Balance: performance, durability and low weight in perfect equilibrium. Using the best technical fabrics and an uncomplicated design, it’s your go-to jacket for everything from hillwalking to mountain biking.
With a breathability of 30K MVTR and waterproofing of 20K HH, the Balance packs a significant punch, pumping out sweat and beating off rain to keep you warm and dry. A 3-layer construction sandwiching a PU membrane provides reliable waterproof and breathable performance.
..Read moreWe’ve used a permanently wicking knit-backer for the inner layer, drastically improving next-to-skin comfort. The outer fabric is a durable nylon ripstop: hardwearing under rucksack straps and for scraping up scrambles, but supple enough to not feel like a fully rigid hard-shell and to easily stuff into packs.
We’ve been disciplined with the features to maintain a comparatively low weight, including all the essentials but with no unnecessary add-ons. A fully adjustable hood with a stiffened and wired peak, water resistant zips and an internal storm-flap and chin guard on the main zip allow you to batten down the hatches when it’s really blowing a hoolie outside.
There are two map-sized hand pockets, placed high enough to clear rucksack hip belts, that double-up as vents by using a mesh lining. Semi-elasticated velcro cuffs can also be pushed up over the arms for extra temperature control, avoiding the faff of constant layering and delayering.
"Balance is a near flawless lightweight all rounder. Sub-300g weight, very breathable, good hood and thorough all-round design and build quality" - Outdoors Magic
Approved by Trail Magazine
Read the review in the Spring 18 edition.
Key Features
- Reliable 3 layer construction using highly breathable and waterproof fabric (30K MVTR and 20K HH), keeping you dry for high effort activities in wet weather
- Comfortable to wear with a supple fabric and a permanently wicking tricot knit backer that’s softer next to the skin
- 30 denier ripstop outer fabric is hardwearing without the weight or feel of a hard shell, packing easily into rucksacks
- Fully adjustable hood (rear and side adjusters) with a stiffened and wired peak to protect the face
- Two map-sized hand pockets, placed to sit above rucksack waist straps, and with mesh liners to double up as vents
- Semi-elasticated and velcro cuffs fit over or under gloves and can be pushed up over the arms to cool down
- YKK Aquaguard water resistant zips and a storm guard protected main zip
- 3 Year Alpine Bond
Vital stats
Materials
Fabric: 3-layer 92 gsm
Outer: Nylon ripstop face 30d x 30d ripstop
Membrane: PU membrane
Inner: Bi-component nylon knit backer with permanent wicking function
DWR: PFOA Free C6 Type 80/20
Performance
Hydrostatic Head: 20,000 mm
Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate (MVTR): 30,000 g/sqm/24hrs
Weight
S: 310g; M: 339g; L: 355g; XL: 370g; XXL: 388g
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. No one likes a sweaty, clammy jacket. 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, you’ll probably need to top up the DWR once or twice a year using a Grangers or Nikwax re-proofer. You can find out more about why this is important here. 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
We treat all our waterproofs with PFOA-free DWRs, cutting out some pretty nasty chemicals. Unlike our insulation and sleeping bag ranges, our waterproofs are not yet PFC-free. We’re still looking for a PFC-free DWR that’ll provide the same long-lasting performance for waterproofs, but we are working on it!
We make gear you’ll love for longer: gear that lasts; gear you’ll use, repair, re-use and pass onto someone else when you’ve finished with it. That’s why all our products have a three-year Alpine Bond warranty as minimum. We’ve always thought that the most environmentally friendly product we can make is the one that gets used the most and lasts the longest. So that’s what we do - it’s pretty simple really.
| Men's waterproof jacket sizing chart | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M | L | XL | XXL | |
| Chest (inches) | 37" | 40" | 43" | 46" | 49" |
| Waist (inches) | 30" | 32" | 34" | 36" | 38" |
| Chest (cms) | 94 | 102 | 109 | 117 | 124 |
| Waist (cms) | 76 | 81 | 86 | 91 | 97 |
| EU | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 |
| USA | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 |
| 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 part. Hips: standing with your feet together, measure around your hips at the widest part. |
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Jon Doran reviews our Balance waterproof for Trek & Mountain Magazine:
"a neatly cut, nicely finished, super-effective all-round waterproof jacket that wouldn’t look out of place with any number of more ‘prestigious’ labels on the chest. The verdict? All-round, sweet-spot waterproof shell for walking, hiking, scrambling and just staying dry in the outdoors."View on Trek and Mountain
The Details
Balance in action
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