PHD Zeta Jacket

Steve Sharland
Reviewed: 15 October 2008

Perfect Scottish Belay Jacket

Very warm.
Quick closure using velcro when speed is needed (or with mitts on).
Zips are glove proof.
Massive hood, fits over even the larger helmets.
large enough cut to fit over as many layers as you care to wear.
Hood volume reducer is no fuss, works well.
Rugged feeling shoulders.
Short zip (starts quite high) works well when you are belaying.
If you are a strange body shape they will custom size it, I got medium chest size, and large arms and length, it fits perfectly over my shell.
Stuff sack, with room to avoid the usual struggle to get things in it.
Lovely "mountain clothing" colours.

Lovely "mountain clothing" colours.
Too large to wear at the crag on a cold evening (ie too big to wear without full winter clothing on underneath!).
Hood adjusting cord flaps around when it's windy (the plastic toggles start to hurt after a while).

I couldn't think of a better jacket for Scottish Winter, avoid the worry over down getting wet and get a synthetic like this. It has obviously had lots of thought into the design as everything seems to be perfectly suited to climbing.

I wouldn't buy this jacket if it was my only insulation, it is too ugly to wear down to the pub, and too large to wear without a shell+fleece+baselayer (/softshell etc.) under. However, it is ideal for winter climbing. Andy Kirkpatrick wore one in Patagonia a while back I think, he's written an in depth review on it on his site too.

John Mcallister
Reviewed: 06 October 2005

Cosy belay jacket; great for scottish winter

Warmer than primaloft,
Water resistant shell,
Pockets,
Hood goes over the biggest helmets,
Quality materials,
Designed to go over all clothes

Not the lightest belay jacket but it is very warm,
Some people won't like the colour - Royal blue with Gold. I do however.
Expensive at £160

My first PHD product and i'm extremely impressed, just throw it on at stance or when stopped on the hill, over everything wet or dry.
Great. Has a rugged feel to it compared to down which i always find very fragile.
Available from Toweridge.co.uk for £136, i got mine for £100 nearly new, still not cheap compared to montane jackets which you can pick up for £30-£40 quid now. This however pisses all over them in ever department.