La Sportiva Pegasus 2.0 Primaloft Jacket review – Michael Soucy

jacketAs an avid backcountry skier, ice climber, and mountaineering guide, I generally use two different types of puffy jackets. There’s the big fat down version, which goes on when I stop moving, and there’s the thinner synthetic version, which goes on when I’m moving kind of slowly in really cold temps.

Sportiva’s Pegasus 2.0 fits perfectly into the latter category. Layered with Primaloft Gold Synthetic insulation, it has the highest warmth-weight of any synthetic jacket out there.

2 different Primaloft® Gold Weights combined with an extremely lightweight yet tough fabric, this jacket keeps you warm even in the harshest weather.

  • Reflective back seam
  • Lighter and more streamlined design
  • 2 front hand warmer pockets with invisible zipper
  • Inner mesh pocket with storage function
  • 1 inner zipper phone pocket with headphone port
  • New sleeve cuff construction
  • New Bluesign®  fabric

What does that mean? It means that this is an ideal jacket for active winter play in any climate. It means that I could wear it moving uphill in the skin track while it’s snowing out, and remain warm once I stop for the downhill transition.

I also tested it on multi pitch ice, where a quality belay jacket is required. Snug as a bug with the hood cinched tight over my helmet and the fleece-lined zipper covering my cheeks. Every once in a while I decide to leave the puffy on while I climb, in order to generate a bit more heat. The Pegasus moves like a champ, with long enough sleeves and adequate torso coverage to stay over my waist, even when reaching for a high tool placement. The cuffs fit well either over or under gloves.

Two subtle features that I’m a big fan of are the stretch water bottle pocket on the inside and the grippy plastic that they put on the backside of the hem, which keeps the jacket from riding up while you’re moving.

Overall, I like this jacket as an insulating layer when it’s a bit too warm or wet for down, or when I’d like to stay toasty while moving in cold temps. It has a few features that I really like without being superfluous. After several days of use in the mountains, the Pegasus is holding up just fine. I’m psyched to have it for the rest of the season.

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