Over the past 10 years sustainability and environmental responsibility have gone from ‘nice to have’ features in outdoor equipment to an expected standard for all manufacturers. But it’s fair to say that Patagonia has been one of the leaders of the charge.
Related: Best Jackets
Its latest development is the use of NetPlus, a recycled fabric made from discarded fishing nets recovered from the ocean. By partnering up with Bureo, the organisation that retrieves, recycles and turns the nets into NetPlus fabric, Patagonia has been able to divert 105 tons of discarded fishing nets from ending up as ocean trash.
The ‘hero product’ is the Downdrift Jacket, a heritage-inspired insulated jacket. It’s tough and stylish, albeit maybe a little too bulky for proper on-the-hill use. But as a lifestyle coat, or as a mountain jacket in weather cold enough to warrant wearing it all day, it’s a beautiful thing.
5 things you need to know about the Patagonia Downdrift Jacket
Recycled weather resistance
Made of 100% post-consumer recycled nylon from discarded fishing nets, the durable NetPlus shell fabric also features a PFC-free DWR finish, providing a good level of weather resistance to help keep you and the down insulation dry.
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Recycled warmth
The Downdrift is insulated with 600-fill-power recycled down – duck and goose down reclaimed from end-of-life down products.
Heat-trapping
The removable, insulated hood features hidden adjustment cords that cinch down to keep your body heat on the inside. A drawcord does the same job around the hem, while the full-length two-way zip has a covered placket secured with metal snaps for optimal wind protection and warmth.
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Storage options
Two handwarmer pockets and two stormflap protected stash pockets at the waist offer refuge for cold fingers and protected stowage. A zipped inside pocket gives a secure place for must-not-lose items such as phone, keys or wallet.
Cleaning the oceans
Bureo works with more than 50 participating fishing communities in South America (Chile, Argentina, and Peru) to provide an incentivised program to collect, clean, sort and recycle discarded fishing nets into Patagonia’s NetPlus material, bringing a positive end-of-use solution to one of the most damaging forms of ocean pollution. Learn more at bureo.co
eu.patagonia.com
| Men's sizes: | XS-XXL |
| Women's sizes: | S/M, M/L |
| Weight: | 1014g (men’s medium) |
| Pockets: | 5 |
| Shell material: | Coated 4-ply NetPlus 100% post-consumer recycled nylon faille made from recycled fishing nets with a PFC-free DWR finish |
| Lining material: | 100% recycled polyester taffeta with a PFC-free DWR finish |
| Insulation: | 600-fill-power 100% recycled down (duck and goose down reclaimed from down products) |
Trail verdict
Not quite streamlined enough for active mountain use, but a wonderful concept that we hope makes its way into more outdoor kit.
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