Fully featured and tough as old boots, the Definition is the ideal mountaineering jacket for Scottish winter epics, committed alpine climbing and year-round Munro bagging.
- High performance (30K HH/20K MVTR) 3-layer fabric
- Extremely abrasion resistant nylon 6,6 outer fabric
- Mountaineering-ready cut, hood, zips and adjustors
A fortress of a jacket, the Definition has been designed to safely encase you from the wettest, windiest, and wildest of mountain weather. We’ve used a 3-layer construction that's highly waterproof (30K HH) and breathable (20K MVTR), providing long-lasting performance and protection from exposure.
..Read moreThe outer fabric is made from extra durable nylon 6,6, to ensure that it'll stand up to some serious use and abuse. Whether you're scrabbling up chimneys or scraping along traverses this material provides outstanding tear and abrasion resistance and the fabric's plain weave creates a smooth surface that resists catching.
Designed to sit over multiple layers, the Definition is cut with pre-shaped arms to avoid riding up and exposing your back or tummy when you’re reaching up for holds or swinging ice-axes. A large hood is sized to comfortably fit over a climbing helmet, with a wired peak and three elastic adjusters allow you to really batten down the hatches when the weather rolls in. A two-way water resistant YKK Vislon Aquaguard main zip (complete with internal storm-flap) accommodates harnesses, completing the mountaineering-ready feature set.
The OS map-sized main pockets and chest pocket have been designed to sit clear of your rucksack hip-belt or climbing harness, as have the innovative vents. The inverted vent zips are easier to open and close when overheating than traditional pit-zips. We’ve also used Cohaesive™ integrated cordlocks as hem and hood adjusters. Flat and low profile, these are easier to pinch open when wearing thick gloves. Gusseted cuffs fit easily under or over gloves, with anti-snag Velcro adjusters.
Designer’s Notes
The updated Definition is one of the very first performance mountaineering shells to use a PFC-free water repellent treatment (DWR). The unique 3-layer fabric has been specially developed by Alpkit for even more durability and uses the highest performing, environmentally-friendly DWR available.
'The Definition is arguably as good or better than some jackets costing twice as much. The cut is sleek and efficient, components are top-notch... the unbranded fabric works well and feels reassuringly tough. The effective helmet-compatible hood means you can use it for anything from full-on mountaineering to general hill-walking' - Outdoors Magic
Read lessKey Features
- 3-layer construction provides reliable, long-lasting waterproof and breathable performance
- Nylon 6,6 outer fabric is exceptionally hardwearing against abrasion for rough mountain use
- Fully adjustable helmet-compatible hood with a stiffened and wire peaked hood to protect the face
- Two-way harness-compatible Aquaguard Vislon main zip is water resistant and protected by an internal storm flap
- Two-way main zip to accommodate harnesses
- Cut to fit easily over multiple layers with pre-shaped arms to avoid riding up when reaching for holds
- Map-sized main pockets and external chest pocket that sit above harnesses, plus an internal chest pocket
- Side vents with inverted zips are easy to open, give access to mid layer pockets, and are placed to sit above hip belts and harnesses, as are the main pockets
- Gusseted cuffs fit easily over or under gloves and are secured with anti-snag Velcro adjusters
- Cohaesive™ integrated cordlocks on the hem and hood opening with simple pinch mechanism for operating with gloves
Vital stats
Fit
Regular
Performance
Hydrostatic Head: 30,000mm
MVTR: 20,000 g/sqm/24hrs
Construction
167gsm 3-layer fabric
Outer Fabric: Plain weave 40d Nylon 6,6
Membrane: PU Membrane
Inner Fabric: 10d nylon tricot backer
Zips: YKK Aquaguard
DWR: PFC-Free C0 Treated
Weight
Medium: 525g
Origin: China
Product Care Information
The better you look after this jacket, the better (and longer) it’ll look after you. Well, when we say ‘look after you’... it’s not gonna make you cups of tea or bring you breakfast in bed, but it will keep you nice n’ dry. And the good news is: it’s dead easy to do.
1) After you’ve finished going nice places and doing good things, treat your jacket to a wash at 30°C with either a dedicated Tech Wash (like Grangers and Nikwax) or pure soap. This keeps your jacket breathable by stopping the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating from getting clogged up with dirt and skin oils.
2) If it’s stopped beading (rain soaking in rather than forming droplets), you can reactivate the factory-applied DWR by sticking it in the tumble drier on a low setting or applying a cool iron to it (under a tea towel).
3) To keep your jacket beading over time, you’ll probably need to top up the DWR once or twice a year using a Grangers or Nikwax re-proofer. If you’re still a bit unsure about washing your jacket, you can also take it/send it to our Ambleside store’s waterproof washing service and we’ll sort it all out for you.
Environmental considerations
PFC-Free DWR
The Definition uses a completely PFC-free DWR treatment on its outer fabric – one of the first performance mountaineering shells to do so. PFCs are potentially harmful and have been found to build up in the environment. We don't like the sound of that so we've been working hard to get rid of them.
Gear You’ll Love For Longer
The updated Definition uses a specially developed fabric that’s had durability baked into every thread. The plain weave nylon 6,6 outer fabric is even more abrasion resistant against rough surfaces. And the new 10d nylon tricot backer fabric has a smooth face which offers less resistance and lasts even longer.
| Men's Waterproof Jacket Sizing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|
Chest Inches CMs |
37" 94 |
40" 102 |
43" 109 |
46" 117 |
49" 124 |
|
Waist Inches CMs |
30" 76 |
32" 81 |
34" 86 |
36" 91 |
38" 97 |
|
Sleeve Inches CMs |
33" 84 |
34" 86.5 |
35" 89 |
36" 91.5 |
36.5" 92.5 |
| EU USA |
46 36 |
48 38 |
50 40 |
52 42 |
54 44 |
 |
How to MeasureThis 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. 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. |
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How to MeasureThis 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. 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. |
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| Fit Guide | |||
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| Tight | Slim | Regular | Relaxed |
| Close fitting designed to conform to your body shape. | Slim and slightly contoured but not form fitting. | A comfortable fit that's not too tight, nor too loose. | A looser fit with a bit more space but not too baggy. |
| Fit Guide | |||
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| Tight | Slim | ||
| Close fitting designed to conform to your body shape. | Slim and slightly contoured but not form fitting. | ||
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| Regular | Relaxed | ||
| A comfortable fit that's not too tight, nor too loose. | A looser fit with a bit more space but not too baggy. | ||
immediately impressive
Author: Jon Doran Read More: hereAlpkit’s full-on mountaineering shell, the Definition is reassuringly burly but properly refined – think James Bond reincarnated as a waterproof jacket. And the price is fantastic.
"This jacket remains an excellent mountain shell with a decent technical cut and most of the features you'd expect in a model twice the price. The cost is kept low in part thanks to Alpkit's use of an anonymous fabric, though in terms of performance we really can't say it feels any lesser for it. For sheer value, it's hard to beat."
Read the full review by Dan Bailey in the group test 'Bombproof Winter Mountain Shells' from the 25th of February 2020.
The Details
Definition in action
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