Less is more is the motto as far as the looks of the new Haglöfs Virgo jacket go, but don’t let the slick, simplistic aesthetics of the coat fool you – this is one of the most functional minimalistic waterproof jackets available on the market right now.

Off the bat it’s clear that the Virgo is reasonably lightweight and waterproof, but also that there’s a lot of tech behind it, as you would expect from a manufacturer with Haglöfs’ reputation. The company dates back all the way to 1914 when founder Wiktor Haglöf first began producing high-quality garments with specific attention being paid to the material, construction and durability of what he was making.

“It’s perfect for those short adventures where you’re going to be moving through the environment quickly but don’t know quite what conditions you’re going to get.”

The Virgo has a two-layer Gore-Tex fabric with a mesh lining underneath it to provide breathable comfort against the skin – say, if you’re just wearing a baselayer t-shirt underneath.

There aren’t any features on the Virgo that don’t need to be there. A simple cord can be used to adjust the waist hem, the velcro adjustable cuffs ensure the bad weather can’t get in, two small pockets offer just enough to keep your hands warm and the fantastic hood has a reinforced peak and is very easily adjustable too.

Chances are that you’ll be wearing it over a mid layer like a fleece and with a jacket like this, what you’re really looking for is something just to sit on top and keep out the conditions while not getting in your way by irritating you or weighing you down. The Virgo ticks all the boxes in that respect. And it’s easily compressible for those times when you bring it out in the wilderness as a precautionary measure and need to stick it away in your pack when the sun comes out.