As the winter starts to fade in the northern hemisphere,  Patagonia have released a one thousand 1000-fill UK RRP £250 in a limited edition stock, presenting a pretty impressive addition to the down jacket scene. Here’s a preview and a video about the jacket.

• 100% independently baffled and differentially cut for  heat regulation, the Encapsil down is plasma treated and water repellent.
• Variegated baffles are smaller in high compression areas to help keep down from shifting.
• A double-baffle wind flap behind the zipper seals out cold and wind.
• No moisture-holding materials are used anywhere in the parka.
• Exterior hand pockets are independently insulated to retain warmth even when open, and their high positioning keeps them away from the harness line.
• A unique pull-system at the hem allows for adjustment of the drawcord from inside or out, eliminating harness entanglement, and a mini-snowskirt keeps out wind and snow from below without compressing the down in the lowest chamber.
• The shell fabric is a 10-denier Pertex Endurance nylon ripstop with a polyurethane dry coast to increase water repellency. The baffled hood is helmet-compatible, with a drawcord and a draft collar around the face.
• Randy Harward, VP of advanced research and development at Patagonia has been working on the jacket for five years and hopes that technologies tested in the Belay Parka can be used elsewhere in Patagonia’s collection.

Patagonia Encapsil™ Down from Patagonia Europe on Vimeo.

The Encapsil Down Belay Parka will be available in special-edition, limited quantities at patagonia.com and at Patagonia’s Chamonix store.