The Berghaus Summit Seeker GTX jacket is made with new Gore-Tex ePe fabric. This is a lightweight fabric offering waterproof protection as well as breathability. There are plenty of features that are included in this Berghaus waterproof jacket. Here are my thoughts on performance.
Berghaus Summit Seeker Gore-Tex Jacket features:
30 Denier GORE-TEX ePE fabric
Hydrostatic Head – 28,000mm
Breathability Rating – 13 (RET)
C-Knit backer for comfort next to the skin
Fixed hood with single point adjustment
Pit-zips
Zipped hand pockets
Articulated sleeves and underarm lift
Internal zipped security pocket
Dual hem adjustment
Two-way AquaGuard zip
Sizes: UK8 to UK20
Weight: 472g (Size UK12)
Male sizes, too.
Fixed for Life
Price: £320
Waterproof jackets and breathability
Have a read of my post about HH and RET ratings to understand more about the claims for the Gore-Tex fabric.
New Gore-Tex ePE membrane
Gore-Tex ePE is a membrane like ePTFE but with a lower claimed impact on the environment. Gore reports that the ePE membrane is lighter and thinner than ePTFE. Further still, the reduction of material mass in combination with “carefully selected solution-dyed and/or recycled materials” is said to lower the ePE membrane’s carbon footprint.
The fabric is also free of fluorocarbons (PFAS/PFCs). This is different from traditional ePTFE membranes, which rely on so-called “forever chemicals”, such as PFAS/PFCs.
Gore claim the fabric is still as waterproof as before.
My thoughts: Berghaus Women’s Summit Seeker Gore-Tex Jacket
Having tested the winter-ready Berghaus Ridge-Seeker GTX waterproof jacket, I was keen to test the summer version, the Berghaus Women’s Summit Seeker Gore-Tex Jacket.
First, a word about the fit. I used to find the women’s Berghaus jackets to be a bit over-sized but these days they are more true to fit. The size small fits me well and I am a UK10. This summer version is a bit shorter in the torso than the winter model but not so that it becomes impractical. If you have a larger chest you might need to go up a size, although that will depend on your overall size and width.
The fabric is lighter than the Ridge-Seeker, which makes sense for a summer weight jacket. Yet, I have found that the jacket is still very waterproof. Most noticeable is the good breathability. I have worn it in a range of different conditions, from mild and wet to cold and wet and wet and windy etc and it has performed really well.
The fabric keeps out the rain but also allows the sweat to pass out through the fabric. When working hard but still requiring a waterproof or windproof layer, I simply unzip the pit zips for extra air circulation.
I think you could wear the jacket for hiking and running if you are looking for versatility of use.
The jacket is also easy to stash in my rucksack when I don’t need to wear it because packs to a small size.
The fabric does rustle a wee bit when you are wearing it but not so that it is annoying. I have tested other jackets that rustle so much that I can hardly stand to wear them! Thankfully, the new Gore-Tex ePe fabric is on the quieter side of rustle.
The difference between the Summit and Ridge-Seeker jackets is the fabric weight and, I would also suggest, durability. The Ridge-Seeker jacket fabric is thicker and heavier but keeps out the wind very well and also the rain for more sustained periods.
Meanwhile, the Summit is better for summer use when there is less chance of strong winds. The fabric is still really waterproof but it doesn’t protect from the winds so much. I can also imagine the Summit fabric wearing out more quickly simply because it is lighter and thinner. I guess time will tell on this one though.
The features are good and well-designed with pockets in the right place, pit zips, an adjustable hood and a two-way front zip.
The three colour choices for women are great, especially the brighter orange.
It’s worth noting that the jacket has the Fixed for Life guarantee. Berghaus will fix a jacket where possible, although you will need to pay for postage to return the jacket for repair.
The price of the Summit Seeker is a bit ouchy at over £300. I recommend you shop around or check out the Berghaus website for sale items. The combination of the new Gore-Tex fabric and design has most likely pushed up the price of the jacket and it’s not unusual to see this price tag on good quality waterproof jackets but, even so, it does seem expensive to me for a summer waterproof jacket.