Tested: Haglöfs Essens Mimic Jacket

As the name suggests this jacket mimics Goose down; with light weight, small pack size and warmth. But this jacket has synthetic insulation and therefore copes much better with moisture than a down jacket.

Unlike other synthetic insulated jackets this has the same light and ‘toasty’ feel as down jackets. The High Loft Insulation in the jacket mimics the characteristics of down and is blown into the baffles, like a down jacket, which helps the fibre to loft like down and trap lots of air making you warm. It also allows moisture from the body to pass out of the jacket through the air in the insulation keeping you warm and dry.

The Pertex shell of the jacket is DWR coated making water bead on its outer surface, although the jacket is not waterproof. The synthetic insulation copes very well when wet from rain or sweat, is more robust and a lot easier to wash.

At 490g for a large it is a bit heavier than a similar down jacket, but it is more suited to most peoples use and definitely more suited to the Scottish climate.

The arms have power stretch panels at the top, improving fit, comfort and movement.

They also work well at stopping you getting too hot in this critical area.

The hooded version comes with a compression cord on the hood for the perfect fit.

This can be removed for those who want.

Testing this jacket in Scotland shows this is an ideal jacket for cold but wet conditions.

It fits really well and is robust enough to live at the bottom of your pack in winter.