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I’ve been wearing this jacket regularly through different seasons and can report that it worked its magic along the south-west coast paths, with all it had to throw at me, as well as performing well playing (and watching) football in the rain. It’s become my go-to jacket for cycling in and out of the city too.
Three Things To Know
- Highly Waterproof and Breathable - Uses Craghoppers’ AquaDry membrane with fully taped seams and a high hydrostatic head rating, keeping you dry in moderate to heavy rain while letting moisture escape
- Comfort and Movement - Stretch fabric and articulated sleeves offer ease of motion for active outdoor use
- Wind-Resistant with Practical Details - Blocks wind chill and includes an adjustable hood/hem and multiple pockets for outdoor convenience
Weather Protection
Breathability and Ventilation
Fit and Freedom of Movement
Portability and Weight
Visibility and Safety
Check availability at Craghoppers.
Weather Protection
As a lightweight active jacket, the Ponsa isn’t intended as an all-weather protector, but the recycled polyester outer shell provides excellent wind protection, as well as being waterproof (it’s Hydrostatic Head rating is a whopping 30,000, meaning it will keep you dry in the heaviest of rains). The variety of adjustable straps, toggles and pulls means that once I got adjusted to my shape, I stayed warm and dry walking into what seemed like a horizontal downpour.
Breathability and Ventilation
It’s not uncommon for a high waterproof such as the Ponsa boasts to hinder breathability. But this is where this jacket excels. It’s high HH rating is matched by an equally impressive 30,000g/m2/24hr breathability score. Indeed, the combination of weather protection and breathability has made it my go-to jacket for cycling. I’ve regularly arrived at work after a 50-minute ride to find the inside refreshingly dry despite my exertion.
Fit and Freedom of Movement
Another great feature of the Craghopper’s Ponsa jacket is the comfort, whatever activity I’ve used it for – aided, no doubt, by the give afforded by a stretchable outer fabric. I love this jacket for cycling, kayaking, hiking, playing football and on wildlife-watching excursions.
From the bottom up, an adjustable elasticated drawstring waistband is welcome to tighten in colder times and loosen as it warms.
Articulated sleeves mean that I can move freely without restriction during wet-weather football training, and the Velcro cuff straps are useful for quick adjustments over cycling gloves.
The grown-on hood zips high around the chin, which is great in bad weather, but does inevitable leave flaps around my face when I drop the zip slightly. Elsewhere, the hood benefits from drawstring adjusters at the front and back, meaning I could get a perfect fit – and as a glasses-wearer, I’m forever in praise of a peaked hood, and this one delivers in spades.
Portability and Weight
At 500g, the Ponsa is pretty lightweight, and it scrunches up nice and small to cram into a pack when the weather brightens up. The stretch fabric also means that it uncrumples nicely to keep me looking neat.
As well as two waterproof zip-up pockets big enough for an OS map, there’s a generous inner zip-up security pocket as well.
Visibility and Safety
There are three colour options – black, soft sage and papaya orange. Reflective logos on the front and on both sleeves help here, but a little more on the reflective front would have gone a long way.
Value for Money
With an RRP of £70, the Ponsa feels like excellent value for money. In my experience, you’d be looking to pay at the very least 50 per cent more before you’re going to see much improvement, making this something of a bargain (albeit not one affordable to all).
Sustainability
All Craghoppers products come with a lifetime guarantee, which is great for reducing waste, while the main fabric is 100 per cent recycled polyester. On top of this, the plant-based water repellent finish is fluorocarbon free.
Should You Buy It?
Considering the price point, this is an excellent piece of kit and one that I can see me using for years to come. If money is no object, you might want something with a higher spec or lower footprint, but if you want an affordable, breathable, comfortable waterproof lightweight jacket, you can’t go wrong here.
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