Review: H&M StormMove 3-Layer Women’s Shell Jacket

I put the jacket to the test in three main contexts that reflected what I’m looking for in a jacket of this type: waterproofness, packability and the environment.  

One thing I will say, I certainly felt stylish in this jacket. With the structure and the colours, it definitely made me feel cool, and I would be happy heading into town in the rain with this jacket. I can certainly see the rationale behind H&M’s move into more cost-effective and accessible outdoor wear for to everyday consumers.   

Living in Scotland, you are often subject to sudden downpours, and often you need to just whip your jacket quick out to keep you completely dry whilst the heavens open. It was easy enough to throw on, but I felt like the arms soaked through fairly quickly. Moving about in torrential rain, I could see the material starting to get wet rather than repel, and although it didn’t come through to the inside of the jacket, if I had been out in the rain much longer I believe it would have started to really soak through. This definitely would, however, be a good jacket for those out on drizzly dog walks, woodland trails or minor rain showers in the city. 

I tested the jacket for ease of packing into bags and use in more challenging conditions by taking it up onto the hills of Scotland. I really wanted to feel like I could hike, run and jump in this jacket, but it was quite stiff to wear and I didn’t feel like it had much movement in its structure. It’s also a bit on the bulky side when it comes to packing away into a bag – I found that it took up a lot of space, no matter how much I folded and rolled. Perhaps this stiffness in the material will allow more durability against wear and tear – I can see where they are going with it, anyway.  

A hood is an important feature for me on my jackets, especially if they allow enough material to cover the whole head and neck too. Including the adjusters in the hood is a really smart idea, as this allows for a closer fit around your face. I didn’t feel like any part of my head was going to be getting wet as I was able to adjust the fit precisely. The StormMove 3L Shell was breathable, and for the most part, comfortable to wear. With the addition of the pit zips, I was able to quickly air out and continue comfortably on my way when the temperature changed.

 Taped seams

This water-resisting element can often be forgotten in the design process, especially among fashion brands, so it’s could to see this included.  

 Pit zips

I often find it hard to get a women-specific jacket that has pit zips. Perfect for ventilation for changing conditions, it also means you don’t have to completely de-layer in order to cool off a bit.  

Pockets

Large mesh-lined pockets with plenty of room for your essentials.

Adjusters

Adjusters on the hood and hem allow you to change the shape and fit of the jacket, offering flexibility for all types of weather.