Synthetic Insulation

Featured Review

The North Face Casaval Hoodie

This lightly insulated hoody is sold as a mountaineering jacket - and it's great for that, says Rob Greenwood; but it's a lot more besides. In the last few months he's barely taken it off...

3 28 Mar

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Latest Reviews

These are reviews from the UKC editorial team

Head To Head Heavyweight Belay Jackets from Mountain Equipment and BD

Stand around in cold conditions and you'll soon conclude that most synthetic insulated jackets are not really that warm. For max winter comfort you need to go large. Here two of the world's beefiest synthetic jackets - Black Diamond's ...

15 23 Mar

Mountain Equipment Shelterstone Jacket

Warm for a midweight synthetic insulated jacket, and boasting a full complement of climber-friendly features, the Shelterstone offers superb value to winter climbers and hillwalkers alike, says Martin McKenna.

2 28 Feb

Sprayway Grendel Jacket

This midweight synthetic insulated jacket is ideal for keeping warm on the move. Its Gore-Tex Infinium fabric offers excellent breathability, windproofing and a measure of rain resistance, while the hood and features are well-thought-out. It's not a budget buy, says...

12 3 Jan

Montane Fireball Lite Hooded Jacket

Light, breathable and extremely versatile, this hybrid synthetic insulated jacket is easy to love and hard to fault, finds...

4 11 Oct, 2022

Rab's Xenair range - a jacket for all seasons?

Synthetic insulated jackets genuinely breathable enough to wear on the move are rare, but thanks to the...

29 Mar, 2022

Rab's New Generator Alpine Jacket

Whether you're a walker on a snowy summit, or a climber resigned to a frigid belay, reliable and packable synthetic...

9 21 Jan, 2022

Berghaus Affine Jacket

It's not a technical model for more demanding mountain days - and it's not marketed as such - but the Affine is a decent midweight...

10 Dec, 2021

Latest News

These are announcements direct from manufacturers

The North Face Summit Series™ Casaval Midlayer Hoodie

The North Face Summit Series™ Casaval Midlayer Hoodie is an essential layer you can dial up or down depending on the temperature and conditions.

2 9 Mar

Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody

Atom LT Hoody - An icon evolves. Steeped in the alpine, this versatile hoody has warmed climbers, hikers, backcountry skiers and downtown commuters for over a decade.

5 19 Oct, 2020

Arc'teryx Nuclei FL Jacket

Back by popular demand after a three-year hiatus, the Nuclei FL Jacket returns to provide warmth. Made with best in class materials to deliver the greatest possible warmth-to-weight ratio that synthetic insulation has to offer.

25 Feb, 2020