ALEX NAIL mountain filmmaker and photographer

STAR KIT: PHD Yukon Down Jacket

HAS LASTED: 7 years and still going strong

In 2014 I lost my mind and spent nearly £400 on a custom

PHD Yukon Down Jacket. I ordered it with an XXL back length to ensure I had at least one piece of outdoor clothing that fitted me properly! At just 500g it includes a hood and full box wall construction, making it suitable for my winter trips. Since it was lighter than my summer insulation, I ended up carrying it year-round, occasionally in place of a sleeping bag on warm summer nights.

To date it has been with me on nearly 60 weeks of backpacking in Scotland, northern Europe, Greenland and South Africa.

When I am hiking it stays heavily compressed in a dry-bag but once camp is up, I regularly pull the jacket out of its bag and watch it expand as I put it on.

Although the hood has been wet a few too many times and the cuffs and collar are showing signs of wear, the jacket remains in remarkably good condition. Every couple of years I bring it back to life with a bit of Nikwax Down Wash Direct and judicious use of a tumble-dryer!