Review: Mountain Equipment Vulcan Jacket

This has become one of my go to jackets for changeable weather, though not fully waterproof it is damn close to being which makes it perfect for those days where it’s a bit colder, windy and you aren’t really sure which way the weather in the mountains will turn from one hour to the next. It is one of the jackets I end up using fairly frequently all year in the hills and mountains.

The fit of the jacket is close due to the stretchy soft-shell material but still leaves you lots of flexibility. In terms of breathability as the jacket is not taped seam it’s pretty breathable and benefits from the addition of pit zips which are unusual to find on a soft-shell jacket.

Goretex infinium (previously wind stopper) is extremely water resistant and so much so I have been out for at least six hours in driving rain and sidewards hail in this jacket before I was truly wet through, which goes way beyond what my expectations were. I spent a winter mountaineering course in the Cairngorms (BLOG HERE) using this jacket and temperature wise its not too hot not too cold, just right and a proper all rounder. I’d highly recommend this jacket to anybody for day to day hiking in cold to cooler weather all the way up to more technical mountaineering. Pairs very well with a merino wool base layer or thin fleece like the Rab Nexus.

Rating: 10/10, not given lightly but there is a reason why this has replaced all of my other soft-shell jackets. There’s even an MRT version which speaks volumes really!

Specs:

Helmet compatible hood

Active fit with articulated sleeves

Velcro adjustable cuffs

Dual Tether Hem drawcords

Goretex windstopper fabric