I have been testing the new Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody, which the company has described as a “responsible warmth” jacket. First, let’s take a look at the features, then assess its green credentials, before I give you my views on the jacket.
Features of Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody
The Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody is designed for mid-level activities. It aims to keep you warm, even when wet, and as well as having high performing fabrics and construction, it is claimed to be an environmentally sustainable choice, too.
- MADEKIND™ product: Main fabrics are bluesign® approved and contain recycled content with a PFC-free DWR finish.
- ¾ bound hood with next to skin binding
- Two-way front zip
- One internal security pocket / stuff sack
- Two concealed zipped hand pockets
- Cuffs with next-to-skin binding
- Dropped rear hem
- Through-pocket hem adjustment
- External hang loop – to the back of the neck.
- Supported by Repairhaus.
- Weight: 375g (UK12) and 409g (men’s large)
- Male and female versions
- Price: £190.
- Women’s, four colours and size UK8 to UK20.
- Men’s, four colours, XS to 3XL
- I see that Wiggle currently sell the men’s jacket for £149 and Winfields have the women’s jacket for £160. (Note, I gain a small commission for sales through this website.)
Eco credentials of Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody
The jacket, which can be used for a range of outdoor activities, from hiking to kayaking, features bluesignapproved materials, including the brand’s own recycled Hydroloft Heatball and recycled Pertex Quantum.
Hydroloft Heatball Eco+ is synthetic and warmth is created by loose balls made with 100% recycled polyester, which is collected as post-consumer waste.
The insulation has a CLO value of 2.4 to 2.6 based on 150gsm. CLO is a value to describe the degree of insulation provided by an article of clothing, with 1 being equal to the amount of clothing required by a resting human to maintain thermal comfort at a room temperature of 21°C.
A CLO of between 2.3 and 2.5 equates to the comfort level of insulation provided by a lightweight down jacket while in active use in the mountains.
The main Pertex Quantum face fabric of the Berghaus jacket is 100% recycled polyester, with a quilted baffle construction in 20D woven ripstop.
The jacket has a PFC-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment for extra weather resistance. The jacket’s polyamide lining also has a PFC-free DWR.
These days, we needto be wary of greenwashing. According to alternative consumer watchdog, Ethical Consumer, there are issues to consider when buying clothing;
- Do they use sustainable products?
- Is the item made using recycled products?
- Does it contain PFCs? These chemicals are damaging for the environment.
- Is it down-filled certified? Down filling for insulated jackets can be produced from the live-plucking of ducks and geese, so is a major issue in terms of animal welfare. Look for recycled down or down certified as free from this cruelty – check out our guide to ethical down for jackets and sleeping bags.
- Do you need to buy a new piece of kit? Opt for second-hand or make sure you care for and repair your existing gear to extend its life.
- What is the policy on workers’ rights?
- In February 2022, an Ethical Consumer report on outdoor brands gave Berghaus – across the whole company – a rating of “middle”, below “best” and above “worst” for PFC use. Middle is given because there is a company target to phase out any use of PFCs.
The watchdog also noted that all Berghaus products are supported by the brand’s free repair service, Repairhaus. This means that the brand encourages repair if possible to give clothes and other items a longer life.
Outdoor clothing companies were also rated for their policies on toxic chemicals. Companies taking some steps in the right direction – that is, sourcing a significant proportion of sustainable fabrics or publishing restricted substances lists – received a middle rating.
Berghaus joins many other brands in this category, including Páramo, Mountain Warehouse, Decathlon, Jack Wolfskin, Sprayway, Mountain Equipment, The North Face, Lowe Alpine, Rab) Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, prAna, Sorel, Fjällräven, Alpkit, Vaude, Rohan and Patagonia.
Berghaus on sustainability
When asked Berghaus readily offered information about sustainability. The details were supplied through a Positive Business Report hosted on the website of the Pentland Group, which owns the brand.
For example, the company uses the Higg Index to inform their decisions about the use of materials.
Pentland also has specific policies relating to issues such as restricted substances, ethical materials use, child labour and young workers, migrant workers and its tier 1 and 2 suppliers. These are all in the public domain at: Pentland Brands / Standards, policies and resources.
Pentland – and therefore Berghaus – has been a member of organisations such as the Ethical Trading Initiative since 1998; the Sustainable Apparel Coalition since 2011; Action, Collaboration, Transformation since 2016; and The Microfibre Consortium, as a signatory of The Microfibre 2030 Commitment, which was launched last year.
As the company openly states: “Although we know there’s much more work to be done, we’re committed to helping to create a world that’s better, fairer and greener.”
My review: Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody
If you have read about the eco credentials of Berghaus you will already be aware that unless you need a new jacket, the most sustainable thing to do is to make what you have last longer by repairing it, or buy second hand.
If you do require a new lightweight insulated jacket, the Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody does tick some green boxes and the company openly states that they know they need to be doing more and they hope to do so. I like this transparency and acknowledgement.
The jacket feels very lightweight and floaty, yet offers a good weight-to-warmth ratio. The sizing, as is common with Berghaus apparel is generous. I am usually a UK10 or small and the Cuillin size 10 is roomy.
I appreciate the two-way front zip. This is something I am always writing about because so many jackets these days seem to have a one-way zip only.
As well as two zipped hand pockets it’s good to have the addition of a large internal zipped pocket. When wearing a rucksack with a waist-strap I can still (just about) access the hand pockets.
The hood is a generous fit, while the arms are just long enough for me. (Note, I have long arms!)
I am not sure if the “cuffs with next-to-skin binding” are much of a benefit in terms of warmth. I rarely feel like the cold is sweeping up my arms at the wrists of any jacket but maybe these cuffs are especially warm. I really can’t say although they do look neat and feel nice against the skin.
The jacket looks good and three of the four different colours are lovely. (I am not a fan of black outdoor kit.)
It’s an easy jacket to wear and one that has become a favourite, especially as temperatures have dropped (including indoors!). I wear it as an outer layer in the house and also as a mid-layer when walking on hills and mountains.
I like that it fits inside its stuff pocket for neat stowing in a rucksack.
Many people say they prefer the warmth of down insulation and there are some advantages of this for sure but, on the whole, synthetic insulation is easier to care for because it can be washed on a cool cycle in a machine, then plumped up again in a tumble drier.
Also, synthetic insulation is good at staying warm even when damp or wet. The addition of a PFC-free DWR gives the jacket another tick from me. The outer fabric resists light rain and this means you have time to pull on a waterproof jacket over the top without worrying about the Cuillin jacket becoming too soaked.
There are many, many lightweight insulated jackets to choose from but if you are keen to buy a more sustainable product, this is a good one to consider.
One last thing, it’s not cheap but Berghaus is a reputable brand.