Fremont, CA – Sure, we know it’s summer, so why would we be reviewing a down pullover?
The bottom line is that despite its functionality as an ultra-toasty midlayer in winter, the Alpini Mountain Anorak from Brooks-Range Mountaineering ($249) is a highly compressible, lightweight warmer for chilly evenings while backpacking in summer at higher elevations. And its construction and 800-fill down insulation is virtually the best we’ve seen in the category, bar none.
 
We found the Alpini Mountain Anorak from Brooks-Range Mountaineering to be a best-in-category down garment. Pictured is the hoody version. |
Simply stated, Matt Brooks chose the highest quality white Canadian goose down when designing his company’s first insulated apparel piece. We’ve seen it first-hand — no feathers, no brown down. Well known in the backcountry ski and snowboard industry for its snow safety instruments and tools, Brooks-Range has produced a lightweight 15ºF-rated garment that compresses down to next to nothing to stow in a backpack, an enviable quality as an emergency garment on ski trips into the backcountry or sidecountry.
Weight is further reduced by using a half-zip for a pullover design, which also allows for a generous handwarmer kangaroo pocket. Rather than employing pit zips, the ventilation zippers on the Alpini begin at the waist hem and extend upward towards the arms. A Velcro closure at the waist may then be undone to provide far quicker and more thorough ventilation than a pit zip could ever hope to achieve.
The jacket comes in shiny black, red or gold hues, and those who prefer a hoody ($264) or a vest ($164) have those options available as well. All may be found in high-end mountaineering shops, or purchased online directly from Brooks-Range at www.brooks-range.com.