Below you will find our first-hand reviews of various shell layers for hiking, including rain jackets, windbreakers and soft-shell jackets. Pants are reviewed in a separate category. Please note that many of the shell layers reviewed here are available both in men’s and women’s versions, which will only differ slightly (although they might be named differently). You might thus still learn something interesting about a shell layer we have reviewed, even if it is meant for the opposite sex. If you want to learn more about how we test and review hiking products, you can read our Principles for Product Reviews.
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In February, I got the Cimalp Storm PRO 3 H jacket. The Cimalp Storm PRO 3 H is a 3-layer rain jacket which is primarily designed for trail running. Therefore, it’s made of a very breathable fabric and is super lightweight. The jacket in size M weighs merely 9.7 oz. (275 g). I decided to…
In fall 2021 I was contacted by the German outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin with an offer to test some garments from their Pack & Go! collection. I received the Jack Wolfskin JWP rain jacket and JWP down jacket (reviewed here) in the end of October, and have been wearing one or both of the two…
In late May I received the Houdini Daybreak jacket for testing in exchange for an unbiased review. Since then, I’ve been wearing it regularly for hiking, mountaineering, everyday use and even cycling. The Houdini Daybreak is a lightweight softshell jacket which is designed for outdoor activities in windy conditions and/or light rain. When I unpacked…
In the beginning of 2021, we received the Sherpa Makalu jacket for testing, and since then I’ve been regularly wearing it for hiking, everyday use and even cycling. The Makalu jacket is a robust shell layer which is designed for outdoor activities in the toughest weather conditions. It is made of Sherpa’s own 3-layer Himaltec…
In the beginning of the year we were in touch with the French outdoor manufacturer CimAlp, which we have previously reviewed winter hiking apparel for. CimAlp was founded in 1964 by an avid mountaineer and the brand has ever since had a strong focus on creating functional high-quality apparel for all sorts of activities in…
In the beginning of April, I bought the Salomon S/LAB jacket and since then I’ve been regularly wearing it for running and on my hiking trips. The Salomon S/LAB jacket is a so-called windbreaker which means that it provides protection against the wind and is super lightweight. It weighs merely 85 grams (3 oz.) and…
Approximately half of a year ago, I purchased the Montane Minimus jacket and since then I’ve been regularly using it as a shell layer on my hiking trips. The Montane Minimus jacket is a hardshell jacket which means that it’s made of a waterproof/breathable fabric. Hardshell jackets are typically lighter than softshell jackets and offer better…
