Most outdoor brands seem to make a lined softshell these days. With a heat-trapping fluffy inner and a weather-shedding outer, it's a versatile and effective idea, if not a particularly novel one. Some models emphasise lightness, but the Khamsin, new for this winter season, heads in the other direction, going more for toughness. It's no lightweight, by any stretch of the imagination, but as a jacket built to take plenty of mountain abuse we think it's a winner.

In Use

Designed to be put on at the start of the day and worn throughout, both when you're stationary and on the move, this type of softshell is nothing if not versatile. Compared to carrying two separate layers, a midweight fleece and a windproof, it is a compromise in a sense - but it's a convenient compromise in providing both insulation and weather protection in the one garment. A lined softshell should also offer good breathability - and for something this warm and comparatively heavy, I have found the Khamsin surprisingly comfy when steaming uphill. For hillwalking in cool-to-cold conditions it's bang on as your main layer, and most of the time you'll only need to add a shell when it's raining or stormy, or a belay jacket over the top if you're stopping on a winter summit.  

This do-it-all jacket is useful year-round, and equally suited to hillwalking, backpacking and general outdoor use. While the cut and feature set are not optimum for scrambling and climbing, you certainly could wear it for either. It's not ideal for fast-and-light uses, however.

Weight and durability

For the comparatively limited insulation on offer the Khamsin is very hefty, coming in at 640g (size L) on my kitchen scales (Montane quote 615g, size not given). A down or synthetic insulated jacket this heavy would be loads warmer, while similar softshells generally tend to be lighter. My old Mountain Equipment Kinesis, to take one example, weighs 357g, and while it's a little over half the weight I feel it's considerably more than half as warm. Other alternatives - Rab's Vapour-rise range for instance - also undercut the Khamsin by miles. However it definitely is warmer than most of its softshell competitors, and feels more weather-and-wind-resistant. But I'd say it's the well-made toughness that really sets this softshell apart from many rivals, and explains why it weighs so much. This is a really burly jacket, which should take years of abuse in the mountains. In a market that often seems to chase lightness at the expense of longevity, it's great to see something unashamedly different. 

Fit

The Khamsin is available in both men's and women's versions. Its Regular fit feels true to size and reasonably roomy, but not baggy or boxy. Being 1.83m, and fairly broad, I've got room to wear my standard size L over a baselayer and light midlayer without the jacket being too bulky to fit easily under a shell. I tend to wear this sort of lined softshell directly over a baselayer, but do welcome the option of an extra layer in colder weather.

Its generous hem length gives plenty of coverage below the waist, with drawcords to seal out the weather. On me there's noticeable hem lift when my arms are raised, but not enough to entirely rule out scrambling. With a harness to hold the hem down the Khamsin fares a bit better, making it a viable choice as your active insulation layer when climbing in colder conditions. The sleeves are long too, so you don't get cold wrists when reaching up; and though the cuffs are too close to go over bulky insulated winter gloves, their low profile fit allows you to wear gloves over the top if necessary.  

Hood

Building on the sense that this jacket is better for general mountain use than climbing, the hood isn't roomy enough to fit properly over a helmet. However in other respects it's really good, with an effective single rear volume adjuster for a close weather-beating fit, and a stiffened brim to resist flapping in the wind. A high collar adds to the warm, protected feel.   

Fabric

The Khamsin combines a softshell outer fabric and a fleece liner. In some lined softshells I've not always been convinced that outer and inner worked particularly well together to give freedom of movement (at least, without building in a baggy cut to compensate), but here the two fabrics feel perfectly matched.

From the softshell you get plenty of wind resistance, and I've certainly felt well shielded from the wind in this jacket on cold winter days on the move. It also has a PFC-free DWR that copes fine with blown snow or light drizzle. The outer is really tough stuff that is more than a match for general mountain abuse, while its high degree of stretch is great for freedom of movement.  

Inside you get 'Octa' fleece, a lightweight, fluffy lining that traps loads of air for warmth while still being open enough for breathability. In my experience the Khamsin feels warm, as this sort of softshell goes, and breathable enough that you can work pretty hard in it before you begin to build up a sweat. In cool-to-cold conditions it's a great active layer that you can wear all day and more or less forget about - in a good way.

Features

The two hand pockets are big enough for bulky gloves, but don't give full access under a harness or rucksack belt. In an age when we all carry phones, a chest pocket is more or less essential in any jacket or midlayer. The Khamsin's small-but-adequate internal zipped chest pocket is insulated, which is handy for keeping your phone battery happy in winter weather. 

Ethics and environment

The outer softshell fabric is 88% recycled, and comes with a PFC-free DWR.

Summary

Built for toughness, not speed, the Khamsin is a versatile softshell that offers plenty of breathability and loads of stretch for free movement. It's not cheap, but should last for years.