Over the holiday break I was able to use the Nau Down Slope Jacket for a ski trip to Mammoth. Before getting into the details of the jacket, I must preface that clothing has come a long way from when I first started going to the mountains. The object of staying warm in the past was to put on as many layers as possible to shield from the cold. This, of course, meant you had the mobility of the Michelin Man, but at least you stayed mildly warm. Movement needed to be sacrificed for warmth. So, you pointed yourself downhill, and hoped for the best. On the plus side, if you wiped out, there was plenty of padding to absorb the fall. Now, there is a whole new school of thought based on fabrics that are designed for these conditions. One such item, the Down Slope Jacket, is made from a soft and durable twill that is combined with a waterproof, breathable laminate and fully taped seams. The twill face fabric is also treated with a DWR finish for added protection from the elements. There is an attached hood with two-way drawcord, a mini storm skirt hem with drawcord, velcro cuffs, and 650-fill goose down insulation. All these details add up to a jacket that does not restrict movement in any way, yet keeps you incredibly warm. I combined the Down Slope with another Nau product, the Down Sweater, and with a simple merino t-shirt as the base. These three items were perfect for the temperatures in Mammoth, sometimes as low as 12 degrees fahrenheit. The Down Slope Jacket is well thought out; there is no fumbling around with this jacket, as it all works the way it should. Best yet, movement is not restricted in any way. I am a fan of the new school of cold weather gear, and Nau is at the top of the game.
