What is the Therme Parka?
The Therme Parka is the perfect answer for anyone who's looking for a jacket that's warm and waterproof but doesn't want to wear their 'on the mountain' jacket every day. It combines a Gore-Tex lining with internal baffles full of gorgeous European Goose down to give you a jacket that not only looks and feels great but is also a brilliant barrier against the elements.
What is it made of?
Insulation: The layer closest to your body is numerous baffles filled with 93g (size M) of 750FP European Goose Down to keep you warm and comfortable on the coldest days. All down is audited by RDS (responsible down standard) to ensure the down is collected ethically. On top of that, sandwiched between the down and the face fabric is a layer of Coreloft (which is also used as the only insulation in the hood and the storm collar, meaning that even if they get wet on the inside, like when you're struggling to get your hood up in a downpour, the baffles will still keep your head warm and won't compress). This double layer of insulation is called Down Contour Composite which helps the down to maintain maximum loft and protects the down from any condensation that may form inside the jacket. The result is a highly efficient system with excellent moisture management.
Fabrics: Surrounding all of this luxurious insulation is a 2L Gore-Tex membrane — this provides total waterproof and windproof protection whilst maintaining high levels of breathability. Layered on top of the Gore-Tex membrane is a tough yet soft and pliable 75D polyester; this also features a durable water repellent coating for added weather protection.
What are the Therme's features?
The jacket features drawcords in the sides and rear of the hood and internal wrist cuff gaskets to further aid in sealing out the elements when the weather is at it's worst. Along with that, the jacket also has two generous insulated hand pockets, an outer chest pocket and an internal pocket for extra storage. The two-way centre front zipper means you can undo it from the bottom when you're sat down for coffee or in the car.
How does it fit?
The Therme has enough room for additional layers and is designed to offer comfort and freedom of movement more than absolute performance. It features a mid-thigh length and a fairly straight fit throughout the body. Despite this, it's by no means baggy and looks well-fitted when you're wearing it.
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Waterproof Gore-Tex Membrane
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Soft yet durable polyester outer fabric
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750 fill European Goose Down
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Coreloft synthetic insulation
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Down Contour Composite technology
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Upper-thigh length
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Two-way centre front zip
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2 hand pockets
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1 internal chest pocket
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1 external chest pocket
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Adjustable hood
How Should Your Insulated Jacket Fit?
Insulated jackets are pedantic little things. Too tight and you'll compress the insulation and limit the warmth capabilities of your brand new jacket, too loose and you'll spend hours warming up the dead space inside the jacket. Getting the correct fit isn't just about aesthetics, it will determine how warm you are.
The Incorrect Fit
Too loose: A jacket which is too loose will keep you relatively warm, however it will take far longer to do so and will waste large amounts of your precious energy. An insulated jacket works by trapping the natural heat that your body gives off in the fibres of the insulation; this creates a micro-climate inside your jacket, keeping you warm and toasty. If your jacket is too loose, heat will be able to escape through the hem, the sleeves and the neck of the jacket; it's a little like sticking the heating on in your car with the windows cracked open - it will heat up, just incredibly slowly.
Too tight: A jacket which is too tight is arguably worse than one that is too loose. If your jacket is far too tight, the baffles can compress to a point where the insulation can't loft effectively, limiting the amount of warmth it can trap. Essentially, it won't work!
The Correct Fit
It's a tricky one to explain, but it's somewhere in the middle. You've first got to consider how many layers you'll tend to wear underneath; will you have just a t-shirt then the jacket, or possibly a baselayer, midlayer and then the jacket? When you've figured out your layers and you've popped your insulated jacket over the top, you shouldn't have any dead space inside. The cuffs and hem should be comfortably sealed around your waist and wrists with room to move. You should be able to lift an arm up above your head without the hem of the jacket lifting more than an inch or so, and the sleeves should be long enough that when carrying out the same motion, they aren't mid-way up your forearm. Your shoulders and chest area should have enough room so that your hands can touch behind your back without feeling restricted.
Additional Information
Lastly, consider which activites you'll primarily be carrying out while wearing the jacket. Are you primarily using it as a winter climbing piece, or an everyday/dog walking jacket? You'll find that technical climbing jackets tend to feature a shorter cut, while urban and casual jackets feature a longer cut to offer additional warmth with less mobility.
To see examples of what a badly fitting and correctly fitting jacket looks like, click here.