It's our warmest outdoor jacket, it comes with membrane upper, it can look sporty and casual... and at the same time... it's a pillow?
myconos blue
Despite this, Svalbard has not become mainstream - the most popular insulated jacket from our workshop is still Ketil. So it might be a good idea to start by comparing the jackets briefly, to explain where the Svalbard fits in the collection.It's actually quite simple: the Ketil is insulated with 67 g/m² Climashield® Apex and the outer material is non-membrane Pertex Quantum Air. A notch warmer is the Ketil TPG, which has the same insulation but it comes with a membrane upper on top of that. When worn, the jacket flexes, compresses, works in different ways. This causes heated air to be pushed away from the body, also right through the outer material. Membrane is inherently less permeable than Pertex and so holds the air in better.
caviar black and reflecting pond
AND THIS IS WHERE SVALBARD REIGNS SUPREME
This is because we sew it with thicker insulation and a more robust membrane top material. Climashield® Apex 100 g/m² is used as insulation. That's a lot of filling. We have tested all possible materials on the market for a long time, but Climashield® has won the test of time convincingly. While the other materials became a compressed mess after a few years, Climashield® held its loft for a long time.
There it is.
CURIOUS WINDOW: CLIMASHIELD
The most effective thermal insulation material on the market. It is the direct successor to the legendary POLARGUARD 3D / Delta insulation. The absolute world leader. The strongest, most durable, lightest, flexible, quick drying. It maintains the longest "loft" compared to any competitor, even after repeated use, compression, washing and drying. It is the closest to down in insulating properties of all synthetic insulations, but it is still no substitute for down in extreme temperatures. Compared to down, it has the great advantage of insulating even when wet, drying quickly and being easy to maintain. It does not fray, the fibres do not separate, do not wrinkle and do not form tufts. However even this insulation is not immortal, but the thinning will only become apparent after prolonged use.
kalamata and bronze brown
This thick layer of insulation is hidden beneath an upper, double-layer GORE-TEX® Infinium membrane material that helps keep air inside the jacket and is waterproof. But then why isn't the whole jacket waterproof?
It's because we don't tape the seams on an insulated jacket. Not that we can't, but the price of the jacket would shoot up. The material itself would stand up to heavy rain, but the needle punctures will let some water in sooner or later. That's why we use hydrophobic insulation, which works even in wet conditions.
The Svalbard is not primarily a rain jacket, but a winter jacket. It can resist snow, fog, light rain and high humidity for a long time.
BUT NOW LET'S GET INTO THE DETAILS
1. HOOD
We sewed a relatively simple hood.
The main thing is that it is fully insulated, it is really warm and you'll really appreciate it when the wind starts howlin'.
You'll find a small visor, adjustment of the front and another drawstring at the back of the head. The excess length of the hood's adjustment cord is hidden in the tunnels on the collar so that it doesn't lash your face in the wind.
The back drawcord adjusts the hood circumference.
Inside you will find a hidden built-in collar (above the loop).
Inside you will find a hidden built-in collar. This prevents the wind from blowing behind your neck onto your back when you're not wearing a hood.
2. ZIPPER AND POCKETS
The jacket fastens with a two-way, water resistant YKK zipper. You can unzip it from the bottom if necessary.
WaterTight™ front zip
As well as giving you access to the harness or lower layer pockets without having to take the jacket off, it also gives you convenient access to two pockets on the inside of the jacket.
In total there are three compartments on the inside.
Two open pockets on the sides are perfect for anything you want to keep warm, or even just warm up for a while.
In the photo you can see a whole pair of really big mittens hidden in the left inner pocket.
A classic example is a pair of gloves that you can quickly and easily hide under your jacket, keep warm, and when you're done finger with your delicate finger work, you'll be all the more excited to get back into them.
On the inside of the back is the largest inside pocket, with a zipper. The whole jacket can be conveniently folded into this pocket, so that it becomes a comfortable "pillow". We have tested it many times, and it works well, especially if you've climbed a couple summits beforehand. In the photo you can see the Svalbard pillow inflated, not compressed. But if you compress it and put it in your pack, you get to about half the volume.
Svalbard pillow
This is one of the strongest points of Svalbard - packability. The small package, which weighs just over half a kilo, inflates many times after unpacking and you suddenly have a real winter jacket at the ready.
PRO TIP FOR RUNNERS:
We have tested, that the folded jacket can be stuffed into the back of a smaller running vest. Then when we get caught in bad weather, or meet a friendly runner, or just get stuck somewhere for various reasons, Svalbard feels like a revelation. Suddenly it's there, and it's warm.
There are also three pockets on the outside of the jacket.
Zipped chest pocket.
Beware, the zippers on the pockets are not water resistant and in case of a downpour we recommend not to carry a phone or a cash in it. However, the pockets are covered with a flap and water doesn't get in easily.
Two classic waist pockets, also with zipper.
3. SLEEVES AND DRAWSTRING AT THE SIDES
The set-in sleeves are cut anatomically, as you are used to from other Tilak models. In reality, this means that the sleeve is not sewn straight, but slightly bent at the elbow and at the same time in a slight rotation. It wears well, doesn't stretch, doesn't crease. The ends of the sleeves are finished on the outside with an elastic cuff, which allows you to comfortably put your arm through, or perhaps look at your watch. The sleeves are flat on the inside.
The back of Svalbard is elongated and ends somewhere below the buttocks. The jacket can be tightened at the sides and effectively closed from the bottom.
hip drawststring adjustment
TO SUM IT UP
If you've really read this far, you know all about Svalbard. You know it's a bulky, very warm yet lightweight and packable jacket, equipped with a membrane and excellent insulation. We've grown to love the Svalbard because it's so easy to bring, and when the weather turns bad, it becomes a proper winter jacket in no time.