jacket

Floating on Cloud Ridge nine.

Posted on by Jake Kenny

New for us this season is The Patagonia Cloud Ridge Jacket. It comes in a few colours but I’ve gone for the yellow, which is the perfect tone of an old cornish Fisherman’s jacket.

I’m moving on from my Patagonia Torrentshell which has been a real staple and has treated me well over the years. But, finally, it was time to move on as it has been worn to death and definitely had its day, I will be sending it back to Patagonia for their recycling program.

The Cloud Ridge is a 3 layer waterproof that is breathable and packable. It has a 100% recycled face fabric with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish, and the inside layer is also made from a recycled polyester which is comfortable on the skin even in heat and high humidity.

It also has a few other simple features such as microfleece on the back of the neck and chin for comfort, and the hood clips back and out of the way.

The main zip and the pockets are both watertight and the pockets are mesh-lined, which help to vent body heat if you keep them open.

For wet or humid conditions this is a perfect jacket for any outdoor activities, and with a down sweater underneath it was perfect for me when i was hiking in the snowy storms of Sweden too!

I have loved my Torrentshell so much and it’s the perfect companion if you’re looking for a basic jacket for out and about in the city or some basic wandering and cycling. But for me, as I am starting to do a lot more hiking and climbing I feel that the Cloud ridge has the comfort and features that will make my life all that easier when I’m out and about, regardless of I want to do.

The hood is adjustable and alpine helmet compatible and the classic P-6 logo stitched on the chest.

 All zips on the jacket are watertight.

Hook and loop cuff closures.

Check out the Patagonia Cloud Ridge Jacket on our site here.

Best wishes from the wilds of Sweden

Over and out

Jake

Testing Out Rab’s Microlight Alpine Jacket

Posted on by Dee Dee

This season we were stoked to add Rab to our brand list at the Palace. Rab Carrington founded the brand in 1980s Sheffield – which is a place close to our hearts. My partner and Palace co-founder, Ian, was born in Sheffield, we both went to university there, and I’m a Yorkshire lass too.

Rab Carrington originally hailed from Glasgow, but his growing climbing passion eventually inspired a move to the relatively drier climes of Sheffield, where he joined in the healthy mountaineering scene based there at the time. He started off sewing sleeping bags in his attic, and then opened a factory in Sheffield.

rab-factory
Mark Wilson, one of Rab’s first employee’s cutting fabric in 1980s Sheffield.

The Microlight Alpine Jacket is one of Rab’s signature pieces, so naturally we had to have it in our collection.  It seemed fitting to take it up to Rab Carrington’s Scottish roots to test it out  – on a hillwalking trip to Corrour in the Highlands.

Rab Corrour
The Microlight is not only a great technical jacket, we think it looks pretty damn sweet too.

We were booked in the seats on the sleeper train (no comfy cabin this time), and the Microlight immediately came into its own – as a handy travel pillow! It packs into its own stuff sack  – which makes it the perfect shape on which to rest a weary head.

Once in Corrour, the Microlight formed an essential part of Ian’s Munro bagging kit. Setting off for the summits, it was wet but fairly mild, so he started out just wearing a shell and Rab Merino Baselayer. The Microlight stayed packed in its stuff sack, and took up barely any space in his daypack. However as we neared the peaks and were exposed to the biting Highland wind, out came the Microlight.  We like to hang out on the mountain tops – picnicking, taking photos and generally soaking up the mind-blowing views. The Microlight made the perfect insulating mid-layer, and he felt totally snug even when stationary for a while.

Corrour
Soaking up the mind-blowing views

Rab are famous for their quality down, it’s in their heritage – hence the feathers in their logo.  The Microlight is filled with Rab’s special Hydrophobic Goose Down. Hydrophobic down dries faster, absorbs less water and retain its ‘loft’ – the fluffiness which is what makes it warm and cosy!


Rab Carrington and the early Rab logo with iconic feather

The outer fabric is Pertex, which is both breathable and windproof – a feature Ian was certainly glad of on this trip. The Microlight is weather-resistant but not waterproof, so as it was pouring down on our mountain days, he wore it under his waterproof shell.

On the last day we did some lower ground exploring, and it was dryer with just a few light showers. It felt colder without the hilly exertion, and the Microlight over the Merino base layer was a winning combo. He didn’t wear a shell and the Microlight stood up to the occasional light rain. Even the hood is down-filled which really does make it feel like you’re under your duvet, whilst enjoying the great outdoors!

Rab Corrour
On the bridge behind Corrour Station – made famous in Trainspotting.

Rab Corrour

Rab Corrour

Rab Corrour Summit
Walking along the train tracks at Corrour Summit.

Whether you’re braving the wilds of Scotland or Shoreditch this winter, Rab’s Microlight Alpine Jacket is an essential piece of kit!

Ethics

Rab’s Hydrophobic Down is Fluorocarbon free and developed in conjunction with Nikwax. Fluorocarbons are often used to make garments water repellent but they are toxic to humans and the environment. Nikwax and Rab have developed a safe alternative.

All Rab’s down is ethically sourced and traceable under the European Down and Feather Association Code of Conduct, this stipulates that no down harvested in a way that inflicts pain upon animals may be used.