When outdoor clothing and equipment brand Berghaus was creating a new waterproof jacket for this summer they decided to ask West Highland Way walkers for feedback about what they would like to see in a walking jacket. The result is the Berghaus Trek Light Hydroshell jacket for both men and women.

West Highland Way walkers said:

• I want a guaranteed waterproof layer.
• I need the jacket to be lightweight because it will be a summer hike.
• I’m carrying my kit with me on the walking trail, so packability and lightness of products are really important.
• I want quality, versatility and performance at a good price.
• A lightweight jacket means that I can go further for longer.

With all this – and a lot more – in mind, Berghaus has designed their Trek Light and also utilised a new brand created fabric Hydroshell. This is not a Gore-Tex product although Berghaus do use Gore-Tex in other jackets. The technical details of the Hydroshell fabric is a  2.5 layer fabric with a (hydrostatic head of 15,000mm and a breathability rating of 20,000g/m2/24hrs. The jackets are also treated with DWR for further waterproofing capabilities. Hydroshell is claimed as being a fabric that will “keep you drier for longer” and in particular the Trek Light jacket would be ideal for summer hiking. It’s a highly waterproof jacket that also offers great breathability on warm but wet or windy days.

When the jacket is not in use it can be stuffed into a small bag that comes with the jacket and then stowed in a small place in your rucksack. (This will please West Highland Way walkers who are looking for lightweight products and also versatility of use.) The Light Trek jackets also have an “ARGENTIUM® backer” that stops the build up of walking based odours. Again, if you are on a multi day hiking tour you will be looking for clothing that you can wear again and again without worrying about being whiffy. Other great features include:

• Fixed and fully adjustable hood with wired peak
• Four zipped pockets, two for the hands and two at chest height
• Body venting via underarm zips.

If these things matter to you, the men’s jacket weighs 391g (size large) and the women’s weighs 345g (size 12). The jackets come in a good range of sizes and boast a flattering fit. There are also a number of different colourways to choose from for both men and women. If you are looking for a jacket that is lightweight, highly waterproof, breathable and also looks good then it’s a great choice. It is the ideal product for spring and summer walking holidays. At £170 (RRP), the price for a guaranteed waterproof jacket is reasonable. See Berghaus.