Kappa Vest

Our warmest synthetic-insulated mountaineering vest. Waterproof fabric and Primaloft Gold-fill to cope with really rough and wet conditions. Now also available in custom sizes.
Typical Operating Temperature
Guideline minimum temperature. Sleeping Bag TOT: you should get a night’s sleep, under normal circumstances. Clothing TOT: you should feel warm enough, assuming low/moderate activity. Sleep System TOT: relates to full system. For more details, see our Technical Briefing.
-10°C / 14°F
Weight
For clothing, weight is for size: M. For sleeping bags, weight changes with selected length/width. N.B. there may be some variation in the weights of finished products.
385g / 14oz
Price
£328.00
Kappa Vest
Kappa Vest
Kappa Vest
Kappa Vest
Kappa Vest
Kappa Vest
Kappa Vest
As used by the Braemar Mountain Rescue team
Kappa Vest

Last winter we bought and tested a couple of your Kappa Vests which received good reviews from those who tried them.
Equipment Manager for Braemar Mountain Rescue (purchased Kappa Vests for all team members).

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Size
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Features & Description
Technical info
Reviews

Features

  • Primaloft Gold® synthetic insulation
  • Outer Fabric: Waterproof Dri-LX (un-taped for lightness†)
  • Inner Fabric: Superlight MX
  • Pockets:
    • 1 chest pocket - zipped
    • 2 handwarmer pockets - zipped
    • 1 inside security pocket - zipped
  • Elasticated draw-cord adjuster at hem
  • Edge-stitched for maximum loft
  • Fleece lined collar
  • Reflecting tape on chest and zip tabs - for night location
  • Stuff sac - 17cm x 28cm*
  • Options:
    • Zip-on hood with cord adjustment and volume reducer tab (adds 100g).
    • Colours: white, red, green, black
    • XS, S, M, L, XL
    • Custom sizes

†Please note: although the outer fabric is waterproof, the stitch lines are un-taped for lightness. So, although the outer will shed rain and snow, in a heavy downpour water can penetrate the stitching. However, the Primaloft insulation retains much of its insulation if wet. As always in the mountains, if there is a possibility of prolonged rain, carry full specification waterproofs.

* Please note: we make our stuff sacs big enough to allow fairly easy stuffing rather than reducing the vest to the tightest minimum.

Description:

Also available in custom sizes. We make clothing to order, so if you’re not a standard size we can make it to fit. To order a non-standard custom size, select the Custom Sizing tab and choose the body width and body length sizes that work for you. A custom size takes us a little longer (typically two weeks longer) to make and, because it’s personalized, it’s non-returnable and our customer loyalty scheme can’t be applied.


Redesigned to have chest reflect tape for safety, more colour options, and be 30g lighter.

The Kappa Vest, our warmest synthetic vest, is based on our very successful Kappa Jacket. Excellent protection is provided by the Dri-LX waterproof outer and quick body warmth by the 133 gsm Primaloft Gold® synthetic insulation, which will retain much of its insulation when wet.

The Kappa's two zipped hand-warmer pockets make it a pleasure to wear round camp, while the two chest pockets (one out & one inside) provide plenty of space for camera and keys.

The option of adding a zip-on hood significantly adds to warmth and protection in wild weather.

As used by the Braemar mountain rescue team.

Dri-LX (weight: 64 gsm)

At just 64gsm, Dri-LX is our lightest 2-layer breathable waterproof rip-stop nylon fabric. Its remarkably low weight not only makes for a lighter load, but also reduces pack size. Its excellent waterproofing qualities are in part due to how it can be taped at the seams to create a waterproof shell for sleeping bags and clothing.

Superlight MX fabric (weight: 32 gsm)

A mini-ripstop nylon with excellent tear strength, MX is the pick of the superfine 15 denier downproof materials. We have tested lighter fabrics, but most have had significant drawbacks, while our confidence in MX is based on several years of extensive use in both our ultralight and our high mountain gear.


Primaloft Gold®

Primaloft Gold® is the ideal microfibre insulation. Ultrafine fibres produce an insulating core that is incredibly soft, lightweight and water resistant. In our experience it absorbs water much more slowly than other waddings, a marked advantage in wet-cold conditions.

The nearest of the synthetics to the feel of down, yet tougher than you would expect. Primaloft Gold® offers the best warmth/weight performance in the Primaloft range


"Last winter we bought and tested a couple of your Kappa Vests which received good reviews from those who tried them."
— Equipment Manager for Braemar Mountain Rescue (purchased Kappa Vests for all team members).

"This was something I wore almost all day, every day. I used it as my outer layer even down to -35C when moving (I'd pull on the Omega jacket when taking a break). The Kappa Vest worked perfectly"
— Mark Hines using the bag to complete the 1000-mile footrace of the Iditarod Trail Invitational

Works well with
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