REVIEW: Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket

The Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket is made from soft, lightweight materials for low-bulk cosiness, perfect for stashing in a backpack for changing weather conditions. Constructed to provide you with added warmth on the go the Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket features baffled padding that offers you with outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio. Constructed with a water-resistant outer, this helps to protect you against wet, showery weather conditions and dries quickly, ensuring you stay dry, comfortable and protected during changing weather conditions.

Price: £24.99 (without hood) and £29.99 (hooded)

Features: Water-resistant, Full Length Front Zip, Fixed Hood, Elastic Cuffs, Pockets, Relaxed Fit.

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Featured: The Higher State Women’s Padded Hooded Jacket in Purple/Pink

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HANNAH CAIRNS REVIEW

Our Higher State Ambassador, Hannah Cairns, has been busy putting the Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket to the test. Here she provides a review and explains the features and benefits of this newly developed jacket.

Personally, I find it incredibly hard to spend a lot of money on running jackets. I have to really justify it, and more often than not, the more I spend on an item the longer I put off using it as I feel it deserves to be worn on ‘special occasions’ only and that it must also be kept in its pristine condition.

With more affordable brands, such as Higher State, this is not a problem. Coming in at £24.99 or £29.99 for the hooded version, the Higher State Women’s Padded Running Jacket provides warmth, wind protection and an extra layer on that cold, early-morning run or hike, for a fraction of the price of its competitors. It’s a jacket that I would take to a Winter Cross Country race to keep me warm, and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid if it got sweaty, muddy, or both. After all, that’s what they’re intended for.

On today’s test run I took my purple and pink jacket for a spin along the local stretch of canal. I half expected to be tying it round my waist within 10 minutes, but to my surprise it lasted for the full hour session. I felt toasty warm, but I didn’t feel too hot and when I did, unzipping it partially worked a treat. And when the jacket was fully zipped, the protective material at the collar stopped the zip from rubbing.

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Featured: Hannah Cairns wearing The Higher State Women’s Padded Hooded Jacket in Purple/Pink

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HOW DOES THE HIGHER STATE PADDED HOODED JACKET FIT?

It’s a comfortable jacket that didn’t feel restrictive when running and it also didn’t ride up at all. A somewhat relaxed fit meant that more layers would fit, but the insulation meant that I was perfectly happy with just a base layer underneath. The adjustable waistband at the hem meant that if needs be, I could have tightened it further to stop the cold seeping in.

It has two pockets, which I personally love in a jacket, as it eliminates the need for a running belt or equivalent, and they held everything I needed for both the run and the post-run coffee stop.

The jacket comes with or without a hood. The hood, whilst it cannot be adjusted, again felt protective and comfortable. I would not expect the hood and the jacket itself to protect me from the elements when I’m halfway up a mountain, but what I would be confident with, is the jacket’s ability to protect me from some wind and a bit of English rain.

And this is where I think this jacket works. It is not a waterproof raincoat that could be folded into a running vest and it isn’t a smock that can fit in the pocket of your running shorts. But what it is, is the perfect jacket to wear on a cold and frosty morning when you want that extra bit of comfort and protection, or when you’re going for that easy recovery run or a hike and the weather looks grey, gloomy and somewhat questionable.

Give it a whirl; it’s affordable, fashionable and warm!

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JOSH WESTWOOD REVIEW

Featured: The Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket in Bright Blue/Yellow

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Our Higher State ambassador, Josh Westwood has also been testing the Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket. Here’s what he had to say;

The Higher State Padded Jacket is a new addition to the range, and is designed to be a lightweight, packable thermal layer for when the mercury drops a bit too much. It is the type of jacket which I would normally carry in addition to my waterproofs during the winter months just in case my run turns out to be colder than I thought. I was excited to try this jacket as the one I currently use retails at four times the price of the Higher State. Features include a hood (also available without a hood), two side pockets, one chest pocket, adjustable hem and elasticated cuffs. It comes in a full-zip design unlike my more expensive one which only has a quarter-zip.

HOW GOOD IS THE HIGHER STATE PADDED HOODED JACKET WHEN PUT TO USE?

The Padded Jacket is certainly warm! On all of my test runs I only wore a thin base layer underneath it to see how long it took for me to start feeling cold. I’m pleased to report that it never happened, and I was kept perfectly warm throughout. This includes during short stops to take in the view and the odd photo. I have the hooded version which is more of a ‘comfort hood’ than one which is useful during a run, but given that the hood features no adjustment whatsoever, I didn’t find that it bounced around on my back too much whilst running.

The fit of the jacket is straight up-and-down, but didn’t quite feel like it was hanging off me. There would definitely be room for a couple more layers underneath too.

My only real issue with this jacket is its lack of breathability- it does get pretty soggy from the inside out during the course of a run. Most especially during longer outings. Therefore, it’s probably more suited to low-intensity training runs, walks and hikes or as a post-run jacket to keep you warm. Personally, this didn’t lead to me getting cold, but I don’t think having a soaking wet thermal layer on in the event of an emergency would be the most reliable. Having said that, if you want all that extra technology, go and pay four times the price! For a mere £29, this represents something of a winter bargain!

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Featured: Josh Westwood wearing The Higher State Padded Hooded Jacket in Black/Red

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SUMMARY

The Padded Jacket did a cracking job of keeping me warm on a few very chilly winter runs with only one other layer underneath. Runners who need a very breathable, packable thermal layer may want to look elsewhere, but if you need an inexpensive thermal jacket which will keep you warm on shorter outings then this will do the job very well indeed. I have even been wearing it on my journey to work (after I’d washed it!) and have had several compliments on how well it looks with jeans. People look even more surprised when I tell them it only costs £30! Versatility as well as warmth- not bad at all Higher State!

SHOP THE HIGHER STATE PADDED HOODED JACKET NOW

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Find your Higher State!

Live your life in full colour with our new range of Higher State Padded jackets, engineered to keep you warm for every outdoor adventure.

Now available in a wide selection of colours and styles.

The question is - Which one will you choose?

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