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FEATURES
The Berghaus Extrem Sumcham is made from Hydroshell Elite Pro, with a heavier variety of the same fabric over the hips and shoulders, to help resist backpack abrasion. There are two chest pockets, both of which take an OS map (the opening is slightly smaller than some but accessible with a rucksack hipbelt), and there’s a phone-sized inner Napoleon pocket. Ticks for cuff and hem adjustment and a wire-peaked, helmet-compatible hood, too. 5/5
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FIT
The women’s Extrem Sumcham comes in sizes 8-16 (and the men’s Extrem Hagshu in XS-XL). The fit is loose enough for several warm layers, but still neat, with a bit more bagginess around the arms. There’s no cuff movement when reaching, and hem movement isn’t problematic either. It’s slightly longer at the back to give you some bum protection, but others offer more. 4/5
COMFORT
The Hydroshell Elite Pro used is a tough, stormproof fabric. There aren’t any pit zips but the chest pockets are mesh-lined so can be used for venting, though this does mean that water can pass through if they’re left open or if you stuff wet things in, and isn’t ideal if you’re carrying things in them. The jacket feels reassuringly protective in harsh weather but might be too warm in more forgiving conditions. 3/5
IN USE
The Berghaus Extrem Sumcham is a tough jacket, designed for British winters, but it’s less durably waterproof than those using laminate materials like Gore-Tex Pro. The material feels quite stiff and heavy – welcome when it’s howling a gale, especially with the excellent face protection you get when it’s fully zipped right up to the nose. The wired hood and moves well, though not perfectly, with the head. 4/5
VALUE
Map-sized pockets, tough fabric and a stiffened, wire-peaked hood: good features and weather protection here for a relatively low price. RRP £260. 4/5
VERDICT
The Berghaus Extrem Sumcham is on the heavy side, but this is an extremely durable jacket for the price, and well-featured. 4.0/5