Waterproof Jackets

Tierra Nevado Jacket | Review

A tough but surprisingly lightweight jacket from a Swedish brand with heritage. Here's how we got on with it

To many outdoor enthusiasts in the UK, Tierra will be an unfamiliar name, but over in Sweden it’s a popular brand and has been for some time – in fact, it originally made its name as being the outfitter to the first all-Swedish team to climb Everest.

That’s one notable thing about Tierra. What’s perhaps even more notable is the fact that it’s one of the first ever companies that’s been permitted to use Gore-tex’s brand new ePE membrane. This is featured in their Västra jacket, which has just been released. This particular model on review here, we should stress, doesn’t feature that membrane, but we’d hazard a guess that future versions probably will. Instead, it features 3-layer Gore-tex with a C-knit backer.

Materials

This shell has a tough and hard-wearing feel to it, but it also doesn’t feel heavy or cumbersome either. It has a really technical feel and performance to it with a hardy outer Polyamide face fabric, the Gore-tex membrane underneath this and then a specially designed inner liner that shields the membrane from abrasion and dirt and body oils while also just creating a comfortable feel against the skin.

Pros: Durable but light, protective hood, good technical cut
Cons: Strange dual entry hand pocket

Our tester Cat using the Tierra Nevado in the Cairngorms. Photos: Dave Macfarlane

Details

The Tierra Nevado has some nice design details. These include two long underarm zips that are two-way and easy to use and a protective high collar that has perforations to let you hunker down behind the fabric without your breath making it go all soggy. The hood itself is protective and moves nicely with the head, it’s helmet friendly and has three-point adjustment and a stiffened peak. A two-way zip across the front of the jacket will suit climbers who like to be able to throw a jacket on over the top of a climbing harness. A simple popper at the base of the zip means you can partially unzip the jacket from the bottom to create a vent for increased airflow without fully opening the jacket.

The Nevado has a toggled hem and Velcro tabs on the cuffs and then a range of pockets. On the outside, there are two handwarmer pockets that are placed so that they’re not cut off by a hipbelt or climbing harness. Inside the jacket, there’s a mesh dump pocket which is perfect for stowing a pair of winter gloves. The hood is well specced, with a moldable peak that covers the face well and plenty of adjustment so you can ensure it holds in bad weather and will move with your head. It’s big enough to accommodate a helmet underneath.

What we can’t quite understand is the zip on the chest. You could easily be mistaken for thinking this opens up to a large pocket but it actually just shares the same space as the handwarmer pocket. While this will have its uses, it just seems like a recipe for disaster. Imagine, instinctively placing your phone or keys into the chest pocket without realising that the other zip into the pocket, which is lower placed, is open?

Some Other Key Things Answered

Is it available in a men’s version? Yes
Is it machine washable? Yes but make sure to follow the instructions on the label
Is it packable? Yes

Tester’s Verdict

Hannah White, outdoor enthusiast

I tried this in a medium, my usual size, and it fitted perfectly. I like the fact that the cut is loose enough to accommodate a warm layer underneath but it also doesn’t come across as baggy or flappy either. I also appreciated how the hem was cut so that it will stay nicely underneath a climbing harness or a backpack with a hipbelt.

The chin is quite high – higher than you normally tend to see – and, on really wet and windy days using this, I liked the extra protection this provided. All in all, I see this as an excellent all-rounder – the kind of jacket you can pull on for just about every outdoor activity.