Vaude Skomer Hiking SC Jacket Review

Testing the Vaude Skomer Hiking SC Jacket

We started with the Lee Trail, which has plenty of elevation changes, forest sections, and exposed vistas where the wind exposure can vary a lot during the day. The Vaude Skomer SC Jacket’s moisture‑regulating stretch fleece coped well with these fluctuations, wicked away my sweat, and even managed the sharpness of the wind on exposed stretches. Along with this, it still felt comfortable when you cooled down on ridges or at lunch stops. Since it can be packed small, it fit in my daypack easily during ascents and sun-exposed parts of the hike that felt quite warm. It was convenient to layer and, with its high neckline, perfect for the cold winds and shadowy forest parts of the trails.

In typical Lee Trail weather, the jacket works great as a core insulating layer under a lightweight shell for the wind and rain. We, however, were lucky enough not to have to endure any rain while hiking, apart from a manageable drizzle, which made this jacket my regular layer during the hike when it got chillier.

The Müllerthal Trail combines shaded, damp areas and more open farmland sections, so temperature and humidity can shift quickly here too, even on a single stage. The Skomer’s soft fleece interior provided enough warmth in the cool, shady “rock forest” segments, while the smooth outer slid easily under my shell when it drizzled and the wind moved in between villages. (We were blessed with sun and some wind but no rain.)

Because the trail is well-maintained and more about technical steps and narrow passages than alpine exposure, this midweight fleece was sufficient as an insulation layer in the shoulder seasons. Due to the stretchy fabric, walking with hiking poles and doing the occasional scramble did not restrict or leave any marks or skin irritation – all 200km long. The jacket even smelled fresh at the end of it! (I know, hard to believe) The jacket’s quick‑drying material was helpful when brushing against wet rock or vegetation, or if you are sweating on steeper stair sections and then enter cooler, drafty gorges.

The slightly fitted women’s cut prevented any bunching under the hip belt, which helps with comfort on longer hiking days. Note: I do advise you to stick to your normal sizing, as I’m a regular S, and this jacket is an M. You can tell it looks a bit pressed together at the belt in the photos. Even though it gave me no discomfort whatsoever, it would’ve been better if I had gone down a size.

About the Skomer Hiking SC Jacket

The Vaude Skomer Hiking SC Jacket is a women’s fleece jacket that has a smooth, slightly stretchy outer layer and a soft, warming inner, designed as a functional midlayer for hiking. The fabric is moisture‑regulating and easy to care for, which works well on multi‑day tours where you cannot wash or dry gear each night.

The cut is slightly tailored yet not restrictive, so it works both directly over a base layer on milder days and under a shell for when temperatures drop, or the wind picks up. Two zippered hand pockets and a small pocket at the sleeve for storage are helpful for when you want to stow away your phone, map, or some snacks.

The Skomer Hiking SC focuses on all‑day comfort rather than being ultralight, with a fabric weight that feels substantial without becoming bulky. The stretch content and ergonomic cut give good freedom of movement in the shoulders and arms for freedom of motion when using trekking poles or scrambling. I never want to sacrifice my warm fleece jackets for the sake of weight, and I feel like this one is the perfect compromise for coziness and weight.

Conclusion

Since both trails are known for their variable-weather days, typical for Luxembourg trails in spring and autumn, we repeatedly stuffed our things into and out of our packs on the trail. However, this did not result in any visible wear and tear on the Skomer SC, even in combination with 200+ km of hiking with a backpack with a hipbelt. Due to the material’s durability, it didn’t change after washing or the usual strap-pilling at the hips and shoulders. I’m sure it will last me a lot longer than the average vest. Considering the price of this and comparable jackets, this one is an excellent buy for quality & price.

For the colder parts of hikes, when you just start from a break or campsite or are just arriving, this jacket is your best friend. It breathes well but is also remarkably wind-resistant. When I was in full beast mode ascending, it was too warm for me. It was convenient to layer and, with its high neckline, perfect for the cold winds and shadowy forest parts of the trails. The Skomer surprised me so much with the warmth of its slim-to-the-touch fabric that I decided to take it on my next hike in Iceland, too.