The cut
The first thing that stood out was the slightly wider cut, which is nevertheless convincing in everyday use and guarantees sufficient freedom of movement. The jacket does not slip up even when moving your arms overhead. The back is cut longer so that the lower back stays warm when skiing with a backpack without the jacket puffing out at the front. The drawcord at the bottom hem can be used to reliably seal the jacket at the bottom so that no heat is lost. The cuffs on the sleeves are fitted with strong elasticated bands that also provide a secure seal. The hood sits well on the head and does not pull the jacket upwards. It is elasticated all the way round to ensure a close fit on the head. If necessary, the hood can also be worn over a helmet, but it doesn't seem to be designed for this purpose.
The practical experience
In practice, the jacket was completely convincing despite the cut, which took some getting used to at first! The jacket's great thermal performance is remarkable: as the jacket fits snugly around all openings, hardly any heat is lost. The outer material is waterproof even in strong winds. The jacket does not get soaked in heavy snowfall and therefore retains its high thermal performance. On several tours in adverse conditions and low temperatures, the jacket could not be persuaded to give up even when used without an additional hard shell jacket. The jacket certainly doesn't keep the water out for a whole day of skiing, but short rain showers were no problem. On spring tours in stable weather conditions, you can leave the hard shell jacket at home. Although the jacket is not the lightest (weighed 462 grams in XL), it can still provide a weight advantage - if that is important to you.
For warmer temperatures and ascents, an insert made of breathable material under the arms or a ventilation option would perhaps be good, but both would certainly reduce the overall thermal performance. The outer material makes a stable impression and has not yet shown any signs of wear. A self-adhesive repair patch with instructions is even included in case of damage. The hood is a particularly positive feature: As a lot of body heat escapes through the head, the jacket is even warmer thanks to the lined and close-fitting hood. The solution of stowing the jacket in its own inner pocket is also more convenient than an extra pack sack, which can quickly get lost in the wind. The jacket fits perfectly into the inner pocket and the zipper can be closed reliably and without any fuss. However, there are jackets that can be packed smaller. So if you value every gram of weight and the smallest possible volume, you should probably go for the version without a hood.
It is particularly important to note that Bergans only uses down that is a by-product of the food industry. Down from live plucking and stuffing is not used, which is ensured by corresponding supplier contracts and controls.
