Down and Insulated Jackets

Berghaus Tephra Stretch Reflect Down Insulated Jacket | Review

With its clever reflective technology, this product delivers extra helpings of warmth

Why We Chose The Berghaus Tephra Stretch: Warm and still breathable, well cut, good water resistance.

As the legendary British fellwalker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright once said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Over the years, of course, this line has been dug up and chucked around numerous times whenever discussions around the benefits of wearing the right products in suboptimal conditions arise. This year, thanks to its impressive ability to keep you incredibly warm in extremely low temperatures, we’re using this much-used quote to introduce the excellent Tephra Stretch Reflect Down Insulated Jacket from Berghaus.

Thanks to this jacket’s innovative internal workings that keep you 20% warmer thanks to ultra-light reflect technology, going out for long walks on cold winter days has arguably never been so tempting. In a nutshell, the ultra-light reflect stuff here works by directing your own body heat back to your core. Rather than see you lose your body’s own warmth to the surrounding air, the Tephra works collaboratively with you to keep you cosy and comfortable. This might sound like a gimmick, but trust us – it works.

“The ultra-light reflect stuff here works by directing your own body heat back to your core”

Of course, it’s not just the heat-reflecting tech that’s keeping you warm on the cold ones. The Tephra also comes equipped with ethically-sourced hydrophobic down (600 fill power). This Hydrodown filling, that’s been treated with Nikwax, keeps you nice and snug even in wet conditions.

To keep bulk under control, Berghaus have used Pertex Quantum on certain areas of the jacket’s exterior. This Pertex Quantum business is especially useful because as well as being lightweight, it’s also windproof to the extent where even the strongest gales will have difficulty blowing your warmth away.

The Hydrodown filling, that’s been treated with Nikwax, will keep you warm in wet conditions. Photo: Chris Johnson

The Berghaus Tephra has Bluesign approval. Photo: Chris Johnson

The Tephra's stretch panelling enhances the jacket's breathability and fit. Photo: Chris Johnson

Unlike some down jackets on the market, the all-round stretchy nature of the Tephra means you won’t experience that overwhelmed, imprisoned-in-a-coat, feeling that has almost certainly, whether you realised it or not, had a negative impact on some of your previous excursions. Put simply, the jacket feels like it’s working with your body’s movements rather than against them.

Throw into the mix the bluesign approval, which officially confirms that this product’s fabrics are safe for both you and the environment, as well as the good price point, and it’s clear you’re looking at one very tempting down jacket purchase.

Tester’s Verdict

Tom Watkinson, outdoor photographer

“I’ve enjoyed using this warm and water-repellent jacket. One thing in particular that I’ve noticed is that when my body temperature rises when I’m hiking uphill, the jacket feels breathable, with the fleece panels on the sides helping a lot in this regard. Those panels do let some wind in though – especially if it’s blowing from behind you. Still, it’s very comfortable and has a lot of stretch, making it perfect for scrambling, and for when I’m reaching in and out of my backpack for camera lenses etc. I’ve even found it’s coped with the exaggerated body contortions I impose on my gear in order to get the ‘perfect’ photograph.

“This has become my general-use go-to jacket for spring, summer and autumn months as it’s light, and very compressible for storing in my backpack – which doesn’t usually have much spare capacity.”

The Tephra has a handy internal pocket for storing your valuables. Photo: Chris Johnson

Trade Secrets

Graeme Paige, category manager at Berghaus

“The mid-weight down jacket market is heavily populated and it’s quite a challenge to introduce something that stands out both aesthetically and from a performance perspective. That was our aim and we also wanted the Tephra Stretch to work as a layering piece. Key to succeeding in that has been the stretch panelling, which gives a nice fitted look and stands out from the deluge of down in-store, but crucially also makes the Tephra more breathable and helps it work very well when used in a layering system.”