Early Verdict
Now a fourth-generation product, the Alpkit Filoment Hoody has evolved intelligently over the years. Simply put, this is a cracking and competitively priced jacket, providing the warmth for weight that only down can deliver without breaking the bank.
Pros
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Nicely cut, with good articulation
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Excellent eco credentials with fully recycled fabric and fill
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Good warmth to weight ratio
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Lightweight
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Great value
Cons
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Price has crept up over time, while spec has dropped
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Down fill is not hydrophobic, unlike previous 2018 version
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No dedicated pack pocket or stuff sack
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First impressions
The Filoment has been a mainstay of Alpkit’s product range since it first appeared back in 2015. Despite that, the brand haven’t rested on their laurels. The Filoment’s design and spec have been continually tweaked over the years. In its first incarnation, it had very narrow baffles, while the next two generations looked a little chunkier. But the latest version has slimmed down again, returning to the distinctive micro baffles that gave the original its active, slim fit (one reason it became so popular among climbers). The shoulder yoke has also been redesigned.
The Alpkit Filoment down jacket is also now more eco-friendly than ever, with a fully recycled fabric and fill, plus a PFC-free DWR. Admittedly, the fill power has dropped slightly from 650 to 630FP, and unlike previous versions the down itself is no longer hydrophobically treated, which may be down to the adoption of recycled fill or the need to keep the price competitive.
• RRP: £140 (UK)/€160 (EU)
• Fill: 630-fill-power down
• Sizes: (men’s): S–XXL
• Sizes (women’s): UK 8–18
• Weight (men's size M): 335g/11.8oz
• Colours: Ocean/Black/Lagoon
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In the field
The Alpkit Filoment Hoody has garnered plenty of praise over the years, all of which is fully merited. Yes, there are warmer jackets, but they tend to be heavier and/or more expensive. The Filoment strikes pretty much the perfect balance between weight, warmth and cost – there aren’t too many rivals that can compete on all three fronts. It seems that Alpkit has hit on a winning formula, and they’re sticking with it.
It is really well articulated for an insulated jacket, while still providing great coverage thanks to a dropped rear hem and long arms that stop it from riding up too much when stretching upwards. Feature-wise, it is also well kitted out: you get a full zip with an insulated baffle and soft chin guard, a big stretch hood with rear volume adjustment, two zipped hand warmer pockets, internal dump pockets and an external chest pocket.
Despite the lower-grade down fill, it’s still decently warm and lightweight too, which makes it a solid choice as an extra layer for almost any outdoor adventure, whether worn as a midlayer or carried in your pack to pull out when things turn chilly.
