Designing the Argonaut Jacket

Designing the Argonaut and Atalanta Waterproof Jackets

By Alpkit

The Argonaut jacket shields you from torrential rain. Lightweight yet watertight, it’s an all-weather armor ready for the rigors of any epic journey.

'Entry-level' waterproof clothing is all-too-often overlooked. We’re not too sure why. Maybe it doesn’t seem techy enough, maybe it doesn’t seem flashy and fancy enough? Whatever the reason, we didn’t believe it.

Being suckers for a design challenge, we decided to take on all those preconceptions about the entry-level waterproof, and prove that good stuff doesn’t have to be super pricey.

For more on how the Argonaut performs, read our Spotlight on testing the Argonaut Jacket in the Lakes:

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was this. This waterproof took over 2 years to develop, demanded the highest levels of attention to detail and brought about a lot of tough decisions.

As with every product, we start by deciding what its purpose is, where does it belong in our range?

So, what were we aiming for? A premium product without a premium price tag. One we could wear for hill walking, riding, paddling, camping and scrambling up gritstone gulleys. In brief: durable full-weather protection for outdoor activists.

We took our technical waterproof jackets as a starting point and relaxed the fit so you can layer up in all seasons. Next, we selected our fabric: a 2.5 layer breathable waterproof fabric 100% recycled polyester with class leading stats: 10,000mm hydrostatic head for waterproof and 10,000mm MVTR for breathability.

We have also treated the shell to a environmentally friendly PFC-free water repellent.

A few finishing touches, such as storm guards to protect the zips, two venting zipped pockets, and a roll away hood, and it was time to test it out.

The result is a fabulous technical jacket that performs on the hill and gives serious protection outdoors in all but the most extreme conditions. We’re saying goodbye to those hot and sweaty blow outs that are so common with cheaper jackets, and throwing in packability and durability to boot.

Designing a low price, high quality waterproof was a tough challenge, but we know we’ve got it right when there is nothing we want to add and nothing we would want to take away. Argonaut is the exemplar of our design approach in action.

The Argonaut (mens) and Atalanta (women's) is the ideal staple jacket for day-in, day-out use. Ideal for multi-activity performance when you need something durable to keep you well-protected, it’s the jacket we choose for most circumstances, when something more specialist is overkill.

When to wear this jacket
  • Technical jacket for the considered outdoor enthusiast

  • All-weather, multi-activity performance in the UK

  • Low-maintenance durability that you don't have to be precious about

When to call in the specialists
  • Call on the Gravitas for fast and light activities where minimalism is paramount

  • Look to the Definition for high mountain winter activities

  • Don the Balance or a high-spec, high-performance all-round.

Give our 'Which Shell?' Spotlight a read for more on choosing your waterproof jacket.

Waterproof Jackets and Windproof Jackets

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Alpkit men's Argonaut waterproof jacket in Black - closed A man walking up a mountain, above clouds in the background and wearing a blue waterproof jacket and a backpack - action

Argonaut [Mens]

Durable, lightweight and packable waterproof jacket for all activities
£119.99 £129.99
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Alpkit women's Atalanta waterproof jacket in Cosmos purple - closed atalanta - action|am

Atalanta [Womens]

Durable, lightweight and packable performance shell for all activities
£119.99 £129.99

Sigma [Mens]

All-day comfort and wet weather protection from a 100% recycled 3-layer membrane
£179.99

Sigma [Womens]

All-day comfort and wet weather protection from a 3-layer membrane
£179.99

Gravitas [Mens]

Ultralight and breathable waterproof 3-layer protection when moving fast and light
£199.99

Gravitas [Womens]

Ultralight and breathable waterproof 3-layer protection when moving fast and light
£199.99

Fortitude [Mens]

Hillwalking waterproof cut for maximum protection and coverage
£219.99

Fortitude [Womens]

Hillwalking waterproof cut for maximum protection and coverage
£219.99
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alpkit mens balance waterproof jacket in mallard green aj

Balance [Mens]

Fully featured durable waterproof for all your outdoor activities
£229.99 £239.99
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alpkit womens balance waterproof jacket in lava orange jb

Balance [Womens]

Fully featured durable waterproof for all your outdoor activities
£229.99 £239.99

Definition [Mens]

Waterproof mountaineering jacket for high altitudes and Scottish winters
£299.99

Definition [Womens]

Waterproof mountaineering jacket for high altitudes and Scottish winters
£299.99

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