Heading into winter, it’s time to review our cold weather gear so we can get wrapped up warm! If you’re looking for a new lightweight winter jacket then read on to see what I think of my new TOG24 Drax Hooded Down Jacket in this full TOG24 review – spoiler alert: I LOVE IT!!
I had already bought the jacket myself when TOG24 reached out to me and asked me to review it. This review is sponsored by TOG24 but I always give my honest opinion.
Looking for a Lightweight Winter Jacket
I hadn’t bought myself a new jacket for a while but knew that I wanted something that I could travel with as well as something that would keep me warm and snug. I’m heading off on another backpacking trip so cutting down on weight and size is essential so I can fit everything comfortably into my backpack.
The last new jacket I had was actually a gift from my brother, who bought me a different TOG24 jacket (a Keld softshell jacket) for my birthday a couple of years ago. I love that jacket but it was a bit too bulky for travel and didn’t have a hood, so I headed to the TOG24 website to see what other styles they had.
Why I Chose the Drax Hooded Down Jacket
The Drax Hooded Down Jacket fitted the bill perfectly. I wanted something lightweight, and this padded jacket is filled with 90% duck down and 10% feather, making it extremely light.
It’s warm too, as the down traps my body heat inside without being too bulky. The hood also offers extra warmth, and it’s adjustable to keep the wind from whistling around my ears. The jacket can also be worn as a mid-layer underneath a waterproof coat if it is cold and wet.
I love the colour – I wanted something bright that would stand out for those important Insta photos, and this gorgeous dark coral colour certainly does that. There are other colours available if you prefer something a little more subtle.
I ordered a size 14 as the previous TOG24 jacket I had was now a bit big after losing some lockdown weight. It fits me perfectly, with room for layers underneath while being snug enough for my waterproof layer to fit nicely over the top when I need it. The jacket is available in sizes 8 to 24 in some colours, and 8 to 18 in others.
For travel, the most important part is the ease of packing, and this little beauty squeezes down into its own chest pocket, meaning I can pack it into the smallest of spaces in my backpack when I don’t need it, and it even doubles as a little travel pillow.
It’s machine washable too, which is great as I would not take the time to hand wash or dry clean something like this – I wanted something easy to use and functional and the jacket delivers here too.
There were also great reviews from other customers and at the time of writing the Drax Jacket has a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 from 132 reviews so I was confident I was making a good choice.
As well as the Drax hooded down jacket I’d also ordered a Keld Softshell Hooded Jacket in fuchsia pink – originally I was going to send back one of the jackets but I love them both!
I’ve chosen the Drax jacket to take travelling with me as it is lighter and folds down smaller for packing into my suitcase, but I’m going to keep the Keld jacket for when I’m at home and heading out on day trips.
CHECK PRICES OF THE DRAX JACKET ON TOG24
Out and About with the Drax Hooded Down Jacket
The first time I properly wore this jacket was on a 6 week trip to Europe in September. I was heading to the Czech Republic and Poland and had no clue what the weather was going to be like while I was away but knew I would be doing some outdoor activities mixed with city exploration.
When I left home it was still quite warm so I packed the jacket in my check-in luggage and it fitted in easily, without adding much weight to the already hefty backpack. After a few days of warm weather, it became clear that Autumn had arrived so I was glad to pull it out of my bag!
On a grim day in the Czech Republic, I headed to the longest suspension bridge in the world and the temperature plummeted as it was up in the mountains. I was very glad of this cosy jacket to keep me warm and snug, and layered it with my waterproof coat when the weather turned wet.
Then while exploring Gdansk in Poland I loved that it was light enough and easy to carry when I didn’t need it but warm and snug when the wind blew off the sea – even when the sun was shining it was still quite chilly!
I love how the jacket is slightly longer at the back for extra coverage and it is super warm without being too bulky, following the shape of my body nicely. The hood is very useful too for light showers or when the cold wind comes, it has adjustable toggles so you can keep it loose or pull it tight around your face to keep out the drafts.
The Drax jacket has 2 big pockets perfect for keeping my gloves and any other bits and bobs safe, and another large chest pocket with a zip where you can stuff the jacket to make a travel pillow or keep your phone close to your chest.
Any Downsides to the Jacket?
The jacket isn’t waterproof, but then I wasn’t looking for a waterproof jacket. It also isn’t windproof but considering how light and small it is, that isn’t a deal-breaker for me – I wanted something warm to wear alone when it was chilly but dry, and light enough to have as a mid-layer underneath a waterproof coat if needed.
About TOG24
I like to know something about the products I buy, and the business I’m buying from so I did a bit of digging on the TOG24 website.
TOG24 was founded by Donald Ward in West Yorkshire in 1958, and became part of the textile industry that was thriving in Yorkshire. It is a family firm, with Don’s sons and grandsons now running the company.
TOG24 stands for “Truth Over Glory Everyday”. According to their website, TOG24 aren’t about the “Glory” side of the outdoors like planting flags on mountains or skiing down sheer ice walls.
Instead, they are about the “True” outdoors “that everybody can be involved with; walking with friends to the pub or skiing with the family to a bar”. That sounds like my kind of outdoors – some adventure but with a fun and relaxed attitude that often ends in a warm and cosy pub or restaurant!
I’m pleased to support a family-owned British company, and while the products are no longer manufactured in the UK they are all still designed in the Spen Valley in Yorkshire.
I have a special affinity with Yorkshire, although I was born in Lancashire I lived in Yorkshire for 10 years while studying and working in Leeds. I still love going back to visit friends and I explored more of the region with my campervan Mabel, and heading to Yorkshire always feels like going home.
I love the little Yorkshire touches that pop up everywhere, the TOG24 logo is a Yorkshire Rose and in the search bar on the website you get “Ey Up! What are you looking for?” instead of the usual blank space, and an invitation to sign up the their “made proper” newsletter for early deals, special offers and news.
TOG24 Customer Service
I am often wary about buying clothes online, although TOG24 do have 60 outlets across the UK and Ireland (check their store locator to find a shop near you) I needed the convenience of ordering something while I was away in the campervan so it would be waiting for me when I got home.
On their website, TOG24 offer Free Standard Delivery on orders £50 and over with free 30 day UK returns, taking away any worries I had about ordering something online that might not fit.
I was also very impressed with their customer service when I emailed them just after placing the order as I realised I put in the wrong email address. I got a very quick reply within minutes saying it had been updated and received the order confirmation to the correct address so I was very pleased with that!
The parcel arrived quickly and I was thrilled that both jackets I’d ordered fitted perfectly. The only downside was the plastic packaging, although it was minimal would like to see more eco-friendly packaging in future, and judging by the sustainability page on the company website it is something that TOG24 is passionate about too, using recycled materials and sustainable cotton in many of their products.
My Personal TOG24 Review Summary
In summary, I adore this jacket! It does exactly what I wanted it to, keeping me warm and fitting snugly underneath my waterproof coat when I need it. I love the colour, it looks stylish and it is by far the most practical jacket I have ever owned and is perfect for travellers, backpackers and hikers.
I am so pleased I bought it, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the jacket, or TOG24, to anyone else looking for hiking and travel gear. Take a look at their website to see more of their clothing range for women, men and kids.