The lightline is another example of Mountain Equipment's commitment to quality, but at an affordable price. The lightline is a comfortable, warm down jacket. It features a down filled hood to keep your head as warm as the rest of you. The water resistant outer protects you from the worst of the rain, albeit it isn't completely water proof.

The sizing is good with XL being more or less what I would expect, the XXL is a big size, meaning if you are normally XL you could get everything on underneath and still have space, so perhaps consider a size up, depending on what you plan to use it for. Definitely one of those jackets you need to try on first though! The jacket comes in a collection of colours too...

As with all down jackets you can pack it into a stuff sack, providing maximum warmth for a minimum weight and space. If you look around you can pick these up for a really good price (as low as £120!), making it arguably the best value down jacket out there!

Overall, if you are after a down jacket, you owe it to yourself to at least try this jacket on!

Last winter i used my Mountain Equipment Kaniq as a belay jacket, however, although it was warm, it was HUGE! Because its a Gore-Tex insulated jacket, it doesnt pack down especially small and therefore takes up half a pack! I was looking at an ME Fitzroy as a replacement, but i opted for a down jacket over another synthetic purely for warmth. I went for the Mountain Equipment Lightline, but the newest blue version with orange zips - which worked out cheaper than a fitzroy anyway. This packs down redonkulously small for such a chunky jacket. But it also retains a somewhat fashionable appeal, so just as suitable for the apres-ski as in the mountains. It is supremely warm too, these cold, hungover mornings walking to lectures are so much easier in it.

My Lightline jacket is amazing, so comfy, cozy, cuddly, warm.....comfy (oh wait i said that). I use it just about every day now and it's awesome on the hill and off the hill. I stick it on for walk ins then tak it off to climb and put it on again on the summit and even the driving snow doesnt wet this baby out. The Dri-Lite outer shuns of all the weather can throw, whilst keeping me toasty warm.