Our review: Basic jacket but with some handy features, budget-friendly
Buy for women from Mountain Warehouse (£119.99 £69.99)
Buy for men from Mountain Warehouse (£119.99 £69.99)
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First impressions
This is a jacket without the whistles and bells of some of the others on test, but what Mountain Warehouse do best is offer kit that does the job for a price that’s a bit less wallet-curling than some of the others on test. Ok so it only comes in black, there’s no hood and some of the features are a bit basic, but that said we wouldn’t discount it for that.
How was the fit?
Our UK14 was a little snug and quite close-fitting over the hips. Worn over a t-shirt it did the job, but was a little restrictive over the shoulders and chest – so not ideal for any kind of climbing or active use. We would recommend sizing up for comfort and/or if you want to wear a fleece underneath.
How does it feel?
The Featherweight II might lack the soft, inviting feel of some of the others on test but it’s also very light and with that 600 fill isn’t very bulky either and packs down very small. You do get a storm flap and zip guards which stops the top of the zip rubbing when done up, but there’s no extra soft panel against the skin. The cuffs on the sleeves are a simple fabric edging (no elastication or adjustability) which did tend to absorb water.
Does it have a hood and is it any good?
No. This jacket is also available in a long-line version, but there is no option with a hood in this spec.
What’s it made of?
The facing and lining are both 100% polyester according to the jacket care label – no mention is made of any recycled materials. The fabric is treated with DWR which means it can withstand light rain and this was evidenced in testing, with water beading and rolling off the jacket (apart from the fabric edging on the cuffs). The DWR is not fluorocarbon-free though.
What’s it filled with?
The down filling is a mix of 90% grey duck down and 10% grey duck feathers. With a 600 CUIN fill power though, it wasn’t as warm as some of the others on test. The down is RDS certified.
How durable is it?
We didn’t experience any problems in testing. Our only concern would be the two zipped pockets on the outside, as the zip pulls were very small (so tricky to operate with cold hands) and inset, we found the jacket snagged a couple of times.
How sustainable is it?
No mention is made of recycled fabrics, plus the material is DWR-coated. The down is certified to Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Mountain Warehouse have a Modern Slavery report available on their website stating “Mountain Warehouse operates a zero-tolerance policy to modern slavery and human trafficking and is committed to making every effort to eradicate the impact of this crime from our business and supply chain.”
Is it good value?
Coming in as the least expensive on our group test, and often reduced by Mountain Warehouse, this jacket can be considered good value. It offers RDS down, is lightweight and packable and is treated to offer some waterproofing. A good option for an extra layer if top-end features aren’t required.
Best used for:
We’d have this stashed as an extra layer for irregular hikes in autumn and spring, or cooler summer day mornings. Worn over a t-shirt it will give you plenty of extra warmth and a showerproof layer. Good for strolls, dog walks and changeable-weather emergencies!
Facts at a glance: Mountain Warehouse Featherweight II Extreme RDS Down Jacket
Sizes: W UK8-22
Fill power: 600
Down type: 90% grey duck down and 10% grey duck feathers
Face fabric: 100% polyamide
Type of zip: 1-way zipper
Pockets: 4 pockets (2 zipped)
Packable: Yes, included stuff bag
Ready to buy?
Buy for women from Mountain Warehouse (£119.99 £69.99)
Buy for men from Mountain Warehouse (£119.99 £69.99)
