Pros & Cons of Synthetic. Top Picks Inside!➡️ ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏

This guide focuses on ultralight synthetic insulated jackets for hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering. We’ll break down the types of synthetic insulation available, how to judge a jacket’s warmth, what features to look for, how synthetic compares to down, and tips on care and maintenance. By understanding these factors, you can choose the best ultralight synthetic jacket to keep you warm and dry on your adventures.

A Guide to Ultralight Synthetic Jackets

What type of Synthetic Jacket do you need? Modern synthetic insulation comes in a few different forms, each engineered for specific performance characteristics. The three main categories are Sheet (mat) insulation, Active insulation, and Loose-fill (down-mimic) insulation. All types share the same basic principle as down: creating tiny air pockets that trap heat. However, their construction and use cases differ. Read our guide here for a comprehensive overview.

Warmth and Fill Weight When choosing any insulated jacket, a key question is “How warm will it be?” For synthetic jackets, one of the simplest indicators of warmth is the insulation weight, usually expressed in grams per square metre (g/m²). While factors like fabric, fit, and construction also affect warmth, the fill weight is a useful rule of thumb:

● Ultralight Active or Midlayer (50–100 g/m²) – Often used in active insulation or light midlayers, comparable in warmth to a fleece but more wind-resistant and compressible. Great for high-output activities or mild weather (e.g. 60–80 g/m² Polartec Alpha). ● All-Purpose Insulation (100–150 g/m²) – The versatile “do-it-all” range for... keep reading here.

Synthetic vs. Down: A Comparison It’s helpful to compare synthetic insulation to natural down to understand the strengths of each. Neither is categorically “better” – they have different advantages, and many adventurers will own both types for different conditions. Read our guide below to find out the Pros and Cons of Synthetic.
A Guide to Ultralight Synthetic Jackets

⭐ Our Synthetic Top Picks ⭐

Torrid Apex 7D Insulated Jacket
£239.99
Weighs: 222g (Medium)
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Fortes Nano Insulated Pull On
£179.99
Weighs: 203g (Medium)
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Women's SuperStrand LT Insulated Hoodie
£139.99
Weighs: 284g (UK12)
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Nano-Air Ultralight Full-Zip Hoody
£189.99
Weighs: 247g (Medium)
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Women's Nano-Air Ultralight Full-Zip Hoody
£189.99
Weighs: 216g (UK12)
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Extrem MTN Arete LB Synthetic Hoody
£184.99
Weighs: 208g (Medium)
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Apex Jacket
£229.99
Weighs: 274g (Medium)
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Women's Icarus Lite Insulated Hoodie
£154.99
Weighs: 429g (UK12)
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Icarus Lite Insulated Hoodie
£154.99
Weighs: 484g (Medium)
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Fortes XT Insulated Hoodie
£294.99
Weighs: 588g (Medium)
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Women's Fortes XT Insulated Hoodie
£294.99
Weighs: 557g (UK12)
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Fitzroy Insulated Jacket
£289.99
Weighs: 649g (Medium)
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Contact Us We're happy to answer questions or give advice. Call us: +441740 644024 Email: customer.service@ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk

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