Bizarrely, over the past few years outdoor gear has been finding favour in fashion. In 2024 you’re as likely to see an Arc’Teryx hard shell jacket riding the Tube as you are battling conditions on a gnarly mountain ascent.
But the fashion brands’ ventures into the world of outdoor kit have been far more limited and, if I’m being totally honest, far less successful when they have occurred. There was, you may recall, that particularly unfathomable collaboration between The North Face and Gucci, which did neither brand any favours in the eyes of the average UK hiker**.**
Swedish brand H&M is a common sight on UK high streets and shopping malls, but not one usually associated with outdoor kit.
However, H&M Move – the sportswear section of the retailer – has launched a collection of dedicated hiking gear. This included trousers, fleece jackets, insulated mid layers and more, all invested with a range of proprietary fabrics and technologies. These lines have been developed with at least half an eye on aesthetics and general high street appeal, but also to perform reliably as hiking gear which, given the favourable pricing, certainly piqued interest.
The StormMove Lightweight waterproof jacket is the leap-out model. A 3-layer (outer fabric, waterproof membrane, inner lining) hard shell, on paper its stats compare favourably to those attached to some of the most popular waterproofs protecting UK hikers. But whereas it’s increasingly rare to find a 3-layer waterproof close to, let alone under, the £200 price point, the StormMove Lightweight slides in at just £140. This, if it lives up to the promises it makes, is impressive. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the StormMove Lightweight to see exactly what it offers, and how it coped with the weather of north Wales.
Tom Baileywww2.hm.com
Pros
- Great price
- Well featured
- Impressively breathable
Cons
- Boxy fit
- Poor hood
- Average waterproof rating
| Weight | 360g |
| Fabric | 3-layer majority recycled nylon and polyester |
| Men's sizes | XS- 2XL |
| Women's sizes | XS - 4XL |
Waterproof, windproof, breathable
Subjected to a wet and wild squall courtesy of the Ogwen Valley, the StormMove coped admirably and showed no obvious signs of leakage. The hood isn’t great, with a fairly minimal peak which benefits from being worn with a cap. But it’s just about good enough, and the high zip (protected by an anti-chafe chinguard) adds protection and makes you look like a hiking ninja. Breathability was also impressive. The jacket was deliberately kept on all day, even through the warmest weather and toughest ascents, and although it certainly started to feel clammy by the end of the day, the breathability of the fabric combined with the gaping pit zips did a great job of shedding heat and humidity.
Hiking-focused features
In addition to the materials used, the design features of the StormMove also aid its hiking performance. The hood has two-way adjustment, with an elasticated drawstring at the back to help it stay in place and cords at the front (inside the jacket so they don’t whip around in the wind) to pull it in snug around your face. The cuffs are shaped for comfort and to prevent weather ingress, the latter enhanced by solid hook-and-loop tabs. The hem can be tightened by an elastic drawstring to keep the weather out, and a slightly longer drop-back boosts protection.
Lightweight
It’s worth noting that there are two StormMove 3-layer jackets in the H&M Move collection. This is the lightweight model, which is more akin to the typical 3-season hillwalking jackets we’re used to, weighing around 360g for the men’s medium. The heavier original may be warmer, but the extra bulk means it’s probably better suited to wet weather urban exploration or cool season dog walking, rather than more intensive hill and mountain hiking.
Room for layering
The fit of the StormMove is quite generous. We could probably have got away with a size down from our usual. But this baggy fit does give plenty of room for adding layers underneath, making it useable year-round. If you prefer a more streamlined athletic fit, though, the StormMove might not be for you.
Recycled content
The StormMove contains an impressive chunk of recycled material. 79% of its weight is recycled polyamide/nylon, and 14% is recycled polyester. That leaves just 7% to come from virgin materials, although this doesn’t include the zips, buttons and some other components. Nonetheless, it’s a healthy recycled content figure.
Verdict
H&M’s StormMove offers excellent value, but similar performance from established outdoor brands can cost as little as £20 more, and we suspect many hikers will pay this for a name they know and already trust.
How we tested the H&M StormMove Lightweight 3-layer shell jacket
LFTO and Trail Magazine Gear Editor Ben Weeks put the H&M StormMove Lightweight Jacket to work during several days' hiking in North Wales.
Ben has been with Trail for over 13 years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader and Climbing Instructor. He loves thrilling scrambles and gnarly Scottish winter routes so is a master at putting technical gear and cold weather kit through its paces.