Sitting alongside our collection of PHD synthetic filled Belay Jackets, we've designed the Epsilon Belay Vest with the aim of reducing weight (it is 26% lighter than the Epsilon Belay Jacket) by focusing maintaining core body temperature. As with the jackets, this vest shows its true worth in unfriendly, wild and damp conditions: think typical Scottish.

Cut wide enough to fit over the top of outer layers but with a trim, efficient fit, this Belay Vest is designed for tough days on classic mixed routes, technical steep water-ice, and wild big mountain faces: in fact, conditions that can typically be found right across the Scottish, Scandinavian and Alpine ranges.

The Epsilon Belay Vest has been designed to work for you while climbing and at the belay stance. It can be shared between a pair of climbers, swapping back and forth as you alternate belays … or kept just for you and worn all day long. The fit, water-proof fabric with taped shoulder seams, grown-on hood, full-length water-resistant zip, extra body length, and pocket locations are designed specifically for winter climbing adventures.

In our experience, Primaloft Gold® absorbs water much more slowly than other waddings, a marked advantage in wet-cold conditions. If you can retain warm air in the insulation rather than replacing it with cold water, the garment will stay much warmer.

Please note: this vest is designed and sized to be worn over the top of outer layers. It provides additional warmth on cold belays and, can be swapped between climbers at pitch changeovers. If you want a trimmer more athletic fit select the next size down.

Outdoor photos: Paul Horsman.