Artificial Fibre

Man's attempts to imitate down with petroleum derived products have resulted in insulation that is cheaper than down, does not lose warmth (much) when wet, and is easy to dry out. It is however heavier and bulkier than down for the warmth given, and does not last as long.

Although down remains a top choice for insulated clothes due to its light weight and low bulk relative to the warmth achieved, artificial insulation is better in situations where clothing is likely to get damp, either from weather or from sweat.

At present, it's use is mainly confined to "Belay Jackets" (ie jackets that can be quickly pulled on over everything else while stationary on a belay) and as a lighter weight substitute for an extra warm mid layer fleece.

Belay Jackets:

Jackets designed to provide extra warmth on stances. Can also be used as general warm jackets for wandering around town in.

Patagonia - Men's Winter Sun Hoody

Sale!!

£125.00

The Winter Sun Hoody is simply the ultimate cold weather jacket for walkers and climbers, a belay jacket combining the best attributes of high-loft insulation and breathable windproof soft shell. A cracking bit of kit! Sale! now only £125.00!!

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Rab - Men's Photon Jacket

£119.99

An excellent warm hooded jacket for cold weather. Durable Pertex® Microlight 30D outer shell. Warm 133g Primaloft® Sport in body and 100g Primaloft Sport in sleeves. Light 60g Primaloft® Sport in the hood.

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Rab - Women's Photon Jacket

£119.99

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Montane - Men's Prism Jacket

£99.99

A lightweight midlayer piece of mountain clothing that doubles as outerwear round town or as a pull on for belays when winter climbing. Contains Primaloft® ECO 40g synthetic insulation with two layers of on the front, which gives a fill that is warm and lightweight enough to be worn on the move and working hard in cool conditions and which moves easily over itself.

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Montane - Women's Prism Jacket

£99.99

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Mid Layer:

Pull on tops, light jackets and vests that can either provide extra mid-lay warmth or light weight outer layers for moderately cold conditions.

NB Some of these products are very lightweight indeed. Using a rucksack with them, without a protecting outer layer, is not recommended.

Rab - Xenon Jacket

£149.99

Really lightweight top of the range hooded Primaloft jacket, ideal as an extrawarm midlayer or for pulling on on cold stances.

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Rab - Generator Jacket

£119.99

A perfect insulated layering jacket for backpacking, climbing and mountaineering in cold conditions. Also ideal for use at rest stops, belays and over-night camps. The whole jacket packs away into the chest pocket for easy storage in a rucksack.

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Rab - Generator Vest

£79.99

An insulated layering wistcoat for backpacking, climbing and mountaineering in very cold conditions. Also ideal for use at rest stops, belays and over-night camps as an extra pull-on layer.

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Patagonia - Men's Micro Puff Vest

Sale!!

£74.25

Amazing lightweight gilet - keeps your core warm without making your arms bulky! Excellent spare layer for cold days on the rock or for ice climbing, taking up minimal room in your rucksack but warming you up quickly when required. A great Needle Sports staff favourite! Sale! Was £99.00, now only £74.25!!

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Patagonia - Women's Nano Puff Vest

Sale!!

£54.99

Windproof, warm, lightweight and highly compressible, the Nano Puff® Vest can be worn as a warm layer in cold conditions or as a wind protection layer during high-output activities. Sale! RRP £110.00, now only £54.99!!

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