Mountain Equipment Switch Pro Hooded Women's Jacket

A hybrid, highly breathable mid-layer for fast moving alpinists and ski-mountaineers. Days in the mountains are days of contrast: frozen nights thaw to sun-drenched mornings; sheltered paths turn to bare windward flanks; the chill of an exposed stance swiftly counters uphill burns. The highly breathable Switch Pro Hooded Jacket is built to cope with the changing demands of fast-paced activity in the mountains, where efficient body temperature regulation is a priority. It can both wick away moisture on strenuous uphill legs and retain warmth at wind-ravaged belays; it helps you keep moving, focusing on the task at hand, not swapping layers.

Innovative Active Insulation

At the centre of the Switch Pro's active insulation is the unique Octayarn warp-knit lining: a modern, lightweight and highly wicking alternative to traditional polyester fleece fabrics.

Under the microscope, Octayarn is made from hollow, multidentate fibres, with each individual fibre having eight protruding cog-like teeth. This complex 3D structure increases surface area and traps warm air, improving warmth and moisture-wicking capability while reducing overall weight. Octayarn offers the thickness of an 80 denier fibre but for half the weight and considerably less bulk.

Woven in a highly breathable warp-knit and without an inner face fabric, the Octayarn offers unparalleled moisture transfer, keeping you comfortable when working hard, particularly on technical terrain where constantly switching layers is not an option.

To counter the loss of smooth inner face fabric, the Octayarn lining is reversed on the arms. This provides the same level of insulation but prevents binding to base layers when pulling the jacket on and off, and allows unrestricted movement when reaching for holds.

In addition to the Octayarn lining, a lightweight, stretch-woven outer offers protection from light rain, spin drift and cold winds. Under the arms, along the sides and through the hood, panels of bluesign-approved Pontetorto Tecnostretch fleece improve fit. Crafted at a family-run fabric mill in Italy, this highly technical stretch fleece is Mountain Equipment's highest-performing fleece fabric. As well as improving fit, the strategically placed panels help to prevent overheating, reduce bulk for comfortable layering and allow complete freedom of movement, all helping you to keep moving regardless of how demanding the terrain is.

Key Features

Materials

• Lightweight 20D RS Nylon outer fabric, wind resistant with mechanical stretch and PFAS-free DWR
• Octayarn warp-knit lining for exceptional insulation, breathability and comfort
• Pontetorto Tecnostretch 187 fleece in the underarms, top of hood and side panels for increased breathability

Patterning and Design

• Active fit for complete freedom of movement with no excess fabric
• Flatlocked seams throughout for increased next-to-skin comfort

Hood

• Grown-on elastane bound hood

Pockets

• 2 zipped hand pockets, sit high enough for use with a harness or rucksack waistbelt
• 1 zipped chest pocket for essentials
• Packs into hand pocket with twin carabiner carry loops

Centre Front Zip

• YKK centre front zip

Cuffs and Sleeves

• Low bulk cuffs with integrated thumb loops

Hem

• Low bulk elastane bound hem, sits comfortably under a harness or rucksack waistbelt

Specifications

Ideal For

• Alpine climbing and ski touring
• Fast-paced mountaineering in cold and changeable conditions
• Use as a mid-layer under hard or soft shell jackets
• Multi-day expeditions in cold or severe conditions

Care Instructions

Technology

	Octayarn Octayarn is a soft, wicking and warm fabric made from a unique cog-like fibre. It dries extremely fast and insulates superbly. Each fibre has eight protruding teeth that create a complex 3D structure, increasing surface area to trap warm air and wick moisture efficiently while keeping weight to a minimum.
	Pontetorto Pontetorto Tecnostretch is a range of exceptionally fast drying fleece fabrics with superb warmth and softness. Crafted at a family-run fabric mill in Italy, it is Mountain Equipment's highest-performing fleece fabric.
	Fair Wear Mountain Equipment is a proud member of the Fair Wear Foundation, committed to implementing the highest standards of working conditions in garment production. Designed and developed in the UK.