Mountain climbing activities cannot be equated with daily activities. No matter how busy we are at work, at home and anywhere, it’s not as hard as climbing a mountain. In particular, one thing that is very different and makes a big change is that on the mountain we will not get the comfort that we should at home or in the office.
We are required to survive in the absence of tools and the comfort of a place to live, coupled with very different natural conditions. Low air temperature can have a significant impact on our activities. In cold temperatures, the body must adapt first. So in order for our bodies to be fine from the difference in high temperatures and fierce mountain winds, the body needs excellent protection, namely in the form of a jacket specifically designed for mountain climbing activities.
So here are tips for choosing the right mountain jacket!
Choose the right jacket material
The first thing to consider is the base material used. Mountain jackets come with a variety of basic materials that are made according to the needs of mountain climbers. The selected materials have been calculated well to be able to protect the body from extreme natural weather.
Try to upsize the jacket from the usual size
For mountain jackets, you should choose one size larger than usual. Why? To provide a wide range of motion during the ascent. When climbing, the body will be active and continue to move more than usual. Clothing that is too tight will actually hinder because it does not provide comfort. In addition, a larger jacket can be the outermost layer.
So under the jacket we can add a few layers of clothing or a regular jacket to give an added feeling of warmth when climbing. If we wear a normal jacket size that even fits the body, we can’t add layers when it’s cold. And of course the cold body reduces mobility when climbing. Worse still can develop hypothermia and it can be life threatening.
Number and location of jacket pockets
Mountain jacket pockets need to be considered as well, both in number, size and location. That’s because when climbing, we need to store important items, need to be stored and retrieved quickly and easily that doesn’t require unpacking the contents of the bag. The more bags are actually the more recommended, it’s just that we pay attention to the location and size of the bags whether they fit and make us comfortable or not. Even the location of the zipper pocket can affect the convenience when storing and retrieving items.
Jacket hoodie
Mountain jackets are better equipped with a hoodie or beanie. This is important, because a head covering is needed to protect the head when the weather is windy or rainy. There are two types of hoodies in mountain jackets: detachable hoodies and patent hoodies. We can choose which hoodie depends on our needs and comfort.
Jacket care
Mountain jacket maintenance should also be an important point to consider. Mountain jackets are made and sewn with a special method, with a myriad of advantages and protection to our bodies. These special materials need special treatment so that their functions can last.
Starting from washing, drying, to storage again, usually require special treatment. Starting from being washed in warm water, should not be exposed to direct sunlight, should not be folded and so on. Well, we should consider all these methods of care as a consequence of owning a mountain jacket.
