Comparative review
Mountaineering Instructor Kirsty Pallas and TGO commissioning editor David Lintern get kitted out for the cold with 'active' insulated jackets designed for wearing on the go
AN INSULATED JACKET can make or break your day in the hills. It’s the layer we reach for when it gets chilly but maybe don’t always plan to use. It needs to be versatile, as we’ll use it in different contexts and at different times of year; and of course we’re all different too. So 昀椀nding one that works for you is important.
Insulation is usually either synthetic or down. Down is light and very packable but loses a lot of its warmth when wet, so it can be unreliable in our maritime climate. Even down feathers that are treated to resist water (hydrophobic) and may hold off a shower or two will became sad and limp in standard British mountain rain.
Synthetic insulation tends to be bulkier and heavier but will still hold its shape and insulation when wet. And jackets using synthetics often come with a lower price tag.
They are usually plastic-based, so whilst they are vegan, they have other ethical considerations. Many jackets are now using recycled material to create the 昀椀ll, though, so look out for this to reduce the environmental impact.
The 昀椀nal 昀椀ll type is wool, which is unusual, but is a natural product that stays warm when wet, and still packs down reasonably well.
Insulated jackets come in different weights – not just in terms of grams, but in 昀椀ll and therefore warmth. This is often measured by grammes per square metre (gsm) of 昀椀ll. They range from a light jacket to walk all day in or to throw on for a quick bite to eat, to heavier garments used at rest stops or standing on a belay in winter. This review focuses on the lighter end of the spectrum: jackets that might be a spare layer in summer, or a moving layer in winter, giving great versatility.
Features
Fill insulation
PrimaLoft is the big name in synthetic insulation but there are other excellent ones and all those reviewed are good quality. The latest are lighter, more compressible and more durable than previous ones. Whatever the 昀椀ll, it’s still true that the higher it ‘lofts’ (昀氀uffs up), the warmer it is. In the ‘active insulation’ category, insulation is often zoned – less (or none) under the arms or on the hood, more on the back and chest. Some products will use different fabrics for these areas to balance warmth with breathability.
Shell fabric
The shell protects the 昀椀ll from wear and tear, and the wearer from the elements. In the active insulation category, shell fabrics may be thinner to promote the breathability needed for higher-output activity. This can mean they are less ef
