The women's version of the Vaude Alpamayo jacket

Keeping dry on the hills is an eternal quest and in Britain that’s not easy.

With a climate known to test the best waterproof fabrics, any innovation that looks like attaining breathability and the capacity to keep out the rain and wind is going to be viewed with interest.

German brand Vaude is one of the first to introduce to the British market garments featuring the new Polartec NeoShell fabric, claimed to be a major advance in keeping outdoor enthusiasts warm and dry.

Aimed at the active hillgoers and with a price pitched at the top end of the market, Vaude’s Alpamayo jackets come in both women’s and men’s versions.

The three-layer softshell jackets have articulated sleeves, two front pockets with water-resistant zips, and an asymmetric water-resistant two-way front zip.

Say soft-shell to most outdoor enthusiasts and a halfway house garment comes to mind: breathable, wind-resistant but not totally waterproof.

But NeoShell is said by Polartec to be a true waterproof fabric, yet able to cope with high levels of activity, pulling water vapour – that’s to say sweat – through its membrane combining the best of hardshell and softshell.

Both the women’s and men’s Alpamayo have a zipped pocket on the left sleeve, adjustable Velcro cuffs, an adjustable hood and water-resistant sleeve zips for ventilation.

The men's Alpamayo

The bottom-hem drawcord is adjustable through the pockets.

Weight is quoted by Vaude at 698g and the jackets retail for £370, so definitely pitched at high-end users.

The women’s jacket is available in Capri blue or black in sized from XXS to XL, and the men’s comes in either red or black ranging from S to XXXL.

More details are available on the Vaude website.