Mountain Equipment Vega Men's Jacket

For over 15 years, the Vega Jacket has stood as a prime example of what is achievable with down insulation products, becoming a beacon in modern alpinism. Lightweight, compact, and highly water-resistant, it is a premium performance down jacket that offers warmth and protection during demanding alpine and mountaineering challenges, where only the essentials make the cut. Whether on multi-day expeditions across the towering peaks of the world's highest mountains or navigating technical lines in isolated alpine cirques, it delivers the warmth required without the weight and bulk that are often unnecessary.

800-fill power goose down is strategically placed throughout the jacket and secured with a stitched-through baffle construction, maximising warmth and preventing down migration, which can create cold spots, especially in sensitive areas like the shoulders, chest, and hood. The down is minimally treated and DOWN CODEX approved, ensuring it is sourced via a transparent and rigorously audited supply chain.

The lightweight, highly water-resistant Drilite Loft outer fabric allows the down to loft fully, providing optimum warmth while protecting it from melting snow, ice, and harsh spindrift. Drilite Loft also offers complete wind resistance and excellent breathability, keeping the wearer warm and comfortable even during strenuous activity. This protective fabric also extends over the inner hem and the hood lining, shielding both the wearer and the jacket’s interior from moisture in these vulnerable areas. Additionally, the seam-free shoulder panels enhance water resistance, even when carrying a pack.

The Active Alpine Fit is designed to meet the dynamic demands of alpinists, removing excess material and bulk that could hinder movement or obstruct access to a harness, while still allowing complete freedom of movement—whether carrying a pack, swinging axes, or coiling ropes.

The grown-on insulated hood uses the innovative Firestorm construction, a patent-pending design that combines a sewn-through baffle structure with a drop outer fabric for superior protection against severe conditions. The baffle pleats reduce overall volume without sacrificing warmth, and the pleated halo baffle around the face offers much-needed warmth and protection against freezing winds and spindrift.

Internally, two large drop pockets provide convenient storage for gloves, hats, or other essentials that need to be easily accessible while on the move.

Features

Insulation

• The jacket features 245g (size large) of premium Goose Down with a minimum 90/10 ratio and 800 fill power, delivering remarkable warmth while remaining lightweight and highly compressible.
• Insulation is carefully optimised through a baffle-by-baffle construction, ensuring the highest possible warmth-to-weight ratio.
• The down is ethically sourced in accordance with DOWN CODEX© and RDS standards, guaranteeing animal welfare throughout the supply chain.
• A unique DOWN CODEX© code is included with each product, enabling users to trace the origin of the down and access precise details on its fill power and content.

Materials

• The outer shell is constructed from DRILITE® LOFT fabric with a PU coating and 30 Denier weave, offering lightweight durability and reliable weather resistance with a 1500mm Hydrostatic Head.
• A 20 Denier woven downproof lining enhances comfort, promotes efficient moisture transfer, and improves the garment’s packability.

Patterning & Design

• A stitched-through and pleated baffle construction is employed throughout, providing a balance of superior insulation and unrestricted mobility.
• The jacket is tailored to be worn over additional mountain layers when conditions demand it.
• Down migration control baffles are strategically placed across the shoulders to prevent insulation from shifting.

Hood Configuration

• The Mountain HC Insulated Hood is fully adjustable and has been designed for effective use with or without a helmet, offering reliable protection and comfort over prolonged periods.
• A halo neck collar, inspired by sleeping bag design, helps to retain warmth by minimising heat loss at the neck.
• The hood’s inner lining is made from DRILITE® LOFT 30 Denier fabric, reducing the risk of moisture penetration from melting snow.

Pocket Configuration

• Two zipped handwarmer pockets offer quick and convenient access to essential items.
• Two internal mesh pockets provide a warm storage option for gloves, a water bottle, or other temperature-sensitive items.

Centre Front Zip

• A two-way YKK® moulded centre front zip is designed to be easy to operate while wearing gloves.
• An offset insulated rear zip baffle reduces heat loss and protects against wind ingress.

Cuffs & Sleeves Configuration

• Cuffs are both adjustable and elasticated, allowing for easy use over gloves in cold environments.
• Sleeves are tailored to provide freedom of movement without restriction.

Waist & Hem Construction

• Dual tether drawcords at the hem allow for personalised adjustment and help to increase thermal efficiency.

Further Features

• A lightweight stuff sack is included for ease of packing and transportation.
• The main fabric is sourced and manufactured in Japan.
• The jacket is designed and developed in the United Kingdom and manufactured in China.
• It is built for long-lasting performance and supported by a Product Lifetime Guarantee.
• Mountain Equipment is a proud member of the Fair Wear Foundation, supporting fair labour practices and ethical manufacturing.
  
  

Specifications

 

Technology

	Down 800 The finest quality goose down, sourced from Ukraine, with a guaranteed minimum down cluster content of 90%.Each batch is individually tested during the filling process to ensure a minimum fill power of 800.DOWN CODEX approved.
	Down Codex® The DOWN CODEX® is a highly acclaimed certification programme, recognised with multiple awards, which addresses the environmental, ethical, and animal welfare aspects of down supply chains.It is based on thorough and transparent auditing processes that guarantee both traceability and quality.
	Fair Wear As a member of Fair Wear, Mountain Equipment is committed to implementing the highest standards of working conditions.
	Drilite Loft Drilite® Loft represents an exclusive range of highly water-resistant fabrics used in insulated clothing and equipment. The original Drilite® Loft, launched nearly 30 years ago, was ahead of its time, offering a fabric that was exceptionally breathable, lightweight, and water-repellent. These three defining qualities remain integral to the modern Drilite® Loft fabrics.

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