A down jacket so light you almost don’t notice it.

If you’re looking for a women’s specific, lightweight, water-repellent down jacket that will keep you warm whatever the coming winter brings, you might have found it here.

I was sent this jacket to try free of charge with no obligation to provide a review.

The Berghaus Women’s MTN Arete Ultra Down Hoodie has a credentials list almost as long as its name. Combining warmth and lightness with practicality and good looks, it was the perfect choice for my autumn trip to Cappadocia in Turkey (especially for chilly sunrise balloon session), but I’ll also be using it on my daily walks and hopefully a couple of winter campervan road trips.

Although I’m old enough to remember the days when women’s outdoor gear was only available in purple, I did immediately like the gentle lilac tones and brighter contrasting yellow of this jacket. It felt very light to carry and wear, and was a good (if slim) fit. I was particularly pleased to see a double zip, as my previous down jacket rode up when I sat down (and nobody likes a cold bottom).

4/5 ****

PROS

Super warm – 850 fill-power down

Water repellent – outer and down filling

Very lightweight – just 380 grams (drink can)

Bottom warmth – drop hem and double zip

Adjustable cuffs – for venting and movement

CONS

Slim fit (wear thin layers or size up)

No stuff sack or pocket

Stitch-through zip baffle (increased heat loss)

Technical gear with a price to match

Berghaus don’t give a temperature rating for the MTN Arete Down Hoodie but it feels super cosy and with a down fill-power of 850, it’s very warm for its low weight (380g).

Fill-power is the quality of loft (fluffiness), fluffy down, traps more warm air around your body. A high fill-power allows a jacket to deliver high warmth with lower weight and bulk.

In a daily down jacket, not intended for technical use, you’re likely to see a fill-power of around 550. Jackets designed for mountain use and climbing are likely to be rated at 800 and above.

But down jacket warmth doesn’t stop at the filling, and the MTN Arete also has:

• Body mapped insulation (more warmth for the core, less for the sweat zones)
• Offset baffle stitching and reflective technology around the core
• Dropped hem for extra coverage
• Closable cuffs and cinchable hood

Hydro-treated downs are water repellent but not completely waterproof.

In the past, the issue with down outdoor gear has been it’s failure to retain warmth when wet. Hydro-treated downs have a chemical applied to the feathers which helps them repel water and prevents clumping for longer.

The MTN Arete Down Hoodie is filled with Berghaus’ bespoke Hydrodown® meaning it will perform for longer, dry quicker and stay lighter when it’s wet than non-treated down. Anyone who’s ever camped in the UK will know this is a gamechanger.

Pockets – Although I couldn’t find a pocket big enough to stuff this jacket into for storage, all five pockets are big enough for a mobile phone. The two inner mesh ones are a bonus for odd bits of gear and the two high hand pockets work with my rucksack waist belt (this isn’t always the case). The chest pocket is also a generous size. All three external pockets are well filled with down.

Adjustability – The cuffs, hood and hem are all adjustable, making this jacket suitable for different activities and temperatures. I’m unlikely to be wearing a climbing helmet but if I wanted to fit the hood over a thick hat, I would be able to.

Strength – Down jackets have a reputation for delicacy. At times I have avoided wearing mine in case of wear from the rucksack straps. Berghaus have dealt with this issue with reinforced fabric across the shoulders and (if you’re a climber) down the tops of the sleeves).

Retailing on the Berghaus website at £370 (October 2026), this down jacket is in the technical rather than the budget price range but it performs well and matches that price with some great features and warmth details.

I’ve compared it to two relevant women’s down jackets:

At £280, the Mountain Equipment Lightline women’s jacket is cheaper than the MTN Arete Down Hoody but it has a lower fill power of 700 and doesn’t have body-mapped insulation, so wouldn’t be as warm and weighs 260g more at 640g.

RAB’s Mythic Ultra Down jacket is currently retailing at £440. This one has an even higher fill power of 900 and zoned baffles so it will be warm but is a touch heavier than the MTN Arete Hoody at 499g.

Sustainability in the outdoor industry is super important. We love our environment and nature so let’s look after them.

When it comes to taking responsibility for the whole lifecycle of their products, Berghaus gets full marks. Their Repairhaus offer free repairs on their gear (not postage) as many times as you need them to.

Berghaus down is 100% Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified.

They have not yet phased out PFAS/PFC in their down and outer waterproofing.

Berghaus is a British company with development and testing in the UK, this jacket is made in Vietnam.