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@pacef8 I’m afraid it’s not available in orange …yet. Currently not planned, but it’s a core colour, so possibly down the line.

@joepud01 well spotted, yes. MkII, been a while coming(!), will get an expected date for you tomorrow

Check with Condor when they will definitely be in the store; They should arrive at their warehouse today, but might take longer to check into their system > get to Grays Inn Rd ...I didn't think about this additional step when I posted status

I want to know a bit more about this material, it keeps coming up, is it as durable as sandwiched pertex insulation or are there sacrifices on durability for weight saving?

It's a lose polyester knit, brushed & cropped for as much loft-to-weight possible, coupled with a degree of stretch - either two or four-way, depending on application. Some are designed to be layered with either one, or two fabrics (usually woven), others can be used on their own, 'direct'.

Popularised by Polartec as Alpha, most mills have versions out there now. Primaloft call theirs Active, confusingly the same name as one of their non-woven synthetic insulation categories. Weight varies from ultralight ~75gsm, to extremely warm, chunky 200gsm - for comparison Thermoroubaix (typical stretch fleece used on winter tights and winter jerseys) is 250gsm.

The open, loose construction means it has exceptionally high air-permeability (CFM = cubic feet per minute) over a regular brush-backed fleece. It excels where environment and activity varies; if you are generating loads of heat/high-exertion, the fabric can dump heat/sweat through air-movement, and you can keep wearing the garment. When the temperature/activity drops, adding a windproof layer - or zipping up if garment has a windproof front - means all that previously venting space in the knit traps warmth and insulates. The lightweight, stretch, and broad range of temperature use has elevated it over a traditional mid-layer fleece for performance use.

Drawbacks are durability (elbows, cuffs), fibre shedding (I will be installing a washing machine filter), and fabric integrity for features (but then again, what 100gsm fabric would you put hand pockets on?).

Oh! Just remembered why I came here; Trying to get new jacket into Condor asap. Will let you know if it's tomorrow or day after when I do, but will go live on Albion site tomorrow.

@youramericanlover I guess the biggest factor is how much heat you generate, inside the insulation. As you highlight, the ('23) Zoa Insulated is a great pack-jacket, pop on at destination/stops, but if you actually do any exertion will cook up pretty quick - unless you're out on the pointy end of things.

The new '24 jacket weighs in at 365g (medium mens) vs '23 jacket at 455g. To some 90g might not seem much, but to others it's a significant difference when also factoring in packability.

Main face & inner is 1g difference per square metre (so like-for-like), but whilst some of the loss is specing a lighter weight Primaloft insulation, some is the refining of make/fit/construction, to eliminate any excess - whilst still optimising the loft and warmth.

If you are gunning it and generating lots of heat, I'm often astounded how little some people need to keep comfortable. I modded an Ultralight Insulated jacket for an athlete on Tour Divide (added a massive wrap-around insulated collar), who used it as their primary insulation piece, alongside a hooded Zoa Rainshell. ....I feel the chill really easily - makes me cold just thinking about some of those high passes!

Edit; weight edited to 365g/90g difference - got a production product on the studio scales.

@youramericanlover I’ll get back with some stats/weights to brings things to life when I have a sec

👀 can’t say too much, apart from watch this space!

And here's a few pics of a late-phase womens Zoa sample in correct Netplus Pertex. It is not correct colour! When ordering sampling fabric, it's just whatever colour the sample roll was made in if its a new fabric, or if a running material, often the overstock of a customer order.

ahhhh, thank you everyone, that means a lot. I'm always a little apprehensive how much/little to post on here, aware I'm essentially representing a brand and cautious incase something might be seen as advertising/sale-focussed/promotion, so your feedback is genuinely appreciated.

The reality is I'm very lucky in that the job I have is very rewarding, and I particularly enjoy the workshops, repair sessions, and teaching at Uni's as a chance to get people interested in textiles and apparel. It's a relatively accessible art/design pastime - and something that everyone has to engage with wether they like it or not! - so I'm glad there's a interest here. I will endeavour to show some more behind-the-scenes as time allows

@Hippy that is a good reminder :) We also spent a lot of time working on the size grading, mens and womens jackets. This is to ensure things like sleeve/cuff length, hood shaping etc is graded correctly through all sizes, especially the smallest/largest options. The reality is an XXL male is not 6ft 9" (and vice-versa) but we've aimed to hit the centre of the bell-curve for arm & head dimensions.

@Berrow Yes, Womens Zoa insulated jacket is specific fit (not 'unisex'), top product, grab a bargain! Or I'm also posting sneak-peak details on upcoming 'MkIII' version launching next week :)

....and posting some info on New Zoa Mountain insulated jacket, launching this Tuesday. Been meaning to do this for ages, never time to go through photo archives and typing takes me an inordinate amount of time, but I'm really pleased with this product - amazing work by the whole team.

Aim was to improve a great product, by reviewing the four F's (Fit, Features, Fabric, Fabrication) which we have definitely done in a gradual way - evolution, not revolution. Cheesy and overused term, but I think every aspect has been optimised.

Biggest difference is a drop in insulation weight; the previous Zoa is a great product, great for end-of-day, pottering about, but needs to be exceptionally cold to be doing any exertion in, and/or add a waterproof layer. We're aiming to have a better all-rounder, more suited to layering and more convenient for packing.

Fabric; is a new Pertex fabric, using a new fibre called Netplus, made from traceable, salvaged fishing nets. This is one of the companies invested by Patagonia, via their TinShed initiative. It's pretty much the same weight, but has a v nice silky handle. Think we might be the first-first-to-market for Pertex Netplus
Insulation is still Primaloft Gold (Recycled), but now Gold Active, meaning interior baffles aren't necessary; this means more trapped air, and better insulation.

Fit; I was able to hone away on both mens & womens fit, by working hands-on with sampling/patterns/athlete fits, and am really pleased. Improving the hood fit/visibility was a main objective, which also inproved insulation with a better fit around neck and head to trap more air and reduce the chimney effect (warm air escaping out the top, drawing cold air up through the base). Also refined the sleeve/shoulder for better on/off fit & mobility, and the hem isn't as long ...pics coming

Features; rear pocket is now a side zipper, into a long interior net pocket. This makes it easier to access, reduces stress when turning through as stuff-sack (had a few repairs on this), and the packed jacket is a better shape to stash in frame/bar bags. As above, hood is a better fit, with improved side visibility, and there's a spacer-mesh brim in the top, for comfort under a helmet and a bit of structure

Fabrication; is essentially the same, but there's a few small tweaks/improvements. The one I'm probably most pleased with is the drawcord hem is now 'internal', and made from the seam allowance inside the jacket. This is distinct from a separate, stitched down channel which flattens the hem, instead allowing the hem to still retain volume ('optimise the puff') and warmth.

Few pics of the inhouse make/prototype process - will try to find some more of the womens fit, but early stages, work-in-progress. Again, very pleased with the quality and wearability of the samples - meaning we could dial ideas/details/fits/get athlete feedback, before plugging into factory with digital (and paper) patterns, and pretty good quality prototypes. Not sure how many dev samples were made in the end, but it was a lot and it was definitely worth it.

@ghostface sorry, I only just saw this, if not too late;
Check in the Sizing drop down for photo model sizing, plus scroll further down for the overall product sizing.
https://www.albioncycling.com/products/unisex-ultralight-insulated-jacket-graphite
I would estimate you're a small, which I'd recommend over an XS due to arm reach & height

@Pmccee great to hear, thank you for posting. Think I mentioned above, we'll be doing any-bike-brand repairs in Condor on Black Friday (28th Nov), plus have patches for everyone to take away and repair at home (all free).

Dog & Bell in Deptford, or Ivyhouse in Nunhead? Could put together a nice ramble between the two via Nunhead Cemetary taking in Shirkers Rest and/or Lucky Anchor for ‘new’ beer bars if quality ale is your quest (and Villages Brewery if you should be really thirsty).

Oooh nice, from a Pfaff domestic.
As @pdlouche says

• top one is a binding foot. A roll of bias binding threads in/out of the two uprights on far right, then into the funnel, folding over to be stitched onto a fabric edge
  
• two down is for zig-zag stitch; the box section allows needle to move left/right, whilst still pulling the fabric through, and also handy for other things - you can position the Pfaff needle to either far left or right, and use to edge stitch, zips, hem
  
• three down, I have no idea! Looks intriguing; maybe something for piping/feeding in another thread
  
• forth down looks like a regular foot, but offset, for accurate edge
  stitching. You will need to set the needle to the right, into the
  slot space, to use this
  
  

The attachment is specific for Pfaff domestic - if you should ever like to sell any on, please let me know :)

And according to the Guardian obit, also the World Record for throwing a standard brick. 44.55 metres in 1978, which still stands today. 🤯

@ghostface we're now showing the Burnt Yellow restocked in most sizes - I think this might be because they're being checked into warehouse as I type - but let me know if you can't find what you're after.

Very elegant @pdlouche great job

@rhb hadn’t even thought about the ££ savings, good point!

Quick project this morning: reappropriated packaging into a laptop case.
Had this ridic big, gold envelope knocking around for years, couldn’t throw it away or find a use for it. Needed a new laptop sleeve, didn’t have time to make one properly, so turned this around pretty quick. Accessories slip inside the lid;

It looks like a high-power (loads of elastane/Lycra) fine-guage Nylon, so should be fine under a low iron, which is what the glue-film on the patches melt at. Is it a seam, or the fabric wearing out/abrasion? If it's a case of stitching, come see us in November (or send it over, and I can do it on the day)

@ghostface We should have the Burnt Yellow back in stock in approx 10 days

@Chalfie what exactly is it? We'll be doing repairs on Black Friday at Condor, or I can send over some iron-on repair patches if that might work

We have most sizes stocked in the Graphite grey (but few Burnt Yellow), or Condor have them full stock in Burnt Yellow (but little in Graphite).

Decided to build a city utility using stuff from my parts box. Will have a front basket, mudguards, might bodge on rubber bumpers along tt for locking up.

Looking for f&f, ideally neutral/dark/black, low branding - Sp Stumpjumper, Rockhopper - and no proprietary parts like seat collar

Located in SE22/SE8, complete bikes considered!

You've read our minds; new '24 Zoa has a lighter (Primaloft Gold Active) fill for this reason. It's shed a bunch of weight, and although not down to 270g of the Atom SL, or gone as far as the Lightweight Zoa, it will be more versatile and work better with the rainshell layer. ...I''ll post some more info/weights when I get the chance.

Have worked hard to get the most out the materials, and ensure the insulation works as effectively as possible. No baffles inside to keep still air as big as possible (Active allows this), internal drawcord hem means the jacket base is acting as insulation, not just a flat channel, improved fit around neck and hood will trap more air (stop the chimney effect of escaping hot air pulling cold air up through the base of the jacket). ....hmmm realise this would make more sense with pics. Coming soon!

'Scrapes & tears, basic repairs' at HHV tonight, plus repair patches to take away and fix at home. Come and say hi!