What is the Rupal Jacket?The Rupal Jacket is a year-round hardshell that has been sculpted out of the universally trusted Gore-Tex fabric. Whether you're walking, hiking or tackling some more technical mountaineering, the Rupal is built to do it all and more.
What is it made of?The Rupal is constructed using a 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric. This fabric consists of a soft, comfortable polyester which sits against your skin, a fully waterproof and windproof membrane to keep out the elements and finally a tough 75D polyester outer to act as a suit of armour. This outer fabric also features a durable water repellent coating for added protection and increased breathability.
What are the Rupal's features?The Rupal has been fitted with Mountain Equipment’s “Mountain HC hood”. This hood fits the head well and has been given a little bit of added volume so it can accommodate a helmet, adding to the overall versatility of this jacket. If you find yourself getting hot under the collar, or in this case the pits, opening the pit zips up reduces the need to de-layer, thus helping to maintain your momentum. The main zip is two-way, meaning you can slip the jacket over a climbing harness or ventilate further. Storage is taken care of by two large front pockets with water-resistant zips and an inner security pocket. Dual-tether hem drawcords cinch the jacket down to seal out the elements and can't get caught on an axe like a traditional loop.
How does it fit?The Rupal features an Alpine fit. This has enough room to accommodate a baselayer and a low profile mid-layer, yet is designed to reduce the amount of dead space between layers and eliminate excess material resulting in a warmer, lighter-weight jacket.
- 3 layer Gore-Tex 75D fabric used throughout
- Waterproof, windproof and breathable
- Mountain HC Hood is fully adjustable
- Alpine fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves
- 2 large pockets with YKK WR zips
- 1 inner security pocket
- 2-way YKK moulded Aquaguard centre front zip
- 2-way YKK WR underarm pit zips
- Adjustable cuffs and dual-tether hem drawcords
Care and maintenance
To keep your outdoor clothing and equipment in tip top condition and performing to its maximum we recommend the use of Nikwax products. We have been using Nikwax products since day one (26th March 1986) and have found them to be totally reliable, dependable and effective. Today’s Nikwax treatments contain environmentally friendly elastic water-repellent polymers that bond to fabric fibres, leaving the spaces between open and breathable. These stretchy polymers are able to stretch and move with the fabric so they stay put for longer and work better.
Nikwax treatments will not change the look or feel of the fabric and they are all water based, environmentally safe, non-flammable and contain no nasty Fluorocarbons. Nikwax products can be used to clean, re-proof and revitalise all your outdoor technical clothing and equipment.
Waterproof breathable clothing has a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish applied to the face fabric during the manufacturing process. The DWR forces water to bead up and roll off the surface therefore preventing the fabric from absorbing moisture. If the outside of your jacket is soaked in a layer of cold water, the warm damp air within can’t escape and will condense on the inside. This makes the jacket feel cold clammy and can make you think that it’s leaking. The DWR finish is not permanent and needs to be maintained and revitalised to optimise performance.
This three layer waterproof jacket should be cleaned regularly with Nikwax Tech Wash; I wash my jacket about once a month, or more often if it gets really filthy. Regular washing with Tech Wash will maintain the DWR for longer and remove salts and oils that can contaminate the fabric, and it will keep your lovely jacket clean and smelling fresh. Washing can be done in a machine according to the manufacturers care guidelines (on the internal label). First clean out any detergent and conditioner residue from the machine dispenser and then add the required amount of Tech Wash and away you go. Hand washing is also suitable but be sure to rinse the garment well.
When you notice that rain/water is no longer beading up and rolling off it’s time to re-proof. Nikwax TX Direct will re-instate a long lasting DWR to completely rejuvenate your jacket. Re-proofing can also be done in the machine once a garment has been washed. Just add the TX-Direct and use the same programme you used for washing. You can also use the spray-on product on a damp garment that has just been washed.
You wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never have it serviced, so make sure you regularly wash and re-proof your quality kit.