Rohan Elite Lightweight Walking Jacket for Men and Women
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Elite Lightweight Walking Jacket for Men and Women Vital Statistics: Colours: Zenith Blue, Black Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL Weight: 330gms SRP: £215.00

Elite Lightweight Walking Jacket for Men and Women

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Zenith Blue, Black

Sizes:
S, M, L, XL, XXL

Weight:
330gms

SRP:
£215.00

Features to Note:

Light weight, waterproof shell
3 layer construction- polyamide outer, Barricade™ membrane, tricot lining
One-pull adjustable hood
Adjustable hem and cuffs
Made in China

In-use Test:

The Elite jacket is a good looking, shell that uses Rohan's own Barricade™ lightweight fabric.

This short cut jacket is certainly light weight and although having a pretty minimalist design, does have a range of really quite impressive features.

The sizing is, I think, quite generous. I normally wear an XL and was quite comfortable in a L. The sleeves are also a really good length.

There are two very large, zipped front pockets - more than big enough for an OS map, and located so that they're easily accessible when wearing a backpack/daypack. There's also a third, zipped mesh pocket inside (also big enough for an OS map) which also functions as the jacket's own 'stuff-sack'.

I was also impressed with the hood. It has a slightly stiffened peak and its fit is adjusted via a simple pull mechanism that adjusts the fit very effectively around the top of your head. Notably - there are no flapping adjusters at the front around your face. Once adjusted the hood provides good protection against the elements - the fitting mechanism is flexible enough to accommodate a woolly hat or other head gear. If not needed, the hood can be rolled down and secured in place out of the way.

I've worn the Elite jacket now in light winds and light rain in quite a wide variety of Autumnal temperatures. Under these conditions it is waterproof (even in zipped areas despite there being no stormflap) and the breathability of the fabric is very good; the adjustable cuffs and hem provide some additional ventilation options.

So far it's washed well and dries quickly. The manufacturer claims that the Durable Water Repellancy™ will withstand at least 20 washes ... and even at this point efficiency will remain at 80%.

Buying Advice:

I think you'd need a longer length jacket utilising a heavier fabric plus a storm flap on the main zip for high mountain wear and/or very challenging winter conditions - or if you were likely to be doing lots of scrambling.

However - as part of a layering system, for lower/mid level walking throughout the rest of the year, Rohan's Elite is a good option. It's understated look mean that this jacket is also an extremely flexible addition to the wardrobe for travel and general leisure wear.

What do you think?

Have you got a Rohan Elite Lightweight Walking Jacket for Men and Women?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with the verdict above - or feel an important feature has been negelected.

Let us know by clicking this link - What I think of Rohan Elite Lightweight Walking Jacket for Men and Women - so we can publish your important views below.

• Agree with the last review. Hood is no good unless you are wearing a helmet or cap. Cannot believe it passed the Rohan testing procedure. The rest of the jacket is fine.

Bloggy

• A couple of years ago I bought an Elite jacket, which has performed well until recently, when it started letting in water. So I used the recommended re-proofing procedure of putting it in the tumble-dryer at low heat for about half an hour, and it seemed to work - when I next went out in the rain, the moisture was certainly forming droplets and running off. However, this doesn't seemed to have happened on the hood, which was wet through when I got out of the rain (after only about 15 minutes of exposure to it). I tried the wash-and-tumble dry method with ordinary detergent, but that didn't solve the problem of the porous hood, so I bought Grangers' Wash + Repel and used that, following the instructions carefully and exactly. Unfortunately the result seemed to be worse than before, if possible, my hair needing a thorough towelling after just a minute or two under the shower. I like the jacket a lot except for this apparent fault, and I don't really know what I should buy instead of it.

Gareth Glyn, Llangwyllog

• Bought this a while back. A big fan of Rohan products but very disappointed with this jacket. On the few occasions i have been out in moderate rain i have got very wet. i'm not sure if its because the jacket isn't waterproof or its just not very breathable ( not a problem i have experienced with other jackets). The other thing is more of a niggle. The hood is designed to encompass a helmet (as are most these days - a shame) fine if you are wearing one but if you do not its so voluminous that it cover your eyes and you cant see where you are going. The cinching mechanisms simply doesnt seem to work for me. Its a shame because the jacket is really nice looking and ultra light which appealed to me

anon