A jacket for extended Mountain and climbing tours Above all, it should be packaged so light and small that you can always carry it with you.
Especially for longer climbs, when it can cool down quickly on drafty stands, it should be easily accessible and stowable when not in use in a backpack or even on a climbing harness. She has to be good weatherproof offer, so especially withstand the wind, and, if it starts to drizzle, also be sufficiently water-repellent. A hood and best of all a stretch material, which does not restrict climbing, are also absolutely important.
Looking for a jacket with these features, I came across the Bergans Microlight Jacket. The manufacturer promises that the jacket has exactly the required properties: lightweight, small pack size, windproof, water-repellent, breathable, 4-way stretch.
First impression and features
The first impression promises good: that Microlight material It does crack a bit, but it feels nice. The hood fits just above the climbing helmet, but is very tight fitting without a helmet. The rather soft rain shield should keep your eyes clear. The sleevebands are adjustable by Velcro, the lower end by regular elastic band. The collar is made of thin fleece material, the front zipper is with a wind flap deposited and the zipper disappears in the closed state behind a cover. PitZips, so one underarm ventilation, there are none, but the bags are made of mesh material and ventilate when opened the jacket. The complete jacket fits easily into one of the two pockets. The package can then be closed with a zipper and even has one Suspension for the harness.
In practice
Skeptical, what the robustness of the thin material, it went to the rock. But even more violent rock contacts remained without trace. How it will develop during the 2014 mountain season, and how the jacket can handle backpacks, you have to wait and see.
The comfort is very high due to the stretchable material, and even in strenuous activities, the jacket does not stick unpleasant on the skin. It is also very positive that the back is extended and the jacket still covers the lower back even on long climbing moves. At the front she might like to cut a bit longer. Especially with several wide, sweeping movements in a row, it slips easily out of the front of the harness.
windproof In any case, it is excellent, but the water-repellent impregnation decreases after some time by wearing and washing.
Conclusion
The pack size and the low weight make this jacket my constant companion on multi-pitched or jogging and trail running. In short: on all sporting occasions that are not exactly at 25 ° C and stable weather instead, but the weather can sometimes worsen in the short term. As soon as rain is predicted, I prefer to use a waterproof hardshell like that Direct Alpine Guide or the Millet Trilogy - even if they are a bit heavier and bulkier in pack size.
