Autumn is here. The leaves are turning, the temperatures are cooling and the smells of pecan pie hang delicately in the air. Autumn also signifies that annual search for a jacket versatile enough to match fluctuating weather, yet stylish enough for your evenings around town. Whether you’re out on the trail or a spending the day cruising the local microbreweries, the Mountain Khakis Alpha Switch Insulated Jacket is ready to become as much a part of your daily routine as your pumpkin spiced latte.
On Performance and Design…
Relying on the design aesthetics from decades of mountain experiences and the technological advances in thermal insulation, the Alpha Switch features a stretch-woven fabric on one side and a translucent Durable Water repellent (DWR) ripstop on the other. Either way you wear it, you’ll be protected from the chilly temperatures of fall with innovative Polartec Alpha insulation.
Originally developed for the U.S. Special Forces when they required a more advanced insulating material in their combat uniforms, Polartec – Alpha is little more than a technological marvel. It boasts an open-weave construction that not only provides a slightly puffy, down-inspired feel, but it generates airflow that pulls moisture away from your body while holding in warmth all while remaining remarkably lightweight.
By keeping moisture vapor moving freely through the fabric, it increases overall air exchange and drastically speeds up dry times. That means less discomfort from saturation while avoiding the metamorphosis to a sponge which is enough to ruin any run – especially one in the cold. As an added bonus, it allows you to pack the jacket down tight for those autumn days the sun breaks out from hiding.
Let’s be honest, all the techy advances in the world don’t mean anything if it’s wrapped in a package that looks like grandpa’s old cabin castaway. Which is why you’ll also appreciate the clean style and silhouette of this jacket. Add in the reversible zipper and plenty of pockets for your gadgets and you’ve got the makings of a new classic designed to keep you comfortable no matter the cabin climate or trail temperature.
Bottom Line…
Life might be more than trails and taverns, but on the off chance it’s not, the Alpha Switch jacket has got your back.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Mountain Khakis at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The item featured was provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.