What Is It For?
The Chulu is a lightweight and packable synthetically insulated jacket which Berghaus says can be used either as an insulated windproof outer layer or alternatively, worn under a waterproof shell during extended wet weather.
Technical Lowdown
Berghaus uses PrimaLoft Eco for the Chulu which is a 50% recycled fibre. The great plus of Primaloft and similar synthetics is that it's basically water repellant, so while it traps a fair bit of air for good insulation performance and has a soft down-like feel, unlike down, it won't lose the majority of its thermal performance if it gets wet.
That means it's leass of a head-ache to carry - no waterproof stuff sac needed - and much easier to care for, as you can simply throw it in a washing machine.
On top of that, the nylon outer shell fabric is windproof and has some water repellancy as well meaning you can effectively use the jacket as a cold conditions windproof top.
How It Performed
We do think Berghaus has improved its tailoring over the last couple of years and the Chulu has quite a neat, snug cut as well as being 'climber short'. That makes it good for layering under a shell, but not so clever if you want to layer it over other layers in a belay jacket style.
Chulu isn't as warm as heavier belay jackets, so we'd think of it as a windproof fleece substitute rather than an alternative to a heavy down jacket. In that role it's nice and warm and the Primaloft gives it a practical, knock-about feel in wetter conditions, when you don't have to fret over keeping it scrupulously dry and, even when damp, it still gives decent warmth.
We didn't have any issues with the cuffs or adjustable hem, but as at least one OM reader has pointed out, the collar is a slightly limp affair with no adjuster - most jackets of this type use a double layer at the collar to give better neck protection and warmth.
Used as a stand-alone jacket in windy conditions, this is a bit of an oversight, though when layered under a waterproof shell, the modest collar reduces bulk.
Speaking of which, we only used the Chulu under the shell occasionally, but a mate who borrowed it spent a day wearing it as a fleece layer under a Gore-Tex shell jacket on a snowy Lakes day and had no complaints about breathability.
Other points? The handwarmer pockets are insulated front and back making them genuinely snug when your paws need warming on the move. You won't fit a map in any of the pockets, if that bothers you and the inernal one is just about good for a mobile phone or MP3 player rather than anything bigger. It also overlaps the external chest pocket, so you get a bulge if you use both simultaneously.
Finally, the zipper garages are - like a lot of this season's Berghaus ones - made from an odd metallic-loook fabric that's a tad Marmite - you'll either love it or hate it.
Verdict
The snug, short cut won't work for everyone and you may even want to go up a size for overlayering, but the Chulu works as an effective outer and mid-layer with good windproofing combined with damp-resistant insulation. It's also reasonably light and packs down neatly into one of its own pockets to make it highly portable.
The limp, non-adjustable collar is a bit of a weak spot when the jacket's worn as an outer layer, but not the end of the world, and the jacket's short cut with slightly extended tail may work well for climbers, but some walkers will prefer more crotch protection in which case, look elsewhere.
Finally, we'd prefer a hood, buty we do accept that that's very much personal preference.
Buy if you're looking for a light and packable, windproof and water-resistant synthetically insulated jacket and like bright yellow and a short, snug cut
