Alpkit Resolute Softshell Jacket | Tested and reviewed

Affordably priced, as you’d expect from Alpkit, the Resolute jacket offers a lot of bang for your buck. It’s a classically-styled, traditional soft shell with loads of stretch, a comfy fit and a reassuringly tough build quality. It adds a touch of warmth, copes well with a light shower and cuts out the effects of a chilling wind.

This lightweight hiking jacket ample features too: a helmet-compatible hood with three adjustment points, wired peak and stow-away tab; two hand warmer pockets, one internal zipped chest pocket and one external zipped chest pocket; and a two-way zip that’s useful for venting.

Fabrics & Stretch

This softshell is made from a relatively thick and hefty 207gsm (grams per square metre) double weave soft shell material, which is 92% nylon and 8% elastane. In comparison, the Rab Vapour-Rise Summit’s ultralight Pertex outer is only 47gsm. This extra weight in the main fabric ensures the Resolute feels warm, sturdy and tough, and should last a long time.

With an 8% elastane content, you also get loads of stretch and flex with the Resolute. This enhances comfort levels and ensures the jacket moves well with the body.

Wind-Resistance & Water-Resistance

Wind-resistance is pretty good, cutting out the worst of a wind’s chilling effect, and a PFC-free DWR coating ensures water beads on the jacket and sheds nicely. During our test hikes, we felt the jacket protected us adequately in blustery conditions and light drizzle – although, as with all softshells, we had to pair it with a hard shell waterproof layer in heavier rain.

Alpkit says the “double weave fabric is durable, breathable and highly wind resistant”. We found breathability ok, but – with a tendency to run hot and sweaty during steep climbs – we still felt it was possible to over-heat quite quickly in the Alpkit Resolute.

Fit, Comfort & Weight

The Alpkit Resolute fits true to size. Despite being made from a robust 207gsm nylon, it feels relatively athletic and streamlined, somehow. It is comfy, thanks to the “sanded” interior, which is slightly “fluffed up” for a softer feel against the skin. The excellent stretch – courtesy of the 8% elastane content – gives a flexible feel with good freedom of movement. Alpkit describes the jacket’s cut as “active fit with articulated arms and a dropped hem to prevent riding up”.

Clocking in at 535g for a men’s small, the Alpkit Resolute is mid-range in terms of weight. It’s slightly heavier than some of its direct competitors (8g and 22g heavier than the Keela Hydron and Helly Hansen Odin Pro Shield Hybrid respectively, for example), but in-use you’re not really left with a sensation of being weighed down. It feels lighter and more agile than the raw stats suggest.

Ultralight hikers may find it a tad stiff, thick and boxy, as well as too heavy. If you want a super-minimalist, thin mid-layer, there are certainly far better options out there. But, for us, the Alpkit Resolute strikes a nice balance: it has enough toughness to be used as standalone wind-resistant outer layer, yet it’s streamlined enough to work well underneath a hard shell waterproof jacket, as part of a layering system.

Features: Pockets, Hood & Ventilation

For the price, the Alpkit Resolute is fully-featured. You get Velcro strips on the wrist cuffs for fine-tuning the fit to your body. The waist hem is adjustable too – you can cinch it in via two drawcord toggles, one on each side. In terms of pockets, you get two zippered handwarmer pockets, a zippered pocket on the left chest, and an internal zippered pocket for valuables on the right chest. The orientation and number of pockets is impressive and will meet all of your storage needs. All of the pockets are mesh-lined.

The central zipper has a smooth flow and is backed by an internal stormflap to help seal out the cold and wind. It is a two-way zip too, meaning you can unzip from the bottom and leave the jacket half-flapping open for added ventilation on warmer days. You also get a well-fitting hood, with a wired, malleable peak visor and three adjustment points – one at the rear and two on the sides. A Velcro tab by the neck can be used to roll away and stash the hood, if so preferred.

Verdict

A traditional-style softshell with good features at a sensible price – but it’s slightly heavier than others

About the author

James Forrest is a prolific peak bagger and long-distance walker who’s one of the most high-profile outdoor writers in the UK. He writes regular features and route guides for Trail and has been one of our main gear testers for the last few years. James is based on the edge of the Lake District so when he isn’t off on his latest crazy adventure or challenge, he’s walking in his local fells. James reviews every type of outdoor kit for Trail and is a real authority on everything you need for wild camping and packing light for a multi-day walk.

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