There's nothing that screams out in terms of features or design, even the logo is discreet, and it does exactly what it says on the ticket. The Primaloft insulation is proven and reliable technology that performs consistently and for a synthetic the Belay Advance packs down well. The simplicity of the design and quality of the materials make the Belay Advance one of the most versatile jackets on the market; In winter it's breathable enough for walking in and warm enough for sitting around on a wild camp safe in the knowledge that even if it gets a bit wet it's still keep you warm, but wear it walking the dog and no-one would accuse you over over-speccing your kit based on its appearance.

The Velcro cuffs and lycra binding on the waist hem keep the cold and wind out, although the hem does start pilling quite quickly, and a soft wicking fabric makes the Belay Advance comfortable against the skin. Two fleece lined handwarmer pockets and an inner ziped pocket provide the storage and while there's no hood the high neck keeps everything below chin level warm and dry. The big selling point, however, is its price. With a list price of £79.95 and a street price of £60 it massively outperforms its price tag. Six months of almost daily use in all environments have really put it to the test and whether scrambling over rock on the Roaches or path finding in woodland it's proved its durability. It's shed every Lake District shower and been pulled in and out of the rucksack unceremoniously time after time but the only sign of wear after such abuse has been some pilling on the hem.

Features:

• Left hand side inner pocket
• Two Hip pockets with stormflap
• Scooped back
• Full length one way main zip
• Lycra hem and cuffs

Pros:

Price

Versatility

Comfort

Cons:

Hem starts pilling after little use (but doesn't get worse over time)