Karrimor X Lite Helium jacket

A lot of outdoor clothing is made with comfort and practicality in mind, with style coming a very poor third, so I was pleasantly surprised when I took this jacket out of the bag. Matt black with purple accents – it also comes in blue, while the men’s version is available in black, blue and green – the cut was a nice fit.

Velcro fasteners on the cuffs tighten snuggly around your wrists to keep out the rain – useful when pointing your hands skywards holding up bins – and a very clever plastic peak inserted in the hood keeps both material and water out of your eyes. This is an excellent idea and I’m surprised more manufacturers haven’t employed it. The hood can be rolled up and secured with a strip of material if you don’t want to use it. The two large side pockets are roomy enough to hold a pair of bins, notebook and pen.

Unlike many waterproof jackets, the material doesn’t rustle, rather it ‘swishes’ quietly. This is an important consideration when out in the field, as unexpected noise can flush birds. The jacket kept me nice and dry when standing in the spray of a waterfall trying to get photos.

This is a very lightweight jacket that can easily be folded up and stowed in a rucksack. It won’t keep you warm on a cold day, but will provide an extra layer over a fleece or keep you dry without adding heat during a spring shower.