Jack Wolfskin has recently launched their spring/summer 2014 collection of outdoors clothes and I have been giving the new Jack Wolfskin High Amperage women’s waterproof jacket a field test.

What the Jack Wolfskin label says

The 535g (medium size) waterproof jacket is a “triple-layer weatherproof softshell Texapore that provides the highest quality for demanding activities. It unites the advantages of hardshells and softshells, by combining maximum breathabilty with extreme waterproofness and high elasticity”. The Texapore Softshell Infinity Hyproof fabric is a three-layer fabric. The coating is combined with a woven and knitted softshell outer material and a supple jersey. The material offers natural stretch and joins the benefits of a weatherproof jacket with all the advantages of a softshell jacket. Water column is 30,000mm. Jack Wolfskin have also added some nice features to the jacket including:

• Two-way front zip
• Two-way ventilation zips under the armpits, from waist to half way down the arm
• A stow-away hood that is large enough to fit a helmet underneath if required
• Five pockets including two internal pockets and an arm pocket
• Reflective detailing
• Taped seams
• Highly water-repellent zips.

On test: Jack Wolfskin High Amperage waterproof jacket

The first thing I want to write is that Jack Wolfskin get better and better at designing beautiful outdoor clothing. The fit, colours and look of the High Amperage is fantastic – and many people have commented on how lovely the jacket looks. Looks aren’t everything, however, and performance is most important but I was immediately drawn to the style of this waterproof jacket. The fit is flattering to the female physique and also has a good torso and arm length. I am tall-ish and slim with long arms so I always look for a jacket with good length and coverage. The jacket feels great to wear. The slight stretch in the fabric makes it very comfortable and offers a high level of freedom. Also, the high hand pockets are well-placed so that even if you’re wearing a rucksack with a waistbelt you can still access the main pockets. I am a sucker for pockets, too. This might seem like a bit of a sad confession but I like my jackets and rucksacks to have plentiful places for stowing bits and pieces. The jacket has the two big hand pockets, a sleeve pocket, an internal breast pocket and another zipped pocket inside one of the big hand pockets. What more could a pocket addict ask for? The hood is also a good size and can be easily adjusted, depending on whether you are wearing a hat or helmet beneath it or just your bare head. There’s a volume adjustor as well as an elasticated draw string. The lower hem of the jacket has a useful elasticated drawstring and the sleeves boast velcroed cuffs. The jacket also sees off the rain very well. We have had a lot of rain in Scotland in recent months and so I have been able to give the jacket lots of wet conditions. For a jacket that feels so soft to wear it also boasts great waterproof capabilities. The jacket doesn’t feel at all sweaty to wear either, and when I have been working hard while walking it has been a relief to be able to open up the long underarm zips. It does feel a bit odd to have the underarms completely open (there is no mesh insert) and if it was raining hard these would obviously create a big hole for water to leak into. I guess most people will keep them firmly zipped while walking in a heavy downpour. This jacket is also meant as a spring/summer waterproof. [caption id="attachment_10692" align="alignleft" width="225"] The men's Jack Wolfskin High Amperage jacket[/caption] For a good quality waterproof jacket  it is fairly lightweight and would easily stuff into a small place in your rucksack when you weren’t wearing it. The women’s High Amperage waterproof jacket is priced at £380, which is quite a hefty cost but from my experience Jack Wolfskin products are very durable. The jacket comes in Night Sky (my favourite), grapefruit and fresh lemon colourways. I do love Jack Wolfskins’ fabulous colours for outdoor clothing. There is a men’s Jack Wolfskin High Amperage Waterproof jacket. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the Jack Wolfskin spring/summer collection.