Craghoppers Response Compresslite Jacket | Review - Outdoors Magic

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Craghoppers Response Compresslite Jacket | Review

Lightly-insulated synthetic jacket from Craghoppers packs commendably small, but isn't as warm or slick as more expensive alternatives.

‘Cheerful, lightly insulated synthetic jacket with down-like skinny-baffled look-alike style-lines and sleeves that are slightly too short’

Outdoors Magic: It looks neat, packs reasonably small, has a basic hood and, at the reduced price at least, is killer value for money.

Outdoors Tragic: Not very warm at all, sweaty on the move,  sleeves tended to pull up with movement for us.

Outdoors Grabbit? The Response Compresslite is the cheapest jacket we’ve tested by some distance and also, probably, the least warm. That said it packs down reasonably small into a pocket, offers wind protection and some warmth and has a modest but okay hood. We wouldn’t suggest it for serious winter mountain use, it’s simply not warm enough, but if you’re on a tight budget and don’t need too much warmth it fits the bill. Mind the sleeves, they’re just on the cusp of being slightly too short.

 

Response Compresslite Jacket Ratings

Outright Warmth 

Packability 

Damp-proofing 

Overall:

Full Specification

Synthetic-filled outdoors jacket / ClimaPlus synthetic insulation / lightweight windproof polyester fabric / two-zipped hand-warmer pockets / single zipped chest-pocket / grown-on adjustable hood / full-length zip with inner storm-flap / elasticated cuff and hem.

Full Review Below

Hood is basic with slightly fiddly adjustment, but it's there - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
Elasticated cuffs save weight, but don't seal particularly well - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
jacket packs neatly away into one the twin hand-warmer pockets - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha

Response Compresslite Jacket – Performance

Lightly filled with ClimaPlus synthetic insulation and quilted to echo micro-baffled down jacket looks, the Response Compresslite looks neat enough, but suffers in performance compared to more expensive alternatives.

That said, at the time of writing, it was selling for just £45 direct from the Craghoppers website, which makes it excellent value. The fit is okay, though we found it slightly tight across the shoulders and a little short in the sleeves when reaching up or out and most of the basics are there.

The Small Things

It’s the little things that let it down compared to more technical jackets though. Pocket zip-pulls aren’t tabbed, the hood is basic and fiddly to adjust, though it exists and is lightly insulated and the elasticated cuffs were a little loose for us.

Mostly though, it’s just not particularly warm for a jacket weighing more than 400g even though it packs down decently small into its own hand-warmer pocket. It might work as a summer mountain stand-by, but for cooler conditions, it’s just not quite enough.

 

There's a handy chest pocket for a phone or GPS - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
The hem is elasticated, not a problem for us, but if you're on the slim side, it might compromise the sealing - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha

Response Compresslite Jacket – Verdict

We can’t argue with the pared-down price, the cheerful styling, or the decent pack size and if you’re on a tight budget the jacket’s worth a look for sure. That said, it doesn’t offer a huge amount of warmth when stopped, but feels clammy and sweaty on the move.

If you can stretch a bit further, the Alpkit Heiko is around 100g lighter and uses PrimaLoft Silver insulation in a neat design albeit without a hood. But if you’re on a tight budget and want a lightweight, affordable options, the Response Compresslite is a cheery choice.

More Information

See craghoppers.com

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- Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
There's a handy chest pocket for a phone or GPS - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
jacket packs neatly away into one the twin hand-warmer pockets - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
Hood is basic with slightly fiddly adjustment, but it's there - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
Elasticated cuffs save weight, but don't seal particularly well - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha
The hem is elasticated, not a problem for us, but if you're on the slim side, it might compromise the sealing - Photo by Lukasz Warzecha

Topics:

Craghoppers

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