An old friend trotting happily by your side is one of the great joys of exploring the great outdoors

After what feels like an eternity of long, hot days and warm, muggy nights, I'm looking out of my window at the rain pouring down

We test out ME's contender in the lightweight waterproof shell marketReviewSpecsGalleryRetailersFor walking or trekking in the summer months, whether in the UK or overseas, one of your essential gear items is a lightweight waterproof jacket, and even though it may spend more time in your pack rather than on your back you still need it to perform when the heavens open. Beyond the jacket being waterproof and breathable, the two main questions when buying one is how light and packable you want it to be, and what features/functionality you want from it with there usually being a trade-off between these two areas. Mountain Equipments Raintower Jacket, however, seems to offer a really good balance between weight and features, weighing in at a very respectable 350g for the mens and 310g for the womens version, yet offering plenty of features such as pitzips, hem adjustors, two-way main zip and a fully-adjustable hood. Does the Raintower really let you have your cake and eat it? Lets find outOut testing the Raintower Jacket in ArgyllshireMountain Equipment describe the Raintower as a dependable mountain shell thats been built for sudden storms and fast-paced days. Its made of MEs own 2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWR, and comes with a fully-adjustable Mountain Hood, articulated and pre-shaped sleeves, pit zips with an internal flap, and adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords. At 190, the Raintower is priced significantly lower than a similarly-specd Gore-Tex jacket (ME dont offer a lightweight Gore-Tex option, but several other brands do), and given that this is a layer that could spend a significant portion of time inside your pack rather than on your back this could be a really smart option for anyone looking to save a few pounds.FabricBecause Gore-Tex have done such a good marketing job over the years, its easy to assume that own-brand waterproof/breathable fabrics are inherently inferior, but the fact of the matter is that the best of the own brand fabrics are really rather good. Mountain Equipments DriLite is a case in point. Having been around for 25 years now, in one guise or another, DriLite is well regarded by both the industry and users alike. It currently comes in three flavours: DRILITE XT, DRILITE+ and DRILITE. All three versions are waterproof and breathable, but each is optimised for specific conditions and activities. So youll find XT in winter mountaineering jackets where high waterproofness and durability are required, whereas the + version is lighter and optimised for comfort, as well as still offering good waterproof/breathable performance. Standard DRILITE (i.e. without any letters/characters after it!) is lighter still, and is ideal for more occasional use, such as in summer.Handwarmer pockets are sited above your packs waistbeltIts interesting to note that the DRILITE fabrics can come in 2, 2.5 and 3L layer versions, and Mountain Equipment sometimes pair up two of these in the same jacket (e.g. 2.5 layer in the torso, and 3L in high-wear areas such as arms and shoulders). The Raintower, however, is made of one fabric the aforementioned 2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWR and that makes perfect sense for a jacket that is intended to be very packable.Fit ME offer three different fits for their waterproof jacket range Active Fit, Alpine Fit and Mountain Fit, with Active being the most athletic and Mountain being the most roomy (and Alpine Fit being somewhere in the middle). Being targeted primarily at walkers and trekkers, the Raintower fits into the Mountain Fit category, and this means its pretty versatile, from wearing with just a baselayer on, to allowing several layers to be worn underneath when its a bit chillier.The Raintowers hem comes down quite low, which is great for walking/trekking if not so much for scrambling/mountaineering you get that extra bit of coverage over your rear and just generally doubling up on protection around your waist if youre also wearing waterproof trousers.The hood has a wired and stiffened peak, as well as full adjustabilityHood, pockets and zipsME are known for making some of the best hoods in the market and, just as they have three different fits for their jacket range, they have three different styles of hood Super Alpine HC Hood, Mountain HC Hood and Mountain Hood. The differences mainly come down to volume, with the Super Alpine HC offering the most volume and the Mountain Hood offering the least. The first two offer the room and adjustment required for accommodating a helmet, while the Mountain Hood offers the least volume and is not billed as helmet-compatible.The Raintower offers two handwarmer pockets that are situated quite high to avoid contact with your pack waistbelt, and are lined with mesh so can be left open for added ventilation. Theres also a single, internal zipped pocket which can accommodate a large smartphone. The main zipper, which is two-way and water-resistant, is backed up with a storm flap on the inside.Pitzips are not often found on lightweight shells, but we approveIn useWe tested out the Raintower in a variety of conditions in both the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, and we have to say it was a pleasure using it. We really liked the generous fit which allowed layers to be worn underneath if necessary, or gave a bit of extra ventilation if wearing just a baselayer on a warm yet damp day. Speaking of ventilation, the addition of pitzips as well as mesh in the handwarmer pockets is very effective at venting on those sweaty ascents in warm-and-wet weather. Its not common to find pitzips on lightweight shells, since brands are generally trying to shave off grams, but were glad ME included them despite the slight extra weight they add.The Raintower packs down really well, which in our book is more important than its weightThe DRILITE fabric is extremely soft and quiet, and while some 2.5 fabrics can feel clammy against the skin, the Raintower was actually very comfortable. When wet, lightweight shells can stick to your skin and actually make you feel wet (even when youre not) on the inside, but being that bit thicker than the lightest shells, the Raintower didnt exhibit that effect. The hood deserves a special mention, too. As well as being fully adjustable, it is both stiffened and wired, which is a huge benefit in the UK to keep rain out of your face. Although Mountain Equipment dont rate the hood as helmet-compatible, we used it successfully with several different helmets, and although its not roomy enough to allow your head to move smoothly in all directions, it is perfectly usable at a push.The other great thing about the Raintower is that it packs down really small you can see how it compare to a 1L Nalgene bottle in the photo above. For us, packability is even more important than weight, since youre unlikely to notice if a jacket is 100g more or less when its in your pack but you definitely will notice if its taking up too much space, or wont slip easily into the stash pocket on the front of your pack.Internal mesh pocket is ideal for a smartphone or walletVerdictMountain Equipment have really hit a sweet spot with the Raintower Jacket. At 350g (for the mens, 310g for the womens), its not ultra-light, but given that it has all the features you could possibly want for hillwalking and the odd bit of scrambling, the jackets weight and packability are excellent. If youre mainly scrambling and climbing then you may want to opt for a more fitted jacket with a helmet-compatible hood, but for pretty much all other summer walking and trekking duties, the Raintower has got you covered.More info at: www.mountain-equipment.comFeatures2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWRMountain Hood is fully adjustableAlpine fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleevesFull-length WR centre front zip with internal flap2 large ventilated pockets with water-resistant zipsUnderarm pit zips with an internal flapAdjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcordsInner pocketWeight: 350gThe following retailers stock Mountain Equipment clothing and equipment:BlacksCotswold OutdoorEllis Brigham Mountain SportsFacewestGO OutdoorsLD Mountain CentreNeedlesportsNevisportOutsideTaunton LeisureThe Climbers ShopTisoTrekitt

Dreaming of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that takes in Londons grand landmarks, wild Scottish mountains and Irelands rugged Atlantic coast? The good news is that its

One of the questions I get asked the most often? Where shall we escape to for a weekend in the UK? Big adventures and wild

We test out ME's contender in the lightweight waterproof shell marketReviewSpecsGalleryRetailersFor walking or trekking in the summer months, whether in the UK or overseas, one of your essential gear items is a lightweight waterproof jacket, and even though it may spend more time in your pack rather than on your back you still need it to perform when the heavens open. Beyond the jacket being waterproof and breathable, the two main questions when buying one is how light and packable you want it to be, and what features/functionality you want from it with there usually being a trade-off between these two areas. Mountain Equipments Raintower Jacket, however, seems to offer a really good balance between weight and features, weighing in at a very respectable 350g for the mens and 310g for the womens version, yet offering plenty of features such as pitzips, hem adjustors, two-way main zip and a fully-adjustable hood. Does the Raintower really let you have your cake and eat it? Lets find outOut testing the Raintower Jacket in ArgyllshireMountain Equipment describe the Raintower as a dependable mountain shell thats been built for sudden storms and fast-paced days. Its made of MEs own 2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWR, and comes with a fully-adjustable Mountain Hood, articulated and pre-shaped sleeves, pit zips with an internal flap, and adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords. At 190, the Raintower is priced significantly lower than a similarly-specd Gore-Tex jacket (ME dont offer a lightweight Gore-Tex option, but several other brands do), and given that this is a layer that could spend a significant portion of time inside your pack rather than on your back this could be a really smart option for anyone looking to save a few pounds.FabricBecause Gore-Tex have done such a good marketing job over the years, its easy to assume that own-brand waterproof/breathable fabrics are inherently inferior, but the fact of the matter is that the best of the own brand fabrics are really rather good. Mountain Equipments DriLite is a case in point. Having been around for 25 years now, in one guise or another, DriLite is well regarded by both the industry and users alike. It currently comes in three flavours: DRILITE XT, DRILITE+ and DRILITE. All three versions are waterproof and breathable, but each is optimised for specific conditions and activities. So youll find XT in winter mountaineering jackets where high waterproofness and durability are required, whereas the + version is lighter and optimised for comfort, as well as still offering good waterproof/breathable performance. Standard DRILITE (i.e. without any letters/characters after it!) is lighter still, and is ideal for more occasional use, such as in summer.Handwarmer pockets are sited above your packs waistbeltIts interesting to note that the DRILITE fabrics can come in 2, 2.5 and 3L layer versions, and Mountain Equipment sometimes pair up two of these in the same jacket (e.g. 2.5 layer in the torso, and 3L in high-wear areas such as arms and shoulders). The Raintower, however, is made of one fabric the aforementioned 2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWR and that makes perfect sense for a jacket that is intended to be very packable.Fit ME offer three different fits for their waterproof jacket range Active Fit, Alpine Fit and Mountain Fit, with Active being the most athletic and Mountain being the most roomy (and Alpine Fit being somewhere in the middle). Being targeted primarily at walkers and trekkers, the Raintower fits into the Mountain Fit category, and this means its pretty versatile, from wearing with just a baselayer on, to allowing several layers to be worn underneath when its a bit chillier.The Raintowers hem comes down quite low, which is great for walking/trekking if not so much for scrambling/mountaineering you get that extra bit of coverage over your rear and just generally doubling up on protection around your waist if youre also wearing waterproof trousers.The hood has a wired and stiffened peak, as well as full adjustabilityHood, pockets and zipsME are known for making some of the best hoods in the market and, just as they have three different fits for their jacket range, they have three different styles of hood Super Alpine HC Hood, Mountain HC Hood and Mountain Hood. The differences mainly come down to volume, with the Super Alpine HC offering the most volume and the Mountain Hood offering the least. The first two offer the room and adjustment required for accommodating a helmet, while the Mountain Hood offers the least volume and is not billed as helmet-compatible.The Raintower offers two handwarmer pockets that are situated quite high to avoid contact with your pack waistbelt, and are lined with mesh so can be left open for added ventilation. Theres also a single, internal zipped pocket which can accommodate a large smartphone. The main zipper, which is two-way and water-resistant, is backed up with a storm flap on the inside.Pitzips are not often found on lightweight shells, but we approveIn useWe tested out the Raintower in a variety of conditions in both the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, and we have to say it was a pleasure using it. We really liked the generous fit which allowed layers to be worn underneath if necessary, or gave a bit of extra ventilation if wearing just a baselayer on a warm yet damp day. Speaking of ventilation, the addition of pitzips as well as mesh in the handwarmer pockets is very effective at venting on those sweaty ascents in warm-and-wet weather. Its not common to find pitzips on lightweight shells, since brands are generally trying to shave off grams, but were glad ME included them despite the slight extra weight they add.The Raintower packs down really well, which in our book is more important than its weightThe DRILITE fabric is extremely soft and quiet, and while some 2.5 fabrics can feel clammy against the skin, the Raintower was actually very comfortable. When wet, lightweight shells can stick to your skin and actually make you feel wet (even when youre not) on the inside, but being that bit thicker than the lightest shells, the Raintower didnt exhibit that effect. The hood deserves a special mention, too. As well as being fully adjustable, it is both stiffened and wired, which is a huge benefit in the UK to keep rain out of your face. Although Mountain Equipment dont rate the hood as helmet-compatible, we used it successfully with several different helmets, and although its not roomy enough to allow your head to move smoothly in all directions, it is perfectly usable at a push.The other great thing about the Raintower is that it packs down really small you can see how it compare to a 1L Nalgene bottle in the photo above. For us, packability is even more important than weight, since youre unlikely to notice if a jacket is 100g more or less when its in your pack but you definitely will notice if its taking up too much space, or wont slip easily into the stash pocket on the front of your pack.Internal mesh pocket is ideal for a smartphone or walletVerdictMountain Equipment have really hit a sweet spot with the Raintower Jacket. At 350g (for the mens, 310g for the womens), its not ultra-light, but given that it has all the features you could possibly want for hillwalking and the odd bit of scrambling, the jackets weight and packability are excellent. If youre mainly scrambling and climbing then you may want to opt for a more fitted jacket with a helmet-compatible hood, but for pretty much all other summer walking and trekking duties, the Raintower has got you covered.More info at: www.mountain-equipment.comFeatures2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWRMountain Hood is fully adjustableAlpine fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleevesFull-length WR centre front zip with internal flap2 large ventilated pockets with water-resistant zipsUnderarm pit zips with an internal flapAdjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcordsInner pocketWeight: 350gThe following retailers stock Mountain Equipment clothing and equipment:BlacksCotswold OutdoorEllis Brigham Mountain SportsFacewestGO OutdoorsLD Mountain CentreNeedlesportsNevisportOutsideTaunton LeisureThe Climbers ShopTisoTrekitt

We test out ME's contender in the lightweight waterproof shell marketReviewSpecsGalleryRetailersFor walking or trekking in the summer months, whether in the UK or overseas, one of your essential gear items is a lightweight waterproof jacket, and even though it may spend more time in your pack rather than on your back you still need it to perform when the heavens open. Beyond the jacket being waterproof and breathable, the two main questions when buying one is how light and packable you want it to be, and what features/functionality you want from it with there usually being a trade-off between these two areas. Mountain Equipments Raintower Jacket, however, seems to offer a really good balance between weight and features, weighing in at a very respectable 350g for the mens and 310g for the womens version, yet offering plenty of features such as pitzips, hem adjustors, two-way main zip and a fully-adjustable hood. Does the Raintower really let you have your cake and eat it? Lets find outOut testing the Raintower Jacket in ArgyllshireMountain Equipment describe the Raintower as a dependable mountain shell thats been built for sudden storms and fast-paced days. Its made of MEs own 2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWR, and comes with a fully-adjustable Mountain Hood, articulated and pre-shaped sleeves, pit zips with an internal flap, and adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords. At 190, the Raintower is priced significantly lower than a similarly-specd Gore-Tex jacket (ME dont offer a lightweight Gore-Tex option, but several other brands do), and given that this is a layer that could spend a significant portion of time inside your pack rather than on your back this could be a really smart option for anyone looking to save a few pounds.FabricBecause Gore-Tex have done such a good marketing job over the years, its easy to assume that own-brand waterproof/breathable fabrics are inherently inferior, but the fact of the matter is that the best of the own brand fabrics are really rather good. Mountain Equipments DriLite is a case in point. Having been around for 25 years now, in one guise or another, DriLite is well regarded by both the industry and users alike. It currently comes in three flavours: DRILITE XT, DRILITE+ and DRILITE. All three versions are waterproof and breathable, but each is optimised for specific conditions and activities. So youll find XT in winter mountaineering jackets where high waterproofness and durability are required, whereas the + version is lighter and optimised for comfort, as well as still offering good waterproof/breathable performance. Standard DRILITE (i.e. without any letters/characters after it!) is lighter still, and is ideal for more occasional use, such as in summer.Handwarmer pockets are sited above your packs waistbeltIts interesting to note that the DRILITE fabrics can come in 2, 2.5 and 3L layer versions, and Mountain Equipment sometimes pair up two of these in the same jacket (e.g. 2.5 layer in the torso, and 3L in high-wear areas such as arms and shoulders). The Raintower, however, is made of one fabric the aforementioned 2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWR and that makes perfect sense for a jacket that is intended to be very packable.Fit ME offer three different fits for their waterproof jacket range Active Fit, Alpine Fit and Mountain Fit, with Active being the most athletic and Mountain being the most roomy (and Alpine Fit being somewhere in the middle). Being targeted primarily at walkers and trekkers, the Raintower fits into the Mountain Fit category, and this means its pretty versatile, from wearing with just a baselayer on, to allowing several layers to be worn underneath when its a bit chillier.The Raintowers hem comes down quite low, which is great for walking/trekking if not so much for scrambling/mountaineering you get that extra bit of coverage over your rear and just generally doubling up on protection around your waist if youre also wearing waterproof trousers.The hood has a wired and stiffened peak, as well as full adjustabilityHood, pockets and zipsME are known for making some of the best hoods in the market and, just as they have three different fits for their jacket range, they have three different styles of hood Super Alpine HC Hood, Mountain HC Hood and Mountain Hood. The differences mainly come down to volume, with the Super Alpine HC offering the most volume and the Mountain Hood offering the least. The first two offer the room and adjustment required for accommodating a helmet, while the Mountain Hood offers the least volume and is not billed as helmet-compatible.The Raintower offers two handwarmer pockets that are situated quite high to avoid contact with your pack waistbelt, and are lined with mesh so can be left open for added ventilation. Theres also a single, internal zipped pocket which can accommodate a large smartphone. The main zipper, which is two-way and water-resistant, is backed up with a storm flap on the inside.Pitzips are not often found on lightweight shells, but we approveIn useWe tested out the Raintower in a variety of conditions in both the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, and we have to say it was a pleasure using it. We really liked the generous fit which allowed layers to be worn underneath if necessary, or gave a bit of extra ventilation if wearing just a baselayer on a warm yet damp day. Speaking of ventilation, the addition of pitzips as well as mesh in the handwarmer pockets is very effective at venting on those sweaty ascents in warm-and-wet weather. Its not common to find pitzips on lightweight shells, since brands are generally trying to shave off grams, but were glad ME included them despite the slight extra weight they add.The Raintower packs down really well, which in our book is more important than its weightThe DRILITE fabric is extremely soft and quiet, and while some 2.5 fabrics can feel clammy against the skin, the Raintower was actually very comfortable. When wet, lightweight shells can stick to your skin and actually make you feel wet (even when youre not) on the inside, but being that bit thicker than the lightest shells, the Raintower didnt exhibit that effect. The hood deserves a special mention, too. As well as being fully adjustable, it is both stiffened and wired, which is a huge benefit in the UK to keep rain out of your face. Although Mountain Equipment dont rate the hood as helmet-compatible, we used it successfully with several different helmets, and although its not roomy enough to allow your head to move smoothly in all directions, it is perfectly usable at a push.The other great thing about the Raintower is that it packs down really small you can see how it compare to a 1L Nalgene bottle in the photo above. For us, packability is even more important than weight, since youre unlikely to notice if a jacket is 100g more or less when its in your pack but you definitely will notice if its taking up too much space, or wont slip easily into the stash pocket on the front of your pack.Internal mesh pocket is ideal for a smartphone or walletVerdictMountain Equipment have really hit a sweet spot with the Raintower Jacket. At 350g (for the mens, 310g for the womens), its not ultra-light, but given that it has all the features you could possibly want for hillwalking and the odd bit of scrambling, the jackets weight and packability are excellent. If youre mainly scrambling and climbing then you may want to opt for a more fitted jacket with a helmet-compatible hood, but for pretty much all other summer walking and trekking duties, the Raintower has got you covered.More info at: www.mountain-equipment.comFeatures2.5-layer DRILITE 40D fabric with DWRMountain Hood is fully adjustableAlpine fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleevesFull-length WR centre front zip with internal flap2 large ventilated pockets with water-resistant zipsUnderarm pit zips with an internal flapAdjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcordsInner pocketWeight: 350gThe following retailers stock Mountain Equipment clothing and equipment:BlacksCotswold OutdoorEllis Brigham Mountain SportsFacewestGO OutdoorsLD Mountain CentreNeedlesportsNevisportOutsideTaunton LeisureThe Climbers ShopTisoTrekitt