Alpkit / Waterproofs and windproofs / Balance [Mens]

Balance

Name: Balance [Mens] Breathable waterproof jacket
Brand: Alpkit
Price: 199.99 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.06 (127 reviews)

Breathable waterproof jacket

£199.99 £229.99

Quite simply the best tech fabric, uncomplicated design: with both form and function. Highly breathable, waterproof, durable with a great cut

Size
- X-Small
- Small
- Medium
- Large
- X-Large
- XX-Large
Colour
- Nemo
- Mallard
- Lava
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New for Autumn 2024 is the Balance, completely overhauled, the only thing that is the same is the name. Balance is full waterproof protection and highly breathable for mountain sports: hike, climb, scramble and bike.

Head of Clothing Design, Ronnie, has pushed our fabric tech to the next level with the Balance; working with one of the world’s best fabric mills in Japan to produce an exclusive fabric that’s highly breathable, waterproof and falls right in the sweet spot for durability, weight and next-to-skin comfort.

Exclusive performance fabric, developed by us and made in Japan
Active alpine cut moves with you and works with rucksacks and harnesses
Fully adjustable hood, hem and deep pockets with mesh ventilation
3-layer waterproof with 20,000mm HH and 25,000g/m²/day MVTR
DWR fabric that's free from PFCs

World class fabric

Creating the perfect active waterproof starts with choosing the right materials. It took 18 months to harness the very latest Japanese technology to develop a fabric that is made for movement and class-leading performance. The result is a jacket with a forget-it’s-there feel; that keeps you dry and protected for longer on high intensity days in the mountains.

Details matter

A fully adjustable hood with stiffened peak lets you batten down the hatches when the weather turns - compatible with a helmet for multipitch routes or on the bike. The deep map-sized A-line pockets are set high to maintain access over your rucksack waist strap or harness, with internal mesh panels that let you dump heat quickly when moving fast and working hard. The streamlined active cut with subtle stretch fits neatly over your layers without excess fabric to flap around in strong winds and a slight dropped rear hem keeps your bum dry for longer against sideways rain. Adjustable cuffs and a hem drawcord complete the set.

Designer's Notes

"We wanted the Balance to be equally as comfortable on the bike as on the north face of Tryfan, so we spent a lot of time streamlining the fabric, feature set and fit to achieve this. The result is a jacket with all the features you need and none that you don’t."

Ronnie, Head of Clothing Design

Features

Product overview

Exclusive performance fabric, made in Japan
Active alpine cut with a drop hem and subtle stretch
Designed for high intensity, high movement activities and wearing over fewer layers
High pockets work with rucksacks waist straps and harnesses
Fabric that's free from PFCs
Fully adjustable roll-away hood with stiffened peak
YKK Vislon Aquaguard front zip
Zipped hand pockets with mesh venting
Velcro adjustable cuffs
Shockcord hem adjuster
Harness friendly
3-year Alpine Bond Guarantee

Technical details

Fit

Regular

Construction

Fabric: Ripstop nylon face with tricot backer
DWR: 100% free from PFCs

Performance

Hydrostatic head: 20,000mm
MVTR: 25,000g/sqm/24hr

Weight

365g (size M)

Origin

Fabric made in Japan
Constructed in China

Sustainability and Product Care

Caring For Your DWR
To keep your jacket’s durable water repellent (DWR) treatment in tip-top condition, wash it regularly in pure soap or a specialist cleaner. You may also need to refresh the treatment about once or twice a year (depending on usage) using a reproofer. Using a spray-on reproofer maintains your jacket's wicking ability.

Washing Instructions
Wash on a delicate cycle at 30˚C or hand wash with lukewarm water. Use a technical wash product (like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash) or pure soap. DO NOT use detergent, fabric conditioners or softeners. Rinse thoroughly in clean water. Line dry or tumble dry on low heat. You can also use a cool iron to reactivate the DWR.

Repairs
We have dedicated Repair Stations in our stores and we're fully equipped to breathe new life into your old kit. This includes spare parts, patches, new zips and wash and reproofing of your down and waterproofs. Pop into any store or contact us online for more info.

Alpine Bond
If one of our products does not meet your expectations upon delivery, or if during its lifetime does not live up to the demands placed upon it, please return it to us for repair, replacement or refund. If the problem is our fault then we will do this to your satisfaction. If it’s your fault then we will help out the best we can. Find out more about our Alpine Bond here.

How It Is Made

PFC-Free DWR
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 which is why we're one of the first outdoor brands to eliminate them from our entire range.

Where It Is Made
Our products are made in the best factories in the world. We know the factories personally and they have all signed up to our Code of Ethics in our supply chain. This includes the Ethical Trading Initiative base code, fair pay, safe working environments, no child labour, no modern slavery, no bribery or corruption, no materials from conflict zones and humane farming methods.

All our factories sign up to our Code of Conduct. Find out where we make our product by visiting our Factories of Alpkit factory zone.

Reducing our carbon footprint
We are carbon neutral under PAS2060 and offset our Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 operations and transport emissions. We recognise that offsetting is not part of the solution but a point to pass through on a journey to Net Zero. Carbon Neutral is just a step in that journey.

We have joined the Science Based Targets Initiative which sets independent targets for us to achieve to do our bit to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Our targets are to halve our Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2025 based on 2018 base year and reduce our total carbon intesnity by 15% every year to achieve genuine net zero by 2050.

End of life
When your partnership with this product is over send it back to us and we will pass it on to someone that needs it through our Continuum Project.

Works Well With

BLACK FRIDAY

Griffon [Mens]

Lightweight grid fleece jacket for warmth without the bulk

£43.99 £54.99

BLACK FRIDAY

Parallax [Mens]

Lightweight waterproof trousers with a breathable 2.5 layer fabric

£95.99 £119.99

Standard delivery to UK addresses is free over £30
Next Day deliveries will be shipped same day if you place your order before 2pm Monday - Friday.

If you are not happy or have changed your mind, you can return your unused product within 123 days of placing the order for a refund.
Simply return it to us, free of charge, with all the original packaging.

Men's waterproof jacket size guide

Size chart (inches)
UK	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Chest	34	37	40	43	46	49
Waist	28	30	32	34	36	38
Sleeve	32	33	34	35	36	36
EU	44	46	48	50	52	54
US	34	36	38	40	42	44

Size chart (cm)
UK	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Chest	86	94	102	109	117	124
Waist	71	76	81	86	91	97
Sleeve	82	84	86	88	90	92
EU	44	46	48	50	52	54
US	34	36	38	40	42	44

How to measure

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 point.

Sleeve

With your arms relaxed by your side, tilt your head down and ask a friend to measure from the bone at the base of your neck, over your shoulder and down your arm to the fold at your wrist.

Fit Guide

Tight

Close fitting designed to conform to your body.

Slim

Slim and slightly contoured but not form fitting.

Regular

A comfortable fit that's not too tight, nor too loose.

Relaxed

A looser fit with a bit more space but not too baggy.

Complete your purchase with

Nikwax Twin: Tech Wash And TX Direct

Twin pack of tech wash and wash-in reproofer

£12.99

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