackets tested; like the Peter Storm and Technicals models, you might fi nd it regularly discounted even further.

Technical Spec

Protection: Nylon
Pockets: two Velcro-closed hand, two internal mesh
Weight: 322g (L, inc stuff sack)
Sizes: Men: S-XXXL, Women: 8-20
Likes: weight, mesh-lined hood, backside cover
Dislikes: pocket placement, venting/breathability, lack of face protection

Go Outdoors
08450 020888
www.gooutdoors.co.uk

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