Best Belay Jacket for Scottish Winter Climbing | Which do you need?

A belay jacket for Scottish winter climbing is essential. It needs to keep you warm and protected against some of the toughest mountain conditions. This blog will help you find the best belay jacket for you.

Scottish winter climbing makes you obsessive about kit, and long days in the most challenging weather mean that everything you carry needs to earn its place in your pack. The contrast between strenuous approaches, steep and involved climbing, and extended static periods at belays means you need a flexible set of layers that maintain as much comfort as possible, whilst managing both the moisture from within and the weather outside your layers.

A reliable belay jacket is integral to your kit, a warm layer that can be thrown over your shell, wet or dry. It provides a big boost of insulation during long belays as the ropes inch out, for navigating off exposed plateaus, and critically in case of an emergency that might see you waiting hours for help in the most hostile conditions.

Down or Synthetic Insulation, which is best for Scottish Winter Climbing?

Down and synthetic insulated jackets have advantages and disadvantages. Down still holds the edge when it comes to the most warmth for the least weight and smallest pack size, but synthetic insulation remains far more effective and resilient in the face of the wet conditions we typically encounter in the UK’s hills and mountains. This is a crucial advantage of synthetic insulation when considering what to pack for a winter climbing trip to Scotland, where wet and wild weather is almost guaranteed.

Even on the coldest days, your kit will rapidly become wet, especially after repeated stuffing and unpacking, and a synthetic belay jacket will simply keep working long after even the best down jacket has become sodden and useless. A little extra weight and bulk can seem a lot as you leave the car before dawn, but it will be forgotten a few hours later when looking after your kit is the last thing on your mind!

Check out our blog on the differences between down & synthetic insulation, click here.

What is a belay jacket?

A belay jacket is typically the most insulated layer in your pack. It is worn over all your clothing while you're belaying or taking a break to protect you from the elements and keep you warm. These jackets usually feature a two-way zipper, allowing you to use your harness effectively, along with large pockets for storing gloves, water, and snacks. Additionally, they have a spacious hood designed to fit over your helmet. The fit of a belay jacket is usually larger, making it easy to put on over your other layers.

Which belay jacket do I need for Scottish Winter Climbing?

Deciding on a belay jacket isn't as straightforward as you may think. To keep things simple, we have summed up the key functions of each jacket, helping you make the right decision.

Citadel   The Citadel is a contender for the warmest and most protective synthetically insulated jacket available today, a refuge from the most hostile conditions imaginable.   If you need protection in the face of any weather and are unbothered by a little extra weight and size, the Citadel is ideal for you.   Shop Citadel

Fitzroy & Alpamayo   Easily thrown over a shell, one of the more versatile jackets in our range, the Fitzroy and Alpamayo, provide a significant boost of insulation without the worry of the extra weight or size that comes with the Citadel.   If you are packing a little lighter or run slightly warmer, the Fitzroy & Alpamayo are ideal for you.   Shop Fitzroy Shop Alpamayo

Shelterstone   Ideal for throwing over a shell when you need that extra warmth to keep moving, the Shelterstone is best suited to winter mountaineering and climbing when the weather is slightly milder.   If you need a warm synthetic jacket for all-around winter mountain use, the Shelterstone is ideal for you.   Shop Men's Shop Women's

Oreus   The result of a 5-year development project to make what we believe to be the best mid-weight synthetic product currently available.   The Oreus utilises synthetic fibres woven through heat reflective fabric technology, resulting in a synthetic jacket that weighs less and packs down smaller than any other.   The Oreus can be worn as a super warm mid-layer in the bitter cold or thrown over the top of everything as a lightweight belay jacket on milder days.   Shop Men's Shop Women's

Choosing the right belay jacket is as much about safety as it is comfort. In the harsh and unpredictable conditions of Scottish Winter, a refuge that can be confidently relied on is a necessity.