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Sometimes you get an item of clothing that as soon as you put it on it feels right. Montane’s Alpine 850 Nano Down Hoodie for me is one of these. A very lightweight down jacket that for dry days provides plenty of warmth as my outer layer and then gives me a lot of comfort as a middle layer when the rain is falling. As of October 2024, the  Alpine 850 Nano Down Hoodie is the second …

There are basically three types of synthetic insulation used in outdoor jackets: 1. Sheet Insulation – Fibres are woven into a ‘mat’ structure and this is used to fill the jacket, this is the ‘traditional’ way of doing this and provides excellent warmth to weight and is pretty durable. 2. Loose Fill Insulation – This is where synthetic fibr …

We know plans can change in the mountains, just as the weather can. Our new season gear has adaptability built in, so you’ll be prepared, no matter whatever you encounter. Discover lightweight, breathable clothing and equipment that doesn’t compromise on protection. From protective waterproof jackets to warm, down jackets, technical fleeces and durable legwear – our technical layers are designed t …

Every so often a product arrives at the Ultralight office that we all get excited about. That was definitely the case with the  Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex jacket. When our first Torrid Apex jacket arrived, we took one look and immediately knew that this jacket was something a bit special. Using a ridiculously light 7D fabric this jacket weighs about the same as an apple!! Th …

Winter arrived early and was cold here in the UK, so I was incredibly grateful to be offered a chance to test out the SuperStrand LT Insulated Hoodie at the beginning of December. I've been using this jacket as my primary insulation for over three months now, not just in the hills but in my day-to-day life as well, and I'm a big fan of this lightweight synthetic jacket from American bra …

One of the more technical jackets we have used over the past 6 months, the Axis Alpha Down jacket on first appearance is similar in design to the Montane Quattro Fusion, a jacket we very much enjoyed testing and reviewing and have continued to use over the past few years. Montane has a great reputation for creating some very innovative clothing, with a wide mix of materials to produce …

The  Xenair from Rab is a synthetic jacket comprising Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation, in a low profile that can be used as a mid-layer for winter, or as a stand-alone jacket for use in autumn and spring. At 337 grams in a medium size, it’s a fairly lightweight jacket, and certainly feels so when worn. A relaxed, comfortable fit, with a nice amount of length in the arms, …

Worn as a daytime synthetic layer on a backpacking trip in late September to Switzerland, the micro puff seems to be one of the lightest insulated jackets around. I carry a down jacket against the evening chill but a light synthetic for daytime, and as I’m normally on the move I don’t need too much to keep me warm. The Micro Puff is ideal for the job and I was really impressed by how …

Rab’s latest range of winter jackets look to be creating a lot of interest, with the Generator Alpine showing early signs that this could be a cold weather jacket specifically with British winter conditions in mind. “Built for exposed climbs and formidable winter weather, the new Generator Alpine …