Embrace the outdoors, whatever the weather with The Plasmic by Mountain Hardwear - a 100% waterproof breathable shell combining cutting-edge fabric technology with style and function to keep you dry whenever you step outside.

Ideal for all outdoor activities - from hiking, walking the dog or your daily commute to work, the Plasmic Jacket is constructed using Dry.Q.Evap - a unique combination of Mountain Hardwear's Dry.Q fabric with the added benefit of EVAP technology. At just £110 it is one of the best value high-functioning shells on the market.

An exposed contrasting-coloured AquaGuard Vision zipper offers enhanced protection from the elements by zipping water out to keep everything inside dry.

Weighing in at only 273g (women) and 289g (men), the Plasmic Jacket is available in a range of colours including including Sea Salt, Berry Jam, Bounty Blue, navy, green and black for women and Acid Green, Backcountry Green, blue, navy, grey and black for men.

The Plasmic Jacket costs £110 and is available from a selection of outdoor retailers.

Liv Sansoz: "The Plasmic jacket is an item that we put in our bags thinking that we probably wouldn't need to take it out during our stay in Morocco. After all, the climate is hot and dry which is why we went there. But on our very first day it started to rain during our three hour hike to Taghia."

Heat and rain combined? These were the ideal conditions to test the Plasmic jacket and its new membrane.

The verdict: efficient protection against the rain and instant evaporation of perspiration despite the heat.