What is the Switch Jacket?
Mountain Equipment have come up with the perfect insulated vest for fast paced mountain activities. The Switch vest uses super lightweight and breathable Polartec Alpha insulation in the chest area to provide core body warmth and Pontetorto Tecnopile fleece across the back and down the sides to maximise movement and breathability and minimise bulk. It's the perfect piece for everything form chilly summer alpine ascents to dog walking in the spring or chucking on under a shell jacket. It really does suit just about every activity.
What is the Switch made of?
Polartec Alpha is a woven insulation fabric; think of it like a fluffy string vest, and is much more stable and durable than other synthetic insulation. Because of its more open weave it allows air to flow much more easily, rapidly drawing moisture away from the body creating comfortable breathable insulation for active use in in cold conditions. Tecnopile is about the best wicking stretch fleece fabric available, it actively pulls moisture from your skin and dries exceptionally quickly.
Lightweight Helium fabric is used to protect the Alpha insulation over the chest providing lightweight wind and weather protection and to keep the weight of the Switch Vest to an absolute minimum.
What are the features?
A durable and quality YKK zip is used for the centre zip and you get two zipped hand pockets and a zipped chest pocket.
How does the Switch Vest fit?
M.E have designed the Switch with an Active Fit so it works best over just a base layer or lightweight fleece.
Where does the Switch fit in the layering system?
The switch it an incredibly versatile piece - it can be used as a stand alone gilet on still, cool days or as a midlayer under an insulated or shell jacket on cold, damp days. The Switch vest is perfect for those needing vital body core warmth with minimal bulk and maximum breathability, so if you are thrashing your way up a snow filled gulley, putting in the miles on a long distance trek or enjoying a winter run this is the perfect vest for you.
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Helium 30 outer on front of body is exceptionally lightweight and windproof
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POLARTEC Alpha insulation [40g front of body]
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POLARTEC Power Dry 225 fleece [back and side panels]
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Active fit
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Flatlocked seams for next-to-skin comfort
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YKK centre front zip
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2 zipped hand warmer pockets
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1 Napoleon chest pocket
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Lycra bound hem and armholes