Waterfallproof Puffer

The Waterfallproof Puffer is designed to combat the megastorms of the future, where crazily intense rainfall and snowstorms become the norm. Engineered with self-drying nanotechnology and an intelligent waterproof membrane, water can’t even stick to the outside of the jacket. It comes with a watertight chest pocket that we borrowed from scuba diving gear. And the insulation is embedded with aerogel – the lightest solid material in the world – to keep you warm down to -40°C.

You have to combine lots of different technologies to make a high-performance material this waterproof. Which is why the material we use for the outer shell requires 28 separate construction processes just to build it – and that’s before you even get to the insulation underneath. The entire outer shell is an advanced 3 layer Swiss material from Schoeller that’s highly waterproof and windproof. With the outermost layer engineered with self-drying nanotechnology, underneath there’s an intelligent waterproof membrane that opens and closes as it reacts to temperature.

A lot of technology goes into helping the Waterfallproof Puffer keep you dry. But just as much goes into keeping you warm. And this time we’ve turned to a new type of synthetic insulation to keep you warm down to -40°C and below. The insulation starts life as tiny, silk-like, synthetic fibres that mimic the warmth and softness of down. These fibres are then embedded with aerogel to increase warmth but without adding weight. While we’ve built clothing with many of the world’s most cutting-edge materials, this is the first time we’ve used aerogel.

Aerogel is an astonishingly effective insulator. Its individual nanopores are 10,000 times thinner than a human hair, which makes it almost impossible for air to pass through it. It’s mainly been used in space exploration until today because of cost. But fusing synthetic fibres with aerogel provides a way forward. The fibres and the aerogel work together to perform two distinct roles to keep you warm. While the fibres trap millions of tiny air pockets next to your skin to keep you warm, the aerogel acts as a thermal barrier between you and cold air.

You’ll find that every detail of the jacket is built for extreme waterproofness. All the seams are fully sealed. And critical seams are reinforced with giant welded bartacks for strength. We’ve also engineered out seams at the shoulders to eliminate the chance of water finding its way in. You’ll find adjusters on the inside hem to tighten the jacket closed at the waist, and hidden elasticated gaiters at the cuffs to create an airtight seal between you and the elements.

Two large side pockets are fitted with water resistant zippers and covered by storm flaps. The pockets are deep enough to let you tuck in if you’re being battered by a blizzard. The two-way front zipper is water resistant and protected by a large external storm flap which fastens down with tough metal snap fasteners. And on the inside there’s an internal storm flap to add another layer of protection.

On the front of the jacket there are two massive bellows pockets that open up the more you put inside them. They close with two metal snap fasteners and are covered by angled storm flaps so that water rolls off them. On the inside of the jacket there are two more large zipped pockets for your phone, wallet, keys and other supplies.

The hood is insulated and lined on the inside just like the rest of the jacket. So it’s warm and soft against your face and skin. There’s an internal fastening system at either side, and another adjuster at the back, so you can tighten the hood up when you need. The jacket has a high collar to insulate you in the harshest conditions, and it’s lined with a soft, brushed fabric against your neck, nose and mouth.