Chris Townsend Gear of 2019

Chris Townsend Gear of 2019

By David Hanney

Passionate hillwalker, lightweight aficionado and gear editor of TGO magazine, Chris features our Woodsmoke and Gravitas in his Gear of 2019 selections.

Your next reads

Waterproof jacket buying guide

A waterproof, breathable jacket is a critical part of your layering system. This guide is designed to answer every question you might need to ask y...
July 05, 2024

What PFC Free Means And Why It Matters with waterproof jackets

If you’ve ever worn a waterproof jacket or a pair of softshell walking trousers then you've probably already come into contact with PFCs – perhaps ...
October 31, 2022

Waterproof coats - Waterproof and Breathability Ratings Explained

Buying a waterproof can feel like learning a new language! But knowing how breathable waterproof fabrics work can help you decide which one to buy ...
August 24, 2022

How To Reproof Waterproof Jackets

If you’re not sure how to reproof your waterproof jacket and trousers, then here's our guide to get your waterproof clothing working like new. It’s...
August 12, 2022

What is Ventile and how does it work?

Ventile® is a high-tech cotton fabric, woven in Switzerland from the highest quality cotton. Weatherproof, highly breathable and naturally hardwear...
April 22, 2022

Why Do I Need To Reproof My Waterproof jacket?

Keeping your waterproofs clean and regularly reproofing them extends their useful lifespan and keeps them working at their best. We've pulled Alpk...
September 03, 2021

2 ways to maximise your waterproofs breathability

You’re up Kinder, the steep climb is out of the way and you’re up in the clouds navigating the plateau. You’re having a lovely day until you realis...
December 21, 2017

The Argonaut waterproof jacket on test

We never know what to pack for a weekend in the lakes, even if the weatherman had predicted a heatwave, we wouldn't trust it. The Lake District is ...
October 17, 2017

Our Waterproof Fabric Sourcing Policy

Our Design Team are experts at selecting the right waterproof fabric for the right activity, the right budget and the right adventure. We source te...
March 29, 2022

The Squalline waterproof jacket story

When it comes to certain products, you could almost describe the development as straightforward. That is, you have specific boxes to tick: a price ...
October 18, 2018

Designing the Argonaut and Atalanta Waterproof Jackets

'Entry-level' waterproof clothing is all-too-often overlooked. We’re not too sure why. Maybe it doesn’t seem techy enough, maybe it doesn’t seem fl...
September 28, 2017

12 years in the making: the Definition waterproof Jacket

The Definition is our top of the range waterproof that can handle whatever you want to throw at it. It feels reassuringly protective, and its featu...
November 03, 2016

Editors Pick Pulsar waterproof smock is designed for movement

Issue 116 of Trek & Mountain provides an insightful group test of lightweight technical shells. Of course we were pleased to see our waterproof...
October 17, 2023

Introducing your no compromise year-round waterproof jacket

The Rambler magazine's review The best waterproof jackets for year-round walking 2023 includes our 100% recycled Sigma waterproof jacket. They high...
September 19, 2023

Countryfile review our sustainable waterproof jacket

Pat Kinsella's take on Alpkit's Sigma rain jacket for Countryfile is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting its eco-friendly design and practicality...
March 02, 2023

The Great Outdoors reviews Definition PFC free waterproof jacket

The Great Outdoors Magazine's David Lintern recently spent some time with the Alpkit Definition. He finds it to be a smartly designed piece of kit,...
August 08, 2022

Walkhighlands reviews Ranger ventile coat

Comfortable to wear on long, wet days (thanks Mull!) and have found it extremely breathable. A good barrier against the wind, heading uphill I foun...
May 23, 2022

The Great Outdoors magazine reviews Ranger ventile coat

The Great Outdoors Magazine's Chris Townsend takes a look at Alpkit's latest offering, the Ranger, a jacket that employs Ventile - a fabric harking...
May 13, 2022

Countryfile Magazine - Definition mountain jacket review

Countryfile Magazine recently took Alpkit's Definition rain jacket for a spin, and boy, did it prove its mettle. With a rating of 4.2 stars, this j...
April 19, 2022

The waterproof jacket for mountaineering, winter climbing and alpinsim

Jon Doran for OutdoorsMagic champions the Alpkit Definition Waterproof Jacket as the perfect blend of James Bond sophistication and ruggedness. Alp...
February 28, 2022

Grough reviews Defintion waterproof jacket

Grough recently put Alpkit's Definition through its paces, in the midst of unpredictable UK weather that ranged from gales, snow, hail, heavy rain,...
February 07, 2022

Definition waterproof jacket offers fortress-like protection at great value

Matthew Jones from Advnture brings to light the noteworthy qualities of Alpkit's Definition, a product from a British brand that's quickly become a...
January 07, 2022

Definition waterproof jacket delivers uncompromising protection

Countryfile's Daniel Graham underscores the Alpkit Definition waterproof jacket as a true fortress for the adventurous. Built with an exceptionally...
December 10, 2021

Trek & Mountain review the balance waterproof coat

The Balance is a comfortable and well-featured jacket offering decent performance and some clever features - all at a great pricepoint
October 14, 2021

Advntr magazine review Balance waterproof jacket

I’ve had a hard time finding the drawback to Alpkit’s second generation Balance jacket if I’m honest. Brilliantly fitted with heaps of adjustabilit...
December 22, 2020

UKH Review Definition mountaineering jacket

"This jacket remains an excellent mountain shell with a decent technical cut and most of the features you'd expect in a model twice the price. The ...
February 26, 2020

Trek & Mountain Review Balance waterproof jacket

Trek & Mountain recently took a good, hard look at our Balance waterproof Jacket, and if you ask Trek & Mountain, it's no ordinary outdoor ...
January 14, 2020

The Alpkit Definition wins 'Best Value' in Trail's Waterproof Jacket group test.

Ideal jacket if you want practical features at a good price
October 07, 2019

Balance gets iNews Best Buy

Our women's waterproof jacket, the Balance, has been put through its paces by renowned reviewer Sian Lewis for iNews magazine, and it has truly sto...
February 28, 2019

Balance waterproof jacket gets Indy Best Buy

Quite simply, this is an excellent waterproof jacket. Read the review
February 06, 2019

Gravitas waterproof jacket awarded Wanderlust Best Buy

Super light, super waterproof, super breathable. Read the review
February 06, 2019
Balance waterproof jacket surprises Active Traveller

Balance waterproof jacket surprises Active Traveller

Reflecting on Mike Walker's insights for Active Traveller, we're truly made up with his appreciation for the ingenious design work we have put in t...
June 10, 2018
Singletrack Review the Argonaut

Singletrack Review the Argonaut

This jacket performs excellently in a huge range of conditions, and while I only tested it on the bike in winter, I have no doubt it would suit oth...
April 05, 2018

Trail Magazine Approves of Balance waterproof coat

this jacket is hard to beat at the weight and price Read the review
March 28, 2018

Argonaut Jacket Now Officially Trail Approved

Pretty hard to beat without spending a lot more Read the review
March 28, 2018

Off-road.cc Review the lightweight Gravitas waterproof jacket

as perfectly suited for being stowed for emergencies or used frequently as a minimalist jacket for fast moving days. Read the review
February 08, 2018

A Beaming Review of the Balance Jacket

A nicely designed lightweight, breathable shell with a good hood, great cut and outstanding all-round build quality Read the review
December 12, 2017

Trail Magazine: Definition & Balance Waterproofs

October 09, 2017

UKH/UKC Gravitas waterproof jacket Review

Super-light and very breathable, the Gravitas manages to balance minimalism with functionalityRead the review
August 02, 2017

Outdoors Magic Gravitas Review

The Alpkit Gravitas is not only great value for money, it’s one of the best lightweight jackets on the market Read the review
August 01, 2017

Definition is more than a match for any conditions in which a waterproof jacket is required

Dave Saunders' takes a deep-dive into the Alpkit Definition waterproof jacket and is impressed! Despite his initial skepticism due to being unfamil...
January 19, 2017

Outdoors Magic reviews our lightweight Gravitas waterproof coat

Outdoors Magic champions this piece of outdoor apparel in the lightweight category saying that the jacket, barely tipping the scales at 169 grams, ...
November 07, 2016

Waterproof jacket for women is a cracking all-rounder at a very competitive price

OutdoorsMagic are struck by Alpkit's latest Women’s waterproof Jacket. They seem enamored by its unmatched breathability, a thoughtful design speci...
October 20, 2016

Wanderlust Best Waterproof Trousers On The Market

Lightest weight, less noisy and soft to the touch. A comfortable and well-designed option. Read the review
October 19, 2016

Grit.cx checks out Gravitas waterproof jacket

Alpkit have added a range of waterproofs to their direct-to-consumer website. All are good value ..... Gravitas jacket is their super lightweight o...
July 10, 2016

Lightweight Gravitas jacket Full Review

Gravitas is light without feeling flimsy, has good levels of breathability and waterproofing and has been nicely put together from an impressively ...
June 15, 2016

Gravitas waterproof jacket First Impressions

despite the super competitive £120 price-tag, this is anything but a budget effort Read the review
June 10, 2016

Patching The Holes In Waterproof Life-Cycle Analysis

There’s only one public Life-cycle Analysis for a waterproof jacket. Just one (by Goretex). And that one is now a decade old. It’s incredible how l...
February 18, 2022

Gravitas waterproof jacket faces the Lake District winter

We like to give our products some thorough testing and the Gravitas we state as a tough but super lightweight waterproof ideal for running and adve...
March 29, 2017

Gravitas and Laika at the Ultra Tour du Mont Blanc

Gravitas I got a Gravitas jacket for the Ultra Tour Mont Blanc in 2016. It was the lightest jacket I could find at 148g for size 10 but as importan...
February 03, 2017

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