The Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak is a good three season waterproof jacket that can be used in severe winter weather though it’s not ideal for that. The recycled fabric is soft and flexible and has a slight stretch, which accommodates the slightly smaller sizing compared with the other large size jackets reviewed. Breathability isn’t quite as good as the more expensive jackets. This hasn’t made a significant difference in use though.

Chris Townsend’s verdict

The Highest Peak is a good three season jacket that can be used in severe winter weather though it’s not ideal for that.
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • recycled fabric
Cons
  • Soft Hood Peak
  • No chest pockets

The hood on the Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak fits snugly and is easy to adjust. However it only has a small soft peak that doesn’t offer much protection. In a blizzard I’d wear it with a hat with a stiff peak. Most of the time the hood is fine though.

The handwarmer pockets and the inner pocket are cut off by a hipbelt and there are no chest pockets. I miss having somewhere to keep map, compass, and smartphone (not the last two in the same pocket as the phone could interfere with the compass) and to stuff hat or gloves temporarily. This is especially so in winter conditions.

How Chris Tested the Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak

Chris tested this jacket on day walks and multi day trips in the Cairngorms in the autumn and winter of 2023/24. Conditions included heavy rain, soaking drizzle, blizzards, and ferocious winds. Weights were measured on Chris’s home digital scales.

The underarm zips are a little awkward to close when fully open on the Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak as the zip puller sits under a pack shoulder strap (on me anyway). I find it best to only open the zip about half way to make closing it easy.

Outside of winter conditions the Highest Peak is an okay and lightweight jacket.

Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak Tech Spec

Price$229.95 | £230
Weight445g (size UK L)
MaterialsPFC-free Texapore Ecosphere Pro Stretch 3L recycled polyester
Hoodfront and rear adjusters
Front Closeone-way waterproof zip with inner flap
Underarm/side zips Underarm
Pocketstwo handwarmer, one inner
Hem elastic drawcord
Cuffs hook and loop closure
Sizes S-3XL
Women’s version Yes
Brand Site https://www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk