Alpargali Puffer Pro

Alpargali describes the Puffer Pro as a full upgrade of its earlier Alpargali Puffer, aiming to meet the standards expected of expedition-level gear while remaining practical as everyday urban wear. According to the maker, the jacket can retain body heat at temperatures as low as -40℃, and balances light weight with warmth so it is less tiring to wear for long periods.

Two insulation materials

The core of the design is a pairing of two insulators. The first is ET Bionic Down, a patented synthetic the maker says replicates the structure of natural down while addressing its drawbacks. Using what Alpargali calls Instant Air Expansion Technology, each fiber is said to expand into a hollow, 3D "tree-like" structure that forms millions of tiny air pockets. The maker cites a 35% hollow-fiber ratio, an Airflow Circulation System that balances warmth and breathability with activity and temperature, and an integrated physical molding process that creates a one-piece long-fiber structure intended to prevent dust, allergens and fiber shedding.

The second is an Aerogel Air Fiber Cluster, which the maker says is inspired by NASA aerospace insulation and built from microfibers containing aerogel. It is used in the back panel. According to Alpargali, in controlled tests the aerogel cluster reached a surface temperature of 42.3℃ ten minutes after infrared exposure, and it has a thermal resistance of 0.625 k·m²/W, compared with figures the maker gives of 0.535 k·m²/W for traditional down and 0.51 k·m²/W for cotton. The company also says 1.5 grams of aerogel insulation forms a far larger volume than the same weight of cotton.

Shell and lining

• 3-layer technical shell using Japan's Dermizax® waterproof-breathable membrane
• Fully sealed seams
• Waterproof rating of 20,000mm or more, per the maker
• Moisture vapor transmission of 10,000g/m² or more per 24 hours, per the maker
• Lining blending soft-touch nylon with a graphene-infused layer, which the maker says reflects far-infrared heat, is antibacterial and odor-resistant, and resists static

Alpargali also points to a functional pocket system and a cut designed around real movement, such as ski turns or securing footing while climbing, with the stated goal of a single jacket covering commuting, travel, skiing and mountaineering.