REVIEW: Trespass Soulmate Gilet
Classically styled gilet with Coldheat technology, ideal for cooler days in the countryside
We were recently contacted by Trespass about potentially reviewing some of their outdoor gear, after a browse of their website and some communication about sizes, they sent across the Soulmate Women’s Padded Gilet in the colour ‘Moss’ which is a countrywear type of green.
Product Info
My first impressions of the gilet were that it looks nice, and smart as it fits close to the body, in fact it wouldn’t look out of place on a National Trust property. This is a women’s gilet designed for cool days or use as a midlayer in a day to day setting. It has Polyester shell, lining and filling, meaning that you don’t need to worry about wearing it in the rain or washing it as you do with some down products. Therefore a good choice for wearing to do outdoorsy jobs and potentially muddy activities. The lining has a soft slightly cotton-like feel to it and there is a hanging loop to use for storage or drying. The outer fabric is similar in feel but has a diamond design stitched into it which also appears to hold the insulation in place so that it doesn’t sink when machine washed. The zip fasteners for the two outer pockets and main zip have leather look tabs attached which makes them easy to find when wearing gloves. There is also an elasticated drawcord with toggle to cinch in the waist at the back.
In terms of features, this is a fairly standard gilet setup, full length baffled zip, high collar to keep the neck warm, 2 well-sized external pockets and the added detail of a toggled cord to adjust the waist. A slit on each hip also allows for more manoeuvrability in activities such as horseriding I imagine.
Upon Wearing
The Soulmate gilet is comfortable to wear for extended periods and offers an extra layer of warmth to your torso which is ideal on cool dry days when a full coat isn’t needed. I have mainly used it for foraging, dog walks and gardening as it fits nicely over a long sleeved baselayer or even a bas and fleece layer. It has actually been nice to have a lightweight gilet for this purpose, as my other gilet is a voluminous 700 fill down affair. The fit is true to size although the arm holes are slightly on the large side and may allow some heat to escape, and the back around the waist was a little big on me but there is an adjustment elastic cord which can be used to cinch it in. The slightly gapey armholes is something which has been commented on the website, but as said there, it’s better than it being too tight!
Conclusion
The main technical feature of this gilet is the Coldheat insulation, which I hadn’t come across before. It is advertised as being lightweight, durable and soft lofted fibres which trap and hold the heat generated by your body. This follows with my experience of the gilet, if I have put it on when already cold and not generating more heat, it has taken a while to make me feel much warmer, however if I have worn it whilst undertaking an activity which generates some body heat then it has definitely helped. The insulation is indeed also lightweight and the gilet packs down to a small enough size that it can fit into a small backpack or satchel and I would happily put it into a pack to throw on when needed if I was out and about for the day. That being said, I don’t class this as a candidate for mountaineering, it fits in much better running daily errands, taking the dog out in the woods or digging at the allotment. Overall I see myself getting plenty of wear out of this item and have actually already offered to lend it to a friend for a trip she is taking!
Trespass Soulmate Gilet
53.99
7.7
Pros
- Stylish
- Versatile
- Good for cooler days
Cons
- Limited colour options
- No internal pocket
- Large arm holes
