What is the Axis Alpha Jacket?
The Axis is one of the best jackets for fast-paced adventures. Combining synthetic and down insulation with Gore-Tex Infinium and Pertex Quantum Air fabrics, this jacket will keep you warm for changeable mountain conditions. Based on cold chamber lab research and extensively athlete-tested, this jacket has been engineered with body-mapped fabric and insulation technologies to balance protection from the elements with efficient heat and moisture management, keeping you comfortable when working hard in the elements.
What is it made of?
Insulation: The Axis Alpha Jacket uses a combination of Down and Synthetic insulations to perfectly balance weight, warmth and weather resistance. Across the back, under the arms and in the hood is 120g/m2 Polartec Alpha hi-loft insulation; these areas are the most likely to get wet when you’re out in the mountains (from both sweat and the elements). Synthetic insulation is exceptionally good at keeping you warm when you get wet and also dries far quicker than down.
Throughout the rest of the jacket is 90g of 800FP water-resistant, fluorocarbon-free HyperDry down. The benefit of down over synthetic is that it is much warmer for its weight. HyperDry builds on the issue that natural down faces — when it gets wet, it loses its warmth and becomes heavy. Treating the down with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating means the down absorbs less water, dries quicker and provides more warmth when wet. This doesn't make the jacket waterproof and we still wouldn't recommend wearing a down jacket in the rain, but it does mean if you get caught out, you'll stay warmer for longer and the down will dry quicker.
So the combination of these two insulations means you get the perfect do-it-all jacket for mountainous adventures in changeable conditions.
Fabrics: Much like the insulation, there are also two different fabrics used in this jacket to balance weather resistance and breathability. In the core and over the arms the jacket uses a 30 Denier Gore-Tex Infinium membrane. This membrane provides excellent weather resistance and durability, whilst helping protect all that warm down insulation. Technically this membrane isn't 100% waterproof, but in practice we've found that only prolonged torrential rain will eventually seep through. Across the back and under the arms is a 30 Denier Pertex Quantum Air nylon which provides exceptional levels of breathability, which is really important when you’re moving fast in the mountains. Inside, there's Montane's own PEAQ fabric which provides a soft surface for your skin to sit against and slides easily over additional layers.
What are their features?
Starting from the top the jacket has a fully insulated, adjustable, helmet compatible hood with a stiffened peak that can be rolled away when you don’t need it. The 2-way full length YKK front zip can be used over the top of a harness and features an internal storm flap to help keep heat inside the jacket. Storage-wise you get two hand pockets with YKK zips that are big enough to stash your phone and some jelly babies and an internal chest pocket where you can stash your car keys or compass. To seal out the cold you get pre-elasticated cuffs and an adjustable hem drawcord.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
The Infinity is designed to be your outer layer in extremely cold and damp conditions. Thanks to the Gore Infinium membrane, Hydrophobic Down and protective outer fabric, you're unlikely to ever need to wear a shell jacket over the top.
- Warm
- Protective
- Breathable
- 30 Denier Gore-Tex Infinium nylon in the core body and over arms
- 30 Denier Pertex Quantum Air nylon across the back and under the arms
- 120g/m2 Polartec Alpha hi-loft insulation across the back, under the arms and in the hood
- 90g (M) of 90/10 water resistant fluorocarbon-free HyperDRY goose down at 800+ fill
- PEAQ Down lining
- Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and Track my Down
- Micro chamber construction in the core body
- Fully adjustable roll-away insulated climbing helmet compatible hood with stiffened peak
- Full-length two-way YKK VISLON front zip with internal storm flap
- Two zipped hand pockets
- Concealed zipped chest pocket
- Pre-elasticated cuffs
- Adjustable hem with cinchable drawcord