Carinthia winter jacket

For over 60 years Carinthia, a trademark of the Gold Eck Textile Corporation, has devoted itself to insulation technology using both, natural as well as synthetic fibres for use in most extreme conditions. For the last 25 years, they have concentrated on the development of Technical Polyester Insulation for demanding conditions. Their aim? To achieve maximum efficiency with an optimal warmth to weight ratio for specialist end-users.

If you’re at all interested in performance clothing and gear, then you’ll probably be no stranger to the Carinthia brand; at shows I always make a point of stopping at their stand to check out their latest offerings and I’m rarely disappointed! And now, thanks to speq-se in Ireland, Carinthia products are a going to be a whole lot easier to get hold of in the UK.

The G-LOFT MIG (Medium Insulation Garment) 2.0 Jacket is the one I’ve been testing this year, a real flagship garment that offers really superb performance. The MIG features:

• Fixed, lined hood with elastic draw-cords, adjustable in two directions
• Two-way front zip
• Water-repellent outer zips
• Elastic cuffs
• Two spacious, lined, insulated front pockets and one inner pocket
• Two pockets on the upper sleeves with a Velcro fastener for insignia
• One pocket on the lower sleeve
• Armpit zips for ventilation
• Elastic draw-cord on the waistline
• Comes with compression bag
• Machine-washable

This jacket is a cracker; it’s multifunctional but not overly bulky (650g in size M). The outer shell fabric is the excellent Gore Windstopper, with the G-LOFT insulation inside, which maintains 85% of its warmth even when wet! It’s available in Olive, Sand, and Black and priced at £209.00 at the current rate of exchange.