HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT JACKET FOR WINTER?

The basic purpose of outdoor clothing is to keep the body as comfortable as possible, which means adequately warm and dry.
For different external conditions (temperature, wind strength, humidity) and different activities (type and intensity of movement), we at Sir Joseph® produce several product lines so that we have the right piece of clothing for every weather.

Specializing in gear for winter activities, our collection is based on goose down, which has the best “warmth” to weight/packability ratio of any insulation material.

Expedition down jacket Sir Joseph 8000 II for polar and high mountain expeditions down to -40°C weighs 1120 g. With a different insulating material, it would weigh over 2 kg to maintain the same warmth (insulating ability).
The KOTEKA down jacket down to -15°C weighs only 380 g

Since 2017, we have also been producing a collection with alpine sheep wool, which in cold temperatures is excellent for more active movement, during which we would already overheat in feathers.

All Sir Joseph outer materials have either a membrane or a DWR treatment to protect against water and moisture. Two models from our down jackets are even waterproof – they have a membrane with a water column of 20,000 mm, taped seams and waterproof zippers. We also plan to resume the production of non-insulated waterproof (hardshell) jackets and light windbreakers.

How to choose the right one from a wide range of down and woolen jackets?

1) We primarily choose a jacket based on “how harsh an environment we need the jacket for”.

The TREKKING series is perfect for normal cold or winter conditions. The down and woolen jackets of the TREKKING series always have a DWR treatment of the upper material (approx. 360 mm H 2 O), which means that they can withstand light rain and even normal snowfall in winter. All our external materials are wind-resistant even at a wind speed of approx. 70 km/h.

  • Jackets and vests LADAK / SAFIR, OPAL LADY PARKA, children’s BUNI, wool LOTUS, HERON, KIONA

If we want to be sure of warmth and dryness even in harsh mountain conditions, we choose the ALPINE range. Down jackets and down pants of the ALPINE series have EXEL DRY STREAM outer membrane material (water column 20,000 mm H 2 O and breathability 20,000 g/m2/24), so they provide 100% protection against wind and humidity. The two SAREK and TRIVOR models are then fully waterproof – they have a membrane, taped seams and waterproof zippers .

  • SPIRE, TERAG, MESONA, TRIVOR and SAREK jackets, KJERAG down pants

For high-altitude or polar expeditions, we have our highest range HIMALAYA . The clothes of this series can retain the maximum possible warmth even in severe frosts and protect even during ascents and bivouacs above 6000 masl.

  • 8000 II and 8000 II LONG jackets, WIND FACE II overall, RAK down pants

For events where you really need minimal weight and maximum packability of equipment, we recommend the LIGHT series and the ultralight MINIMIS series. You will appreciate these products during multi-day crossings or bikepacking crossings, on expeditions and multi-day races where you carry everything or drive yourself.

  • KOTEKA, ATOL and ATOL HOODED, MINIMIS 250 and MINIMIS 280 HOODED jackets

2) You can choose jackets for different temperatures in each of these product lines

For each piece of clothing, we have a so-called temperature determination . This temperature determination of down jackets, woolen jackets and insulated trousers applies to normal layering (first layer of underwear and second layer such as a sweatshirt, light fleece, sweater) and applies to an activity such as walking on a flat surface without weight. For example, light ATOL jackets are designed down to -5°C. If your physical activity will be higher (fast walking, walking up a hill, walking with a load/backpack), you can handle (much) lower temperatures in the given clothing, depending on the level of physical activity.

So you can easily choose a jacket according to the temperature designation on the Sir Joseph website and according to the temperatures you need it for.

When choosing clothes according to the temperature, do not forget the so-called Wind-chill effect (cooling by wind). If the weather forecast says “only” -5°C, then with a light wind of 12 km/h the temperature will be around -10°C. At a temperature of -10°C and a strong wind of 45 km/h, the felt temperature is already around -21°C.

Is wool insulation better than down? When to buy a down jacket and when to buy a jacket with wool insulation?

Goose feathers are the best insulator. Down clothing (and sleeping bags) are therefore suitable for colder and frosty conditions for quick warming up and for keeping warm even with little active movement.

Sheep’s wool is not as strong an insulator as feathers (it has a worse ratio of insulating ability compared to its weight and packability), but it is excellent for active movement in cold and winter conditions, especially during activities where we would already overheat in feathers. Sheep wool insulation is better able to deal with moisture and thus ensures optimal thermal comfort during active movement in winter. So you don’t have to keep changing your woolen jacket when changing the intensity of your exercise or when you rest, and you can wear it all day long, during exercise and when you rest.

More about the properties of wool insulation here: Sir Joseph ALPIN WOOL PROGRAM

What feathers are in Sir Joseph’s clothes?

At Sir Joseph, we use the highest quality Central European goose down, which is cleaner than duck down and has a longer lifespan (i.e. longer retention of its insulating properties).
We use 650 cuin EU fill/loft (90/10 ratio) goose down for most down jackets and down pants, and 800 cuin EU (95/5 ratio) goose down for the ultralight KOTEKA and MINIMIS jackets.

A quick overview of Sir Joseph jackets and their purpose – sorted by recommended temperature purpose

Wool models LOTUS HOODED, HERON HOODED, KIONA LADY PARKA temperature determination: +15 to – 5°C

  • Light and thin insulation jackets with sheep wool for year-round use. The temperature range is very wide, it is suitable for cold summer evenings in the mountains, for a winter walk around 0°C, in the ski alps you can be warm in it even in minus ten. The thinner profile of the insulation (and the entire jacket) makes it suitable for layering under and over other layers.
  • The LOTUS models have a sporty cut, the HERON models have a wider cut, the women’s KIONA LADY PARKA is an extended LOTUS LADY jacket by 15 cm.

Down jackets ATOL and ATOL HOODED temperature determination: – 5°C

  • ATOL models are an excellent choice for year-round use. For milder Central European winters, an ATOL can be enough for the whole winter, and for summer trips to the mountains, it is a great back-up jacket with a light weight and good packability.
  • ATOL Down Vests are also a lightweight and packable insulation layer for year-round use.

Down jackets MINIMIS 250 and MINIMIS 280 HOODED temperature determination: – 5°C

  • They are just as warm as the ATOL models, but with 800 cuin down and lighter material, they are lighter and more packable. It is therefore suitable for events where you appreciate the lowest weight. They really only take up a minimum of space in a backpack or bike bag.

SAREK down jackets – membrane, waterproof, temperature determination: – 5°C

  • Thanks to the membrane, taped seams and waterproof zips, it is a waterproof, lightweight winter jacket for all weather conditions. The most versatile Sir Joseph model.

TRIVOR down jackets – membrane, waterproof, temperature rating: – 10°C

  • The successor to the proven SHIPROCK MAN and LADY jackets, newly improved with waterproof zippers.
  • Thanks to the membrane and taped seams, it is a light technical winter jacket for all weather conditions. Warmer and slightly wider than the other SAREK waterproof model.

Down jackets LADAK (MAN), SAFIR (LADY) and OPAL LADY PARKA temperature specification: – 15°C

  • Universal medium-warm down jackets for adverse conditions during winter sports in the mountains, as well as for everyday wear in the city. The golden middle between light and warm Sir Joseph downs.
  • Women’s OPAL LADY PARKA is an extended jacket SAFIR LADY by 10 cm.
  • Warm vests LADAK and SAFIR are ideal for quick warming up while saving a lot of weight and space

KOTEKA down jackets temperature determination: – 15°C

  • They are just as warm as the LADAK and SAFIR models, but with 800 cuin down, lighter material and a narrower cut, they are lighter and more packable. Ideal as a super light but very warm insulating layer for events in freezing conditions.

Down jackets TERAG (Man) and MESONA (LADY) – membrane, temperature determination: – 20°C

  • Very warm down jackets with membrane outer material for high protection against cold, wind, snow and ice. For freezing expeditions, ice climbing or mixed ascents anywhere in the world.

SPIRE down jackets – membrane, temperature determination: – 30°C

  • The warmest model of the Alpine series – a reliable down jacket with uncompromising H chamber construction specially designed for polar expeditions and demanding ascents in the winter Alps and Himalayas.

Down jackets Sir Joseph 8000 II – membrane, temperature designation: – 40°C

  • The warmest jacket for the harshest conditions. Annapurna, K2, Mount Everest, South Pole.

The TERAG, MESONA, SPIRE and 8000 II jackets have an outer membrane material, but the membrane is stitched between the chambers (they are classic stitched down jackets), so these jackets are not waterproof (they would have to have all the seams taped). These jackets therefore reliably protect against snow, frost, etc., but they are not intended for rain (moisture can seep through the seams during prolonged rain).
They are jackets intended for -20 °C and greater frosts, so they are too warm for rainy weather.