Worn over a base layer during cardio sessions above the tree line or as part of a layering system on long ski tours, the Switch Vest is a low-profile layer for fast-moving mountain sports. It can wick away moisture during strenuous uphill efforts and provide valuable core warmth and wind protection when the pace slows, it allows you to focus on the task at hand, not swapping layers.

Innovative Active Insulation

Using a combination of innovative Octayarn Warp-knit lining, lightweight, stretch-woven nylon outer and Pontetorto® Technostretch fleece, the Switch Vest provides a versatile layer of active insulation for alpinists, climbers and ski mountaineers.

Under the microscope, the Octayarn lining is made from hollow, multidentate fibres, with each individual fibre having eight protruding cog-like ‘teeth’. This complex 3D structure increases surface area and traps warm air, improving warmth and moisture-wicking capability while reducing overall weight. Octayarn offers the thickness of an 80-denier fibre but for half the weight and considerably less bulk.

Woven in a highly breathable warp-knit and without an inner face fabric, the Octayarn across the front of the vest offers unparalleled moisture transfer, keeping you comfortable when working hard, particularly on technical or steep terrain where constantly switching layers isn’t convenient.

A lightweight, stretch-woven outer offers wind resistance and fluorocarbon-free water repellency across the front of the vest, protecting you from light rain, spin drift and cold winds. Bluesign® approved Pontetorto® Technostretch fleece across the back, and sides ensures a low-profile, neat fit and prevent overheating. Crafted at a family-run fabric mill in Italy, this highly technical, low-bulk stretch fleece is our highest-performing fleece fabric.

A Cold-Weather Essential

Switch products represent our very best active insulation, with the Switch Vest being the ideal choice for those needing an extra layer to keep their core warm during strenuous activity in cool conditions. Layering well and offering excellent warmth and wicking capability is essential for high-energy mountain missions. As an active layering piece, the Switch Vest can be pulled on in the predawn chill and worn all day, whether racing to summits or forging lone tracks across remote basins.