The Kinesis feels like a lightweight softshell and has the weather-resistant capabilities of one, yet features the exceptional breathability of a fleece for high-output activities in the mountains. It's ideal for climbing, scrambling, mountaineering and virtually any other mountainous activity you can think of!
The Kinesis is made using Mountain Equipment's own HeliumAP fabric. This fabric is stretchy, highly breathable, wind-resistant and features a durable water repellent coating for added weather protection. Beneath this, you'll find an Octayarn Warp-knit lining. This lining feels like a soft, fluffy blanket and has a few different purposes! It provides warmth, increases comfort and actively wicks away sweat as you move, pushing it out through the breathable outer and keeping you at a constant, comfortable temperature.
Starting at the top, a Mountain HC hood fits a helmet underneath yet can be cinched down to fit just your head on less technical excursions. A two-way main zip allows you to slip the jacket over a climbing harness or simply answer the call of nature, while two zipped hand pockets and one chest pocket store all the usual bits and bobs you need quick to hand. Rather than the traditional 'looped' drawcord, Mountain Equipment uses a dual-tether alternative which can't get caught on an axe and allows you to easily adjust the front and back of the jacket separately. Lastly, the entire jacket packs into its own hand pocket and has twin carabiner loops to attach to a harness when not in use.
It features an Active fit, meaning it sits close to skin to maximise warmth and moisture-wicking. Due to the super-stretchy fabric and articulated sleeves, it'll never feel restrictive.
It can either be used as a warm, comfortable mid-layer with a shell over the top in heavy rain or as a breathable outer layer in drier conditions.
Features:- Packs into own hand pocket
- Two carabiner loops
- Two zipped hand pockets
- One chest pocket
- Two-way main zip
- Mountain HC hood
- Active fit with articulated sleeves
- Octayarn Warp-knit lining
- Helium AP outer fabric
- Highly breathable and stretchy
- Weight: 360gms
Buyers Guide - How to choose a layer and use it effectivelyWhen you’re out and about enjoying the hills, you are the one in control of how hot or cold you feel. It is up to you to wear the right amount, and type of clothing for the weather and activity you are enjoying. It is up to you to ensure you have eaten and drunk enough (this plays a very important part in temperature regulation). It is up to you to add or remove clothing to regulate your temperature. It is up to you to move faster, or in some cases slower, to control your level of exertion.
Grabbing a jacket and heading out for a couple of hours is great if you know you are going to be returning from the great outdoors to a hot shower and dry clothes but if you are backpacking, climbing our venturing further afield then getting your layering wrong can be a real issue.
The basic rule is to carry all your layers if you are heading out to enjoy the hills because if the weather turns; you cannot put on layers you did not bring along.
- Jargon Busting - what do "layering", "wicking", "moisture vapour" etc mean?- Why is wicking so important?- So, if I buy technical wicking clothing will I sweat less?
- What should I look for in a base layer?
- I just need one mid-layer, right?
- Why is a windproof a good thing to buy?
- Surely, I don’t need to carry a hat and gloves in the summer?
- But I’ve spent all this money on performance clothing and I still feel cold. Why?
- What about the environment?
Top tips to make the right choice:The good news is that there is no shortage of choice, fit or colours when it comes to base and mid-layers.
Once again; fit, is absolutely the most important factor when choosing your clothing. It is critical to function and will make a difference to how a garment performs.
If you are starting out, then make a base layer your first purchase as this is the foundation and possible THE most important part of your clothing system. After all, if it does not absorb your sweat efficiently then it won’t be able to transport it out and away from your body.
Product reviews are great for getting an idea of what you might want but as we have mentioned above everyone is unique and what works well for one person may not be ideal for your personal body shape or metabolism.
Finally, if you don’t own any “performance clothing” don’t despair! People have been climbing mountains for hundreds of years in silk and wool garments – the difference is that they lived in a time when they understood the consequences of getting wet and cold so avoided it. Simply enjoy your adventures in the good weather by adapting your day around a forecast.
Modern outdoor fabrics allow us to remain comfortable in bad weather so long as we understand and use them correctly. Their ability to wick moisture away from our bodies and out through our waterproofs allows us to venture out for great outdoor adventures whatever the weather, spreading our sweaty happiness for all to enjoy!