Waterproof Jackets

OMM Halo Jacket | Review

Ultra-Lightweight shell for the minimalist runner in mind

The OMM is the Original Mountain Marathon, a frankly ludicrous two-day point-to-point footrace across the harshest of British terrain. We know, a few of the Outdoors Magic team have taken part, and just about lived to tell the tale.

The annual OMM event started in 1968 as a way for people who love the mountains to test their abilities to the maximum. It takes places in a different upland location every year and lasts for two days and one night, the rub being that you have to carry your tent, food and all the equipment with you. The course is based around checkpoints in hard-to-get points all over the mountains and in pairs you have to navigate to a set number of them before collapsing in your sleeping bag.

“The Halo Jacket weighs a mere 105g and packs down to the size of a tennis ball”

The demands on gear, from the shoes to the backpack is immense – we’ve seen many a shredded item at the end of the OMM, some that were new a mere two days earlier. Oh, and the event is in October. It has been so popular that a network of other events from the Alps to Japan are also run.

Recognising that the gear we use takes almost as much strain as it does on the person, the organisers started making equipment especially for their own race. It has to fulfil two criteria: be incredibly durable and also incredibly lightweight. If you’re ever going to chop your toothbrush in half to save weight, this is the event to do it.

The Halo Jacket we’ve been testing weighs a mere 105g and packs down to the size of a tennis ball. It is astonishingly light. The fantastic thing about this jacket, and all of OMM jackets we’ve tried actually, is the breathability of the fabric. The Halo uses 2.5 layer material with taped seams and can stand up to the Highlands in October, yet it still remains very breathable, even when you’re running (or at least panting) your way up a big hill.

Another aspect we are impressed with is the peaked hood and the extended cuffs with thumb holes.

The drop tail rarely rides up either, even when in full stride.

Another aspect we are impressed with is the peaked hood and the extended cuffs with thumb holes. The drop tail rarely rides up either, even when in full stride. It should also be said that this jacket meets all FRA and ultra distance race requirements.

Another superb jacket from OMM, and one we’ll be seeing at the next event on October 27-28 later in the year.

Tester’s Verdict

“I have had this jacket in my bag since it arrived (it takes up virtually no room!). It’s a super lightweight shell that packs down small enough to stuff into a pocket when not in use.

The weather in the UK’s mountains is, as we all know, very changeable so having a jacket I can quickly pull out and throw on before getting soaked in a downpour is a must. I was impressed with how breathable the fabric is as well, and I found the snug fit of the hood and the thumb slots very useful for keeping both the wind and rain out.” – OM Editor, Will Renwick.