I was given the chance to review the Vaude Miskanti stretchy fleece jacket which was put through its paces on a long weekend hiking in the Scottish Highlands – not a place for the faint hearted in mid-December! This lightweight fleece was a welcome addition to our kit and provided a much-needed extra layer during the day, while doubling up as casual-wear in the evening.
The soft inner lining of the fleece is made from Tencel, and is really cosy and comfortable. Tencel, for the uninitiated, is a fibre made 100 per cent certified sustainable wood and that is 100 per cent biodegradable.
Vaude has long-since been a leader in this area. The German business was the first outdoor outfitter to develop a soft and cosy fleece made with cellulose fibres.
The benefit – for those concerned about microfibre pollution in the oceans – is that microfibres that are washed out of these fleece fabrics and enter the water cycle are fully biodegradable in seawater and inland waters.
This fleece features moisture management and kept me at a comfortable temperature all weekend. This bio-based fibre also benefits from a closed loop production system.
The Miskanti fleece is slim fitting and very lightweight so is great to wear as a jacket on its own, or as an extra layer in cooler weather. I wore it with a shell on the top at first and as I warmed up from hiking, took the shell jacket off and the fleece kept me at a perfect temperature. It has a zip and two side pockets with zips. The hood fits snugly over your head and gives a bit of extra warmth at lower temperatures.
Our verdict: A comfortable and warm, mid layer fleece, which is perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities.
The Vaude Miskanti fleece is available at www.vaude.com and selected retail partners across Europe and is priced at £130.