We find this suitable for
What is the Lightline Down Jacket?
The Lightline Down Jacket from Mountain Equipment is designed to meet the demands of modern mountaineers and outdoor enthusiasts of all levels who require a reliable, warm, and durable insulated jacket. It offers a superb warmth-to-weight ratio and uses some of the best natural down in a stitch-through, mid-baffle construction.
Alongside its highly insulative properties, the Lightline is windproof and highly water resistant, so it works best as a standalone jacket in freezing and damp conditions… perfect for UK winters!
What is it made of?
The outer is constructed with Mountain Equipment's own Drilite® Loft fabric. Drilite® Loft is a tough, windproof nylon fabric that provides ample breathability and longevity for adventures in various terrains.
A PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating helps water bead up and run off the material instead of soaking in, protecting the down from getting wet and maintaining its loft and warmth. However, this fabric is not 100% waterproof despite being weather-resistant and windproof. So, when wet weather is predicted, we'd advise taking a waterproof jacket to layer over the top.
PFAS means per- or poly-fluorinated alkyl; these are a group of industrial chemicals that cause detrimental harm to the environment. These chemicals aren't able to break down, so once they reach nature via factory water waste, they stay in the ecosystem and contaminate living organisms, working their way up the food chain. PFAS and PFC's are suspected carcinogens and have been known to affect mammal reproduction and hormone production. Therefore, many leading brands in the outdoor industry are now prioritising cutting out the use of these chemicals entirely to contribute to a more responsible manufacturing process.
The lining comprises recycled polyamide for breathability and next-to-skin comfort, should you wear a t-shirt underneath.
296g of Duck Down, with a minimum content of 90/10 700 fill power, fills the jacket to keep you toasty all winter. The down is also RDS-certified, and M.E Down Codex approved.
Can't quite catch the lingo? Here's a quick breakdown:
Duck Down - Duck Down is fantastic quality down; it has smaller clusters than Goose Down, slightly reducing the warmth-to-weight ratio. This may sound negative, but fear not! It will provide a better balance of warmth for active hill days and urban exploration, ensuring you don't start overheating and have to faff about changing your layering system. It also helps maintain a more affordable price point, keeping the Lightline accessible for all budgets.
700 Fill power - Fill power measures the warmth and efficiency of the down, alongside its ability to loft/fluff up. A rating of 700 fill power means that 1oz of this down fills 700 cubic inches of space when fully lofted.
R.D.S - The Responsible Down Standard ensures that the down is sourced from happy birds who haven't been plucked and have been well cared for.
M.E Down Codex - What makes Mountain Equipment's down so special is their Down Codex programme. Most companies are now taking steps to ensure their down comes from ethical sources, but Mountain Equipment is taking the whole process to another level. The waterfowl (geese and ducks) are all by-products of the food and meat industry. Every supplier wishing to work with Mountain Equipment must accept the terms of their Down Codex and allow a full audit of all parts of the supply chain, which means everything from farm to factory. On top of that, you can even trace your down on their website right back to the source, using a unique 12-digit code printed on the label inside every Mountain Equipment down product. Mountain Equipment is so proud of how ethical their down is that they've sewn a label to the inside telling you all about it, and there's even a leaflet in the pocket with the whole story.
All the lovely, ethical down is kept in place in stitch-through baffles to keep it close to your body to maximise performance.
The use of technical fabrics and high-quality insulation keeps this jacket's overall weight at around 740g (for a size L).
What are the main features?
The Lightline features a zip-off Mountain hood that is fully insulated and fully adjustable. This allows you to achieve a precise fit every time, whether you're wearing a cap, a beanie, or nothing at all.
The main zip is a reliable two-way YKK® moulded version to reduce ice build-up; an internal baffle behind the zip keeps drafts and cold spots at bay.
Storage-wise, you get two YKK® moulded zipped hand pockets and an internal security pocket to keep valuables safe and warm.
Adjustable cuffs and dual-tether hem drawcords allow you to cinch in any dead space and prevent warm air from escaping.
Designed primarily as an outer insulating jacket, the Lightline has a regular fit that allows layering underneath. Because of its excellent pack size, it also works superbly as an over-layering jacket to keep in your pack. Simply whip it out when you need to chuck it over all your layers to provide warmth on those exposed belays or when stopping for lunch on winter outings.
Features:
- DRILITE® LOFT 40D outer fabric is totally windproof and highly weather resistant, with PFAS-free DWR
- 296g (size L) of Duck Down with a minimum content of 90/10 700 fill power
- Stitched-through quilted construction
- Zip-off Mountain Insulated hood is fully adjustable
- Two-way YKK® moulded centre front zip with rear insulated baffle
- Two zipped hand warmer pockets behind insulated flaps
- Internal zipped security pocket
- Adjustable cuffs and dual tether hem drawcords