Horizontal rain, driving winds and all-angles drizzle require a certain kind of protection. The Fortitude is a classic all-weather hillwalking waterproof, combining high-performance fabrics with a relaxed fit and longer cut that’ll keep your bum dry!
"You earn good weather," but that doesn’t mean you have to get hit hard by the rough stuff. The Fortitude uses a longer cut than our other waterproofs, providing the extra coverage you need to avoid pulling your waterproof trousers on during quick squalls.
The relaxed fit means there’s plenty of room for layers, with waist and hem drawcords to cinch your jacket in when you’re not wearing as much underneath. And a fully adjustable hood with wired peak stays in place even during howling gales.
The deep main pockets have been situated so you can access them above rucksack hip-belts and the roomy chest pocket is big enough to fit an OS map. All zips on the Fortitude are covered by storm flaps to make sure the weather stays on the outside!
We’ve used a hardwearing rip-stop face fabric to withstand all the usual scuffs and scrapes and the backing fabric has a wicking mesh that helps to pull moisture away from your body. This also feels more comfortable next to bare skin: warm when you’re cool and cool when you’re hot.
This 3-layer material is highly breathable, keeping you dry and comfortable for a full day on the hill. And it’s treated with a completely PFC-free durable water repellent to avoid using any potentially nasty chemicals - whoop!
Designer's Notes
"The Fortitude is our most sustainable waterproof shell to date, merging high performance technologies with environmentally responsible choices. We use recycled materials wherever we can without compromising on performance, so the outer fabric uses a 70 denier polyester that’s really hardwearing, and it’s 100% recycled to reduce our demand on virgin materials." - Ronnie, Design Manager
Regular
Hydrostatic Head: 20,000mm
MVTR: 20,000 g/sqm/24hrs
160gsm 3 layer fabric
Outer Fabric: 70D 100% recycled polyester
Membrane: 100% polyester membrane
Inner Fabric: Bi-component (78% polyester/ 22% nylon) wicking knit backer
DWR: PFC-Free C0
12: 480g
Origin: China
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 Fortitude 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.
Recycled Materials
We use recycled fabrics whenever we can without compromising on the performance of the product. The Fortitude uses a 100% recycled polyester face fabric made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.
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.