There is a lot to talk about when you look at Vaude’s latest collection refresh for the coming winter. New puffs including the first 4-layer jacket and more bike stuff are on the menu.
Let’s start with the good-looking Tacul PD Hybrid insulation jacket for men and women. It uses PrimaLoft’s Silver Insulation Down Blend, a 40% ultra-fine PrimaLoft fiber and 60% white duck down (650 cuin) mix. The down is also made water-repellent thanks to a fluorocarbon-free treatment. The combination is said to be 100% as compressible as traditional down while keeping 94% of its loft when wet. The Tactul PD was created for ski touring, mountaineering and Ice climbing. It features stretchy panels on the back, sides, under-arms and forearms. Weight is given at around 390g and should cost around 225€.
Next up is the Tafjord jacket, the first 4-layer construction on the market. Made in partership with Primaloft, this unique jacket features a stretchy water-repellent polyamide outer shell, a waterproof membrane, a layer of Primaloft Silver Hi Loft insulation and finishes with a waffle fleece. Although they call it a softshell, the TPU membrane would probably make it more like an extra insulated hard-shell. Best kept for the worst of the winter weather. Priced around 200€, no word on weight.
Finally we’ll have a quick look at the Bormio Jacket with its Polartec Alpha insulation. Very popular this winter, Polartec Alpha is a new kind of synthetic insulation specially designed for high output activities. The Bormio jacket also uses stretch inserts under the arms to increase mobility and air flow. A light DWR treatment is also applied to the jacket to make it useful as a mid layer as well as an outer layer in good weather. Weight: 485g, 225€.
