Mammut Ducan Guide HS Hooded Jacket

As beautiful as the weather is right now, you can never guarantee a rain shower isn’t just around the corner when you are enjoying a great outdoors. A decent rain shell is an absolute must if you are a keen hiker and Mammut already has a solid reputation for outdoor apparel so what better place to look. The Ducan Guide HS Hooded Jacket comes in four colours, Black, Glacier Blue, Silver Sage and Alvatern. The first notable thing is how premium the fabric feels. Saying that it doesn’t feel flimsy, it has been cut with a technical fit, meaning it’s athletic and streamlined without feeling too restrictive. If you’re planning to layer up underneath, you might want to size up, as it’s a bit snug. The sleeves are well-articulated for movement and has a hook and loop fastener, which is a big plus for climbing or scrambling.

This jacket uses 3-layer Mammut DRY Tour laminate, which gives you high-end waterproofing (comparable to Gore-Tex) while still being breathable. The hood features a 1-point exterior drawstring for quick and easy fastening, whilst the water-resistant YKK Aquaguard front zipper seals the jacket up tightly. In heavy rain and snow, it holds up extremely well, no leaks, no damp spots. If things do get a bit toasty there are the pit zips that allow you to dump heat quickly. The jacket feels rugged enough to handle rough conditions. The reinforced shoulders and sleeves help if you’re carrying a heavy pack or brushing against rocks. I like the thought that has gone into the shoulder seams, just moving them to the sides to stop backpack straps digging in and coursing irritation. There are two well placed front pockets with water repellent zips that allow for easy access of your essential gear, even with gloved hands.

At around 500g, it’s not the lightest shell out there, but it makes up for it with great weather protection and durability. It’s a great pick for serious hikers and climbers, though for ultralight backpackers, it might feel a bit overbuilt. Obviously you don’t have to be up a mountain to appreciate the jacket, you will find yourself grabbing it for the dog walk or school run too. If you need a shell that can handle rough conditions, the Mammut Ducan Guide HS won’t disappoint. RRP £270

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