What is the Cerium SV?
The Cerium SV is a specialist highly insulated and warmer version of the Cerium LT that can be used as an extremely warm midlayer or as a standalone outer layer in cold, dry conditions. Using the highest quality down, it weighs much less than the average jacket of the same calibre, has intelligently placed insulation and can be stuffed into its own included stuff sack for easy storage.
What is it made of?
Insulation: The Cerium is beautifully made, as you would expect from Arcteryx, but the really clever thing is the way that they have made the jacket so light. Traditional down jackets are made lighter by simply reducing the amount of down and using super lightweight, fragile materials. Arcteryx, however, have stuffed the Cerium with 850 fill power European Goose Down, meaning less down has to be used to achieve the same warmth. The Cerium also uses strategically placed Coreloft siliconised polyester synthetic insulation in areas that receive the most moisture and are affected by compression. The shoulders are Coreloft insulated, as are the hem, sleeves and underarms. Coreloft retains warmth even when wet and resists compression better than down, so you get the best of both types of insulation; unrivalled warmth and comfort from the down in the main body and protection from Coreloft in strategic areas.
Fabrics: The face fabric (Arato 10) used in the Cerium SV is made from 100% nylon and is DWR (durable water repellant) coated, therefore having the ability to resist moisture and wind while being used as an outer layer. Despite this, it doesn't take up much room when packed down and stuffed in your rucksack.
What are the features?
Starting from the top, you get an insulated StormHood which will fit over a climbing harness when you're at a belay stop and is fully adjustable via in-build Cohaesive cordlock adjusters. These adjusters are a little like two buttons hidden away inside the fabric; these are far easier to use with bulky gloves or mitts and negates the need for long drawcords that slap you in the face in high wind. Other features include two large hand pockets, an internal pocket, an included stuffsack, comfortable stretchy cuffs and hem drawcords to seal in warmth around your waist. To prevent the zip coming undone during use, Arc'teryx have engineered small 'braking bumps' into the top of the zip. When unzipping the jacket normally, you barely notice them, but during use, these bumps prevent the jacket from opening up and exposing you to the cold.
How does it fit?
The Cerium SV fits into Arc'teryx's 'regular' fit block, meaning you've got plenty of room in the shoulders for movement, an average length which should suit most users, long sleeves which don't fall down your arms when climbing and a fairly snug fit to trap warmth in the body. You can fit layers underneath if you're in particularly cold conditions thanks to Arc'teryx's articulated patterning.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
The Cerium SV can either be used as a super warm midlayer with a shell over the top in damp conditions or as an outer layer in cold, dry conditions. It can also be used as an over-layering piece; for example, if you're stopping for lunch and need to stay warm, simply dump the Cerium SV over the top of all your other layers while stationary and remove once you get moving again. Extra protection is provided by a drop hem; for reference, the centre back length is 69.5cm.
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850 fill power European Goose Down
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100% nylon face fabric with DWR coating
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Adjustable, low profile, down insulated storm hood
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Two zippered hand pockets
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Full front zip with chin guard and wind flap
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Low profile, elasticated cuff at the wrist layers easily
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Adjustable hem drawcord
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Stuff sack included
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Regular fit
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Coreloft in areas prone to moisture
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No Slip Zip
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Internal pocket
How to wash your down products
Having spent years talking to people about down products, whether that’s a jacket, sleeping bag or even a pair of slippers, very few have had the confidence to go ahead and wash the product on their own, especially when they have just spent an arm and a leg on it. This small guide is here to explain that it’s not as daunting and utterly terrifying as it first appears.
Step one: Before you even get near that washing machine, wipe off any excess mud or dirt that may be lingering on the surface of the jacket, as this will clog up the washing machine, eventually rendering it useless.
We recommend the use of Nikwax Down Wash Direct for down products as it’s one hundred percent environmentally friendly and will wash and re-proof the garment without the use of bleach or any other nasty chemicals. What household washing agents can (and often do) is remove the water repellent coating on the fabric of the jacket, whilst also damaging the delicate array of feathers inside.
Step two: We’ll assume in this instance that you’ve been washing other products prior to your down jacket and have used a bleach based detergent. Therefore it’s a good idea to run the washing machine for half an hour or so without anything inside to rinse it clean before adding the Nikwax or putting the jacket in. Also, don’t forget to remove the detergent drawer to give it a wash inside, outside and behind, as detergent can clog up and still enter the washing machine if not cleaned out thoroughly. This ensures that any remnants of detergent are removed and that the Nikwax products will work effectively.
Step three: Set the washing machine to a cold wash (check the garments care label, most tend to be around 30°C) and as delicate as possible. Most washing machines have a “wool” cycle which is ideal.
Step four: If using Nikwax Down Wash Direct, place 100ml in either the tray or directly into the washing machine inside a small pot/ball. If you choose to use another washing product, place the appropriate amount in the machine in the same way.
Step five: Set the washing machine to run on a slow cycle, allowing plenty of time for the jacket to soak up the cleaning/re-proofing product. Most washing machines will have a pre-set time for different washing cycles.
When the cycle has finished be prepared for a shock, your precious bit of kit will come out looking like a soggy ball of material. But don’t worry, you haven’t ruined it, it’s just that all that fluffy down insulation has become water logged and has clumped together. The trick is to now get all that down nice and dry to reinstate its superb insulating properties. Simply hanging it up in a warm place will not work that well. It will take days to properly dry and you will have to constantly break up the clumps to get it thoroughly dry. The best way is to use a tumble dryer; either a domestic one for smaller items or a commercial drier for sleeping bags.
Step six: Pop the garment into the dryer and make sure to select a low heat; a high heat runs the risk of melting seams and fabrics within the garment. It sounds weird, but shove a few tennis balls into the drier with the garment; the tennis balls will bounce around and help to break up the clumps of down. Every 20 minutes, pull the jacket out of the dryer and lie the jacket down on a table. Run your hands over the jacket until you find a 'clump' or ball of down; tease apart this down clump and spread it evenly into the baffle. Once you're confident you've pulled apart every clump to the best of your ability, stick it back in for another 20 minutes. Keep repeating this until there are no more clumps left.
Step seven: When the cycle has finished and you are sure that you have got the garment as dry as possible, hang it up in a warm dry place, an airing cupboard is ideal, for 24 hours. This drives out the last of any dampness and allows the down to loft fully. Take it out and give it a good shake and, hey presto, it’ll be as good as new.