Hiking in summer, especially overseas, usually calls for a “just-in-case” waterproof jacket. You could choose a super lightweight water-resistant jacket but what if the rain does come out of nowhere and stays? What you really need is a lightweight but highly waterproof walking jacket. I have been impressed by Mammut’s new Gore-Tex hiking jackets, the Kira for women and the Convey for men. The jackets have Gore-Tex 2.5 fabric (in the chest and back areas) and three-layer fabric (on the arm and shoulder areas). This means they are lighter than winter Gore-Tex waterproofs yet still offer superb water and windproofing. The Mammut jackets weigh 390g for the female Kira and 460g for the men’s Convey and they are fairly small when packed away into your rucksack. The technical features:

• Gore-Tex with 28,000mm water column (this means the jacket has a waterproof rating that will cope with most summer rainstorms).
• Hood with three-point adjustment. It can also be secured when not in use with a small hook, which is useful for a summer jacket.
• Spray-proof two-way front zip. This keeps out the worst of the rain and allows you to unzip both up and down for better ventilation.
• Two waterproof front pockets.
• Two-way underarm zips for increased ventilation.
• Adjustable hem with drawstring.
• Sizes: Convey: S-XXL; Kira: XS-XL.

This is branded as a summer walking jacket because it is lighter and more packable than a Gore-Tex winter waterproof jacket. But it is still a highly durable jacket and feels heavier than other “pack-away” summer jackets I have seen. It’s the sort of jacket that you would buy for a walking holiday when you are not sure what the weather will be and you need a reliable outer layer. I would suggest that this jacket would also work well for spring and autumn walking in the UK and for lower level winter hiking. The fit is regular style. If you prefer slim-fit or athletic it’s not the right design for you but if you like a jacket that easily fits over layers this is the one. I like the wider style of sleeves, too. These days, too many jackets come with slim-fit sleeves and cuffs that are just a bit neat. The overall design of the Kira and Convey is “comfortable fit”. The jacket is easy to wear and has everything you need in a hard-working waterproof product. It copes well in the wind and rain and would make a good “just in case” jacket or even a mainstay for walking in the summer in the UK. Mammut have created a great range of colours, too. The recommended price for the Mammut Kira and Convey is £250, although I have seen it for around £225. This might sound quite pricey for a summer hiking jacket but Mammut make long-lasting and durable products – and Gore-Tex is never cheap – so it would be a good investment purchase. Stockist info: www.mammut.ch Also see Gaynor Sports for the Kira and Simply Hike for the Convey.