Swiss brand Mammut has a rich heritage stretching back to the golden age of alpinism – the decade between 1854 and 1865 when most of Europe’s major peaks were conquered for the first time.

Founded in 1862 in the town of Dintikon by a certain Kaspar Tanner, the brand grew steadily throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. These days it’s one of the best-respected manufacturers of climbing kit in the business, leading the world in the manufacture of climbing ropes.

But while Mammut’s ropes and products like their barryvox transceivers are excellent, they don’t cut corners when it comes to clothing design either. The Masao Jacket is just one of the many great pieces in their summer 2017 range.

“The build quality is excellent – as exceptional as you’d expect from a Swiss company who’ve been making mountain gear for over 150 years.”

This is a versatile all-rounder of a hardshell jacket, designed to suit a variety of outdoor activities, from hill-walking to scrambling to biking to climbing. The bulk of the jacket is made from Mammut’s own DryTech fabric, a highly waterproof (rated up to 20,000mm), breathable material which interestingly works thanks to its hydrophilic (as opposed to hydrophobic) properties. The membrane inside absorbs perspiration like a sponge, locking it in before releasing it through the material and into the air.

The jacket is well-fitted (we had the medium-sized model to test) and easy to adjust – the drawcord on the hem is specifically made to be tightened or loosened with one hand. The front zip is a two way design so you can open it from the bottom too, and the configuration of the pockets (one on the chest, two mounted slightly above the hips) are designed to be compatible with a backpack or a harness.