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What is the Optical Down Jacket?
It's a fully waterproof and warm down jacket, that offers uncompromised warmth and protection for everything from snowy mountain missions to everyday use in winter. Highly versatile and protective, it combines 700FP recycled down, TXdown® technology and Pertex® Shield to protect you on cold, wet and windy days.
What is it made from?
Insulation: For warmth, the Optical Down Jacket uses a combination of 110g of 700FP hydrophobic recycled down and TXdown® Gold down-infused sheet insulation in the hood and sleeves. This combination of down and synthetic insulation delivers a balance of warmth, packability and mobility.
The 700 fill power Recycled Down is made from a mix of different types of reclaimed down within the jacket, creating a unique, much more responsible type of insulation.
If you're a little unsure about what down actually is, it is made up of clusters of tiny feather strands that trap heat. As the down lofts (fluffs up) it can trap more warmth than if it were to be compacted into a small space. Most down insulation comes from ducks and geese, and Rab's recycled down uses a mixture of both.
The down is treated with a fluorocarbon-free hydrophobic finish, which adds light water resistance to the insulation.
TXdown® Gold down-infused sheet insulation combines synthetic insulation with gold-infused down clusters woven through the material. This technology delivers an optimal balance of volume and warmth for low-bulk mobility. It also ensures that the down cannot migrate and stays in place, eliminating cold spots.
Can't quite catch the lingo? Here's a quick break down.
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. For a more detailed explanation, you can check out our YouTube video on fill power by clicking here.
Hydrophobic - Hydrophobic down dries out and lofts quicker, resisting moisture from sweat that may build up as you warm up inside the jacket. Fluorocarbon-free Hydrophobic finishes, such as Granger's Down Defend, don't use harmful chemicals that cause damage to the environment - a bonus for more eco-conscious adventurers.
Outer: The jacket's outer uses a 40D 2-layer Pertex® Shield construction for breathable waterproof protection to shield the down in wet weather. This 2-layer material is constructed from a robust 40D face fabric made from recycled polyamide and a thin, waterproof, windproof and breathable Pertex® membrane. The face fabric is finished with a PFC-Free DWR (durable water repellent) coating to encourage rain to bead off the jacket instead of soaking in, without the use of harmful forever chemicals.
Pertex® Shield delivers a hydrostatic head rating of 20,000mm and a breathability MVTR score of 20,000 g/m2/24hrs, meaning it offers excellent waterproof protection and breathability for long days in the mountains.
Lining: The jacket's lining is constructed from 20D Pertex® Quantum. It's made from recycled polyamide and uses tightly woven fibres for excellent wind resistance and durability, whilst still being lightweight and soft. It's designed to perfectly balance wind resistance and breathability, providing the ultimate performance for intense mountain missions. The Pertex® Quantum lining is effective at trapping still air, helping to warm the insulation and maintain its efficiency whilst creating a light, protective barrier from the elements.
What are its features?
Starting from the top, you'll find a helmet-compatible hood with a stiffened peak to shield you from the elements. The hood is fully insulated and adjustable, allowing it to be cinched in around the face to keep you warm and dry without obstructing your field of vision.
The jacket features a two-way YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® centre front with an internal storm guard. It provides versatile ventilation options, flexibility around the hips when required and compatibility with a climbing harness. The zip features a soft fleece-lined chin guard to prevent any discomfort around the face when fully closed.
The sleeves are articulated for a more natural shape whilst offering improved freedom of movement and better arm lift for various mountain pursuits. The cuffs are shaped and extended for added coverage across the hands and have a simple hook and loop adjustment system, allowing you to optimise the fit whilst wearing gloves or mitts.
For storage, you'll find three external pockets, one chest pocket and two hand pockets with wide openings for easy access to your essentials on the go. Each pocket has a YKK® Aquaguard zip, which is also waterproof to ensure none of your valuables get wet throughout the day.
An internal zip-off powder skirt provides added mountain versatility, making the jacket ideal for skiing and snowboarding. The snow skirt is made from Rab's soft and stretchy Matrix™ fabric for all-day comfort and features dual snap fasteners to keep it securely in place while you enjoy the slopes.
Finally, the jacket features Rab's regular fit to offer a little extra room to maximise freedom of movement and space for your own technical layering system underneath without feeling restricted.
Features
- 2-way adjustable ski helmet compatible hood with concealed internal cord locks and single-handed adjustment
- 2-way YKK® VISLON® AquaGuard® front zip with internal storm guard
- 2 YKK® zipped hand pockets , 1 YKK® zipped internal chest pocket
- Matrix™ stretch fabric zip-off powder skirt with dual snap fasteners
- Sleeve articulation for improved fit and movement
- TXdown® Gold on sleeves and hood for improved mobility and packability
- Fit: Regular