Dark Peak’s Nessh Jacket Review

We were recently supported by Dark Peak for a charity fund raising expedition in which we attempted to walk the longest line in the UK possible without crossing a road. The route took us 71km over the Cairngorms and crossed rivers, munros, cliffs, bogs, etc. along the way. Our intention was to raise money for Scottish mountain rescue.  During our journey we experienced some of the most brutal October weather conditions I have ever experienced.

Practical application               

For the anticipated weather, distance and route it was essential that we each carried a lightweight, warm and durable jacket that would pack down small. The obvious choice for this was down, which Dark Peak provided in the form of their Nessh jackets. The Line took us up a combined 5000m of ascent, which despite the low temperatures and high winds kept us relatively warm with no need for a down layer. The main benefit of the Nessh jacket came at night, particularly after the first day. Temperatures dropped below 0 and we were soaked from a long day of heavy rain and a deep river crossing. My memories of climbing into this jacket are amongst my happiest from the exped and possibly the only real comfort I experienced for the duration. Despite the jacket getting wet due to my pack leaking, and then the inner dry bag letting water in when opened for lunch earlier on, it stayed just as warm and comfortable, presumably due to the hydrophobic down within. The next time the jacket came in handy was on a high plateau section, with high winds and freezing rain. I have used many ‘lightweight’ down jackets in my 10 years as a mountain leader (and 20 as a mountaineer) and I’ve often found that when doing quite intense exercise (e.g. climbing, walking on steep ground) they are just warm enough, but then I would need an extra layer when waiting/doing less intense exercise (belaying, descending, etc.). The Nesh jacket was the perfect balance, almost like a cross between a lightweight jacket and a belay jacket. Warm enough while stood around but not too hot while moving.

Upon returning home I posted a short review on social media about the Nessh jacket and how durable it is in the outdoors. This review was met with criticism from a Scottish mountaineer who said ‘I wouldn’t trust it in Scottish conditions’. So the following weekend I decided to test it out in harsher conditions on top of Scotland’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, Via the CMD arête and the North face car park. Temperatures were around -10 with wind chill on the summit with 40-50mph winds. The rain on the walk in was sleet and then hail higher up which would have made for a very cold and uncomfortable day. The Nessh jacket however handled exceptionally and I stayed warm and dry throughout, passing numerous particularly miserable looking walkers wearing other brands on the way up. Needless to say I 100% trust it in Scottish conditions.

Features

As a 6 foot 8 yet slim man I find recurring problems with jackets. If the sleeves are long enough to fit then the body is often too wide (for some reason clothing brands tend to think taller people are also larger?), conversely if it fits around the body then the sleeves are too short. The Nessh jacket fits perfectly; there has obviously been some thought put into the cut. To add to that the sleeves have thumb loops (a first for me with down jackets) which prevent them riding up, particularly when wearing a waterproof over the top.  Another issue I regularly find with tops is when bending over the back pulls up and exposes skin, particularly uncomfortable in the winter…. The Nessh jacket however is slightly longer and so prevents this, though not so long as to hang below a hard shell and get soaked. The Final feature I really like (which I know shouldn’t matter but I love it anyway) is the style. The metallic colours and general simplistic sleekness look great.

Final Thoughts

As you can probably tell I have been VERY impressed with this Jacket. But perhaps the most impressive and admirable thing about Dark Peak is their charitable outlook. Firstly they supported a small group like us in trying to raise money for mountain rescue without hesitation. More importantly however, for every Nessh Jacket they sell they donate a warm synthetic jacket to the homeless via their ‘one sold one given’ initiative. I would recommend the Nessh jacket for the outdoors regardless but this level of generosity is beyond admirable. If you mind hasn’t already been made up then this should be a deal maker.

Thanks again Dark Peak, keep up the good work!

Robin Heath

Instructor at Howl Bushcraft

Deputy Chief Instructor at YHA Edale Activity Centre