The Kabru III is a flexible jacket that would be at home as both a competent mid-layer to those wanting to tackle the mountain on skis, or as a light jacket for year-round use hiking and biking.
Light, easily packable and with the option of stuffing the jacket into one of its pockets for stowage, the Kabru III proves that good things come in small packages. The stowed size is tiny, but it does take considerable effort to compress that small. At just 240g in a medium size, this is a jacket you can take just about anywhere without worrying about the weight of your luggage.
The 95% duck down and 5% duck feather ratio and 800 fill power in the Kabru III make it a seriously warm jacket that offers superior insulation - the perfect thing to wear under a shell jacket out on the slopes. Add to this the breathability achieved by sections of PrimaLoft Silver Eco insulation in the cuffs and side panels, and it keeps you at a comfortably cosy temperature all day.
The Pertex Quantum fabric used as the outer material is very tough and lightweight, and has a Vaude Eco Finish, which is both water-resistant and environmentally friendly to manufacture. Water-resistance is a great extra feature of this garment, and not something you always get as standard on a down jacket, but we found it very important when testing it in sleet snow out on the mountain.
This is a slim fit jacket, so it isn't roomy. Take this into account if you're more inclined towards a looser fit, but there are stretch panels filled with a thin fleece under the arms so freedom of movement isn't impeded by the figure-hugging cut.
The two zipped pockets are a nice feature and handy for carrying extra kit if your ski jacket is a little short on storage options. The high collar, back flap on the front zip and stretchy cuffs and hem also do a great job of keeping the cold and wind from getting in.
The Kabru III isn't showy, but comes in 6 colour options; some bright and some more subdued, so you should be able to find one to match your taste.
