REVIEW: Carinthia MIG 2.0 G-Loft Jacket

Cold season? Warming up by the campfire? That's just a romantic image. Who has modern equipment will also be warm, especially if they choose a Carinthia MIG 2.0. Filled with G-Loft, the jacket promises pleasantly efficient protection when it gets (bitterly) cold outside. SPARTANAT took a close look at the MIG 2.0 for you.

A warm back can also delight: from the back, the view itself is unspectacular. "MIG" stands for "Medium Insulation Garments". Medium is really a very subtle description - it means up to minus 15 degrees. If you think about testing the jacket at about zero degrees, you can get by with a t-shirt underneath. Inside you'll find G-Loft as lining, outside protective GORE-Windstopper. This means that when you start to sweat, the perspiration moves through the exterior, while wind chill has no chance to cool down the wearer.

A look at the inner workings: the quilted lining, at least in the Coyote version, is reminiscent of the old Russian cotton jackets from the Second World War, but the MIG is well above that with its synthetic fill: The G-Loft fill keeps you warm and dry, absorbing minimal moisture. According to the company's advertising, if you fall into a stream, the jacket still retains 85 percent of its thermal performance because of its filling. We have not tested this - with your consent…

Pockets are half the battle: In terms of layout, the Carinthia MIG reminds us of a TAD Gear, which should be seen as high praise. The slanted chest pockets are spacious and you can warm your hands here.

Each upper arm features a lined pocket; the softest fluffy material we've ever encountered. The patches will love it.

On the left forearm, there is a small pocket for small items, like an ID card.

The two pit zips in the armpits are usually not visible, along the half-inner side of the upper arms. With their help, you can regulate the temperature in the MIG a bit: if it gets too hot, you can open up for ventilation.

The body loses the most heat through the head, so the hood is very important. Here we see it tightened all the way. The cords at the chin pull the collar up.

A cord at eye level at the back of the head tightens the spacious hood, making it sit almost like a cap on the head and guaranteeing a minimal profile.

The hood transitions into a warm collar. The inside is lined with fleece. You can tighten the collar completely, but a scarf is always ideal if you don't want a cold draft. When worn and fully opened, you can see how spacious the hood is: there is room for a helmet.

At the bottom, the wearer finds a cord on each side of the hips to adjust the jacket so that it doesn't whistle inside. The MIG features a YKK waterproof zipper standard on all openings.

We particularly like the snap button that first closes the jacket - and then you can comfortably thread the zipper. Or you can have the jacket open but secure with the snap button at the waist.

Worn in everyday life, the jacket sits nicely on the hips.

CONCLUSION: The MIG 2.0 by Carinthia is an excellent jacket for cold weather. The cut is appealing and form-fitting, the pocket positioning is logical and practical. The hood allows for a tight or loose fit. The outer shell provides excellent wind protection, but the MIG is not a rain jacket. However, given the weather conditions in which you would wear the jacket, all precipitation should be frozen. Compared to a PCU Level 7 or ECWCS Gen III Level 7, the Carinthia set is superior in design (less baggy, more low profile), material (better outer shell), and precision of workmanship.

The CARINTHIA MIG 2.0 is available at Carinthia authorized dealers for €270 (excluding shipping). However, it is already rare at regular retailers. The successor model is the MIG 3.0 - HERE in the SPARTANAT Review.

CARINTHIA on the Web: www.carinthia.eu

SPARTANAT is the online magazine for Military News, Tactical Life, Gear & Reviews.
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