G.I.G.A. DX by killtec: Winter jackets for everyday life – new at SportFits

An everyday winter jacket needs to do a lot. It should keep you warm on your morning commute or while walking the dog, stay dry when snow turns to rain, and still look good in the office or a café. That is exactly what G.I.G.A. DX is designed for: the casual line from jacket specialist killtec. It is now available at SportFits, with padded jackets, parkas, coats and softshell jackets for women and men.

killtec was founded by Günther Killer in 1981. Today, his sons Marcus and Sven Killer run the company in its second generation. The name is easy to explain: it combines the family name with the word technology. killtec started out with sports shoes and tracksuits; ski and outdoor clothing followed in the 1990s.

Today, the company is based in Buchholz in der Nordheide, south of Hamburg, and specialises in functional clothing for skiing, outdoor activities and everyday life. killtec employs around 180 people, some of them in its own offices in Asia, and works with around 3,500 retailers in 35 countries.

Alongside the core killtec brand and the First Instinct children’s line, G.I.G.A. DX has been around since 2007. The line combines killtec’s functional expertise with a relaxed casual style. The jackets are designed to look good in everyday life while still coping with wind and wet weather. For the slopes, killtec has its own ski jackets.

The range revolves around how warm and how long the jacket should be. Padded jackets are the line’s classics, from lightweight transitional jackets to heavily insulated winter styles. Parkas and padded coats extend further over the hips and keep you warm when waiting in the wind. There are also softshell jackets with teddy fleece lining and knitted fleece jackets that can also work as a warm mid-layer.

It is worth looking at the details when it comes to features. The hoods can usually be adjusted, and some models can be detached. A zip guard often protects the neck, while knitted cuffs keep the wind out at the sleeves. Some models also have a two-way zip. Individual models can be adjusted at the waist, while the women’s GW 94 and GW 96 models also have back ventilation.

Many jackets have a 10,000 mm water column, while some lighter models offer 8,000 mm. Breathability ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 grams per square metre per day. There is an important distinction here, so check the product description: many padded jackets are windproof and water-repellent, which is sufficient for getting through light drizzle. The models in the “protect” collection, such as the men’s parka GW 65 and men’s jacket GW 51, are genuinely waterproof with taped seams. The same applies to women’s models such as the jacket GW 94 and parka GW 96. If you often spend long periods outdoors in persistent rain, one of these is the better choice.

According to killtec, the functional jackets are equipped with Teflon EcoElite, a plant-based, fluorine-free treatment that repels water and water-based stains (source: killtec).

G.I.G.A. DX is for you if you are looking for a winter jacket for commuting, shopping and weekends that is functional without looking like outdoor gear. The size range is broad: many women’s models go up to size 50, while men’s models go up to 4XL.

The range is less suitable for skiing or long mountain hikes. Technical ski and mountaineering jackets are the better choice for those activities.