Berghaus Smoulder Hoody Review

Berghaus Smoulder Hoody - Review

Price: £70

Weight: 360 grammes (medium)

Features: Technical stretch mid-layer made using Polartec Power Dry fabric. Hood, offset three-quarter front zip, chest pocket, Lycra cuffs with thumb-loops,

What's It For?

The Smoulder's designed as a lightweight, technical mid-layer - that  hood is shaped and sized to go under a climbing helmet - or alternatively an expedition weight baselayer.

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The Techy Bits

The fabric is Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency and it's sort of halfway between a baselayer and a lightweight fleece. Like some Thermal Pro fleece it uses a gridded innner to trap more air without increasing weight and bulk. It's claimed to be 25% more efficient than traditional Polartec Power Power Dry, 10% more breathable and some 5% more compressible. Anti-odour treated too.


The other obvious detail is an off-set three-quarter length zip. Offset zips may look odd, but work well to reduce bulk when layered with other zipped tops - zip-neck base plus zip-neck mid, plus zoip-neck shell can equal three zips worth of stiff zipness pressing against your chin....

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How It Performed

After initial 'strange dog' suspicions were overcome, the Smoulder rapidly morphed into one of those garments you find yourself using all the time - running in sub-zero conditions? Layer it under a windproof. Walking in cold conditions, stick a microfleece over the top and a shell then  use the hood as a hat for impromptu stops.

Camping? Just wear it. Cold bedroom? Smoulder. You get the idea. Why? It's comfortable and close fitting. It wicks well and dries fast. It's surprisingly snug thanks to the microgrid inner face, just warm enough but not too warm for active use and so on.


The hood works well for quick warmth and fits under a climbing helmet too and thumb loops are there if you want them, but unobtrusive if you don't. And the small chest pocket means there's somewhere to stow keys or a phone or a paperback-sized guidebook.

Verdict

Lightweight technical mid-layer or heavyweight baselayer, the Smoulder's rapidly joined our Power Stretch hooded jacket as a default choice for pretty much any activity you care to choose.

Buy if you're looking for a versatile, lightweight mid-layer for fast-moving cold weather activities or to layer with other garments to make a more versatile system.

Great high wicking, light and warm gridded fabric, neat cut, hood is handy.   Thumb loops slightly Marmite, not cheap.

Performance
Value

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Berghaus web site

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