Henjl Deram down jacket test

Characteristics of the product tested

Test conditions

Ecological footprint

Born in 2010, the Henjl brand is probably not the best known of outdoor brands. However, it has its roots in the heart of the Alps. Better, its founders – whose contraction of the first names Henri and Jean-Louis is at the origin of the brand name – were trained at the Lyon textile school. An establishment that combines regional tradition, know-how and high quality materials. The Henjl Deram down jacket is part of a desire to offer “wool clothing for the mountains, for the city, respecting strong values: a real environmental approach, manufacturing close to the consumer, irreproachable quality”. Is the promise kept? Will the Henjl Deram down jacket be part of my outdoor trips from now on?

First impressions of the Henjl Deram down jacket

With the Henjl Deram down jacket, the Annecy brand ventures into the field of mixing technologies. The body and the hood of the jacket are in polyamide and have a quilted down jacket type appearance, while the shoulders, the side and the sleeves are woven in a pullover style. Does this mean that Henjl is abandoning wool, this material that makes up its DNA? No, and it's even quite the opposite since on the one hand the filling of the jacket is provided by a wool wadding and on the other hand the woven parts are composed of a double-sided stretch knit, merino wool and polypropylene Schoeller Climayarn. In terms of environmental commitments, the brand is perfectly transparent. The origin of the raw materials is clear (wool from Argentina and the Alps, European synthetic fibres) and the manufacturing is 100% European. This ranges from spinning at the Austrian Schoeller, the only supplier in the world of wool yarns without chlorine treatments, to knitting and assembly that the customer will choose 100% French or European. It is therefore a commitment that deserves to be underlined and which only lacks the possibility of having its used product repaired or recycled to achieve faultless performance.

In terms of manufacturing quality, the Henjl Deram is absolutely impeccable. The material is beautiful and exudes quality. The knitting, assemblies and seams are flawless. The look is resolutely neat, the cut close to the body without in any way hindering movement thanks to a flexible material. No doubt that this jacket will be just as comfortable in your city wardrobe as it is on your trips to the mountains.

There are excellent opportunities to make good deals or even very good deals during this sales period (January 12 to February 8, 2022). In order not to give in to the unreasonable temptations of the sales, here are some rules to follow to buy responsibly:

Here are some offers from our partners:

The Henjl Deram down jacket in the field

With more than 850 g on the scale, the Henjl Deram fits more into the range of comfort products than into that of ultra-light down jackets intended for bivouacs and long-distance touring. It is therefore quite naturally in a logic of hiking in a star or with nights in a refuge that I tested it. We are at the end of November, in the Grésivaudan valley. The first snowfalls powder the Savoyard summits, a small -2°C humid invades the valley. Last break of the day; innumerable small birds descended from the mountains are agitated in the spruces and the birches. I take out the binoculars and the Henjl Deram jacket so as not to catch cold. As soon as you put it on, the feeling of warmth and comfort is there. The fabric is dense, enveloping. We feel this cozy side difficult to describe, not quite like a down, but just as pleasant. About down, I notice that unlike him and despite the passage of time I do not have to fear very high ambient humidity. The thermal properties of wool are only slightly sensitive to ambient humidity, a real plus.

Early January, Monts du Lyonnais, around 1000 meters above sea level. No snow yet but the mists and frost dress the landscape in white. The wind at 5 Beaufort creates an icy atmosphere from which I would struggle to isolate myself without my Henjl Deram jacket. Close to the body, it prevents any air ingress. Its very high and enveloping collar admirably protects the neck and the neck, making the Buff unnecessary. On the ridge whose topo-guide praises the panorama of the Alps, I content myself today with seeing the ghostly silhouettes of old oaks, a few meters in front of me. It's time for the break, I put on the hood. The material is perfectly windproof but the lack of drawstrings prevents it from fulfilling its role perfectly; the wind rushes in, the hood does not perfectly follow the movements of the head, too bad.

Mid-January. The snow has finally fallen, in large flakes, on the crests of the Swiss Jura. I climb the slopes of Mont Tendre on snowshoes. The material of the Henjl Deram follows my movements perfectly, the thermal contribution is excellent and the breathability very correct even in the intense effort of the moment. I can't help wondering about the durability of the knit in the shoulder friction areas but for the moment, after six days of testing, no trace of pilling or wear, to be continued... Waiting for a chalet d alpage welcomes the end of my stage. A few chairs placed in the shelter of the overhanging roof, a blanket over my legs, warm in my Henjl Deram, I savor a hot chocolate and the view of the Jura valleys. My decision is made, the Henjl Deram will now join the outdoor trips where I favor looks and comfort!

My opinion

With the Henjl Deram the practitioner of outdoor activities will find an excellent down jacket. Its weight and volume make it more suitable for activities where comfort is favored over any other consideration. This model rather respectful of the environment, made with top quality materials, providing undeniable comfort, both from the point of view of the cut and the thermal contribution, will find its place perfectly in a mixed use city-mountain.

THE ARTICLE HAS YOU MORE? SHARE IT!