Recommended Price: £240 (widely available for less)
Weight: 460g
The Broad Peak IN Hooded Jacket from Mammut provides lightweight down insulation with a very small packsize. The jacket contains 125g of down – 10% of it goose down – but the high fill power of 750 cuin means that the Broad Peak provides a high level of insulation. The outer fabric is windproof Pertex Microlight with a water repellent finish, ensuring the jacket can be worn as an outer layer in dry conditions as well as as a mid layer. I’ve found very little down leakage through the outer, a welcome change from some cheaper down jackets I’ve had in the past.
The jacket is currently available in ‘spicy’ (orange), ‘sprout’ (lime), titanium, black and ultramarine; the closest women’s version is the Miva which has a slightly different design. The Broad Peak is also available without a hood. Whilst I usually prefer a separate hat for ease of movement, I’ve actually enjoyed the extra warmth and convenience of the hood during the recent snowy weather – and the cut is excellent.
The design has a welcome simplicity – making the jacket look great in town as well as on the hill – and all three pockets are well placed and easily accessible. The down is certified to the responsible down standard which forbids forced feeding and live plucking – a common ethical concern on down garments. I used to think that down jackets were something of a luxury for Scottish hillwalking – unsuited to the often wet conditions – though they would always be very welcome on an overnight camp or worn when belaying by climbers; the ones I’ve had were bulkier. The small packsize and light weight of the Broad Peak has changed my mind – it’s found a regular place in my winter daypack.