Chris Townsend recommends the Salewa Ortles 3L GTX, a waterproof unusually made from two different Gore-Text fabrics.

Unusually, the Ortles jacket is made from two different Gore-Tex fabrics, a durable 3-layer one on the front and upper arms and Paclite on the back, hood, and lower arms for reduced weight and increased packability. The fabrics are quite noisy and a little stiffer than on the other jackets reviewed in this test.

Chris Townsend recommends

The Ortles is the most expensive jacket tested. It is middling in weight and suitable for year-round use.
Pros
  • breathability
  • pockets
  • hood gusset
Cons
  • cost
Quick specs
Price: £365
Weight: 500g (L)
Materials: Gore-Tex 2L Paclite Plus/ recycled polyester, Gore-Tex 3L recycled polyester
Hood: rear adjustment, zipped gusset for helmet compatibility, stiffened peak
Front Closure: YKK waterproof zip, inner flap
Underarm/Side Zips: zipped with flap on the back of the upper arms
Pockets: 2 mid hand, 2 stretch inner
Hem: Drawcord adjustment
Cuffs: Velcro
Sizes: XS – XXL
Women’s version: yes
salewa.com

The jacket has a hydrostatic head of 28,000mm and a RET of <9. The last means breathability should be good and it is. I have to work quite hard to produce much condensation inside. When overheating does occur, there are zipped vents on the back of the upper arms. These aren’t as effective as underarm zips but are easier to use as they don’t run under pack shoulder straps.

The hood moves with the head and gives good protection. I’d prefer a wired peak but can’t really complain about the stiff one provided. The only adjustment is at the rear. This works better than on many jackets but I’d still rather have front drawcords as well. The hood is helmet compatibility but has a zipped gusset that runs right round the collar for altering the volume. This is excellent as it avoids the bunching of fabric that can occur when there’s only a rear volume adjuster.

The two external pockets are roomy and just big enough for maps. They’re set above a hipbelt and angled to make it easy to use them for your hands. The fit is described as ‘athletic’, which often means close-fitting for the stated size. I found the L size okay over a thin fleece but a bit too snug over a thick one. The label inside says ‘EU 50 (L)/ US M’. I’m probably a US L! Many conversion charts give EU 50 as UK M.

The Ortles is the most expensive jacket tested. It’s mid-range in weight and suitable for year-round use.

Testing conditions

Chris tested his jackets on day walks and multi day trips in the Scottish Highlands from spring 2024 through to early 2025. He is short and mostly wears a size large. Conditions included heavy rain, soaking drizzle, blizzards, and ferocious winds. Weights were measured on Chris’s home digital scales.

This review was first published in the April 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors.