I have been sent Harrier’s new Lomond insulated jacket to test. As you might expect, it is designed to be lightweight, breathable, warm and packable and suited to trail runners.
Features include:
Fill: 3M™ Flowable Featherless Thinsulate™ (80% recycled synthetic)- Soft fabric to touch
- Lightweight and breathable
Can be washed, with claims that it maintains up to 10 times better consistency without clumping after washing compared to standard filler - Dual hood and hem toggle adjusters
- 2 zipped, hand warmer pockets.
Integrated storage bag in pocket to roll up and stash when not in use
Weight: approx 400g (my female small is 375g) - Available in male and female designs
- Women’s sizes: XS (UK8) to XL (UK18)
- Men’s sizes: S (35” chest) to XXL (49.5” chest)
- RRP: £78
- Buy: Harrier Lomond jacket.
Why is the jacket called Lomond?
Harrier founder Kate Parker reveals: “Loch Lomond and The Trossachs are where my family originates from. We had so many great name ideas from the Harrier community, but this was the one that
stuck.
“I have had many adventures around the shores and hills of the lochs. The beautiful teal colour reminds me of the colour of the water on a cold winter’s day.”
My thoughts: Harrier Lomond insulated jacket
The jacket is lightweight and very easy to wear. I have the size small and I am a UK10. It fits neatly but still with enough room for several thin baselayers underneath. The arm length is just long enough for my long arms.
I find the elastic cuffs a bit tight. I have very slim wrists so the cuffs are not so tight that they leave marks on my arms but when I want to try to see my watch under the cuff it’s a bit of a struggle.
The outer and inner fabric is silky smooth and I love the colour of the jacket as well. Several friends have commented favourably on the colour. (The men’s jacket is the same colour.)
The front zip is one-way and I usually prefer a two-way zip. There are also two zipped hand pockets and a stuff bag that sits inside one of the pockets.
The stuff bag is attached to the inside of the pocket. There are pros and cons of this. It’s great that you don’t lose the stuff bag because it is attached, bit several times I have put my hand in the pocket and ended up pulling the stuff bag out as I remove my hand.
The hood is well designed with a fairly stiff peak and two elastic toggle adjustors. This means you can zip it up at the front and cinch it around the head to keep in warmth.
I would like the hood to be a little roomier because my pony tail stops the peak coming properly over my face. It would be better if the front of the jacket zipped up to a greater height. I couldn’t decide if my chin was more comfortable inside the jacket or outside because the top of the zipped up jacket was in an awkward place. It works okay but it could be better in my opinion.
I am really interested in the synthetic fill. It feels like down and acts like down to a fairly warm level, yet you can wash it. Synthetic fill is also a better insulator when damp than basic down.
I have worn the jacket many times since receiving it. The best test was on a very windy and damp day in the hills near Luss, to the west of Loch Lomond.
I wore a t-shirt, baselayer and waterproof jacket. I stuffed the Harrier jacket inside the bag and then inside my running pack. If you wanted to pack the jacket even smaller it would be a good idea to use a roll-top dry bag and redcue the air in the jacket.
When I needed some extra warmth on the hills, I simply wore the jacket over all my other clothes. It was a great extra layer and it meant I did not get to cold. Although damp, the jacket still kept me warm.
Without the extra waterproof jacket layer under – or over – the Harrier jacket – ie when I wear only the Harrier and baselayers – I find it lets in a bit of chill wind. It seems the wind can get through the fabric and insulation. This means the Harrier is sufficient for general wear when it’s cold but not windy.
The jacket does wet out in heavy rain so if it’s raining heavily you should add a waterproof jacket on top. In generally damp or drizzly conditions, the jacket does get a bit wet but it is still warming.
In conclusion: Harrier Lomond insulated jacket
I think this will prove to be a useful jacket for spring and summer trail running adventures. I will stuff it into a small place in my running rucksack and pull it out for use when I stop for food or when the weather turns a bit chillier, or when at higher altitude. It’s great to have a synthetic fill that behaves like down. This is a versatile and useful jacket that I expect to use for a range of different activities, including general wear, hill running and hiking.
Note, I have not washed it yet and I can’t comment on durability and longevity.