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What is the Citadel Jacket?
The Citadel Jacket is a synthetically filled beast of an insulated jacket. Designed for use in the worst, most challenging conditions, it is ideally suited to belaying when out in the elements. Combining the warmth of Primaloft Gold Hi-Loft Ultra insulation with the water resistance and windproofing of a Gore-Tex Infinium membrane, the Citadel will cope with pretty much anything mother nature can throw at you when out on a winter climb/belay.
What is the Citadel Jacket made of?
Fabrics: The Citadel now features a full-fledged Gore-Tex Infinium membrane to provide total windproof protection and a high level of water resistance. Even though Infinium isn't 'technically' waterproof, you'd have to try very, very hard to get wet in this jacket. Cleverly, Mountain Equipment have even used the same Infinium fabric on the inside of the hem, cuffs and hood, areas prone to moisture ingress. Protecting this membrane is a tough 30D outer with a durable water repellent coating, just to add a little extra water resistance and to prevent water from soaking into the outer.
Insulation: The insulation comes in the form of Primaloft Gold Hi-Loft Ultra synthetic insulation with Cross Core aerogel technology. Primaloft Gold is one of the finest synthetic insulations available, offering incredible warmth for its weight as well as a good pack size. It also performs consistently in wet conditions, making it a perfect belay layer. The Citadel has 160g in the body and sleeves and 80g in the hood and shoulders, providing huge levels of warmth. Mountain Equipment themselves claim it to be twice as warm as their legendary Fitzroy Jacket.
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.
What are its features?
The Citadel Jacket is feature-packed but manages to keep its styling minimal and considered, meaning there is less to get in the way when out in the mountains.
Starting from the top, the hood is both insulated and helmet-compatible, ideal for throwing on when belaying. The hood features an adjustable wired visor to help maintain vision and Chohaesive cordlock adjusters. These adjusters are just like little round buttons hidden within the fabric — simply squeeze and the elastic is released to either loosen or tighten the hood. This is far easier to use with chunky gloves, or when your hands are a little cold and numb. A 2-way YKK centre front zip with an insulated rear baffle to eliminate cold spots is front and centre on the Citadel, meaning it is fully harness compatible. Two zipped handwarmer pockets and 2 napoleon chest pockets take care of storage; plenty of space for spare gloves, hats and all-important snacks. Finally, you've got hem drawcords and adjustable cuffs to seal in the warmth.
The Citadel Jacket is constructed with the EXL system from Mountain Equipment. First introduced by Mountain Equipment in 1989 EXL technology was designed to provide extra warmth and extra loft; it was a simple but ground-breaking innovation to make sleeping bags and clothing as thermally efficient as possible. Elasticated stitching in the lining of a product adds no weight but minimises dead airspace around the body and pulls fabric away from the down allowing it to loft to full effect. EXL remains as relevant to improving insulation in high-performance sleeping bags today as it was nearly 30 years ago.
How does the Citadel Jacket fit?
The Citadel Jacket has been designed as a belay jacket, designed to be thrown over the top of all your other layers to keep the worst of the weather out and crucial warmth in. Because of this, it is a larger cut than some other insulated jackets, but the EXL system helps keep the Citadel close, eliminating dead space and keeping the jacket snug.
Where does it fit in the layering system?
The Citadel is your throw over everything piece, so it'll only ever be used as an outer layer.
- Gore-Tex Infinium fabrics
- PrimaLoft GOLD insulation with Cross Core
- Super Alpine HC insulated hood with wired visor
- Mountain fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves
- Shoulder Shield construction
- 2-way YKK moulded centre front zip with insulated rear baffle
- 2 zipped handwarmer pockets and 2 Napoleon chest pockets
- EXL system incorporated into hood and back of jacket
- Two internal mesh pockets
- DRILITE Loft 30D inner hem and hood lining
- Adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords