Alpkit's first PFC free mountaineering jacket

Alpkit's new Definition jacket is a PFC-free mountaineering jacket.

Alpkit has updated its Definition jacket for 2021 by completely eliminating all PFCs, making it their first PFC-free mountaineering jacket.

PFC stands for ‘perfluorinated compound’, more commonly referred to as ‘fluorocarbons'. Many waterproofs have durable water repellent coatings that leave a residual trail of toxic PFC chemicals behind them. PFCs can often leach into the water system during manufacturing or directly from clothes, where they will then build up through the food chain. As a result, PFCs have been found in glaciers, on the icecaps and even in the stomachs of polar bears.

Alpkit is one of the very few brands to have eliminated PFCs from their entire range of waterproofs. The new Definition is a complete update of Alpkit's toughest mountain jacket. It’s a fortress against the elements at high altitude and built for freedom of movement.

Definition features:

• High performance (30K HH/20K MVTR) 3-layer fabric
• Extremely abrasion-resistant nylon 6,6 outer fabric
• Cut with pre-shaped arms to avoid riding up and exposing your back or tummy when you’re reaching up for holds or swinging ice-axes
• The large hood is sized to comfortably fit over a climbing helmet, with a wired peak and three elastic adjusters allow you to really batten down the hatches when the weather rolls in
• A two-way water-resistant YKK Vislon Aquaguard main zip (complete with internal storm-flap) accommodates harnesses, completing the mountaineering-ready feature set
• OS map-sized main pockets and chest pocket have been designed to sit clear of your rucksack hip-belt or climbing harness, as have the innovative vents
• The inverted vent zips are easier to open and close when overheating than traditional pit-zips
• Cohaesive™ integrated cordlocks as hem and hood adjusters. Flat and low profile, these are easier to pinch open when wearing thick gloves. Gusseted cuffs fit easily under or over gloves, with anti-snag Velcro adjusters

David Hanney, CEO of Alpkit, said: "Product innovation for the 2020's will be defined by our ability to deliver urgent action on the climate crisis and address inequality in the outdoors without compromise to performance. We are redefining innovation by building sustainability into the core of our products. The new Definition is proof that technical performance doesn't have to come at an environmental cost."

The Alpkit Definition is on pre-order now and will be available from June 2nd. Women's and Men's Definition Jackets are available.

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Editors notes

Alpkit is a premium multi-activity outdoor and bike brand for enthusiasts and adventurers. Agile, vibrant and sustainable. We’re digital-first connecting customers online and in our unique stores. We're the only multi-activity performance outdoor brand like this in the UK. Our supply chain is shorter, our price-tags sharp. Our aim is simple: use digital technology to redefine the UK outdoor industry and unite the design quality of a performance sports brand with the customer service of a specialist store. It is our love of the outdoors that makes Alpkit: responsible, expert, enthusiastic, determined and fair. Sustainability is ingrained throughout everything we do. Since first writing our guidelines in 2004 we are the first UK outdoor brand to publish a clear and comprehensive Sustainability Report and are recognised by our peers in the outdoor industry as an example of best practice in environmental responsibility and sustainability. We are founder members of The Microfibre Consortium and the outdoor industry Single Use Plastics Project and in 2020 we became a Certified B Corporation.