Alpkit Launches £40 Down Smock

It might not be quite the ideal weather for down, but those nice boys over at Alpkit have both a new down top available plus reduced prices on some of their existing down jackets.

The new model is called the Filium and it's a down-filled smock-style jacket with just a zipped neck opening to save some weight and reduce hassle. It also has a bit of an eco story behind it, as the down used in the Filium has been scavenged from unsold and returned Filo Runts, which had problems with down leakage through the fabric.

Nowt wrong with the 90 per-cent goosedown, 650+ fill power (EU) filling though. You also get YKK zips with down-filled baffles, split side panels, moulded cuff tabs for easy adjustment, internal hand warmer pocket, a hem drawcord and an extended back to keep your butt nice and warm in the face of breezes...

Price is a killer £40, that's because it's been developed as part of Alpkit's CoLAB programme. Colab is a section of Alpkit's site where you can feed back information and ideas to help the company produce better products, which has to be a good thing. All they ask is that after using the Filium, you go back and tell them what you think of it.

On top of that, you can also get reduced prices on the Filo jacket at £60 and the hooded Fantom at just £80. Ideal if you're stocking up for next winter, or maybe off to the Alps or somewhere similarly chilly.

Full details and online ordering at www.alpkit.com