Bundle up: find the perfect winter vest

Winter Vests

Warmly lined winter vests are perfect for layering and can be slipped on underneath a warm outer layer for example. Here are some tips when looking for the right one.

The versatility of winter vests

Winter vests are made of a very warm insulating fabric and their outer is generally windproof thanks to their dense weaves, making them perfect as both a midlayer or an outer layer. Whilst some thicker jackets can restrict your movement in the shoulders and arms, a lined winter vest is guaranteed to fit nicely underneath a hard or softshell jacket in unreliable, cold winter weather. If the temperature has not yet reached below zero, then a winter vest can act like a warming layer and protect you against the cold wind. When worn over a jumper or fleece, it even gives you room to move without weighing you down.
Another great feature is their small pack size, which makes them very easy to transport in your backpack. No matter if it gets cold on a cool summer evening at the hut or when belaying, having a winter vest provides immediate warmth.

Winter vests’ sizes and fit

A winter vest, like other functional clothes, should be snug to provide optimal insulation and breathability.
As for their fit, some have a longer back, which is especially great when cycling and some models are even especially tailored to women. In addition, when using a winter vest as an additional warming layer under a winter jacket in extremely cold weather, it should fit relatively snug. You should only choose a looser fit if you know you’ll only be wearing it as an outer layer.

Which fabric: down or synthetic?

Like any good winter jacket, winter vests either have down or synthetic insulation due to their great warmth-to-weight ratio.
While down offers great insulation, is lightweight and has a small pack size, synthetic insulation is more weather-resistant, making it better for sports and changing weather conditions (especially in the rain). Down is recommended for frosty temperatures and during activities with quick bursts of exertion and then short breaks (stop-and-go activities, such as climbing and belaying, skiing and ski lift riding.)

Winter vests’ features

Winter vests boast several practical features and details that make your time outdoors in colder weather a lot more pleasant and enjoyable. In addition to having softly lined hand-warmer pockets, some models also feature an adjustable collar for braving stormy weather. Some variations have thin, elastic inserts under the arms (higher breathability), while others feature a hood. The former is ideal as a midlayer and the latter as an outer layer.

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