Insulation Recycled From Climbing Ropes: Sender IN Hooded Jacket With LOOPINSULATION Review

Insulated jackets come in a range of different weights, and I own a lot of them. I have light PrimaLoft midlayers that pack down into their own pockets. I’ve got burly goose feather parkas that I reserve only for the coldest days. Then there’s everything in between, from insulated vests to waterproof down ski jackets and midweight insulated hoodies.

I’d put the Mammut Sender IN jacket ($260) in a class of its own, though. Not just because the sustainable insulation material is very warm (which it is) but because this 100% recycled jacket is simply denser than all my other puffy jackets. The Sender IN uses a type of insulation I’ve never seen or heard of before.

The fill inside this puffy, called LOOPINSULATION, is made from scraps of recycled climbing rope.

Recycled synthetic insulation is growing in popularity around the outdoor retail space, but LOOPINSULATION is an altogether new take. It’s also a novel selling point for Mammut in what is increasingly an oversaturated market.

I got my hands on a Sender IN jacket as Colorado’s weather was starting to get cold. It’s been on numerous hikes with me, a late-season camping trip to the desert, dog walks, nights around town, and to the base of ski areas, where it kept me warm while I changed clothes.

Through it all, the LOOPINSULATION continued to surprise me. I don’t like packing it or carrying it if I’m not wearing it. But warmth-wise, this jacket is a winner.

In short: Mammut takes the circular economy to the next pitch with the Sender IN hooded jacket. The insulation comprises recycled climbing rope scraps, and the outer material is 100% recycled polyester. It’s windproof and water-resistant with a PFC-free DWR coating. It also has a two-way stretch for ease of movement. This is a great jacket for everyday use, though I’d be reluctant to take it on any adventure where weight and packability are priorities.

Mammut Sender IN Hooded Jacket Review

The Mammut Sender IN jacket itself carries a pretty basic design. The hem and cuffs are nonadjustable elastic to seal out cold air. It has two zippered dump pockets on the front but no device pocket.

Raglan sleeves widen the underarm area, allowing greater freedom of movement. The jacket’s two-way stretch also aids that. It zips high up on the face, and the hood could conceivably fit under a helmet — though it might be a tight squeeze.

The first time I wore this jacket, I thought it felt stiff. However, I realized that was just the weight and density of the insulation material. I could move around just fine, and the jacket didn’t impede me. It was just bulkier than I had expected.

However, off the bat, I could also tell this was a higher-quality stretchy down jacket than some of Mammut’s competitor’s similar products. This is a well-made piece of gear.

I dove into testing, leaving the Sender IN hanging by my front door for me to grab whenever I went for a walk, hike, errand, or trip to the ski slopes.

Warmth & Weather Protection

Thermal insulation is the most important quality of any puffy jacket. In this department, the Sender IN scores high marks. I have consistently worn it in 25-35-degree weather with nothing but a T-shirt underneath. If I wear a fleece hoodie or another midlayer under it, I could comfortably brave temps down to 10 degrees — maybe colder.

I haven’t yet worn this jacket under a shell because it cuts wind so well on its own. But if I were in severely windy, wet, and/or cold conditions, I would trust this jacket to be an effective midlayer insulator.

The Sender IN came with me to the ski slopes, and I wore it like a changing parka in the lot. As I slipped my comfortable clothes off and changed into ski attire, this jacket kept the cold at bay.

When I went on early morning 20-degree walks, the Sender IN balked at the cold and kept me warm. If I were an ice climber or winter rock climber, I wouldn’t hesitate to make this jacket my belay jacket. Except, it doesn’t have a harness-compatible two-way zipper — despite its climbing rope roots.

It was too warm when I took it hiking. I ended up shedding the layer and carrying it. Exercising in the Sender IN gets hot fast, even in the cold.

Packability

I considered taking the Sender IN jacket with me on a ski tour up near Leadville one day. But I changed my mind when I started stuffing it into my pack. This jacket doesn’t pack down well. That’s something Mammut notes on its site, giving the Sender IN a 2/6 “packability” score.

That was also the reason why I left it in the car when I went backpacking in Utah. I didn’t want to carry it and I wasn’t even sure I could fit it in my pack.

I did wear it the last night when we car camped. Temperatures in the desert dropped to around 30 degrees, and I was more than comfortable. (However, I was also extra cautious around the fire. I know what happens to climbing ropes when they’re exposed to flames, and it isn’t pretty.)

Weight

I’ve already mentioned it, but this is a heavy puffy jacket at 24 ounces.

Compared to the RAB Nebula Pro ($240), which uses PrimaLoft SilverRise recycled synthetic insulation and recycled fabrics, the Sender IN is 4 ounces heavier. Compared to Patagonia’s Macro Puffy Hoodie ($400), which uses recycled PlumaFill insulation and recycled fabrics, the Sender IN is 8.5 ounces heavier. And if you look at it next to any of the jackets in GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets, it’s by far the heaviest.

Again, Mammut is not under any illusions about its own product. On the  webpage for the Sender IN, Mammut gives it a warmth-to-weight score of 2/6.

Zipper

Mammut is a European climbing brand, and some of its products have European quirks. Take, for instance, the Sender IN’s zipper, which is left-handed.

I am a right-handed American male. All of my jackets are right-handed zippers. So, naturally, I struggle when the script gets flipped. It isn’t a big deal, but it’s something to note if you’re going to spend $260 on a jacket.

Mammut Sender IN: Who Is It For?

It’s pretty darn cool that Mammut has found a way to turn climbing rope scraps into synthetic insulation. We seem to be moving beyond using basic recycled materials to a place where we can shop for products based on what they’re recycled from.

Whether it’s a duffel made from plastic bottles, a jacket made from recycled fabrics, tires built on used tire casings, or the Sender IN jacket insulated with old climbing ropes, there are options.

In the case of LOOPINSULATION and the Sender IN, I believe that Mammut has created something both unique and functional. As a jacket, it is warm and comfortable and allows for easy movement. However, the weight and packability problems make it a hard sell for any adventure where those are priorities.

That’s not a deal breaker. If you plan on using the Sender IN for belaying people at ice or rock climbs, walking around town in the cold, changing in ski area parking lots, or generally lounging around outside in any temperature under 40 degrees, this jacket is a great option. It’s also competitively priced if you look at our list of the Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets. The innovative recycled climbing rope fill is just a cherry on top.