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What is the Superflux Jacket?
The Superflux is a synthetically insulated jacket designed for almost any cold-weather outdoor activity, from ski touring and mountaineering to dog walking and trekking. For UK conditions, there aren't many better options out there.
What is it made of?
Insulation: It's insulated with 3M's Polarloft synthetic insulation. This Bluesign-approved material is incredibly warm, packable and resistant to rain, meaning it'll still keep you warm if you happen to get caught out. For our typically unpredictable UK conditions, this insulation works brilliantly and means it's a true 'fit and forget' type jacket.
Fabrics: Surrounding this insulation is M.E's own Drilite Loft 40D outer. This fabric is totally windproof and highly water-resistant, protecting the insulation inside and keeping you a little drier during your adventures. Please note, the jacket is not waterproof. The whole thing is full of stitching, so water will eventually pass through!
What are its features?
It features an insulated hood with plenty of adjustment to offer additional warmth in sub-zero conditions, a two-way front zip to allow you to pop it over a climbing harness or simply answer the call of nature, two zipped hand pockets for your various bits and pieces, an internal pocket that's perfect for a phone or your keys, elasticated cuffs and dual-tether hem drawcords to seal in the warmth around your waist. Finally, the jacket packs away into its own hand pocket when not in use.
How does it fit?
It features M.E's 'mountain fit' — this is a little looser than their 'alpine fit' and allows some extra space for layers. It's also just a little more comfortable for those who aren't quite as slim as an alpine climber!
Where does it fit in the layering system?
It can either be used as an outer layer in reasonably dry, cold conditions, or as a super-warm midlayer if the weather is truly horrendous.- Drilite Loft outer
- Water and wind resistant
- Polarloft insulation
- Mountain fit
- Insulated, adjustable hood
- Two-way front zip
- Two zipped hand pockets
- One internal pocket
- Elasticated cuffs
- Dual-tether hem drawcords
- Packs into its own hand pocket
How Should Your Insulated Jacket Fit?
Insulated jackets are pedantic little things. Too tight and you'll compress the insulation and limit the warmth capabilities of your brand new jacket, too loose and you'll spend hours warming up the dead space inside the jacket. Getting the correct fit isn't just about aesthetics, it will determine how warm you are.
The Incorrect Fit
Too loose: A jacket which is too loose will keep you relatively warm, however it will take far longer to do so and will waste large amounts of your precious energy. An insulated jacket works by trapping the natural heat that your body gives off in the fibres of the insulation; this creates a micro-climate inside your jacket, keeping you warm and toasty. If your jacket is too loose, heat will be able to escape through the hem, the sleeves and the neck of the jacket; it's a little like sticking the heating on in your car with the windows cracked open - it will heat up, just incredibly slowly.
Too tight: A jacket which is too tight is arguably worse than one that is too loose. If your jacket is far too tight, the baffles can compress to a point where the insulation can't loft effectively, limiting the amount of warmth it can trap. Essentially, it won't work!
The Correct Fit
It's a tricky one to explain, but it's somewhere in the middle. You've first got to consider how many layers you'll tend to wear underneath; will you have just a t-shirt then the jacket, or possibly a baselayer, midlayer and then the jacket? When you've figured out your layers and you've popped your insulated jacket over the top, you shouldn't have any dead space inside. The cuffs and hem should be comfortably sealed around your waist and wrists with room to move. You should be able to lift an arm up above your head without the hem of the jacket lifting more than an inch or so, and the sleeves should be long enough that when carrying out the same motion, they aren't mid-way up your forearm. Your shoulders and chest area should have enough room so that your hands can touch behind your back without feeling restricted.
Additional Information
Lastly, consider which activites you'll primarily be carrying out while wearing the jacket. Are you primarily using it as a winter climbing piece, or an everyday/dog walking jacket? You'll find that technical climbing jackets tend to feature a shorter cut, while urban and casual jackets feature a longer cut to offer additional warmth with less mobility.
To see examples of what a badly fitting and correctly fitting jacket looks like, click here.