Bergans of Norway Down Light Insulating Walking Jacket for Women
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

Down Light Insulating Walking Jacket for Women Vital Statistics: Colours: Black, Red, Peacock Blue, Light Purple, Navy, Dark Tulip, Dark Olive, Light Lilac, Bright Coral, Red Sizes: XS-XL Weight: 320 gms SRP: £160.00

Features to Note:

• Outer Fabric: Pertex®Quantum (100% Polyamide)
• Inner Fabric: 90% Down/10% small feathers, fill power 700 cuin
• Zippered front pockets - one of which acts as compression sac for the jacket
• Seat extension
• Reinforced elbows
• Men's version available
• Made in China

In-use Test:

Bergans' Down Light is an unfussy, down-filled, insulating jacket - which is - as the name suggests - exceptionally light weight and very compressible. (In fact it packs down into one of its own two front pockets.)

I'm 5'7'' and have been wearing the Medium size. The fit is good and the length just right for me - particularly as there's a bit of extra length at the back.

With elasticated cuffs, the sleeves are also a generous length. The bottom too is elasticated - but neither cuffs nor bottom is adjustable.

The jacket contains good quality Down at a Fill Power of 700. Fill power is a measure of the loft the down has and the insulation properties are directly related to loft. A jacket with a higher Fill Power, will provide better insulation and be less bulky when packed down. 700+ is generally considered suitable for mountain use and/or colder temperatures.

As well as good quality down, the full length zip on this jacket has a generous baffle behind it. The down is held in place around the jacket using a box construction which reduces the occurrence of 'cold spots'. The stitching also seems to be tight and even without any loose ends. The collar is lined with some nicely soft fabric.

So far I've been wearing it with just a decent base layer in temperatures of about 6 deg C and have been comfortably warm. The Pertex Quantum outer fabric really works well in keeping out wind.

The freedom of movement is great; there's no feeling of bulkiness in this jacket and it just seems to move with you. It also does not ride up when you lift up your arms. Main, front zip runs well and has a toggle for use when wearing gloves.

I guess the main downside with this jacket is that there is no hood which for me means that I would use it primarily as a mid-layer in colder/wet conditions.

Oh yes - it is available in a really terrific range of colours!

Buying Advice:

Bergans' Light Down jacket is really light weight and can pack down to need very little room at the bottom of your daypack ready for when you need some extra warmth. As ever, the light weight means that features such as a hood, a wider range of pockets or adjustable cuffs/bottom are missing. But if weight (or lack thereof) is a priority then this is a fine insulation option for general UK winter walking use - either with just a base layer or as a midlayer in colder/wet conditions.

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