I have been testing Mountain Equipment’s Earthrise insulated jacket. There are hooded and non-hooded versions, as well as a vest style. “Down Cycle” is part of the process of making the jacket.
Features include:
- 100% recycled Earthrise 30D outer fabric
- PFC-Free DWR (Durable water repellent)
- 101g (Size 12) of recycled down with a minimum content of 85/15 700 fill power
- 100% recycled 30D lining fabric
- Stitched-through narrow baffle construction
- Elastane edged hood and cuffs
- YKK front zip with insulated rear baffle
- 2 zipped hand warmer pockets
- Packs into a zipped pocket
- Adjustable dual tether hem drawcords
- Weight: Average 390g
- Price: £200 for hooded version; £180 for no hood; vest £130.
- See Mountain Equipment.
What is Down Cycle?
Down Cycle is part of Mountain Equipment’s commitment to do business in a more sustainable way. The Earthrise range is designed with Down Cycle.
Manufacturing and use of clothing and equipment is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, uses valuable natural resources, contributes to environmental pollution and degradation, and leads to waste.
Unlike some other technical outdoor products, down-filled products can, from a technical perspective, be recycled very successfully.
In fact, up to 95% of a down garment or sleeping bag can usually be recycled in one way or another.
The Down Cycle starts with recycled down that comes from post-consumer goods, such as unwanted clothing and bedding collected by waste recycling companies throughout Europe.
On test: Mountain Equipment Earthrise Hooded Jacket
To start with, I much prefer to have items that are more environmentally friendly. The best way to reduce the impact of clothing and manufacturing on climate change is to buy fewer items. Extending the use of items you already own, or buying second-hand, go a long way to reducing this impact.
But if you are going to buy, it’s good to know that a product is made more thoughtfully. The Earthrise range use 100% recycled down and 100% recycled fabrics.
The jacket itself is lovely. It is lightweight but really warm. I am rarely without an insulated jacket and in winter I do prefer a down fill.
I wear a down jacket for all sorts of activities, such as walking the dog, going to the shops (living in Scotland it is usually cold whatever you are doing in winter) and for staying warm before and after a run and also when I stop during a mountain hike.
I look for a jacket that is lightweight but still warm and also one that packs into a small space so that it doesn’t take up much room in a running or walking pack.
This is not the lightest insulated jacket I own but definitely not the heaviest. However, for the size and weight it provides excellent warmth. The way that the jacket as been sewn so as to create lots of down-filled pockets means it will maintain the down – and warmth – consistently across the jacket.
The jacket easily keeps out the wind and the DWR ensures that light rain rolls off the outer fabric. The jacket is not waterproof but water resistant.
The outer fabric is silky but durable looking and when you put your hands in the packets the fabric feels smooth but warming.
The hood is a great fit and stays up well to keep head and ears warm.
I tried for quite a while to get the jacket to stuff into the pocket but I couldn’t get the zip to do up. I am not sure whether this is me or a design fault but it felt just a tiny bit too over stuffed to get the zip closed.
The jacket also fits well. I am a UK10 and the size small is great. The colours are a little less exciting than I like. I prefer brighter colours rather than the green, grey and blacks on offer but it’s not a major issue.
The zip doesn’t catch on the rear baffle, which is a big plus-point. I would like to see a two-way front zip but I say this about so many jackets these days. I find a two-way zip really useful but maybe that is old fashioned.
I like that the Earthrise is sold as a non-hooded and a vest version, and also in male and female fit.
Conclusion: This is a well made jacket that offers great warmth for weight. The 100% recycled down and fabric makes it an even better buy. The price tag is £200 and that is expensive but I would hope the jacket is long lasting and durable. Hubby G and I have several Mountain Equipment items that have shown excellent longevity.