Berghaus Freeflow 25 + 5 Pack

I've had a freeflow pack for a long time. In fact it was one of the first generation versions and I used it for a long time. It's still in the gear cupboard it's just been superseded by my gear obsession.

The current version has changed slightly but the concept hasn't changed. The mesh grid along with the curved panel allows the ''free flow" of air to the back meaning less material pressing on the back whilst you get hot during activity. 

 

The 25 + 5 version you see here has a lot of nice additions - netted pockets, vented "EVABREATHE" shoulder straps and a hydration pocket to name a few. 

The pocket on the flap has a bigger opening with a curved zip opening.

The biggest addition I can see is the BIOFIT system which is an adjustable back height. It has 5 settings from XS to XL allowing it to sit correctly around the waist which it does. It sits comfortably over the shoulders and around the waist. I did find the waist belt loosened off a bit but nothing too serious.

I find that between the mesh and the curved panel is good for stashing my map whilst walking.

The additional features do add to the weight of what is an already weighty system. Granted its not the lightest but it carries well, so a balance is struck.

There are walking pole attachments which can be bastardised to accommodate an ice axe.

I was a bit concerned about the white straps getting filthy but after several lanes on the hill it has returned still white. Obviously just aesthetics.

There's also a rain cover, which I always completely forget about.

I do have difficulty with the volume of the pack. the knock on effect of the curved panel is the main area has to curve too. lt doesn't however have an adverse effect on the packs centre of gravity. What it does affect though is how the pack holds its contents. To me it feels restrictive, the curve seems to impair access to the depths of the sack. Not majorly but enough. And it doesn't feel like it's the full 25 litres.

It doesn't make it a bad pack. Actually its very comfortable which is the main thing. It makes a good summer and pre-winter pack.The side pockets, which I assume are the + 5, are really handy. Normally I keep a water bottle in one and water proof trousers in the other so they're handy.

This model isn't in production anymore it seems. There is a 25 litre and a 30 litre version on Berghaus's site along with all their other products here www.berghaus.com

Bergans of Norway Sauda Down Jacket

If there's a country who knows about the cold and the requirement for warm clothes it's Norway! I have been there a couple of times and as well as it being a beautiful country it can be bitterly cold. Bergans Of Norway holds a heavy tradition of quality outdoor clothing and gear. They are now heading full steam towards the UK and I can't think of a better brand to have available to outdoor folks.

I've been using this Sauda down jacket over the winter and with the sub zero temperatures it has come in very handy. It arrived just before I went on a summit wild camp. It was the most welcome piece of kit I could of asked for. The summit of Stuc a Chroin was a very cold and windy evening. When I was out wandering taking in the sunset dropping and the sunrise emerging the next morning all I wore was a base layer and I felt no effects of cold on my upper half. If I could of squeezed my legs in it would of.

It has a 90/10 fill and a Pertex Shield outer. The box construction means that theres no issues with wind penetrating the seams. With the hood up and the zip done up to the chin it is the warmest jacket I have ever had the pleasure to experience. Using the single males hot drinks previous marketing line, it is like a big warm hug! I just doesn't come from a mug.

When you put it on, personally, I feels like it's a bit of a blimp. I'm not really into puffa type jackets. Although, I very quickly got used to it and as I mentioned the warmth is exceptional. People have commented, when I mentioned the blimp comparison, that it doesn't look massive when worn.

This is also the most technical down jacket I think I've ever seen. The hood has drawcords around the face and a cinch cord at the rear, it will swallow up a climbing helmet although I don't think that it's the jacket to be hauling up on to a belay. If you did though, you would "feel the benefit" as Peter Kay would say.

There are even pit zips! I have never felt the need to use them but I can imagine them being useful for preventing overheating if there was a small increase in temperature. I preferred to keep the heat in.

There are 2 chest pockets, one of which has an eyelet to feed through earphones to the inside. 

There are 2 hand pockets which have a layer of insulation on the inside and the outside layer making for a warm nook for each of the front paws. There are a couple of things that might improve the hand pockets. There is a potential cold spot at the bottom of the pocket where the bottom baffle on the outside has a lesser amount of insulation and cold wind highlights this. The other thing is to keep the Sauda's furnace mantel to its maximum would be to fleece line the pockets, that would be bliss!

There is another small pocket near the cuff of the left sleeve. Maybe for ski lift passes or a little stock of snacks? I have never felt the need to use it.

The highlight of all the features on the Sauda is the thumb loop/hand warmers. They are basically a mini Buff for the wrist and palm of the hand. They are great for doing things in the cold without gloves and the overlap when gloves go back on eradicates any heat loss at the wrist. When you don't want them they just push back in behind the elastic cuff and go unnoticed. In my opinion every jacket should have these.

The large inside pocket doubles as a compression pouch. This is where the size of the jacket starts to highlight itself. Trying to find a corner of a pack big enough to accommodate this on a wild camp can be challenging. I have put it in a different stuff sack and it will go slightly smaller. When it comes out to play it lofts quickly, can be used immediately and warmth is instantaneous.

Compared against a 1 litre Sigg bottle

This is a very high specced jacket, all its features amount to a technical, warm and well constructed garment. I have been trying to balance up the 1035g weight penalty against how good an insulating layer it is. It definitely has a place in extreme cold weather environments where weight can be dragged in a sled or as a luxury item on a camp where carting it across hilltops isn't an issue.

If this jacket was streamlined sacrificing some of the insulation qualities, reducing its weight, it would be a very attractive jacket for back packers and climbers a like. For now, until the winter comes back in a couple of months the Sauda has been shelved. It will see next winter, in what guise I'm not sure but I am looking at more Bergans of Norway gear for next year from Nordic Life. The build quality is first class!

Picture courtesy of Michael Thomson

Edelrid McLane Softshell Jacket

A softshell jacket from Edelrids clothing line, I think it is safe to say it is aimed at the climbing fraternity. It's quite techy as softshells go, a lot of features for the vertically inclined. I have had this a while and I've used it at every opportunity as a mid and outer layer. When I was in Chamonix it was never off my back when I was acclimatising and on summit day. 

It does well in windy situations although the stretch panel under the arms is permeable to a bit of a breeze. I wouldn't change them though, the dexterity offered by the black panels gives the jacket extra freedom of movement which I think climbers will appreciate. As well as that the venting in the clammy armpit area is a huge bonus. The main fabric of the jacket does fend off heavy gusts of wind comfortably.

The cuffs are interesting, they are not elastic but as the main sleeve finishes there is an inner cuff which seals it around the wrist. It's effective I think, as the arm length suits me the cuff sits nicely and is unrestrictive when outdoors and also when putting it on and taking off. Inside is a little loop for a thumb to prevent the sleeve riding up when over stretching. I haven't felt the need to use it and its not for keeping the seal for gloves in tact as there's too much material to get gloves over. 

As you would expect the pockets sit high for harness use. The zips are long so getting a folded up map will fit in nicely. The sizes of the pockets differ slightly as the main zip runs off at a small tangent as it gets to the top. I have a hardshell that does this and when fully zipped it stops the zip end irritating the chin, which is a good idea and works quite well. I think it looks cool too. What it does also do though, is when its not quite fully zipped it leaves one large flap which tends to flap around more than two even sides when the wind blows.

The inner backing to the face material is a fixed mesh mesh which encourages the wicking process really well and I haven't had a real issue with the material getting overly damp even on hard working days out. 

The hood isn't big enough to go over a helmet but will obviously go underneath if required. The peak has a thin wire which is handy but isn't significant enough to sculpt the hood like some hardshells I know. Not a bad thing. The hood has one adjustment point which is a clinch drawcord at the back of the head. Its position is a little awkward for helmets but it can be negotiated into a nook so its not pressed into the back of the head. The cord runs from the back of the head around the middle to the front of the hood then down to the top of the zip. So when it's pulled in it forces the outside edge of the opening back around the head. For me this doesn't work, it looses the effectiveness of the hood when it's pulled back uncovering my ears. I understand why it's been designed like this to eliminate the need for pullcords flapping about around the face but I don't think it has been a good idea. What it means is I don't have the hood snugly fitted making it baggy and it doesn't move with my head. 

It is an otherwise comfortable and well fitted jacket. The branding on the arm and the general style of the jacket is pretty cool, it raises my street cred from non existent to minuscule and for that to happen it would need to have extra cool points. 

I will continue to use this jacket on hill days and climbing adventures. The hood thing is a bit of a niggle but the fit of the jacket suits me and is well cut.

Picture courtesy of Richard Flint

The jacket retails at £130 which is probably the high end of the scale but it is a contender in the softshell market. The Mclane and I will see a lot more mountains in the future.

Karrimor X-lite Helium Jacket

This jacket, for me, was tentative choice. It is Karrimor's 'own' jacket. Everything about it is produced by Karrimor, down to the material. The Heliums big brother is the Alpiniste and is constructed with eVent fabric, this one is made with Weathertite 2.5 layer shell.

Karrirmor, in my opinion, has lost a bit of its reputation in the past few years. I have set of KSBs I've had for years, before the buy out. I know Michael felt the same and has included a bit in on this in his review of one of their new packs. I am hoping that the recent releases are showing a refocus of the brand to provide good quality gear for outdoor people. Lets face it there has been a period where that hasn't been the case, unfortunately.

First impressions were reasonably good, it has an 'active' cut so is quite short but has a slight scoop around the bum to give a bit extra protection. The draw cord only adjusts around the back half of the hem, personal preference for me is a full perimeter drawcord, though the end of the cords do come up in to the pocket concealing it, which I like. Also in the pocket is a large section of mesh which allows a bit of controlled venting. 

The 2 zip pockets are set high enough so a hip belt or harness won't hinder them. The cuffs have a velcro fastener and a little scoop on them too, I thought this was a nice touch.

Good hood, controlling the volume works well, it clinches around the face and back of the head using the rear clinch along with the front pullcords giving a good range of movement and no issues of looking into the side of it. There is a good baffle around the sides of the face giving added protection and a skipped wired peak, a well featured head shelter. I haven't used the hood whilst having a climbing lid on but lab tests (in the garage) seem pretty good.

General movement is good and unrestrictive although this does have its limitations. This is where the jacket starts to highlight its main weakness; the material! Weathertite, no matter what anyone says, does not breathe. The texture of the material on the inside proves this. The PU coating provides a barrier certainly but it's both ways.

 
I've worked this jacket hard. Bad weather from the outside and perspiration from the inside. The pocket vents don't do enough to eliminate the condensation produced on a muggy wet day. It left my base layer saturated. I'm sure it was just sweat, I am convinced that no precipitation managed to get in. The inside coating grips to wet things which is where the limitation of movement comes in. When putting it on over wet skin it clings like putting my phone in an ortlieb bag. Once on and moving with a pack on the back rides up as every twist causes the jacket to claw its way up my back.

As I said the positives are that it is a waterproof shell and I do want to push this. If the Alpiniste is designed like the Helium and has its features then it will be a great jacket. I really want Karrimor to get back to a brand that outdoors folks go to instead of making do with. There is a review of the Alpiniste here from Dean Read and, as I said, Micheal has reviewed the X-lite 45:10 pack here.

It is advertised as a £120 jacket, the tag that was attached had it at £60 from a Direct supplier of Sports equipment. Trail magazine tested this jacket in the September 2012 edition and they awarded it "Best Value" at the £120 value, so if you can get it cheaper it's worth it. Although they also said "the fabric performs well" which I would disagree with. My opinion is I don't think they've given it a good run out but they did have other good things to say about it which I would agree with. 

The Helium has its place, it will be a good jacket for a rambler type and someone active looking for an affordable jacket. The shell will keep you dry just don't work too hard in it. Good features like the hood set it and Karrimor in good stead. Now if they were to make it with the new eVent 2.5 layer fabric, DVL, then it could be a promising garment. I will always keep it handy but unfortunately it won't be my first consideration. There is potential though!