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What is the Grade VII Down Parka?
It's a technical down jacket designed to endure the most extreme climates on earth. Whether heading on an expedition in subzero temperatures or climbing the iciest mountains known to man, the Grade VII Down Parka will allow you to thrive no matter how tough it gets.
What is it made of?
The outer fabric and lining are 10D Pertex® Quantum Pro, which comprises a 100% recycled nylon ripstop with a PFAS-free DWR (durable water repellent); the outer also has a PU-dry coating. This material is incredibly lightweight but strong enough to withstand abrasion and a beating in rugged environments.
The recycled nature of the material helps to lower its environmental impact, as does the elimination of PFAS chemicals from the DWR. The lining is also bluesign® approved, adding a little extra reassurance.
The jacket is insulated with 900-fill-power, RDS, and Control Union-certified down to provide optimal warmth for the least weight.
Can't quite catch the lingo? Here's a quick breakdown.
bluesign® approved - The bluesign® approval means it's manufactured in a way that is safe for the environment, workers and consumers. bluesign® certifications ensure that the materials used avoid harmful substances, use reduced air and water emissions, increase resource productivity, and the production line is more transparent and trustworthy.
900 Fill power - Fill power measures the warmth and efficiency of the down, alongside its ability to loft/fluff up. A rating of 900 fill power means that 1oz of this down fills 900 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.
PFAS-free—PFAS is a toxic chemical known to harm humans and the environment. It was previously commonly used in DWR treatments. However, many outdoor companies are now working to eliminate these chemicals from their production lines to contribute to a more responsible manufacturing process.
PU dry coating - The PU coating enhances the weather resistance of the outer materials to provide exceptional rain and wind protection. However, please note that this does not make the jacket fully waterproof.
This product is also made in a Fair Trade Factory™, giving Patagonia more control of the operations in the factories they choose to work with. Patagonia proudly offers more Fair Trade styles than any other apparel brand in the current market. But how does it work? Patagonia pays a premium for every item made in one of these factories, and this money goes directly to the factory workers. A democratically elected committee of Fair Trade workers will decide how this extra money gets spent in each Fair Trade factory. The program also promotes worker health and safety, and social and environmental compliance, while encouraging healthier dialogue between workers and management.
What are the features?
This down parka represents years of building, testing, and refining between Patagonia's designers and ambassadors. Now, it's worthy of some of the most intimidating and extreme adventures you can think of, delivering optimum warmth with a minimal amount of weight and exceptional packability.
The fully baffled construction with a differentially cut liner provides maximal down loft without cold spots, while an elasticated stitch on the lining side panels pulls the jacket into your body to trap the heat and eliminate drafts.
The hood is Alpine helmet-compatible and has a baffled hood with a single-pull drawcord and high-loft collar around the neck, providing a high level of coverage and protection for different activities. A two-way centre-front zip backed with kissing draft tubes also offers easy access while minimising heat loss when the zip is open. You can also zip the front from the bottom to create space for a climbing harness or to dump heat quickly when working hard without completely removing the jacket.
Two large, zipped chest pockets with zip garages and two large zipped front welt pockets provide easy access to essentials, such as a mobile phone, an extra pair of gloves, a GPS device, or energy gels. Every pocket features down insulation on both sides of the pocket bag, meaning they will retain warmth when left open; this is also ideal for quickly warming your hands if you don't want to commit to wearing gloves or mitts.
Two catch-all interior pockets on each side of the front torso provide extra storage for bulkier items you may want to keep protected from the elements, such as insulated gloves or water bottles. Each pocket has a drainer to drain snowmelt if the conditions are white. You also get an interior-right stash pocket with a keeper-loop for retaining the self-fabric stuffsack. This sack also provides an easy, accessible storage option for transporting this jacket or keeping it in your backpack until needed.
Elasticated stitching at the cuffs locks in heat and allows the sleeves to be pulled over gloves, chunky smartwatches, or pulled up onto the arms when you're having a breather and perhaps even making a brew.
Lastly, you get a cord a few inches above the jacket's hem, allowing you to cinch the jacket further towards the body to retain heat without feeling restrictive at the bottom, ensuring maximum freedom of movement for technical and demanding ascents.
Features:
- Light yet durable 100% recycled nylon shell fabric maximises wet-weather protection with a water-resistant endurance coating for improved weather protection that's made without intentionally added PFAS
- Patagonia's only parka with 900-fill-power down insulation for extreme cold conditions
- Fully baffled construction with a differentially cut liner provides maximal down loft without cold spots, and an elasticised stitch on the liner's side panels pulls the jacket into your body to trap heat and eliminate drafts
- Alpine helmet-compatible, baffled hood has a single-pull drawcord and a high-loft draft collar around the neck
- Two-way, centre-front Vislon® zipper is backed with kissing draft tubes
- Two large, zippered chest pockets with zipper garages and two large, zippered front welt pockets offer easy access
- All pockets have down insulation on both sides of the pocket bag to retain warmth when pockets are open
- Two catch-all interior pockets on each side of the front torso with stretch mesh for draining snowmelt
- Interior-right pocket also has a small stash pocket with a keeper-loop for retaining the self-fabric stuffsack
- Elasticised stitching at the cuffs locks in heat and allows the sleeves to be easily pulled down over gloves or pushed up at brew stops
- Hem-cord routes through the mini internal hem gasket and is located several inches above the jacket hem to cinch toward the body without draft spots
- Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory, which means the people who made this product earned a premium for their labour