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Review: Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Waterproof Jacket

Woman wearing Berghaus jacket in mountains

A highly technical Gore-Tex jacket that is as stylish as it is stormproof

For winter hikers and mountaineers seeking reliable protection in extreme conditions, the Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Jacket is a superbly well-designed, high quality option to consider. It’s 100% waterproof and windproof, has a mega tough and durable outer fabric and is designed with hard working adventurers in mind. Plus, Berghaus has really stepped up their game on the style front in the last few years, making the understated look of their latest offering fit rather nicely into everyday life, too.

Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Jacket: The stats

Weight:481g (Size 12)
Waterproof?:Yes – GoreTex
Best use:Winter hiking and high mountain adventures
Eco info:Contains bluesign® approved fabrics

Features of the Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Jacket

Fabric

Water beading on jacketThe jacket fabric has a 3 layer Gore-Tex construction. This means that the Gore-tex layer is sandwiched between the rugged outer fabric and the softer, yet robust inner fabric. The layers are bonded together to form a single layer of waterproof, windproof, breathable and highly durable fabric.

Hood

Hood up with googles on in snowThe large hood is helmet compatible with wired peak at the front. It is adjustable at both the front and back to stay in place when you’re not wearing a helmet. The collar is high with a patch of soft micro fleece at the chin and at the back of the neck.

Zip

Jacket zipperA two way YKK Aquaguard zip closes the jacket and keeps rain out. To further weatherproof the zip there is an internal storm flap that is secured in place with stud fasteners at the bottom and top of the zip.

Hem

Hem toggle of jacketExtra length at the back of the hem helps to keep you dry and protected. Plus, the overall length of the jacket is a little longer than average. The elasticated cord that runs through the hem of the jacket can be tightened with easy to adjust toggles.

Cuffs

Sleeve cuff of jacketShaped cuffs ensure good coverage over the tops of your hands. The cuffs are adjusted with Velcro tabs and are low profile but big enough to fit over large winter gloves.

Pockets

Jacket chest pocketThere are two large hand pockets that sit high up and are harness compatible, plus two chest pockets: one inside, one on the outside. All the pockets are zippered and have good sized toggles that can be easily used when wearing gloves.

Pit vents

Pit ventsLong pit vents can be found under the arms. They feature a single zip that is easy to access and grasp hold of with gloves on.


Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Jacket review

There are waterproof jackets – designed to keep you dry in normal rainfall and moderate weather. And then there are really waterproof jackets – the sort that you pay an awful lot of money for and will keep you protected in extremely wet, wild and wintery conditions. The Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Jacket sits in this second category. It’s a hardshell Gore-Tex jacket – a highly coveted item in the wardrobes of those who consider themselves outdoors people. And a staple for those seeking reliable protection against the elements.

Needless to say, I had rather high expectations of this jacket. And since its first wear I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to pull it apart!

The Extrem 500 is designed for mountaineering. And though I’m not a mountaineer – and don’t intend on becoming one any time soon – I have put it through its paces in the harsh and changeable winter mountain environment of the French Alps. It’s also taken a beating on the wet and very windy Cornish coast right through winter.

Woman wearing jacket in snow

Fit

Initially, the jacket felt very stiff and I questioned the alleged ‘dynamic body movement’ the jacket is supposed to allow. However, with wear the jacket has softened providing plenty of movement. I’ve snowboarded, hiked and splitboarded in it without feeling any kind of restriction. This is, in part, thanks to the articulated sleeves, and the extra length allows for a broad range of movement without exposing the midriff. Plus, the jacket fits true to size providing a good balance of space and snugness. It’s ideal over less bulky mid layers like fleeces. But I also wear my mid weight Rab Microlight down jacket underneath it without any feeling of restriction or tightness.

Weather protection

For a jacket of this price and technical credentials I’d be very disappointed if it didn’t step up to a thorough thrashing from the elements. So far it has endured sideways rain, 35+mph winds, heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures with no signs of weakness. The fabric beads very well with minor saturation around the cuff areas. Breathability hasn’t been a problem so far; one of the joys of vented pits! But the jacket also seems to deal with internal moisture and sweating with no problems.

Woman in rain jacket on coast path

Versatility

This is not the sort of jacket I’d go running in. Mainly because of its relative stiffness and heavier weight. However, for active adventures in extreme conditions it’s superb. Additionally, it doesn’t feel or look overkill for casual walks on the beach or for wearing to the pub. On the contrary. Its stylish design is refreshingly understated for such a technical jacket and doesn’t make me feel like I’m about to go climb a mountain everytime I wear it into town!

Woman doing up backpack in mountains

What I love the most about the Berghaus Extrem 5000

Its suitability and performance for and in extreme weather as well as moderate conditions is really appealing to me. I love that I don’t need a whole other jacket for the few weeks of the year in which I snowboard and ski.

I also love the style and length of the cut.

What I don’t love so much about the Berghaus Extrem 5000

There is little to dislike about this jacket. But for the ultra picky it’s worth mentioning that the hood takes a little work to fit snuggly when not wearing a helmet. The drawcords need to be fully cinched down to create a good seal around your face to keep out the wind and rain. This results in good protection but with a rather square-shaped outline to your head!

It’s also a little on the pricey side, though not unreasonably so for a jacket of such a high quality.


Verdict

Boasting a load of well thought-through design features, the Berghaus Extrem 5000 Vented Jacket is ideal for winter hiking, splitboarding and ski touring and high mountain adventures. With a Gore-Tex membrane and highly robust outer face fabric, it’s the kind of jacket you’ll be delighted to call on for protection in sideways rain, gail force winds and extreme conditions. Toughness aside, it still manages to look understated and stylish when worn during more pedestrian activities.

It gets two big thumbs up from me!

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Berghaus

Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.

About the author

author-joey

Joey is based in Cornwall, UK, and runs Cool of the Wild. She can’t get enough of being outdoors – whether that’s lounging around the campfire cooking up a feast, hitting the trail in her running shoes, or attempting to conquer the waves on her surfboard – she lives for it. Camping is what she loves to do the most, but has also spent many hours clinging to the side of a rock face, cycling about the place, cruising the ski-slopes on her snowboard, and hiking small mountains and big hills.

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