What is the Alpamayo Jacket?
The Alpamayo is a synthetically insulated jacket that's virtually unaffected by our typical wet, windy and unpredictable UK conditions. It's warm, water-resistant, windproof and absolutely loaded with useful features, making life in mountains as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.
What is it made of?
Insulation: The Alpamayo is insulated with PrimaLoft Gold Hi-Loft Ultra insulation with Cross Core Aerogel technology. That's a lot of info, so let's break it down into chunks. PrimaLoft Gold is one of the finest synthetic insulations available — it's warm, resists compression, is virtually unaffected by moisture and is super easy to care for. This latest 'hi-loft' version means it feels more like down and less 'flat' than previous models. Mountain Equipment use 120g in the body and sleeves, 80g in the hood and 60g in the shoulders, meaning you've got warmth where you need it and less where you don't.
Now, onto the 'Cross Core' part (get ready for some nerdiness). Cross Core, in simple terms, mixes the already proven and incredibly high performing PrimaLoft synthetic insulation with Aerogel. Originally developed and used by NASA in their aeronautical applications, Aerogel is made from 95% air and is the lightest solid material known to man. This incredible material boosts the warmth of the jacket substantially without adding more than a few grams of weight. All of this insulation is kept in place via a micro-baffle construction, minimising the weight and pack size whilst keeping warmth high.
Fabrics: Surrounding this insulation is a Gore-Tex Infinium membrane and 30D nylon shell. Infinium is completely windproof and highly water-resistant, protecting both you and the jacket from our temperate climate. Although Gore are adamant that Infinium is not waterproof, we'd like to stress that you'd have to try very, very hard to make it leak. The 30D outer protects this membrane and adds another barrier of weather resistance.
What are its features?
You've got a two-way front zip that will fit over a climbing harness, a helmet-compatible hood with plenty of adjustment for when you're not wearing a helmet, two zipped hand pockets, one chest pocket, one inner mesh water bottle pocket and one large zipped security pocket. Plenty of space for all your paraphernalia! A set of adjustable cuffs and dual-tether hem drawcords seal in warmth.
How does it fit?
It features M.E's 'mountain fit', meaning it's sized a little larger than their 'alpine fit' garments for additional layers in cold conditions. Ideal if you'd like to pop a fleece underneath for a bit more cosiness.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
It's designed as an outer layer to throw on over all your other layers.
- Gore-Tex Infinium membrane
- Windproof and water-resistant
- Two hand pockets
- One chest pocket
- Internal bottle pocket
- Internal security pocket
- Two-way main zip
- Helmet-compatible hood
- Adjustable cuffs
- Dual-tether hem drawcords