DOWN JACKET PAJAK HERITAGE - MODERN FUNCTIONALITY, DESIGN INSPIRED BY THE PAST

IN BRIEF

Heritage is a unisex down jacket (available for both men and women) that draws inspiration from the golden era of Polish Himalayan mountaineering. It stands out among other down jackets. It has a looser fit compared to the popular, tightly fitted models, reminiscent of outdoor clothing from the 80s. However, it retains modern functionality by being filled with high-quality Polish goose down, providing excellent thermal insulation properties.

THE GOLDEN ERA OF POLISH HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINEERING

When we look at the list of climbers who were the first to reach the summits of all the eight-thousanders, we won't find any Polish names. The reason is simple: politics. The first Polish expeditions in the true sense of the word began in the mid-1950s, during the post-Stalin thaw. The global race for the first ascents of the eight-thousanders was already in full swing, and peaks like Mount Everest, K2, and Nanga Parbat had already been conquered. There was simply no competition in this field.

However, Polish climbers presented the world with a different kind of challenge. They became pioneers of the most extreme type of climbing: winter ascents of high mountains. The first winter ascent of this kind was accomplished by Andrzej Zawada, who reached the 7,492-meter summit of Noshaq on February 13, 1973. The following year, together with Andrzej Heinrich, attempting to climb Lhotse, they reached an altitude of 8,250 meters. Although they did not reach the summit (they were 266 meters short), this achievement made history as the first winter crossing of the 8,000-meter threshold.

The expedition of Zawada and Heinrich sparked subsequent Polish winter expeditions, each one astonishing the world. The 1980s were a culmination of achievements – all the winter ascents accomplished during that time belong to the Poles. The list of eight-thousanders conquered in winter was opened by the duo of Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy, who reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1980. It was followed by Manaslu (1984, Berbeka and Gajewski), Dhaulagiri (1985, Czok and Kukuczka), Cho Oyu (1985, Berbeka and Pawlikowski), Kangchenjunga (1986, Kukuczka and Wielicki), Annapurna I (1987, Hajzer and Kukuczka), and Lhotse (1988, Wielicki). As you can see, it is no wonder that Polish climbers were given the nickname "Ice Warriors" – they conquered 7 out of 14 eight-thousanders in winter within a few years. That is why the 1980s are called the golden era of Polish Himalayan mountaineering.

HERITAGE 1983 DOWN JACKET – DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE REST

The Heritage down jacket stands out among other down jackets available in stores. In recent years, the outdoor fashion trend has been dominated by minimalism – the thinner and more fitted the jacket, the better. However, when you see the Heritage, the word that comes to mind is "impressive." It has a generous fit and the chambers are solidly filled with down. This design is a nod to the past filled with accomplishments. As you can see from the photos documenting expeditions from the 80s, Polish climbers wore exactly these types of jackets.

We dare say that Heritage is an extraordinary design – different from all the contemporary ones, reminiscent of impressive achievements.

FILLED WITH NATURAL GOOSE DOWN

Thanks to its design, the Heritage jacket looks warm at first glance. The first impression is correct. Heritage provides excellent thermal comfort, thanks to its filling of natural down sourced from the white Koluda goose breed raised in Poland. The down from these birds is characterized by high resilience and outstanding thermal insulation properties. The spatial and irregular structure of individual down clusters allows them to trap a significant amount of air, which is the most effective insulator, retaining the body's heat and protecting against cold from the surroundings.

Due to the high resilience of the down, the Heritage jacket is also lighter than it may seem at first glance. It weighs 650g, with the filling occupying 240g. The use of an X-type construction without internal baffles is also crucial for reducing weight – it is the lightest solution for down clothing. Like any down jacket, Heritage is also compressible, meaning it takes up much less space when folded.

FUNCTIONAL DETAILS

Down jackets are designed for use in the field, and Heritage, as befits an outdoor brand like Pajak, is no exception. It will perform excellently during long hikes on cold days, providing protection against the cold while ensuring optimal breathability. Heritage is also equipped with useful details: a deep, adjustable hood, snap-fastened pockets, waist adjustment, and a double-ended zipper that can be opened from the top or bottom. Its outer material is made of durable, damage-resistant TORAY Airtastic fabric.

The Heritage down jacket is available in three colors: black, blue, and red. You can find it at pajaksport.pl.

Photo source: pajaksport.pl