Berghaus Baltoro Jacket - Quick Test

Berghaus Baltoro Jacket - Quick Test

Price: £150

Weight: 580 grammes (medium)

Features: Softshell jacket made from Gore-texz Windstopper Soft Shell fabric, Bergnomic cut, adjustable hem, thumb loops, Bergnomic cut, twin handwarmer pockets, one external chest pocket, women's Lhotse version also available.

Part of the Berghaus Extrem range, the Baltoro is intended for all-round and technical mountain use. Soft shells offer a high degree of wind and water resistance and should be useable in most conditions short of heavy rain. The Baltoro's mico-velour type lining adds cold weather insulation value.

There are really only two main techy things to be aware of with the Baltoro. The first is the use of Gore-Tex Windstopper Soft Shell fabric, that's totally windproof and effectively waterproof except at its untaped seams.

The other main stand out is the 'Bergnomic Cut', which is Berghaus's more tapered, technical fit. The Berghaus web site says that it's intended to fit over a baselayer and microfleece, which seems about right based on our experience.

We've never been great fans of Windstopper fabrics in UK conditions - unless you run quite cool, it's easy to get hot and bothered inside the PTFE membrane. In fact breathability is closer to waterproof levels than most windproofs.

The Windstopper tops we have used that works well in the UK have generally had good venting options, which unfortunately the Baltoro doesn't. In fact you can't even roll up the sleeves, which is a bit of an oversight. It's a shame as the Bergnomic cut is otherwise quite decent, with a close torso fit that sits well under a shell when needed.

We also disliked the strangely bulky seams which produced a weird Triceratops-style platelet effect that you'll either like or dislike. Then there are the front handwarmer pockets which are fine with a pack but sit too far in, so you look like a demented squirrel if you use them to warm your hands.

We also found when fully zipped up, the neck of the jacket was too high and tight and dug into our throat uncomfortably. It would be better to have a looser collar and add some adjustment. One feature we did quite like were the thumbloops which are unobtrusive when not in use, but mean you have the option if you want.

The fabric itself works pretty well and is completely windproof and also very water resistant. It's only in heavy rain that the untaped seams allow leakage. The microfleece lining adds extra insulation too, making it reassuringly protective in winter conditions even without a mid-layer.

The pay-off is that you can get hot and sweaty quite easily, so anyone who moves fast and runs on the warm side may well be better off with a different fabric or a Windstopper garment with better venting options.

One thing we like, but seldom get in soft shell jackets is a hood. If you're basically using a jacket as a shell, why limit the protection available as soon as it starts raining or snowing?

Quick Verdict

For us the Baltoro doesn't quite hit the spot. The cut's not bad, but a succession of niggly faults - sleeves that don't roll up, bulky seams, the lack of a hood or vents, the pocket placement - mean that we think there are better options out there. And that's before you even begin to consider Windstopper's relative shortcomings in the breathability stakes.

If you'd like to add your own experiences of this product check out our user review system and post your opinions to the world. If you have questions you can mail us direct, ask Richard Gear or try a posting to our gear forum.