Review: Haglofs Salo III LS Shirt

- Product provided for the purpose of review, thanks to outdoorkit.co.uk -

A long sleeved, lightweight shirt for general outdoor use. Made with a quick drying combination of Polyamide and Elastene, Climatic is a durable fabric with a little bit of stretch for comfort.

Manufacturer's Description:

• "Tough yet lightweight, fully featured shirt made with bluesign nylon stretch fabric with quick drying time."

Features:

• Fabric: 93% Polyamide 7% elastane
• Mesh lined rear vents across upper part
• Ventilation holes under arms
• Offset shoulder and side seams for less chafing
• Two chest pockets
• One zippered chest pocket
• Sleeve roll up straps and buttoned cuffs
• Classic two piece stand up collar

Feature Breakdown:

To me, this shirt comes across as a trekking shirt, designed for trips away over a couple of nights with plenty of features which help for high intensity periods and others which are convenient all the time. The fabric, known as Climatic is a fast drying but durable material which should be able to handle sweat, rain, wind and sunshine as well as being bashed around while out and about. The mesh panel on the back and ventilation holes in the armpit help with high intensity periods where heat output will grow, they allow more air to circulate keeping the space between body and shirt fresher and less moist. Three buttoned pockets and 1 zipped pocket keep items close to hand and safe. Comfort features include offset seams, sleeve roll up straps and stand up collar, all are subtle features but noticeable when out on the hill. 

Field Testing:

Comfortable on the skin, light and a good cut, it's immediately apparent that the Salo is a quality, well thought-out product. 

Armpit ventilation.

In the sun the shirt kept me cool with all the ventilation, a refreshing breeze through the back and armpits is great when the sun is beating down, the features work well - I'm not sure if the armpit holes would stand up to the job on their own but I feel they contribute when partnered with the back mesh panel. The shirt is almost like a high-wicking baselayer in its ability to remove moisture build up, the lightness partnered with the ventilation features meant it was hard to feel uncomfortable in the Salo.

Sleeve pocket and strap.

The pockets work well, it's hard to fit much more than a compass or phone into any of the pockets and anything bulkier would be uncomfortable anyway. They're a handy edition to the shirt definitely. The comfort features are all noticeable when thought about, there's no chaffing on the inside of the sleeve or side of the shirt, for the warmer months the sleeve roll up straps are brilliant and make this a really versatile piece of clothing. 

Quality stitching all round.

Build quality is great, there's no loose stitching after a bit of use and abuse, a sign of the longevity in this product. The fit and cut of the shirt is pleasant, longer than a t-shirt, it covers the bum nicely with plenty of material available to get tucked into trousers but not too much that it's a problem if you don't. 








Long-Term Use:

As we move into summer, the Salo III continues to impress. With the shirt sleeves rolled up it's pleasant as a stand alone piece in the sunshine and when the rain does move in the quick drying fabric handles it with ease, I've been out in some heavy rains and the shirt is yet to become saturated. 

The quality of the product is still there after lots of use, there's no sign of wear and tear or any faults I can see.

I'd definitely recommend the Haglofs Salo III to friend.

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Thanks for checking out my review of the Haglofs Salo III Shirt, if you'd like any more information about the shirt please feel free to ask me or you can contact outdoorkit.co.uk through their Facebook and Twitter.

Review: Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trousers

- Product provided for the purpose of review, with thanks to outdoorkit.co.uk -

A heavy trouser designed for trekking, bushcraft and general outdoor use. Made with Fjallraven's legendary G-1000 fabric, these trousers should stand up to the gnarly Dartmoor weather with ease. Fjallraven have been very busy for the past 50 years, developing some of the toughest gear in the outdoor market and it all started with a 14 year old who didn't like his backpack! 

The Vidda Pro trousers have plenty of pockets for anything from maps to axes, buttoned leg endings and reinforced knees and bum to keep the trousers performing for longer. They're a no-nonsense trouser, tough and heavy; weighing in at 567g - a couple of hundred grams heavier than the Montane Terra Pants. 

Manufacturer's Description: 

• Durable trekking trousers for many adventures in the mountains and forests. Made from durable, wind and water resistant G-1000 with double reinforcements over the rear and knees. Mid waist and classic fit with pre-shaped knees. 7 pockets, including a map pocket, axe pocket and inner safety pocket. Elastic, buttoned leg endings.

Technical Features:

• Fabric: G-1000, 65% polyester, 35% cotton.
• Mid-waist and regular fit with pre-shaped knees.
• Reinforced bum & knees
• Hand pocket, map pocket, multi-tool pocket and internal phone pocket.
• Pocket in knee for kneepad.
• Adjustable leg bottom.
• Leather details.

Feature Breakdown:

The G-1000 fabric as a material for clothing came about after the Fjallraven founder discovered it was too heavy to be turned into tents. After treating the fabric with Greenland Wax, a combination of paraffin and beeswax, it took on brilliant waterproof and breathable qualities. From there multiple types of the fabric have been created suited to different uses, these trousers are made with the standard G-1000 fabric. The cut of the trousers is great, longer than most but they're designed with kneeling and flexibility in mind. Plenty of pockets on the sides and front of the trouser, great for bushcraft and camping when you can never have too many pockets. 

Simple, practical and strong.

Field Testing:

The buttoned leg bottom stops the trouser dragging on the floor.

I really love the fit of these trousers, even with trainers or shoes on, the extra length is nice and while there's some baggy bits around the ankle, generally it's difficult to pick any fault with Fjallraven's decision to make them longer. When pottering around the campsite or doing some bushcraft the position of the trousers while sitting and kneeling is great, they don't ride up around the crotch or let your ankles feel the weather, subtle but it makes them that little bit more comfy. 

The fabric is seriously strong, partnered with the build quality of Fjallraven, these are very trustworthy trousers. They're heavy enough so you feel them but I prefer that compared to a pair of trousers with billow around when the wind picks up.  

Something to remember with the G-1000 fabric is that you can wax it to increase its waterproof properties, as we move into summer I'm going to hold back on waxing mine as it's also increases the insulation they provide. It's great to have a product which you can adapt to different environments, it helps makes the Vidda Pro trouser a true all-rounder. 

So many pockets! Two hand pockets, 3 side pockets including a mobile phone pocket and a tool pocket, great for an axe or saw. These aren't quite so necessary for walkers but for those who enjoy camping or spending time in the woods these pockets are great, easily accessible and well positioned too. 

Extra material around the knees and bum, very important areas.

Long-Term Use:

As time goes on with the Vidda Pro Pants I'm becoming a real fan of Fjallraven. These pants are tough, well thought out and reliable in the foulest of weather, they're a little warm in the sun but when stationary or in the shade the G-1000 material kept me the perfect temperature. 

I'd recommend trying some on if you're thinking of getting a pair, the Fjallraven cut is longer than most and their sizing can be confusing: I wore a size 54 in review which translates to 37 inches.

I'd definitely recommend the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Pants to a friend. 

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Once again, I'd like to thank outdoorkit.co.uk for the opportunity to review the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Pants, if you'd like more information please click here.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to tweet me or message me on Facebook.

Review: Wayfayrer Food

- product provided for the purpose of review by outdoorkit.co.uk -

Wet food, already cooked and packaged - all it needs is 7-8 minutes in boiling water and you've got a proper meal while out and about. Sounds too good to be true, I know, there are some negatives to this method of keeping fed while on the hill though, keep reading to see what I thought of the Wayfayrer range of "boil-in-the-bag" food.

Manufacturer's Description: 

• Wayfayrer meals come in a range of breakfast, main meals and desserts to tempt and satisfy the heartiest of appetites. All the meals are ready cooked and so they can be eaten cold but only take 7-8 minutes to heat fully in hot water.

Technical Features:

• Foil wrapped 
• 7-8 minutes cooking time
• Long life expectancy
• 200g (desserts) 300g (mains and breakfast)

Feature Breakdown:

The bag you buy is the foil bag which holds the food, there's no longer any outer packaging. A 7-8 minute cooking time is pretty standard, most people will settle for a lukewarm meal rather than leaving the stove going for 8 minutes. The long life expectancy is due to the protective atmosphere these meals are packed in. These bags are wet food, there's no need to add water so the weight's a little higher.

Field Testing:

I've tried quite a few of the Wayfayrer bags now, from sticky toffee pudding to chili con carne, a full English to a bolognese. The range of food available is brilliant, plenty of options for every palate. I'll give some details about my favourite breakfast, main and dessert.

Breakfast:

For breakfast, my go to is the full English - sausage, bacon, omelette, beans and tomato sauce all mixed together - a bit different from a greasy spoon! The food is good, it's edible for sure and when you get a good mix of everything it's actually quite tasty. The ease of cooking is a big positive for Wayfayrer, sit the pouch in boiling water for 8 minutes and breakfast is steaming and ready to get your energy levels up.

Main:

Dinner, after a big day out is by far one of the most important parts of the day for a hiker - I don't know about you but after a day of walking I could take down a steak with ease, my metabolism gets fired up! My favourite meal from the range of evening meals was the pasta & meatballs. Plenty of meatball keeps the dish interesting and there's even some trace of Italian flavour in there too. The meal wasn't big enough for my liking so if you're like me I'd suggest grabbing a dessert to go with it.

Dessert:

With only two options - chocolate brownie or sticky toffee pudding - it was hard to pick a favourite, I've decided to go with both! I recommend leaving these in the boiling water for as long as possible to soften the brownie or pudding and get that sauce steaming. They're super sweet and great after a massive walk. 

Unfortunately after using one of the bags the bottom of my pot has had part of the food packaging burnt into it causing a blackening and staining effect. This is a real shame, I remember using the older version of Wayfayrer foods which had a plastic outer and foil bag inside, I never had this problem using those foil bags. While I know there's a need to move into more sustainable packaging, it doesn't help when the new version ruins pans.

The food tastes good and overall the system works but watch out for burning where the bag meets the bottom of a pan, it'll leave a mark which won't come out. 

Staining on the bottom of my pan.

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Product provided for the purpose of review by outdoorkit.co.uk, many thanks to them. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to comment, tweet me (@PaulWRickard) or like my facebook page and message that (/PaulWRickardOutdoors).

Review: Osprey Kestrel 68 Rucksack

- product provided for the purpose of review, thanks to outdoorkit.co.uk -

An entry level pack, designed for those wishing to spend a night or two away camping. The Kestrel is manufactured by one of the most trustworthy companies creating outdoor equipment, Osprey, founded in 1974, they've gone on to become one of the go-to manufacturers for packs. 

This is an any-trail, any-season pack, an all rounder with a built-in raincover and adjustable airscape backpanel. Perfect for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award or a casual hiker who isn't looking for a technical, ultralight pack. The Kestrel comes packed with plenty of features for your pennies and should prove to be a solid pack out on the hill. 

Manufacturer's Description: 

• The Kestrel series has been developed to cope with any-trail, any-season. In wet weather and heavy downpours the built in rain cover provides protection. During hotter conditions the adjustable AirScape back panel keeps you well ventilated whilst offering the load support you require.

Technical Features:

• Capacity: 66 litres (S/M), 68 litres (M/L)
• Weight: 1.74kg (S/M), 1.82kg (M/L)
• Fixed top pocket with gear loops and dual zippered compartments
• Under-lid zippered mesh pocket
• Removable sleeping bag straps
• Sleeping bag compartment with internal divider
• Integrated raincover
• 'Stow-on-the-Go' trekking pole attachment
• Dual vertical zippered side pockets
• Mesh covered die-cut slotted foam EVA hipbelt
• Hydration compatible
• Front daisies with bungee tie offs

Feature Breakdown:

To those of you who already own an Osprey pack, a lot of these features will be familiar. The 'Stow-on-the-go" trekking pole attachment is a feature found on more or less every Osprey pack, along with the mesh covered die-cut slotted foam EVA hipbelt and the hydration compatibility. There's no one defining feature of the pack, it's all pretty standard - hopefully where this pack will shine is the durability and quality of materials used.

Field testing:

The Kestrel comes densely packed with it tightened around itself, it's definitely worth taking a moment to familiarise oneself with the pack and adjust it accordingly, after that it's good to go! Initial thoughts were good, Osprey have built their reputation on an unbeatable build quality and the Kestrel I received was no exception. No loose threads, good stitching and everything felt solid. 

Out on the hill, my fully laden pack (tent, sleeping bag, mat, stove, gas, food, waterproofs and water) felt comfortable and sat nicely on my hips rather than my shoulders. The large waist belt keeps the Kestrel comfortable over long walking periods and didn't rub or agitate my skin, the clip belt is a little thinner but this doesn't cause any issues and feels strong enough to put up with the strain. 

There's plenty of pockets: on the outside and inside of the top lid, along both sides of the bag and a stretchy one on the front as well as bags of room in the main compartment. I like how Osprey have made the Kestrel quite wide and low instead of their normal tall, thin construction. It allows heavy stuff to be stuffed into the bottom of the bag where it can sit on the hips and not put any strain on the shoulder straps. 

Other features work really well, the 'Stow-on-the-go' system is a true example of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' working reliably and keeping poles close but out of the way. The hydration bladder location feels vulnerable but there wasn't any leakage after walking with a full pack and bladder, best to load the bladder first the pack your kit in the bag around it. The integrated rain cover is a handy addition and once again, shows how this bag is designed with the entry level user in mind, great for expeditions with young people - easy to spot from far away! 

Long-term use:

The Kestrel continues to impress, there's no sign of wear and tear or loose threads. It feels like the bag has settled after a couple of outings, there's less creaking and the hip belt feels like a closer fit. 

Overall, I've been really impressed with this bag. It's not a high-end, super technical bag but it comes packed with plenty of tried and tested features that all compliment each other well, it's a workhorse and will keep on going while lighter and more expensive bags begin to falter. 

I'd definitely recommend the Osprey Kestrel 68 to a friend!

Great stuff from Osprey, perhaps the best entry level backpacking tent?

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The Osprey Kestrel 68 was provided for the purpose of review, thanks again to outdoorkit.co.uk. 

If you've enjoyed this review please make sure to follow me on Twitter and 'like' me on Facebook.

Review: The North Face Blue Kazoo Sleeping Bag

- product provided for the purpose of review, with thanks to outdoorkit.co.uk -

Making the most out of the good days in winter sometimes means spending a night out wild camping or on a commercial campsite, if you want to be able to perform at your best the next day then you need a good night's sleep, for a good night's sleep you need a good sleeping bag and this is where I found myself lacking. 

Weighing in at 1.12kg, with an RRP of £250 and regular height of 183cm it's all round average 3 season sleeping bag. 

Not the most expensive, heaviest or longest.

Manufacturer's description:

• The North Face Blue Kazoo is a fully featured technical sleeping bag for three season use stuffed with 650+ Hungarian goose down.

Technical features:

• Comfort temperature -2
• Limit temperature -9
• Packing size of 16.5cm x 53cm  
• 650 fill goose down
• DWR finish
• Climashield™ Prism thermal pads
• Internal draft tube pockets
• Lightweight compression stuffsack

Feature breakdown:

The Blue Kazoo's -2 rating makes this a three season bag, remember to take sleeping bag ratings with a pinch of salt as they're often a degree or two off depending on how warm an individual sleeps and the type of sleeping mat used. The packing size seems large to begin with but this is uncompressed and one of the big benefits of down is how small you can squish it. The 650 fill goose down is pretty standard for sleeping bags, providing good warmth for weight and cost. The DWR finish will be crucial to the down bag's success when it starts raining, down is famous for failing as soon as it's wet so the DWR will have to keep all the moisture out or the bag's ability to insulate will fall. The Climashield Prism thermal pads are areas of synthetic insulation which provide better insulation under compression, stopping cold spots from forming.  

Now let's see how well these features perform when the sun goes down!

Field testing:

Dartmoor is a beautiful place during the winter and early spring, cold and crisp mornings with blues skies - if you're lucky! It's been a while since I last went camping so it was great to have an excuse to get out on the Moors and do some wild camping. 

The Blue Kazoo compresses really well, the large packing size which they include in the feature list just doesn't do it justice. The sleeping bag fits easily into the stuffsack which then rolls down before you clip straps around it and really squeeze the air out. I was really impressed how small the bag went compared to a synthetic bag with the same comfort rating. 

Left: uncompressed stuff sack. Above: fully compressed.

The bag lofts quickly once removed from the stuff sack, it's ready to use in no time - great if the temperature's dropping quickly. The 650 fill goose down provides a good level of warmth to weight, it's positioned well throughout the bag, there's definitely more on top where it's free to loft to its full potential. The footbox felt a little chilly and could probably do with a little bit more down, something for The North Face to think about if they make any changes to this bag next year.

The different features worked well, and there were some subtle features which I really appreciated. The zip pull glows in the dark, something I'd never think of including on a sleeping bag but great when it's pitch black and you need to escape the bag. There's something about the construction of the bag which makes it want to be the right way round, I've used sleeping bags in the past which move around a lot but the Blue Kazoo stays in the right position with the down on top. 

Glow in the dark zip pull.

Apart from the footbox, the Blue Kazoo is a really warm bag - it easily lived up to the -2 comfort rating for me, I was using my Thermarest Pro regular mat with the bag and had some really comfortable nights on the Moor. Easily compressed, loft quickly and weighing in at just over a kilo makes this a great 3 season bag. Impressive stuff from TNF.

Long-term use:

As we slowly move out of winter and into spring the Blue Kazoo is becoming too warm to sleep in, I've begun opening it up otherwise I risk overheating during the night. Not bad when the night temperature is still only a couple of degrees. The bag is holding its down well, with very little making its way out of the bag. 

The DWR coating is still strong, keeping moisture away from the down, it beads well and water runs off the bag easily with no wetting out. 

I've been thoroughly impressed with the Blue Kazoo and it's definitely got a place in my gear cupboard, I'm even looking forward to the cold weather coming back! 

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Thanks for reading, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank outdoorkit.co.uk once again for providing the Blue Kazoo for review. If you'd like any more information about the sleeping bag then please click here to go to the product page. 

If you have any questions about the TNF Blue Kazoo sleeping bag you can ask me or contact outdoorkit.co.uk through their Facebook or Twitter.

Review: Mountain Equipment Integrity Hooded Zip-T

- Product provided for the purpose of review, thanks to Cotswold Outdoor -

I don't know about you but I love wearing a hoodie, they're warm, comfortable and casual but they're also bulky and come with a low warmth-to-weight ratio. The Integrity Hooded Zip-T aims to dispel the negatives and offer a warm, low weight option for use out in the hills. 

Coming in with an RRP of £90, this jacket offers something between a fleece, softshell and baselayer - taking the best of each and combining to create a great all rounder. 

The Jacket: 

• The Men's Integrity Hooded Zip-T from Mountain Equipment is a close fitting, super stretchy, low bulk hoodie that will keep you feeling comfortable and dry for longer during your favourite activities.

Features:

• 100% Polyester
• Delta high density stretch knit fabric
• Low bulk
• Rapid moisture transfer
• Excellent abrasion resistance 
• Low profile relaxed hood
• Zipped chest pocket
• Flat locked seams throughout 
• Lycra bound hood, hems and cuffs
• Active fit

Breakdown: 

A hoodie made entirely from man-made materials, with lycra around the wrists and hood to stop any wind getting in. Similar to a baselayer in terms of rapid moisture transfer, low bulk and the flat locked seams but the hood, chest pocket and high density fabric make this a much warmer, standalone piece of equipment for dry, cool days or part of a layering system when the temperature drops or the weather moves in. 

Field Testing:

As winter (slowly) becomes spring, the need for a jacket like the Integrity becomes greater. A few climbing trips and some walking on the South West Coast Path meant excuses to use the hoodie came thick and fast, intense hill sections on the coast and belaying on Dartmoor gave me a good scope of what the Integrity can do. 

The lycra cuffs help keep the sleeves in a comfortable position.

I'll start with the performance while climbing. Long periods of being stationary then bursts of energy, sweat and movement can push top of the range jackets but the Integrity handled it well, the close fitting aspect of the hoodie helps with heat retention, the high density fabric provides some great insulation for its weight and the rapid moisture transfer handled my sweaty climbing with ease. The length of the arms stop the jacket from riding up, although they seem long to begin with the lycra cuffs keep the sleeves from covering my hands, they also help keep the wind out by keeping the Integrity tight to my skin. A mix of features makes this a really useful piece of kit for climbing in - very impressive stuff.

The chest pocket - perfect for a compass or snack while walking.

Over to the South West Coast Path, I tend to generate a lot of warmth when walking which can cause problems with kit that isn't breathable enough. The Integrity however did well, as a midlayer it could have easily picked up a lot of moisture but it shifted it well and kept me dry under my hardshell. The comfort of the hoodie was great, along with the fit and cut too - things which can cause issues over a full day of walking. 







Each feature of the jacket works well, from the subtle zip guard on the chin to the fabric and how soft it is next to my skin. I really liked how tight fitting the jacket was while still keeping true to its sizing. By having the fabric come right next to my skin it minimises big pockets of air which can keep you colder for longer. 

The bottom hem of the Integrity is stitched with lycra too, this works with the extra length they've put in the back to keep the Integrity down around the bum, stopping it from riding up and letting wind or rain in. I like the yellow line detail too, it's a small way of keeping a clean theme throughout the Integrity. 

Long-term use:

As time wearing the Integrity goes on I've begun to really fall in love with this piece of kit, it's comfortable and warm, lightweight and packable, it's become a go-to piece of kit for the majority of the activities I do. 

The perfect mix of style and efficiency - Mountain Equipment have ticked all the boxes with the Integrity.

I'd definitely recommend the Integrity Hooded Zipped-T to a friend!

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I'd like to thank Cotswold Outdoor once again for providing the Integrity for review, to check out the product on their website click here. 
If you've got any questions about the Mountain Equipment Integrity Hooded Zipped-T then please feel free to ask me or contact Cotswold Outdoor through their Twitter or Facebook.

Review: Arcteryx Cerium SV Hoody

- product provided for the purpose of review, thanks to Arcteryx -

Winter has really kicked in over the past couple of weeks in the UK, the cold and dry conditions call for a down jacket which can push out some serious warmth and insulation. The Cerium SV is designed for these cold, harsh conditions - although other manufacturers have pushed for treated down, Arcteryx have remained true to the conditions down became popular in and created a jacket designed for cold, dry weather. 

Arcteryx are really pushing this jacket towards the high end of the market, coming in with an RRP of £400, it's a technical jacket with no bells or whistles, it's designed purely for keeping you warm when mother nature is doing her best to freeze you. Let's start off with the jacket's features before we look at how it performs when the temperature drops.

The jacket:

• Cerium - Streamlined, lightweight goosedown filled jackets made of a composite construction to provide warmth where it is needed most. Highest warmth-to-weight ratio. 
• SV - Severe weather, employs the most durable materials for prolonged use and provides the most weather protection in the harshest conditions.
• RRP - £400

Features: 

• Moisture-resistant, DWR treated outer fabric
• Breathable 
• Insulated
• Great warmth-to-weight ratio 
• Lightweight
• Compressible and packable
• Wind resistant
• Down Composite Mapping
• Adjustable, insulated hood with single pull adjuster
• Full front zip with with chin guard
• Elastic cuffs
• Adjustable hem drawcord
• 1 internal, zipped pocket and 2 external hand-warmer zipped pockets.
• Includes stuff-sack

Let's breakdown the long list of features provided by Arcteryx and try to get to the heart of this jacket. It's designed to be the ultimate mix of warmth and packability, while being lightweight, durable and water resistant, it's also designed to be comfortable and easily adjusted for everyone's unique fit. The fabric they've used is Airetica, a 100% nylon fabric which is tightly constructed, high tenacity ripstop nylon with a smooth finish, which is then treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating.

The insulation is mainly 850 goose down, but there's also 100 and 140 Coreloft synthetic insulation. The Down Composite Mapping explains the mix of insulation types - areas which are prone to moisture use synthetic insulation over down as it performs better when wet. Goose down is still the best warmth-to-weight ratio insulator used in technical jackets and this is why it's the primary insulation. 

All the drawcords are easily adjustable to bring the jacket in close and stop the wind from getting in, the hood has the most technical drawcord construction which really helps the hood come close in around your face. Although they don't seem like a major part of the jacket they can easily bring down the temperature within and make a jacket redundant. It's great to see Arcteryx making an effort with every aspect of the Cerium SV to really provide an excellent experience in the cold.

Field testing:

This jacket demanded some serious cold and the timing couldn't have been more perfect, an unusual patch of seriously cold and snowy weather hit Devon while the Cerium SV was on test meaning I got to wander around with a big grin on my face analysing a toasty down jacket. The lowest wind chill temperature I experienced while wearing the Cerium SV was around -4°C.  

Putting the Cerium SV jacket on is like wrapping a duvet around you, the warmth is immediate and the fit of the jacket means the down is tight around your body in all locations, perfect when the winds start blowing. I was shocked at how quickly the jacket began to warm me up, instantly radiating warmth back into my body. After some activity in a down jacket the feathers will normally begin to move or pickup moisture and coldspots will begin to form, thanks to the DCM this didn't happen, the jacket becomes warm and stays warm over the duration of wear. 

The basics of the jacket are all done well. Multiple pockets help keep everything organised on the move while the stuff-sack keeps pack management easy. Elastic cuffs and the hemcord provide protection against wind by moving with you at all this times - this keeps the jacket right next to a baselayer or your skin and stops any wind from getting in. This is also the time to compliment the cut and fit of the jacket, it really is perfectly done - it's slightly longer in the back just to cover the top of my bum, while the sleeves are the perfect length. Arcteryx have really thought about how perfect this jacket needs to be for the pricetag and all these design features are helping make this jacket a real standout piece.

One of the things I love about this jacket is the hood construction and thought behind the drawcord, the way it tightens is different to other jackets and brings the hood completely around your face. Great thinking from Arcteryx, there's no way the wind can catch the hood and it's noticeable - warmth around my head was far superior than my Rab Summit down jacket which uses a classic drawcord system around the top of the skull.

Long-term use:

As time goes on I have noticed that the jacket does like to shed feathers, I think this is due to the tightness of the baffles. All down jackets lose feathers as time goes on but it does seem like an above average amount. I've spoken to other owners of the Cerium SV and they've noticed the same thing - perhaps something Arcteryx needs to take a look at before the fall product range is launched?

In summary, the Cerium SV has become my go to jacket for cold, crisp and dry days where staying warm is a priority. It's well made, well thought out and can definitely provide warmth when it's needed. My only slight grievance with the jacket is the price point, £400 is a lot of money for a jacket but if you're heading off to a place where only the best will do then I highly recommend the Cerium SV. 

4.5/5

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Thanks for checking out my review of the Cerium SV Hoody by Arcteryx, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank them for providing the jacket to test. If you'd like anymore information about the jacket then please click this link to go to the Arcteryx website.