Rocking the status quo: the Mountain Equipment Oreus jacket could change how we think about insulation

We love a bit of innovation in our hiking gear – and the Mountain Equipment Oreus jacket delivers precisely that. Read on to discover why this could be the insulated jacket you've been waiting for.

For a long time, the choice of insulation was simple, down or synthetic. The pros and cons of each were well established. Down insulation provided optimum warmth to weight and excellent compressibility, making down jackets the best choice for packability and transport, and for the coldest temperatures.

But it had one great weakness: damp. Get down wet, and all its wonderful insulating properties would be lost. For wetter conditions synthetic insulation has always been preferable, the trade-off being that it tended to be heavier and bulkier.

However, with hydrophobic treatments for down, and modern technical developments in synthetic insulation, the differences between them have been eroded. And now, with Mountain Equipment’s new Aetherm Precision Insulation found in the Oreus jacket, these differences may have been erased altogether.

Designed to be windproof, lightweight and packable, Mountain Equipment tell us that the Oreus is their “warmest, lightest, and most compressible” synthetic option. This, they say, is thanks to the new Aetherm insulation contained within it.

“Painstakingly developed over 3 years, it’s precisely where it needs to be between warmth and weight, feel and durability, and packability and comfort.” This, on paper at least, bestows the Oreus jacket (and there’s also a vest) with the perfect qualities for an insulating winter jacket.

And because the Aetherm insulation is synthetic and therefore impervious to moisture, it’s a jacket that’s ideally suited to the cold but damp conditions of UK mountain winters.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the new Oreus jacket, with a specific focus on that cutting edge Aetherm Precision Insulation.

5 things you need to know

1. Introducing Aetherm Precision Insulation

The most important component of the Oreus jacket is its Aetherm filling. Created with multiple strands of recycled polyester fibres interlocked within a reflective layer, Mountain Equipment’s patent-pending insulation means the unique 3D structure of Aetherm provides unparalleled performance characteristics not found in other synthetics Oreus provides exceptional warmth, is remarkably lightweight, highly packable, and feels more like down when worn.

These interlocking recycled polyester strands allow moisture to dissipate rapidly and air to pass through the fibres to speed drying and retain warmth when wet. Because Aetherm is engineered as a flat sheet, it can be precisely used within the Oreus without the need for stitch-through baffles which can cause cold spots.

2. Tread lightly

As is increasingly (and quite rightly) the norm with outdoor gear, the Oreus jacket has been invested with some good eco credentials alongside its performance focused technology. Both the outer and inner fabric are made from 100% recycle polyamide, while the polyester used in the Aetherm insulation is also 100% recycled. And, because Mountain Equipment is a Fair Wear brand, you know that conditions in its supply chain are monitored too.

3. Light and packable

Many synthetically insulated jackets suffer from being big and bulky. Not so the Oreus. The use of Aetherm ensures the jacket is both lightweight and highly compressible, packing down into its inside drop pocket for convenient transit in a pack. It also makes it easy to layer under a hardshell when the weather is really bad.

4. Form, function and features

A jacket, even an insulated one, can’t be all about its filling. The overall design of the Oreus is also excellent. The hood is insulated and fully adjustable. The main zipper is two-way and is equipped with a rear insulated baffle for heat retention. There are two handwarmer pockets, one Napoleon chest pocket, and an internal drop pocket. The cuffs are elasticated, but not cinchable, although the hem does feature dual tether drawcords. Plus, the outer fabric is wind- and weather-resistant, making the Oreus truly versatile.

5. Size for use

One thing you need to decide is what you want the Oreus for. If it’s as an insulated midlayer then your usual jacket size will be ideal for layering under a shell. If you want to use the Oreus as a belay jacket, slinging it on over the top of your other layers (including a shell) you’ll need to size up as the fit is quite snug. The problem is that the Oreus serves both purposes brilliantly, so you just need to work out which is most important to you.

Verdict

The price is on the high side, and the fabric feels a touch thin. But if you want a worry-free warmer for wet conditions, the Mountain Equipment Oreus and its Aetherm insulation promise great things.

About the author

LFTO and Trail Magazine Gear Editor Ben Weeks (above) put the Mountain Equipment Orues through its paces. Ben has been with Trail for over 10 years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader and Climbing Instructor. He loves gnarly Scottish winter routes so is a master at putting cold weather kit through its paces.

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