A favourite of ours, the Makalu from Mountain Equipment is our go-to "bomb proof" shell.
Combining the suppleness required for all-day comfort and easy packability with the robustness to protect in extremely wet weather, the Makalu Jacket is among our most popular waterproof jackets for year-round mountaineers, climbers and walkers. Whether pulled on in the face of building storm clouds or worn all day through relentless winter drizzle, it offers proven protection during high-milage mountain days and in severe weather.
The 75-denier breathable GORE-TEX ePE fabric hits the midweight sweet spot of durability, comfort and weight, withstanding the rigours of mountain rock, heavy packs and severe weather while being supple enough to pack well and comfortable enough to wear all day.
The peaked helmet-compatible hood is roomy and fully adjustable, facilitating a secure fit in the face of strong winds. The Alpine Fit minimises excess fabric, avoiding flapping or bunching without feeling restrictive, and articulated pre-shaped sleeves facilitate dynamic movement, whether coiling ropes, shouldering packs or using axes. Adjustable hem drawcords and laminated cuffs help accommodate layering and seal out driving rain, offering complete protection in very wet weather. At the same time, large pit zips let you regulate temperature and manage moisture buildup during strenuous uphill legs or in humid conditions.
Care: You may have heard that waterproof membranes have changed. The "forever chemicals" that were once used are now banned and the new mambranes are far more environmentally friendly which is great news for lovers of the great outdoors. The new technology requires us to care for our garments more regularly, and washing and proofing your garments will not only ensure you stay dry but also prolong the life of the garments. When to wash is a question we are often asked and this really depends on how much you're using your jacket, how much you sweat and the conditions you are using it in. Essentially, the more you use your waterproof jacket, the more regularly you will need to wash and reproof it. You should wash it if it is visibly dirty on either the outside or the inside of the jacket, and we recommend keeping an eye on how well water beads on the fabric as when this stops happening it can be an indicator that the fabric needs cleaning. As a rough guide, if you're getting out in the mountains every weekend and using your jacket each time, we'd suggest washing your jacket every 4- 6 weeks. We use and recommend Nikwax for washing and proofing.
Materials
Waterproof, windproof and breathable; GORE-TEX fabric is guaranteed to keep you dry
Main Fabric: 75D GORE-TEX ePE (139gsm).
Waterproof breathable 3-layer construction with PFAS-free DWR.
HH: 28,000mm, RET: <20
Taped seams throughout to prevent water entry
Patterning & Design
Alpine Fit with articulated and pre-shaped sleeves allows maximum mobility
YKK® WR underarm pit zips allow for airflow & ventilation when required
Hood Configuration
Our Mountain Helmet Compatible Hood can also be worn comfortably over a helmet when required
Hood is fully adjustable with rear volume adjustment and two frontal adjusters
Laminated and wired hood visor maintains field of vision even in high winds or when wearing glasses or goggles
Tethered external cordlocks to adjust the hood opening
Internal rear hood adjuster cord channels with rollaway clip
Tricot-lined chin guard
Pocket Configuration
2 outer hand pockets with YKK® WR zips and zip garages, positioned to be accessible when carrying a pack or wearing a climbing harness and large enough to store gloves and other items
1 outer chest pocket YKK® WR zip and zip garage, large enough to accommodate a map, GPS or other accessories
Single inner YKK® zipped security pocket for storage of small items
Waterproof pocket bags
Stratum pocket construction increases pockets' internal volume
Centre Front Zip
Full length 2-way YKK® AquaGuard® centre front zip with internal stormflap
Press stud fastener at the hem to eliminate zip riding up
Cuffs & Sleeves Configuration
Adjustable stitched cuffs
Bar tack reinforcement on cuff pull tabs
Waist & Hem Construction
Stitched hem
Dual tether hem drawcords