#liveforadventure with the Berghaus Fastrack Jacket
At the summit, protected by my cold weather gear.
Weatherproofing – The Berghaus Fastjacket’s outer layer is completely waterproof and wind-proof, and it kept nearly all of the mountain’s harsh coldness away from my fleece jacket and base layers.
Comfort and Fit – The inside layer of the jacket is made of sweat-wicking mesh, which kept me relatively dry inside (a feature not present in regular raincoats) and thus warm. At 142lbs, I’m also a lean guy, so I was pleasantly surprised that the size S jacket (American size) fit me well, though I did have four inner layers.
Ventilation – The extreme cold on the mountain prevented me from fully-using the pit vents on the jacket, but back at basecamp, the huge vents – from upper arm to mid-rib – allowed plenty of cool air inside.
Travel-friendliness – The jacket took up almost all the space on my Deuter Futura 32 hiking backpack’s outer pocket, even with my experience in packing light. The non-detachable hood contributed to some of the bulk, as well as the thick Velcro straps at the wrist areas and zippers for the pit vents.
Durability – It resisted abrasions from branches, rocks, and flying debris (from riding on top of local four-wheelers), and I felt secure and confident that it would take a lot of abuse before the jacket even gets a small tear.
Value for Money – Berghaus in the Philippines is notoriously affordable when compared to other imported brands. For a German brand with a rich legacy of knowing mountaineering and the great outdoors, the price of Berghaus gear right now is a steal.
VERDICT
The Berghaus Fastrack jacket is a fantastic buy when you consider that for all the engineering and technology that went to it, the price, versatility, and quality of Berghaus construction more than makes up for the slightly larger storage space it will take in your backpack.
Follow Berghaus Philippines on Facebook, on Instagram (@berghausph), and the hashtag #liveforadventure to stay updated on sales and promos. The Berghaus Fastrack Jacket retails at PHP 3,208.00 (as of October 2015) at Toby’s Mall of Asia, Toby’s Shangri-La, and Toby’s Glorietta.Â
