 Poster: A snowHead
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A few years back I got a Tog24 synthetic down jacket, now after 2 washes it's rubbish!! Some areas have loads of insulation, others have none!
In comparision my wife and daughters Berghaus jackets with down/feathers are fine after numerous washes.
So I'm after a new one in the Boxing Day sales, is there anything to look out for?
Don't want to spend a fortune, will never ski in it, so it doesn't need to be breathable or waterproof. I've used the current one for walking the dog and pre/post-MTBing!!
Cheers,
Greg
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Depending on when you want it, you could try this place http://www.magic-mountain.co.uk/index_files/page0004.htm the overall website isn't working but it relates to mountain equipment outlet shop, i got a down jacket from them a few years ago for less than half normal price because it was a second, it had a tiny rip in the lining which took all of 1 minute to fix.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Can you wash it and put it in an industrial sized tumble dryer/ Although synthetic doesn't last as well. I'd always go for mountaineering gear... it often tends to be tougher in harsh conditions than ski specific wear which sometimes is more fashion than function.
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Scarpa, What I am strugging with is how the synthetic padding will spread, even if it was in an industrial tumble dryer?? As oposed to feathers which I can see how they can seperate and spread once dry...
I've been googling, it appears Montane do an Anti Freeze jacket which is water and wind proof and filled with feathers....
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I've heard that the Magic Mountain shop has now closed.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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kitenski, Some of the synthetic jackets may have a hollow fibre mess that is a little like down... it might spread it out and loft a little. If it's a mat then all is lost.
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kitenski, have a look at Go Outdoors they have a fair selection of down gear and some decent offers, been looking myself.
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Three years ago I bought a Rab Neutrino - seemed expensive at the time - from around Nov to whenever I wear it all the time walking the dogs here in the UK - come the Mountains obviously it's brilliant for walks in the evening etc / going to the shops. When ski touring I pack it in its bag and use it once I'm in the hut to warm me up, and when we stop for tea / lunch breaks. It's also been used when a mate was not too good and we needed to keep him warm.
It really is worth paying that little bit extra and it will last and keep its "volume". Few weeks back I actually washed it (after a few years) and it's great, no probs with the down and keeps its shape when it drys out.
It has to be one of the best jackets etc I've ever bought, and they're have been a few over the years!
When resort skiing etc I use a Rab Generator under my hard shell should it be uber cold - and this is almost as warm as the Neutrino but aesthetically does not look so good but is more practical!
In fact this looks really good http://www.planetfear.com/item/Brand_rab-neutrino-lite-jacket_0_0_22889_1.html !!!!!!!!!!!!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I've been hunting round for the North Face Diez jacket (summit series). Turns out they're only sold in N.America and the online retailer I spoke to said they're not allowed to ship to the uk. I swear I saw the same jacket when I was in Melbourne in OCt 2009 in the NF store. The price in AUD was horrendous though so couldn't bring myself to buy it there.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| altis wrote: |
| I've heard that the Magic Mountain shop has now closed. |
it's been a few years since i went so that could be the case.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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+ 1 on the Rab Neutrino. Mine has had intensive use for three years now and is holding up extremely well. Warm, very lightweight and packs down easily into the bottom of the bag for skiing/touring. Full down hood is also a great thing.
I paid about 150 for mine. Retail is about 70 quid more than that.
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Cotswold Outdoors had a fair few Mountain Equipment down jackets in the sale a little while back... No idea if they still do though.
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You know it makes sense.
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+1 for the Neutrino. Or if you want cheaper then the ascents not to bad either. or if you want really cheap then alpkit's jacket is great for the price
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Tarry, there was definitely a summit series 800 fill down similar to the diez on sale in the UK last year, as I tried one on..might be worth a google session. Though I thnk the Rabs are much better
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Poster: A snowHead
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I switched from down to Primaloft a few years ago and have never looked back. Still have my first Primaloft jacket, which goes through the wash at least twice a month during winter. It's provides a sleeker profile than down and keeps you warm when wet. The Generator jacket that Weathercam mentions is a Primaloft jacket.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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kitenski,
if you are using the jacket in wet/damp conditions then go for primaloft. As with down, its the quality and density of the fill that matters. A really warm and durable jacket that looks okay is the KEELA belay jacket and you can get on for around 50 quid. I have used one for year round cycling, skiing, all sorts and its had plenty of washes - no problem.with insultation shifting. It is as warm as my berghaus extrem.(doesnt look as good though!) I suggest you google reviews for the keela - its very good -
if you really want down on a budget then nip down to COSTCO if you can - you may be lucky - i picked up a couple of nike (yes i know) 550 fill down quilted jackets (no hood) for 39quid each.
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kitenski, Montane are a respected brand for those who like light weight - my wife has a wind layer that packs down to the size of a coke can. Been used and abused over several seasons for hill walking, scrambling and climbing and is still in resonable condition. This is not insulated but going by the quality of the material and stitching I would have no issues buying another piece of kit from them.
Also agree with the comments above that Primaloft stays warm when wet which is the issue with down
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Montane are a great brand, they tend to get over looked as they are less fashionable than others.
For what you want the jacket for, I'd just get a cheap one from Go Outdoors or a fashion brand, there's no point paying for loads of technical features when you won't get the benefit from them. Uniqlo, for example, have a clut following with climbers in North America as they used to do down sweaters that were very similar to a Patagonia product but lighter and a third of the price. I've no idea where you're based but there's a Berghaus shop at Cheshire Oaks that always has discounted down jackets.
For thos that say Primaloft is warm when wet, having sat belaying in a drenched primaloft jacket in pretty cold temperatures and it wasn't warm or comfortable. It may have been moderately warmer than a down equivalent, but synthetics are the be all and end all. They do dry quicker though!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I do ski in a shell, so I am thinking if I buy smart with this one, I could layer it under the shell if needed.
I do goto Cheshire oaks every now and again, which shop has the discounted berghaus stuff?
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| galpinos wrote: |
| For thos that say Primaloft is warm when wet, having sat belaying in a drenched primaloft jacket in pretty cold temperatures and it wasn't warm or comfortable. It may have been moderately warmer than a down equivalent, but synthetics are the be all and end all. They do dry quicker though! |
Can't say I've ever tested the wet-warmth properties when relatively stationary in cold temps. It does work in cool temps when you're active.
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I can't remember which shop it was and the Cheshire Oaks website is blocked at work. It was towards the south west corner, I can't remember which shops were near it but CK Underwear rings a bell. I wasn't a berghaus barnded shop but did have there sticker in the window. The items in there were from the current range (quite a bit of there top of the range mountaineering stuff) at a decent discount compared to the high street. There's also a North Face shop but when I've popped in the range has been pretty poor.
If you're wanting to use it to layer under a shell, you'll need a thinner down or synthetic jacket. As an example, from the Rab range, i'd be looking at Microlight Alpine (down) or the Xenon (Synthetic hood) or Generator (Synthetic non-hood).
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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www.alpkit.com have very good down jackets and they are really cheap, but the only problem is that they very rarely have them in stock. So if you don't mind waiting a while for them to have them in stock then I highly recommend them but you could be waiting for a while.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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kitenski, The North Face Nuptse takes some beating, I have 3 TNF down jackets, including 2 Nuptses (one a jacket and another a gilet) oldest 12 years old, and all as good as new.
Also RAB highly recommended.
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I have a north face down knee length coat (its cold here)
Its on its third year, treated appaullingly and still going strong
Also have a rab which is toasty
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Yeh thanks Sarah, they have a great collection there, with associated price tags!! Hoping for something in the boxing day sales online!!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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This month's (February!) Trail gamazine has a review of 18 down duvet jackets. Best in test is the ME Classic Lightline at £160 but best value goes to the Alpkit Filo at £80. I take most of these reviews with a heavy pinch of salt as they're not completely independent but there's plenty of useful info in the article. All the usual suspects are there (except PHD). The other jackets that get 4 stars are Marmot Ama Dablam £170, Montane North Star £180, Golite Roan Plateau 800 £180, Patagonia Fitzroy £190, Rab Infinity £200, Berhaus Extrem Duvet £200.
http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/clothing/insulation/lightline_jacket---277/
http://www.alpkit.com/filo/
What's the intended purpose? Teetering to and from the bar or packing in your sack to carry with you.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Primary usage will be daily dog walking when temps are <0 in the UK, but I reckon one I can have in a backpack for skiing and MTBing would be a bonus...
altis, did they test the Montane Anti-Freeze jacket?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| papasmurf wrote: |
| Tarry, there was definitely a summit series 800 fill down similar to the diez on sale in the UK last year, as I tried one on..might be worth a google session. Though I thnk the Rabs are much better |
There's a North Face Thunder Jacket from last year but don't remember seeing a Diez. Will carry on searching although you're not the first to mention the Rab..
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Rab neutrino plus 1; my wife has one and she says it`s great. I have a 4 year old NF nuptse, which is warm ,even in -30, but the lining catches in the zip easily, and it is hard to do up with gloves. It`s just been lost by Flybe on the way back from Val d`Isere, so I think that I will buy something more functional this time.
Finally, I have been skiing in a NF Hectik ski jacket, new 3 weeks ago, and part of the summit series; It is £ 320 mrp, and I got it for £220; still over priced. The down leaks out inside, it is paper thin, and I even felt cold in it this evening at around zero. It does`nt stop strong wind, and appears to only have down in the hood and arms, and around the bottom hem. Avoid. I hope NF will take it back, because it does`nt do what it claims on the packet !!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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My old Rab duvet saved my life... slept out on top of Caingorm in a major Feb storm after a climb.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
the lining catches in the zip easily
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Its not just me then!! My mates thought it was the Yorkshireman in me that designed it that way so I couldnt get my wallet out at the bar................... 
If I was looking for a tricky down jacket I'd be getting a Peak Performance one in the Easter sales in St Anton, fantastic................but I'm not so will stick with my Nuptses!
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kitenski, no, the Anti-Freeze was not on the list. As ever with these things, they just pick one or two items from each manufacturer's range and then try to judge the whole brand from that. Fairly pointless IMHO.
Far better to identify the features that are important for you and buy something that is appropriate.
From the small range of jackets in the review, I'd suggest the Filo best matches your requirements - cheap, removable hood with wired peak, long tail, anti-snag strip behind zip, 700 fill power but quite heavy at 772g, little brand charisma and it's only available online.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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+2 for the primaloft, usually ski with a shell as have overheated a lot in past when hiking to get to off piste runs. Wife kindly let me lay hands on Patagonia Nano Hoody, which will fit easily under shell, but light as hell and rolls up into own pocket for chucking in day sack when sunny. Not tried in altitude yet, but been wearing it over t shirt outdoors for last few week in sub zero and been great.
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I've had an Alpkit Filo jacket for a few years now and swear by it. Only problem is it's goose down which is pretty useless if it gets wet. I've got a synthetic down vest from Finisterre, and I certainly wouldn't go anywhere else. Think they have a pretty hefty sale on at the minute too.
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FAQ
