Group Tests and Best Buys

Best Ultra Lightweight Insulated Jackets 2016

Selection of the top ultra-lightweight insulation jackets on the market for endurance athletes.

In the past few years lightweight insulation layers have burst onto the market. To be used either as an emergency insulation layer on the hill by runners or weight conscious climbers or as a mid layer/outer layer for runners in very cold settings, they have pushed the limits in terms of the lightest materials, and the amount of insulation they can get away with whilst still calling it insulation.

Different types of insulation in the test

All the insulation layers in this comparative review use synthetic insulation, generally one of the Primaloft family. Once wet through from rain or sweat the jacket manages to retain the same amount of insulation as it would do when dry, making them a good emergency layer for Britain, as we know, when things get cold here, they tend to get wet as well.

A number of the brands have begun to use double-sided jackets, windproof on one side and breathable on the other, with the insulation sandwiched between them. The theory here is that with the breathable layer out, there is some insulation, but the wind is able to blow through the insulative layer and provide a cooling effect as you travel. With the windproof side out, the wind is no longer able to waft away the warm air that is being trapped inside the jacket, and so you stay warmer.

Testing criteria

I’m a size Small. All layers on test here are size Small. Every item of upper body clothing I wear for the outdoors is size small, so I am comparing the sizes against that. (my girlfriend is between a size 10 and 12 and has been nicking all the layers to wear as well).

All tests were conducted using a single synthetic base layer (helly hansen lifa, since you ask), and when really gnarly, this was backed up with an eVent running smock which went over the whole lot. This would be my typical clothing system when running in the hills.

About the author

Tim Budd is a Chartered Physiotherapist, Summer Mountain Leader and keen fell runner. He recently won the MRT Challenge race as part of the Montane Spine Race and along the way he gave a few of these jackets a good bashing.

Navigation

To check out the jackets either scroll down the page or follow the links to your favourite brands below.

Berghaus Vapourlight Hypertherm Race Smock – 151g / £140

Review

I can’t believe how light this jacket is. Hold it up to the light and it’s pretty much see through. You can see the amount of insulation in it, and it really isn’t a lot. To look at it, this really seems to be something that is for show only, not something you would take on a hill and use in anger.

Being the lightest of the lot, I had it as my emergency insulation layer on the Spine Challenger and it got used from about 2am right through to the end. As a third layer (base, this and an eVent waterproof) it was amazing.

I certainly wasn’t moving fast enough to keep generating enough warmth without it, but with it, I was comfortable right through to the end. brilliant. For some reason, as you put it on it almost feels stretchy, and it also feels light.

Wouldn’t like to rely on it standing still or injured without further protection, but it really does its stuff.

Pros

The lightest on test, decent length arms, feels stretchy and noticeably lightweight, packs down ridiculously small.C

Cons

Lack of thumb loops and hand warmer pockets, in fact, any pockets

Value: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
X-factor: 5/5

Brand website: www.berghaus.com.

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Inov-8 Thermoshell 260 Jacket – 262g / £120

Review

Long arms. Ok – so Im beginning to sound like I’m a little obsessed with the arm thing here, but it is important. Without pockets to shove your hands in, long arms which cover your hands mean increased warmth. This jacket does indeed deliver.

The main thing you notice in comparison to the other models on review is that when you are wearing it, you FEEL like you are wearing a jacket. I can’t work out if it is the cut, they type of fabric or what, but it feels heavier, more substantial than others.

This is the only jacket with a 2 way zip – only accessible when wearing it breathable side out, it gives an extra dimension to airflow when moving fast in the cold.

Pros

Excellent length arms with comprehensive hand covering and thumb loops

Cons

Heaviest double sided jacket on test, and the largest packdown size

Value: 3/5
Performance: 4/5
X-factor: 3/5

Brand website: www.inov-8.com.

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Montane Fireball Verso Pull On – 240g / £100

Review

The first thing you notice here are the extra long arms and the handwarming cuffs and thumbloops. The length of them go almost to the point where if you don’t have gloves, it is not a problem. I’ve been out for walks and runs with this on bleaklow in the snow with just a baselayer under it and have been really quite pleasantly surprised at its versatility.

When working harder uphill, breathable side out makes it a decent temperature, but standing around on the top, turn it the other way out and the windproof fabric keeps the wind out and the heat in. I wasn’t expecting it to work so well, but it did.

In the whole “hold it up to the light” test, there is a significant difference to the berghaus. At 100g heavier you wonder if the weight comes from the extra fabric for the hands, the zip for the pocket, or maybe the slightly heavier feeling fabric.

It feels slightly more meaningful than the Berghaus, a bit more robust, less fragile, and maybe a touch warmer. Again, the difference between having the windproof and breathable side out is really clear when you’re moving fast.

Pros

Long arms with thumb loops. Good cut.

Cons

If you’re going to be fernickity about it, its 100g heavier than the lightest on test.

Value: 5/5
Performance: 4/5
X-factor: 4/5

Brand website: www.montane.co.uk.

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OMM Raid Hood Jacket – 390g £150

Review

Its very difficult to compare this to the other jackets on test – and indeed unfair. The OMM equivalent is the reversible Rotor smock – but I haven’t got one of those to test.

This jacket is excellent in the rain, as you would hope, and is also noticeably warmer than the other jackets on test – indeed as you would hope. Somewhat heavier, it is designed for a slightly different market, it is not an emergency layer, and is certainly not one that you would want to run in, unless in the very coldest of environments.

OMM say it can be used as a part of a sleeping system with its current half bag, which sounds brilliant in concept for hyperlightweight camping. Personally I’d rather have a bag and a seperate jacket in case the jacket ended up sodden at the end of the day, but thats just personal preference.

Pros

Warm, versatile

Cons

Pockets entrances are a little low – it feels like stuff could fall out of them without noticing, the hood has a volumiser, but no cinch to close down the face hole in gnarly conditions.

Value: 4/5
Performance: 3/5
X-factor: 3/5

Brand website: www.theomm.com.

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Outdoor Research Deviator Hoodie – 304g / £120

Review

Whilst not really being in the same class as the rest of the jackets on test here, the Deviator hoodie deserves a mention. Essentially it is a microgrid fleece with a windproof front panel. The fleece on the arms and back are not windproof in any way shape or form, but are not meant to be.

This is most certainly an insulation layer for on the move when precipitation is not a problem, but wind is. Using the deviator with a rucksac I felt protected from strong breezes whilst being open enough to really let out the heat. It is a superb halfway house for running in, but is certainly not an insulation layer to be relying on when stop and really need something totally windproof and all encompassing.

Pros

Excellent for running in

Cons

Not really insulated

Value: 3/5
Performance: 3/5
X-factor: 3/5

Brand website: www.outdoorresearch.com.

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Patagonia Nanopuff Jacket – 266g / £140

Review

The nanopuff was indeed one of the original lightweight insulation layers. Back in the day it was a game changer, and even these days, it still holds up to scrutiny. Beyond its insulation, one of the great features is that it has such good eco-credentials. Patagonia really are taking it upon themselves to create truely recycled and ecologically friendly garments, and for that they should be praised.

It is one of the heaviest layers on test, and it has to be said that it is not the best cut – boxy and a little old school. The chest pocket is massive, and it enables the jacket to be folded away into its own pocket, meaning there is no stuff sack to lose amongst your kit. The biggest annoyance for me is the somewhat short arms. It’s not that they are ultra short, but it is short enough to notice. You’ll need gloves with this one, without a doubt – no hiding your hands in sleeves.

Having said that, it’s the other half’s absolute favourite. Mens small fits her perfectly, and for her, the arms are about the right length. I still think that the cut feels a bit dated though.

Pros

Big chest pocket. Eco Credentials.

Cons

Short Sleeves, boxy looking

Value: 3/5
performance: 3/5
x-factor: 3/5

Brand website: www.patagonia.com.

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Rab Ether-X Jacket – 210g / £130

Review

The only jacket here with a full length zip, hand pockets and a bottom hem volumiser, this is the most well specced of the lot, without being the heaviest. It feels warm, and packs into one of those pockets quite handily, so negating the need for an easily lost stuff sack.

To me it feels much more like a climbers emergency belay jacket than an emergency layer for a runner. As it is a jacket rather than a smock, it obviously goes on a lot more easily, but there is a lot more zip through which wind can encroach.

Non-reversable, it lacks the breathable option for moving a bit faster while wearing it without overheating. I can’t say it is any warmer or more comfortable than any of the other jackets when staying still, but if you’re looking for a jacket to hang on a belay loop for cold stuff, this is the best one of the lot here. You aren’t going to be toasty warm, but you’ll be warmer than without it, and you’ll be able to get it on and off with minimal contortionism on a belay.