Berghaus "Everyday Outdoors" Jackets feedback thread - now with final feedback questions

[AnnMumsnet]

Dear Berghaus tester

Many thanks for taking part in the Berghaus product test.

We'd be grateful if you could add feedback at least a couple of times over the next month or so - for now, your first impressions and then after a month or so we'll post some more detailed questions.

Everyone who is part of the test and who adds feedback here will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win £150 of Berghaus products.

So, generally speaking, what are your first impressions? Was it as expected? Anything you particularly liked or disliked? How is the colour/ size etc? (any major problems which mean you want to exchange it, please do let us know)

You are more than welcome to add other comments/ feedback to this thread over the next month.

In your response please state which jacket you are testing.

Many thanks

MNHQ

I tested the Richmond in pale stone.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?
Originally asked for Java, but it was a very flat brown and didn't suit my colouring. The pale stone is more a classic trench colour.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?
It's really comfortable, but for me (long limbed) the size 12 (which I measured for) was too tight - size 14 was much more comfortable, especially wearing a couple of layers during the recent cold snap.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
Yes. But, remember it is insulated, so it's not going t0 make you look skinny. That said, it has more shape than most outdoor wear I've tried, and loads more than a puffa.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
A few people have complimented me on it, including DH.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
Yep, good for driving, walking, general use.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
Yes, would recommend.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
It does if you are looking for an investment purchase - something fairly classic that you could wear until 2020. That said, I doubt very much that I would have paid £170 for a coat for myself - it's quite expensive for the average person.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
As I said above, the Java was too dark and flat a colour for me. I think the coats are all pretty neutral (olive, brown, black, beige), which I suppose means they are less likely to go in/out of fashion. That said, a few brighter colours wouldn't go amiss - red or turquoise. When it's winter I feel all grey and washed out anyway, sometimes a bit of colour is nice.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?
They are well made - nice stitching & lining - even though they are expensive, they look quality. And they are definitely very insulating! In -8c, I was snug with a t-shirt and light cardie underneath.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?
I expected anything from Berghaus to be functional, high quality finish, attention to detail - and yes, this was my experience. I also assume Berghaus stuff will be more suitable for out and about/walkinh wear rather than looking smart, or indeed cool. I hoped this jacket would manage to move a little bit in those directions (thought it looked quite cool in the photos) but tbh, I'm not convinced.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?
Amazingly warm - really fantastic. From the feel of the thickness, I assumed autumn/spring wear, but it has stood up to the weather fantastically. It is a little bulky, but that is due to the fact that the sizing came up so big.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
No, not really. As above, it is definatley too big - esp across the shoulders, which natually makes it look less good. I'd also have liked a more nipped in waist.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
No, sorry! Dh thought it looked snuggly, but otherwise the only comments were from people who knew I got it free asking how I was getting on with it. I don't think its noticeable - it just looks like another warm black coat...

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
Absolutely great for my 'mum' life. Fantastic warmth, absolutely first class waterproofing - cant fault in there. But it definately wasn't smart enough for a work coat for me - which limits it quite a lot, as I'd normally buy one coat for both (which means I end up with something a bit smarter than I need for scuffing about in the park :-)

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
Hummm, depends what they were looking for. I would receommend it's functionality, certainly.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
I can imagine it'll last forever, and if I wanted a good outdoor winter jacket, it'd be perfect. But it doesn't meet everything I need, & £170 is really steep. I normally pay around £100-150 for coats.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
Black is not the most inspiring A choice of soft colours would be nice - eg brown, mid green, blue...

Q9 Any final observations/comments?
The sizing really must cause you problems with online orders - I reckon mins is almost a full size too big...
I think a little bit of funky-ing up the look would be good, too. I have a summer parka - very similar basic shape, but has a few cool pocket details and better shaping, so it looks more genuine quadrophenia type parka inspired. This feels like a walking coat trying to look cool...

BUT thank you! This is a coat I would probably never have bought, but will get a lot of use from. And it has certainly re-engaged me with the Berghaus brand which I used to buy a lot, and since kids had assumed I didn't need proper outdoors functionality any more.

Sorry, tested parka in black

Ann just a quick Q re:the Berghaus site and leaving a review of our jackets...will our full RL names be used or can we just post with our first names?

aseriously - I don't know but from what I can see a couple of MNers have done a review but used their MN name so maybe do that (or a version of it?) thanks

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

Wasn't really sure what to expect, but it definitely exceeded any expectations. I have the Richmond in Java.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

Very comfortable, so lightweight yet snug. Am a size large 14 but asked for 16 and it fits perfectly

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

Yes think it's really classic design that won't date and has a great shape.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

Friends have commented that it looks good and have asked where it's from.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Yes, spend alot of time outdoors with work and jacket has made standing outside a lot more easier in this weather - especially in snow

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

Yes definitely it's so warm yet not massive and padded like some coats are. Would recommend to others at work who are out and about.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

I probably wouldn't pay over £100. The price is very high.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

Love the colour but brown suits me, would like to see a navy version and would have liked the berhaus logo to be in a contrasting colour - so everyone could see it was from there (poseur)

Q9 Any final observations/comments?
Love the inside pocket really handy. Coat survived quite a brutal snowball attack and i remained toasty.

Thank you

i had the richmond in pale stone

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?
i expected it to be warm and weatherproof, and it was.
Q2 How did it feel to wear?
good - better than expected. unlike some other winter coats it was light enough to wear in a shopping centre or in the car without overheating, but still very warm when outside. it did feel snug around the hip but i am happy to accept that this was a problem with the wearer, not the jacket
Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
not bad. much better than last years cheapo anorak. it was a good compromise between form and function.
Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
yes, my sister in law liked the belted shape and hood.
Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
yes. very weatherproof yet breatheable.
Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
yes, although cost is a factor.
Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
i felt the jacket was too expensive, i would pay perhaps £100-130. i was also disappointed at how easily the fabric tore when i snagged it on the car.
Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
loved the colour. perfect.
Q9 Any final observations/comments?
great product, but too expensive for everyday casual wear.

Mid Insulated Parka in Black RRP £170

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?
To be honest I was expecting it to be all singing, all dancing, for the price. So was a little disappointed when I first opened the packet as It seemed so light and flimsy. Have since discovered this is a major pro.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?
Light and comfortable.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
Yes for a parka. The tapered waist was nice but would have been better if you could actually alter it like the sleeves.
Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
I didn't give them chance to notice, I was too busy preening They all thought it looked very nice. Positive comments were the waist and sleeve length. Negative comments were the fur on the hood and the hood style.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
Yes, very well. I felt cold when we were down to -4 with strong wind but then that's pretty exceptional I think.
Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
I would and I have. Unfortunately many have been put off by the price.
Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
I'm sure it is good value for money, it is a great coat!
BUT.....
It is £170! and it is just a black parka.! I know its down filling probably makes it really expensive, but some aspects seem really cheap, like the zip.
As much as I love it, I wouldn't, couldn't justify that money. If it was under £150 it would seem much better value.
Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
It's fine, it's black. Ummm, you could add a fashion colour each season, but I would only buy basic colours personally.
Q9 Any final observations/comments?
The double zip is really unnecessary on this length coat. It's flimsy and hard to do up. Very annoying when standing in biting winds.
I do love it though... Thankyou very much Berghaus and Mumsnet for allowing me to test it for you. xx

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?
I thought it would be incredibly warm, but that it wasn't allowed to get wet. I was surprised that it wasn't as warm as I thought, but really glad to hear that not only could it get wet, it was also waterproof enough for me to walk around in drizzle without a problem. Even though it was slightly different to what I thought (I've never owned a down coat before), I really like it and would buy.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?
Lovely and somehow softer than I thought it would be. More comfortable than my other coats.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
Not really for work - yet that doesn't stop me from wearing it over my suits when it's cold, although I do feel like I have to make excuses. Lovely with weekend clothes though, and yes, flattering.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
My husband likes it and said it's nicer than my other casual coats. Work said it looked nice and warm.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
Brilliantly, yes. Wish hood could keep a little more drizzle away from my glasses.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
Yes, I would say that it is very lightweight and waterproof. It compresses nicely, so good for a weekend away when you don't know what the weather would be like. Very comfortable and good length.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
Well, it is nice, but no, I do feel it is slightly overpriced compared to other coats. I think £100 - £120 for it would be better.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
I got the black and it is nice. Goes with most of my clothes, so good all rounder. If I bought, I would also have looked at a dark khaki or charcoal if available.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?
Initially I thought the coat wasn't fitted enough and said I would like the option of a belt or an inside loop to make it more fitted. However, since wearing it in snowy weather with a lot of layers (I am clearly a baby as not many others felt this was necessary), I don't think I would have used that function, so probably good as is.
I do feel the hood is a little too floppy - it would be good if it was slightly differently cut so that it could keep some drizzle away from my glasses. My other coat's hood a little wider and longer, if that makes any sense. I am not sure if this is possible with down though, and not the end of the world if it isn't.

All in all, I like my coat and it has grown on me more and more. Thank you very much for a great trial.

Oh, and it's the Akka Long Down coat.

I tested the Mid Parka in Black
Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I expected the coat to be really good quality and really super toasty warm. It wasn't as heavy and thick as I had expected but once I'd tried it out, I was converted.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?
Really, really comfortable. The fit was just right - I often struggle to find coat sleeves long enough for my arms but this one was perfect. It felt warm and cosy, especially with the hood. I liked the little touches like the fact that when the hood was up, the top of the zip was really comfortable against my mouth/face.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
Yes, the shaping was very flattering and the cuff and waist detailing were nice little touches.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
My Dh said it looked really good on me, and one of my friends thought it looked a bit thin.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
Yes definitely- I wear it every day for the school run, shopping, and walking the dog.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
Yes I would absolutely recommend it.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
Mmmm, it's quite a bit more than I would normally spend on a coat. I think £170 is a lot, even though it does perform well. I would maybe pay around £100 for this coat.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
I like black as it hides lots of stains that dogs and children can cause. I do wonder if it might look good in red though.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

Very warm, very waterproof, loved the hood- much better than a hat. So glad I had the chance to test it out- I wouldn't have considered a parka before, but I'm well and truly converted. It gave me the right mix of style and performance.

I tested the Parka in Bay.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?
I was expecting something special ? a solution to the school drop off coat problem! The coat met my expectations in appearance and exceeded them in performance.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?
It was surprisingly light and comfy to wear ? I thought that it would be bulky. It was also very warm.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
It wasn?t bad ? much better than a traditional walking jacket and looked quite expensive. The fit could have been better on me though ? the sleeves were a little long and the waist was a little baggy ? although this wasn?t so bad when I had a lot of layers underneath. The hood was a little tricky to deal with - it still swamps me a bit.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?
My family were really impressed. Friends either didn?t notice, or didn?t want to out themselves as Mumsnetters. :)

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?
Yes, it was warm and comfy and properly waterproof. I liked the fact that the fabric wasn?t slippery too.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
Yes, I would. I would highlight the fact that it was very thin and not at all bulky, but still very warm.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?
I wouldn?t have spent so much for a parka in real life. I would have expected a fully insulated coat for that amount of money. And I wouldn?t normally spend that much on a coat for ?everyday?. Sorry! I don?t think that it?s bad value for money, and it certainly looks expensive, but normally I wouldn?t spend over a hundred pounds.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
The soft green colour works very well with black, jeans, brights. I would have bought black if I?d seen them in the shops, but I think that Bay is the more useful colour. Even though the Bay isn?t the trendiest. Charcoal would be good too, and trendier than Bay. Or khaki.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?
Thank you for picking me. :) I would certainly consider Berhaus in the future for other coats now, which is something that I wouldn?t have done before this test.

I tested the parka in Bay.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I was expecting a good quality jacket (I own other Berghaus products so know what the quality is like) but to be honest I wasn't sure what to expect of the styling. It was a pleasant surpise when it arrived, the jacket looked much better than I think I expected it to.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

Very comfortable, and quite light for a padded jacket. I would have liked it be a bit longer though.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

It was certainly more flattering than most standard active/outdoor jackets, but could be improved. The cut is quite (too!) generous, and I think I would have liked a more fitted waist (perhaps an adjustable belt detail, like on the cuffs?).

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

I had a few comments from friends about how warm it looked, but not many on how stylish it is!

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Definitely, although I found it too warm quite often, even when it was -1; because I'm always moving (walking or cycling) I suppose I get warm easily. I like that the sleeves are long enough to not have drafty gaps when I'm riding my bike or pushing the pushchair.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

I would recommend it to other people, because it is a very good coat. But I seriously think that a lot of people I know wouldn't buy it because of the price.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

See above - although technically it's probably worth the money, I think it comes down to the fact that a lot of people don't have £170 to spend on a coat. Closer to £100 would probably get more buyers.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

I liked the colour, it's good versatile shade. Although I really like the suggestion someone made upthread about doing it in red, that would be lovely!

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

Although I've been very impressed overall with the jacket, there's been a few minor annoyances that have taken the shine off it slightly - on one sleeve, the lining seems to be longer than the outer so it hangs down, the 'fur' moulting, the lack of soft lining on the inside of the collar in the chin area.

I've enjoyed it, and it will still be my everyday coat for most situations, but for more extreme weather (particularly heavy rain or snow) I'd wear my other Berghaus Active coat as it's slightly longer and has a better, more protective hood.

Thank you Berghaus and Mumsnet!

I tested the Richmond in Java

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

Expected quality and that is what I got.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

A very comfortable coat. Incredibly light weight but very warm.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

I have been able to wear the jacket for work and feel smart enough. Good fit, obviously a quality coat even just at a glance.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

Friends, family and my manager and team at work all noticed and commented - all favourable.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Comfortable in the car - movement and warmth level. Good for work because not too bulky and smart and great for walking the dog even in the worst weather. Decent sized pockets.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

Yes, but it is expensive which would put people off.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

I wouldn't have paid £175 for this coat before the trial. However having now tried it I would be prepared to consider Berghaus for coats but not over £150

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

Not a colour I would normally pick but I do like it. If I was paying a premium price I would probably go for safe black although I would be more tempted if there were green / purple / blue colours.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

Good overall coat - kept me warm even in the really bad weather. Not quite sure what market it is aimed at - if I was looking for a walking coat I wouldn't go for a mac but wouldn't think about Berghaus for a work coat.

Have worn the coat almost constantly - thank you.

Akka in green.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I had no expectations to be honest because I have not had any experience of the brand at all. I was very excited though so does that count? It completely exceeded all expectations.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

Comfortable, warm, snuggly, lovely...feels like I'm wearing my duvet which has to be a good thing!

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

Almost. As I mentioned earlier on, it needs the internal toggles around the waist to be able to draw the middle in. Its slightly too big round the waist and hips, but fits just right round the boobs (a common issue I find). But there is a sausage roll thing going on I think...but I actually don't care!

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

Yes. Lots of positives from everyone actually! And lots of envy whilst doing the school run in -9!
Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Yes apart from the zip (as mentioned above). When its done up and I get in the car (a MPV so quite high up) the zip left at the bottom strains. I have sorted this now cos I sort of gather it round me whilst I get in, but I had a few scary moments when I thought I had broken the zip.
Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

Yes, have recommended it constantly.
Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

Now this is an issue for me. Due to current financial "issues" I could never spend £150 on a coat. I have done in the past, and hope to again in the future. I would literally be ffreezing my arse off before I could afford to spend this amount of money. But strangely it is worth it, and the next time I have any money and need to buy a warm coat I will seriously consider Berghaus.
Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

Love the colour. Goes with anything.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

Love the coat. So glad I was lucky enough to get it. Have worn it every single day, on the school run, shopping, pub etc etc.
Cheers and Happy Christmas!

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

• I was testing the Akka long down in black. I expected it would be high quality, a little frumpy, but do the job. It was all those things!

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

• Surprisingly light. It was so un-bulky that when it arrived, I thought they had sent me the wrong parcel! It is lovely, toasty warm and I like the fact that I could cycle in it. On one day when it was unexpectedly warmer, I was actually able to squish it into my (large!) handbag!

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

• Not especially, it is too straight 'up and down'. A little waist definition would be an improvement. Or an adjustable draw-in toggle inside? The hood is ugly, but it really does the job. I am a very 'average' size 12 but in this coat felt a bit drowned in the 12. Should have gone for a 10.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

• A couple of people commented in a ''oooh Berghaus, that's pricey then?'' sort of way. Others said how warm and cosy it looked. One person asked why I was wearing a sleeping bag :)

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

• Berghaus couldn't have ordered better weather to test this coat! I walk everywhere and this coat, with a couple of layers underneath, saved my life in this bad weather. I have one 'smart' coat for work which is thin and really wouldn't have worked in the ice and snow we have endured. I could also cycle in it, which was great.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

• I would recommned it for being outside in the snow and ice, dog walking etc, but I felt embarrassed wearing it on s night out (I had to walk someway to the venue) and it doesn't 'sit' well with officey clothes at all.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

• It is a great coat, let down a little by the quality of the long zip, which feels a bit flimsy and I thought I had broken it a couple of times (for example when I knelt down in it). Also the zip cathes a little on the iside fabric. Otherwise, I feel confident it would see me in good stead for years. I would not normally consider paying this much for a coat, but I am in love with it now. I would recommend it to my wealthier friends but I'm not sure it is worth the money if you are on a more modest budget. If I was going to spend that much, I'd want it to be more flexible - ie a bit smarter, yet still practical. Maybe £130? There are some very thoughtful details, like adjustable cuffs and THANK YOU so much for zip up pockets!!! The inside zip pocket is a real bonus too.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
I like black, but think it would be ace in red, or dark purple or green!

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

Thank you so much for this opportunity, I think it is a fantastic coat overall. I value warmth a lot!

forgot to add - it passed waterpoof test too!

I am testing the Akka in Black

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I expected it to be good quality, because of the name and price. It was about as good quality as I expected. One thing that was different though was I expected from the picture that it would be much bulkier, so I was very pleased at how lightweight it was.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

Very comfortable and very lightweight. I am still amazed at how warm it is when it weighs so little.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

Possibly not the most flattering look, but nowhere near as "Michelin Man" as I thought it would be, especially as I am a size 18.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

I had lots of positive comments from mums at the school gate. Several people stroked it

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Very well, I used it for walking to work/school, watching the kids playing football, being on playground duty at work etc. Even when the temperature was -12 one day it still kept me warm.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

Yes, because it does the job it is meant to perfectly.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

I think it probably is worth the money, but I don't think I could have justified spending £150 on a coat. Although if this one lasts for years I suppose it might be worth spending that much to replace it.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

Black is plain but goes with everything, which is what I wanted.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

The only problem that I have is the double zip is a bit fiddly, especially when my fingers are cold.

Thank you for choosing me to test this coat, I can't imagine how cold I would have been these last few weeks without it!

I had the Insulated Richmond Jacket RRP £175
in Brown

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I expected it to be warm and smart. Something I could wear to the office but also out cycling etc. The jacket is certainly warm, not quite as warm as my ski jacket but then it's not for skiing! Certainly warm enough for commuting / cycling / office wear. It is also smart and looks good over a suit, even when it's just cycled along a bike track for 5 miles.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

It is very comfortable and surprsingly thin. The sizing for me is perfect (size 10).

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

This is one major plus - it is a lot more flattering that my ski jacket as it's shaped. I would comment that it is definitely more flattering without the belt. I found this far too much like a dressing gown rope and would have prefer a belt/buckle styling. Especially if you have a jumper on under the coat, if you tie the belt up it looks a little sack of potatoes like...

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

They did, because I finally looked smart. Work commented more in that I finally didn't look like I'd come in from skiing (I cycle to work - 8 miles each way).

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Very well, as noted above. Great for cycling (although because it's long it did tend to cover the back bike light) - made up for this in smartness though.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

I would. I would be a little unsure of £175 and although I think it's great I would not pay that for it, because that is above the sort of price I'd normally pay for a coat. That said, I would definitely recommend it to people.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

As above, I think I'd be willing to pay £100 for it - I think £175 is a little too much.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

I think the colour range is good - you wouldn't want a smart jacket in bright colours. Maybe a dark grey would be good too?

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

It really is a nice coat, that is a great mix between smart and functional. I do think the price is a little inflated but it is great quality. Thanks very much.

1. The Akka Long Down Jacket RRP £150

Q1 What expectations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I expected it to be of good quality, hard wearing and very warm. It is indeed very very warm, looks and feels well made with good details, like the pockets and the cuffs, we will see if it is really hard wearing but so far so good

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

It is very light and does not, at all feel bulky, it is very comfortable and very warm, it has very good practical detailing

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
It does not look unflattering, in fact the coat avoids makes it look more flattering than it could otherwise be, but it is a padded jacket so it is never going to be bodycon fashion

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

pretty much everyone commented on it, mostly about how cosy it looked and most were quite amazed at the its light weight and pack-ability, a big plus.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

It is comfortable to wear and very warm, this was well tested recently, also given that I often had to move between indoors/outdoors, it kept me dry and warm when needed without me having to add cumbersome layers

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?
absolutely would and have

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

value for money will come with durability, so far I am impressed with the quality and wearability and I hope it lasts well

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?
for a padded long jacket I was always going to go for black and I am happy with it

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

I think it needs notes on sizing, it is quite generous and there is quite a lot of room around the back/ arms

sorry that should read

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?
It does not look unflattering, in fact the cut makes it look more flattering than it could otherwise be, but it is a padded jacket so it is never going to be bodycon fashion

Testing Akka in black, size 10.

Q1 What expectations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I expected the jacket to be warm, comfortable, durable and suitable for cold and wet weather. I did not particularly expect it to look good or be very flattering as that's not really the impression I have of Berghaus products.

The jacket exceeded my expectations by far in terms of warmth and comfort. It is absolutely lovely to wear and also really properly waterproof rather than just showerproof which I hadn't expected.

I thought that it was a really nice looking coat, which was more than I'd expected, but unfortunately, due to the sizing issues, it isn't as flattering as it might have been if I'd been wearing the right size. Also, I think an inner waist adjuster would add a lot to the look of this coat, particularly for people who have larger busts and/or hips in comparison to their waist size.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

Just lovely. Beautiful. Warm, feather-light, cosy, comfortable. I haven't worn a different coat since I got it!

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

Not really. It's a nice coat but it's cut really big around the waist and the sizes on the website are very misleading. I measured myself before choosing the size I wanted and it is at least a size too large. My measurements are pretty accurate for the size 10 on your website and I have found the size 10 Akka to be considerably larger than I would like it to be. It's not a question of fitting an extra jumper underneath. I could fit three or four under it and there would still be plenty of room! I should have gone for my usual size rather than trusting the measurements on the site.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

Not really. My husband commented that it looked really warm but no comments so far on how it looks.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Excellently. Fab for standing about waiting for my daughter outside preschool, kept me warm and dry walking to work and the shops; in terms of performance it is the best coat I have ever had.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

I would recommend it. But I would advise them to try it on in person if possible as the sizing is tricky.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

I think this jacket does represent decent value for money. However, if I hadn't worn it out in the cold first, I wouldn't have thought it worth the money - wouldn't have paid more than around £100 if ordering online. As it is, I would definitely pay full price for it if I had the cash! I would definitely stress the warmth and comfort in your site description if I were you - can't remember if you do this already or not, sorry!

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

The colour range is a little dull, IMO. Black is great and multi-purpose and goes with most things. But if I'd had the choice I'd have liked a funkier colour - dull fuchsia or burnt orange or teal or even a mid-grey would have been nice. Or maybe a greyish or Prussian blue would fit nicely with the other colours in the range. Or a greener green?

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

SIZING! Seriously, this kind of thing is so irritating to those of us who would like to be able to buy online. It is absolutely silly to give body measurements on the site which don't correspond to what the actual sizes are like! Also, it seems that the Akka and other coats are cut very very differently in terms of sizing so it would maybe be a good idea to give actual garment measurements on there. Some other sites do this and it is v v useful.

An inner waist toggle would be a great idea in future versions (and might even persuade me to purchase another in the future if finance allows).

Also, I find the zip very fiddly and am constantly zipping it onto the inner lining. This is tricky with padded coats in general so it's not a criticism only of the Akka but I just thought I would mention it.

Finally, I am enormously grateful for my coat and hope I don't sound too churlish with my criticisms - hope some of them are helpful in some way. I will certainly leave a review on the site when I get a chance.

Hi

I tested the Akka in Bay

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I was expecting the jacket to be warm, well made, but perhaps not particulary fashionable. I had visions of it being a "park coat" as opposed to a "shopping in town" one. When it arrived I was pleased with the quality, fit and most of all how light it was. Having tried it on I was pleased with the look, and was certain I would get more use out of it than had originally thought.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

Comfy and cosy. Lightweight, and unrestrictive, fine to carry if it became too warm.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

I probably wouldnt describe it as "flattering" but then again neither asre most down filled quilted coats. Perhaps a belted middle would have given a bit of emphasis to the waist?

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

A good number of close friends and family commented on the coat, as they knew that I was reviewing it. The ages ranged from 20-50+, and everyone impressed by it, especially the weight and style.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

I used this coat on a wide range of activites, and think that due to its style it can be dressed up or down - it was fab for the park, keeping warm while watching ds playing, it was also great for a city break to dublin, as it was light and warm and went with both day and evening clothes

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

I would definately reccomend this coat - mainly because it was so warm! It really did keep me nice and cosy even when it was -8

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

At first I thought that the jacket was quite expensive, but then I realised I was comparing it to high street jackets, when really I should be comparing to high end ski/walking jackets by comparable retailers such as Northface etc.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

The colour was fine, I wouldnt saw it was great, black, brown, grey, red would have been nice?

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

I was stuck on the M8 for 16 hours last monday due to the snow, the coat kept me lovely and warm during my ordeal, doubled as a pillow and kept me snug as a bug, even when I had to switch the engine off to preserve fuel. I was so grateful for it - thanks so much.

I have been testing the mid insulated parka in black.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I thought (as I already have a berghaus jacket for hiking) that it would be a good waterproof jacket, that is breathable and good in the elements. It has really exceeded my expectations though, it's very warm and cosy but not too bulky and looks great.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

It's felt brilliant to wear. Not too bulky, and very comfortable, yet dead warm. And it looks stylish, not like a normal waterproof jacket!

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

Yes definitely, it looks smart but practical.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it? If so, what did they say?

My husband loves it and asked me if he could get a similar one to test too!!

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

Yes brilliantly, I go out with the pram a lot and it's been fantastic, particularly with all the crazy weather we have had recently. Can't fault it at all.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

Yes I definitely would, it is a great jacket for all weathers, and is really high quality. You feel really warm and protected from the elements, but smart too. The only thing is the price is quite high, however I'm sure it will last a long time as it is very high quality.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

Yes I do, but I couldn't afford to pay £170 I don't think. It is probably worth it, but closer to £120 would be more my budget.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

Loved the colour, sensible but not too boring! My walking jacket is a very conspicuous pink and this is a lot more appropriate for everyday activities! I think the colours it comes in are the kind you would expect and want.

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

THanks so much for this opportunity, I genuinely have loved having this coat and wear it everyday - not just saying this because it is a test either! I really think it's a great idea and it's the kind of coat that has been missing from the shops before.

Sorry, I'm a bit late with my feedback (I was WhatWouldLeoDo AnnMumsnet but have namechanged since first entering the comp) - unfortunately I had to change the size of my coat and the new size got delayed because of the snow!

So I've only really been able to test the jacket for the last week. I have the Richmond in Java.

Q1 What expecations did you have of the jacket? Did the jacket meet, exceed or fall below your expectations?

I really hoped that it would be a good all round coat - equally suitable for cold/wet days at work and for general weekend/family stuff. While I have worn it to work this week, it's generally not quite smart enough. I'd wear it to work in really adverse conditions (like during the snow we've had in Edinburgh lately) but not every day.

Q2 How did it feel to wear?

It is lovely and light. Puffy/padded coats have never appealed to me but I didn't feel like the michelin man in this one.

Q3 Did you feel that the jacket looked flattering?

I don't think it's particularly flattering but not as unflattering as other puffy/padded style jackets I've tried on in the past. I don't think it's particularly great for my shape (sort of bottom heavy/pear shape). I've got plenty of room in the top but it's a bit snugger than I'd like round my bum/thighs. I don't think the style of belt helps at all. A buckle type belt might work better - the belt on this one is pretty cheap looking and doesn't sit well. I really don't know what to do with it to be honest.

Q4 Did your friends or family notice or comment on it?
If so, what did they say?
I've not really had the chance to wear it enough yet for anyone to see it or comment on it. DH thought it looked ok and work colleagues said it was nice.

Q5 Did it perform well for your day-to-day activities?

It's warm and cosy and I'm guessing it's pretty waterproof (though not had a chance to test that out yet). I've got another shorter berghaus jacket that is probably better suited to messing around in the park with DS, but if I was out at the weekend in miserable weather it would be perfect I think.

Q6 Would you recommend this jacket to other people? If so what would you say? If not, why not?

It would depend what they wanted it for. I wouldn't recommend it as an all purpose work coat (if they were office based/had to dress smartly), but I'd recommend it as a general weekend wear coat.

Q7 Do you think the jacket represents good value for money? What price would you be willing to pay for the jacket?

Hmmm. Difficult to say. It is more money than I would normally pay for a casual coat, that said though, my other berghaus one probably cost about £140 and I've had a couple of years out of it and it still looks like new. So although it's expensive, I'd expect to have it for years, so on a cost per wear basis it's good value for money.

Q8 What did you think of the colour? What colour/s would you like to see in the colour range?

I really liked the colour. Navy would be good (but then I've got a bit of a thing about navy just now!)

Q9 Any final observations/comments?

Just on the sleeves - I've got really narrow wrists, so although the adjustable sleeves are a great feature they're not tight enough for me! A third button or replacing the button feature with a velcro adjustable strap would suit me perfectly.