This jacket is constructed using box-wall baffles, a technique used to reduce cold spots. And it is a very warm jacket. 750fp down combined with zoned synthetic insulation results in a design that feels lofty and thicker than the other jackets tested. Subjectively, this jacket feels just as warm to me as the Rab Mythic Ultra, but it’s around 150g heavier and doesn’t compress as small.
Best for: very cold, dry places
Stars: 4/5 | Price: £500 | Weight: 656g (men’s medium) | Pros: very warm, roomy, good pockets | Cons: expensive, down not hydrophobic, basic hood | Fill: 750fp European grey goose down, RDS-certified; zoned Coreloft 140 and 80 synthetic insulation (80% recycled) | Shell: 30D Arato nylon with Gore-Tex Infinium panels (PFC-free DWR) on hood/shoulders | Hood: not wired, adjustment at rear | Cuffs: elasticated. | Hem: drawcord with 2x adjusters | Pockets: 2x handwarmer, 2x inner, 2x outer | Sizes: XS–XXL | Womens/Mens version: both
The down is not hydrophobic, which means it’s less resistant to moisture. However, clever design features help mitigate this. I found the 30D outer fabric to be highly resistant to snow, moisture, and cold winds. There are also windproof Gore-Tex Infinium panels on the shoulders and hood. The jacket uses zoned synthetic insulation in areas prone to moisture too. I would still avoid getting it intentionally wet, but I’ve found it to perform well in short spells of light precipitation. One downside is that the hood lacks a stiffened peak and only has one adjustment point.
The design is shorter than the other jackets, with less backside coverage, and I found that this led it to ride up under my rucksack sometimes. Fit is more generous than other jackets tested. Pockets are a strength – I particularly like the twin outer chest pockets, and the zip pulls are easy to use with gloves.
This jacket is exceptionally well made and very warm. However, it’s more suited to cold but dry environments where there is no risk of the down getting damp.
