A complete re-design of our best-selling jacket, the Balance is the ideal waterproof for multi-adventurists. Alpine cut and highly breathable, designed for moving fast and working hard, it's a waterproof you’ll throw on and leave on – even once the rain’s blown through.
• Streamlined alpine cut for high intensity activities
• Multi-activity fit for climbing, scrambling, biking and hiking
• Breathable stretch fabric with hidden vents
The Balance uses a cutting-edge stretch fabric that moves with you, whether reaching for the brakes or the next hand-hold. This fabric allowed us to make the Balance a neater, more active fit for moving quickly in, with a drop hem and longer sleeves to ensure it never rides up.
The hood will fit a climbing helmet should it start bucketing down mid-scramble. But it’s also got a handy stow-away tie if you want it out the way when you’re out on a ride. Hidden ‘stealth vents’ under the arms allow you dump extra heat and moisture when you’re pushing hard and a snap closure on the collar allows you to vent the front zip with the hood up.
The tough nylon and spandex outer is designed for rough use, its in-built stretch reducing the likelihood of snags and tears. And for the backing fabric we’ve used a polyester knit that feels more comfortable against bare skin. This 3-layer material has a hydrostatic head of 20K and a moisture vapour transfer rate of 20K and is treated with a completely PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR).
Designers Notes:
"We wanted the Balance to be equally as comfortable on the bike as on the north face of Tryfan so the hood is something we spent a lot of time on. We’ve used a design that allows you to easily stow the hood away without taking the jacket off, but it’s also constructed so that the attachment can be easily repaired or removed completely if you decide you won’t use it." - Ronnie, Design Manager
Read lessKey Features
- Stretch fabric that moves with you for reaching the handlebars or your next hand-hold
- Streamlined alpine cut for high intensity, high movement activities and wearing over fewer layers
- Multi-activity fit with a drop hem and longer cuffs for climbing, scrambling and biking
- ‘Stealth vents’ under the arms for extra breathability and a collar snap to vent the front zip
- Helmet-compatible hood that can be stowed away easily whilst in use
- Pockets set for easy access when riding or wearing a rucksack hip-belt
- Durable stretch fabric offers increased tear resistance
- 3 Year Alpine Bond
Vital stats
Material
Face fabric: 90% nylon/10% spandex
Membrane: PU membrane
Backer fabric: Polyester knit backer
20K/20K performance / PFC-free DWR
Weight
405g (size M)
Origin: China
Product Care Information
It’s super easy to look after your Balance to maintain its breathability. When water starts soaking into your jacket rather than ‘beading’ in droplets on the surface, it’s time to give it a wash to refresh the durable water repellent (DWR) treatment. Just follow these simple steps:
1) Wash on a gentle cycle at 30°C (make sure your washing machine drawer is completely clean first) or handwash with cold water.
2) Use a technical wash product or pure soap. DO NOT use detergent, fabric conditioners or softeners.
3) Rinse thoroughly and line dry or tumble dry on low heat to reactivate the DWR. You can also use a cool (but never hot) iron.
4) You may need to refresh the DWR treatment about once or twice a year (depending on usage). You can either use a wash-in or spray-on re-proofer. Nikwax and Grangers re-proofers are both PFC-free.
Environmental considerations
The Balance uses a completely PFC-free DWR treatment on its outer fabric. PFCs are potentially harmful and have been found to build up in the environment. We don't like the sound of that so we're working hard to get rid of them.
| Men's waterproof jacket sizing chart | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
| Chest (inches) | 37" | 40" | 43" | 46" | 49" |
| Waist (inches) | 30" | 32" | 34" | 36" | 38" |
| Chest (cms) | 94 | 102 | 109 | 117 | 124 |
| Waist (cms) | 76 | 81 | 86 | 91 | 97 |
| EU | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
| USA | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| This size chart indicates the body measurements our garments are designed to fit. Measure yourself as described below, and use the size chart to find your size. Chest: measure around your chest at the widest part. The tape measure should pass under your arms, and be level from front to back. Waist: measure around your waist at the narrowest part. Hips: standing with your feet together, measure around your hips at the widest part. |
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Author: Katherine MooreI’ve had a hard time finding the drawback to Alpkit’s second generation Balance jacket if I’m honest. Brilliantly fitted with heaps of adjustability, properly waterproof and with some subtle features to aid breathability for hard rides, this jacket has everything you need and nothing that you don’t.
Read the full review here
The Details
Balance in action
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