66°North Glymur Softshell

I purchased this jacket at a bargain price in a local TKMaxx. I have an Arcteryx Gamma jacket of the same material that retails at £200, three times as much as the 66 North.

It is beautifully made and finished with contrasting trim. An excellent wind baffle strip prevents wind or wet getting through the zip.

A close tailored fit means that you feel almost as if you are wearing an armour plated layer as the material feels pretty substantial!

Quite warm, almost totally windproof and has the additional feature of the top pockets doubling up as ventilation adjusters as they have a mesh lining and nothing underneath this. The lower pockets can then be used for stowing small items. It has a close fitting hood, that allows for complete freedom of movement and unrestricted visibility.

You do look like a pinhead however, and I often put a Lowe Alpine mountain cap over the hood. In this way your neck area is completely sealed away from the wind and cold. I would say is is as well made as the Arcteryx and a bit more versatile with the hood as the Artyeryx has none. I shall be using it for skiing in Italy at the end of January, which should really put it to the test.

An excellent jacket and wonderful value for what I paid for it. I have seen it on sale for 340 Euros recently, which is in my opinion a joke!

Looks cool, superbly made, great weather protection. I think the Arc'teryx is marginally more flattering, but hey, what do you expect for less than seventy quid?!!