In a Year Packed With Insulation Innovation, This Jacket Dominates

Considering jackets Aether, Goldwin and Graphene-X introduced alone, 2024 was huge for insulation innovation. Yet another brand rose above that crowded field with both an approach and product that wowed.

Coming to market after three years of development, Mountain Equipment’s Oreus Hooded Jacket boasts high warmth-to-weight synthetic insulation that delivers the benefits of down without its, ahem, downsides.

Mountain Equipment

GP100 Winner

Mountain Equipment Oreus Hooded Jacket

Specs

Insulation	100 percent recycled Polyester and a reflective layer to increase warmth
Materials	100 percent recycled PLASMA 10D inner and outer fabric with Fluorocarbon-free DWR
Weight	13.8 ounces

• $450 at Mountain Equipment

The key? A patented construction called Aetherm, which involves weaving recycled polyester fibers through heat-reflective fabric technology.

The formula helps moisture dissipate swiftly, keeping you warm even when wet.

It requires no stitch-through baffles, which can cause cold spots as loose-fill insulation shifts.

And the fibers’ interlocking structure lets you smush the jacket down in your luggage or backcountry pack without losing loft. 

Mountain Equipment

The Oreus jacket also features such winter adventure requisites as PFAS-free DWR, an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood, a plentitude of pockets, a two-way front zipper and dual-tether hem drawcords to lock in precious heat when temperatures drop.

So while we could try to stay warm by wrapping ourselves in all the marketing copy we’ve read hyping various insulation upgrades, what the Oreus actually delivers out in the field feels like a much more attractive option.

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