Writing this in mid June, it’s easy to forget about the sneaky chill of the colder months, patiently waiting on the other side of the calendar. You can never prepare for Winter too soon, especially with the long lead times on Kickstarter. That’s why Neualp jackets caught our interest – a line of German designed winter gear that doesn’t sacrifice performance for sustainability.
This is Neualp’s second successful Kickstarter campaign after launching their original Ascentec jacket in 2018. Their latest campaign offers a new and improved fusion jacket as well as a new midlayer.
Ascentec Hybrid Jacket
Built to handle everything from skiing and running to mountain climbing, the Ascentec hybrid uses two insulating materials to create a kind of hybrid jacket. The outer micro-baffle construction is filled with 100% recycled down along the back, front, arms and hood. This 700+ fill down is made from post-consumer European goods and delivers the same performance as virgin down while keeping a smaller carbon footprint.
The inner arms and sides of the Ascentec jacket are insulated with 100% Swiss and Norwegian wool sourced with the highest animal welfare standards. Wool is known for its natural moisture wicking and breathability and is an ideal partner for the down in the rest of the jacket.
Sustainability is faceted into pretty much every aspect of Neualp’s jackets – even the outer shell is made from 100% recycled ripstop nylon.
The Ascentec jacket is also extremely easy to pack. The super light materials allow it to fold into its own inner pocket:
Fusion Merino Midlayer
When you need something a little slimmer than the Ascentec, Neualp is also introducing their Fusion Merino midlayer. Designed to be worn on its own or under another jacket, the midlayer has several cool features outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate.
The body is made from Merino grid fleece, a two layer material made from 100% recycled plastic bottles with an inner wool lining. The nylon portion around the chest and hood not only looks neat, but is insulated with the same European wool found in the Ascentec.
There’s also:
- Elasticated cuffs
- An interior storm flap along the zipper
- Concealed thumb loops
- 2 side pockets
Biodegradable packaging
It might seem like a small thing, but we really like the packaging choices Neualp made. The jackets are shipped in a biodegradable bag that breaks down into a non-toxic biomass when exposed to hot water. The outer box is also made from recycled paper and grass, which uses 99% less water than wood.
Where to buy Neualp jackets
Neualp jackets are available to pre-order at a discount by backing their Kickstarter campaign. With a $157 pledge you can reserve the Fusion midlayer, while the Ascentec jacket is available from $290. Both models are available in men’s and women’s sizes with two respective color options to pick from.
Units are estimated to deliver smack dab in the heart of winter – January 2022.