At 3,200 metres, on the way down from the summit, the storm hit. Big, heavy drops. Hard wind. Almost no warning. The perfect moment to test the hardshell.
Ricardo Kaljouw has been mountaineering for 12 years. In September 2026, he took our Mountain Hardshell Jacket, made with Barrier CT Pro™, up Mount Cameroon: an active volcano that rises from rainforest to 4,095 metres. Three days, two nights, a 12 kg pack, and weather that changed by the hour. Only 100 people a year commit to climbing this rain-heavy, remote volcano.
We asked him for one thing: use the jacket hard, and tell us honestly what you found.
The route: from rainforest to summit and back
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Day 1: 600 m to 2,850 m. Fog, light rain, and strong sun. Four hours of hard climbing. Dry inside at the end of the day.
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Day 2: A night climb to the 4,095 m summit, then down to 2,300 m. Driving rain, strong wind, 2–10°C. Ten hours in the jacket.
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Day 3: Down to 800 m through the rainforest in steady rain. Nine hours. Dry inside.
The storm on the way down
Day two was the real test. On the descent, around 25 mm of rain fell in three hours: dense, wind-driven, relentless. For a jacket, there is little harder than hours of rain, wind, and a loaded pack pressing on your shoulders.
“Even during a severe and powerful storm with a lot of rain and hard wind, I never had the feeling I was not being protected against it.”
— Ricardo Kaljouw, field tester
That confidence mattered. Instead of thinking about his gear and the weather, he could focus on navigating and moving safely.
Breathable when it counts
Waterproof protection was only one part of the test. During the ascent, Ricardo faced steep 45-degree slopes under strong sunshine. These demanding conditions made breathability particularly important, especially while carrying a fully loaded backpack. The Barrier CT Pro™ membrane is designed to allow moisture vapour to escape while preventing external water from entering.
In the field, Ricardo reported that he did not experience overheating during the climbs. Although this is a subjective observation rather than a laboratory measurement, it provides useful insight into the jacket's comfort during sustained physical activity.
The result was a jacket that Ricardo found comfortable across changing temperatures, levels of exertion, and weather conditions.
The details an experienced climber notices
After three days of continuous use, Ricardo highlighted several design features that contributed to the jacket's overall performance.
“These are my own observations and findings from three days of continuous use in the field.”
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The hood. It fits over a cap, with the brim sitting snugly against the hood. That means better protection for your face. Most hoods can’t do this, Ricardo says. This one did it exceptionally well.
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The zippers. He trusted them completely to keep water out during heavy rain, noting that the water-resistant zippers operated smoothly even with cold hands or gloves and kept everything in his pockets thoroughly dry.
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Built-in RECCO. A reflector that helps rescue teams locate you. His usual jacket doesn’t have one.
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Durability. No visible wear after three days of pushing through spiky vegetation with a loaded pack.
The verdict
After three days on Mount Cameroon, Ricardo's assessment was clear.
When asked whether he would take the jacket on another serious mountain expedition, his answer was yes.
He also confirmed that his confidence in the jacket's waterproof performance was based on more than the membrane alone. The overall construction, including its hood, zippers, and protective features, contributed to his positive experience.
“For me, the combination of protection, breathability, durability, hood design and Recco integration makes this a jacket I would happily rely on for serious days in the mountains.”
— Ricardo Kaljouw
How we test, and why
Barrier CT Pro™ isn’t a fabric picked from a catalogue. We write the performance standard first, and our supplier builds to it. An independent laboratory then tests every sample against four thresholds at once, including waterproofing of at least 50,000 mm. No averaging, no partial pass.
Then the jacket goes to people like Ricardo. He tests the jacket in the most extreme conditions. The lab carries the numbers. The field carries the judgment.
Read the Barrier CT Pro™ technology
Read Ricardo’s real, signed field report
Explore the Mountain Hardshell Jacket
Was the field tester paid?
No. Ricardo kept the jacket but received no fee, and we publish his report in full, exactly as he approved it.
Is this jacket suitable for mountaineering in heavy rain?
It was tested through a 25 mm downpour in strong wind at altitude, with a 12 kg pack. Ricardo’s verdict: he would take it out again on a serious day and trust it as his only shell.
