Cloke Warmth Ratings Explained
Can you tell how warm a jacket is by looking at it? Not really. Sure, it’s possible to make a number of assumptions based on the fabric and style. But it’s easy to get it wrong, too.
Being based down in the deep (freezer) of Southland means we know only too well the consequences of getting jacket choices wrong. Not that the consequences are usually too dire. Picking up a puffer jacket or a fleece jacket in a sale and assuming it’ll provide a reassuring warmth akin to the hug from your favourite grandma, only to discover it’s more like a slap in the face from a penguin flipper and has less insulation than a 1800s Bluff cottage, is practically a rite of passage. Everyone’s done it.
Why? Because hardly any clothing brands provide any sort of guide as to the expected warmth of the work jacket, kids jacket, sport jacket, or any other type of jacket they sell. So we’re left with assumptions. And as we all know - assumption is the mother of all flipper slaps.
With this in mind, we’ve created a warmth rating system to provide you with the confidence needed to make an informed decision. It’s easy to understand and free from technical jargon, because shopping for a new jacket doesn’t need to be a science lesson. And it means you can choose wholesale jackets with the right level of warmth for your team. Jackets are simply labelled by levels from 3 to 5, with 5 being the warmest.
At level 3, Cloke jackets provide the wearer with a comfortable level of warmth. They are suitable for daily use and include our trademarked Mem-BAR™ technology as standard. This adds a membrane layer for increased protection from the elements, helping stop wind and rain getting through. Many Cloke softshell jackets used for business uniforms are included at Level 3.
Level 4 moves dials up the warmth, with added features (i.e. adjustable cuffs) designed to insulate the wearer and prevent rain and wind from getting ‘inside’ the jacket. As such, they are suitable for cold weather use and can be worn with confidence during winter months. These are typically jackets for work or leisure where the wearer expects to spend a reasonable amount of time outdoors.
Level 5 is reserved for only the warmest jackets, capable of protecting the wearer against strong winds and hard rain. They will typically have features that reduce exposure to the elements (i.e. hoods and draft stopping collars), making them suitable for more adverse weather conditions. These are the jackets you daydream about falling asleep in because they are that satisfyingly snuggly.
You’ll see the Cloke Warmth Rating on applicable product pages. Remember though, it’s a guide. Some people run warm and others run cold. So if you’re the type to reach for a blanket at the lightest breeze, then level up your selection. On the flip side, if you can be found wearing shorts in mid-winter, a level 3 jacket might be all you need.
The name of the game is to stay warm and avoid the dreaded penguin flipper slap. Our ratings will do that.
Cloke Warmth Ratings In Full:
Level 3: Daily Warmth
Garments with a level 3 warmth rating provide the wearer with the essential warmth needed to feel comfortable on a daily basis, even as the weather changes.
Every product with a level 3 rating features Mem-BAR™, our trademarked technology that adds an innovative membrane layer to softshells, increasing their resistance to wind and rain greatly beyond that of a traditional softshell.
Suitable for year-round use.
Level 4: Advanced Warmth
Designed for colder days where more advanced protection against adverse weather is needed, level 4 warmth rating garments have additional features to keep the wearer warm and comfortable.
Built on the solid base of Mem-BAR™ Technology, we add a mixture of features to increase the stormworthyness of level 4 products, such as synthetic down insulation, a longer body, hood and/or velcro adjustable cuffs.
Suitable for cold weather use.
Level 5: Ultimate Warmth
Reserved for days where most people stay indoors, level 5 garments provide the ultimate protection to keep the wearer warm in the face of strong winds and plunging temperatures.
These garments are designed to enable the wearer to hunker down inside them, with features such as hoods and draft stopping collars and cuffs to keep out wind-driven rain and snow, synthetic down to maintain a comfortable core temperature, and an extended body length to provide warmth down to knee height.
Suitable for use in adverse conditions.
Regardless of the rating attributed to any specific mens jackets or womens jacket, you can be assured of that famous Cloke quality and know it’s ready for branding and embroidery.