| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types 19:46 - Nov 27 with 1071 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
Mrs B and T mentioned earlier in the year that she would like a proper down filled jacket so I am looking at getting her one for Xmas.
I have seen a Marmot one that I think is her vibe but knkw very little about the brand, does anyone have any insight around their quality?
The alternative is a Gant jacket, I know they are not specialists in outdoor gear but they do make good quality clothes.
Any insight greatly welcomed, thanks all |  |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 21:50 - Nov 27 with 931 views | Swansea_Blue |
I had a Marmot jacket a fair few years ago and it was very good. I think they’re still reliable, but haven’t bought anything from them for about a decade. They were always known as a ‘proper’ outdoor brand and hadn’t descended into highly street fashion like Berghaus or North Face (although both of those still do very good technical gear too).
I wouldn’t have any concerns if you think it’s suitable. |  |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 23:01 - Nov 27 with 844 views | tommcd |
Nothing wrong with Marmot, decent genuine outdoor brand, seems to focus more on Europe and USA than UK (they used to have a shop in Westfield, Stratford about 15years ago). They’ve not become a fashion label like many of the big names, so you probably pay less of a brand-premium. Marmot’s Precip waterproof jacket is hard to beat at the price for example.
Have a look at SportPursuit online, they’ve some decent deals on lots of down jackets at the mo. Also have a fair bit of Marmot stuff when I’ve looked before.
For UK based companies (if that matters at all) take a look at Alpkit (originated near Nottingham) their Filoment jacket is a bit of a staple. Also Rab (be prepared to pay that brand premium though), depending where you are they have a couple of outlet shops with big discounts (in store only though), look up Mountain Outfitters (the name of their outlet). |  | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 23:06 - Nov 27 with 838 views | redrickstuhaart |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 23:01 - Nov 27 by tommcd |
Nothing wrong with Marmot, decent genuine outdoor brand, seems to focus more on Europe and USA than UK (they used to have a shop in Westfield, Stratford about 15years ago). They’ve not become a fashion label like many of the big names, so you probably pay less of a brand-premium. Marmot’s Precip waterproof jacket is hard to beat at the price for example.
Have a look at SportPursuit online, they’ve some decent deals on lots of down jackets at the mo. Also have a fair bit of Marmot stuff when I’ve looked before.
For UK based companies (if that matters at all) take a look at Alpkit (originated near Nottingham) their Filoment jacket is a bit of a staple. Also Rab (be prepared to pay that brand premium though), depending where you are they have a couple of outlet shops with big discounts (in store only though), look up Mountain Outfitters (the name of their outlet). |
Depends on the purpose really.
A serious one is intended largely for when you camp at night, or to be under a waterproof shell if its wet. Down's insulation properties drop very fast when it gets wet.
Montane are very good. |  | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 23:37 - Nov 27 with 787 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 23:01 - Nov 27 by tommcd |
Nothing wrong with Marmot, decent genuine outdoor brand, seems to focus more on Europe and USA than UK (they used to have a shop in Westfield, Stratford about 15years ago). They’ve not become a fashion label like many of the big names, so you probably pay less of a brand-premium. Marmot’s Precip waterproof jacket is hard to beat at the price for example.
Have a look at SportPursuit online, they’ve some decent deals on lots of down jackets at the mo. Also have a fair bit of Marmot stuff when I’ve looked before.
For UK based companies (if that matters at all) take a look at Alpkit (originated near Nottingham) their Filoment jacket is a bit of a staple. Also Rab (be prepared to pay that brand premium though), depending where you are they have a couple of outlet shops with big discounts (in store only though), look up Mountain Outfitters (the name of their outlet). |
The one I had seen was on sports pursuits and seems like very good deal, as does the gant for that matter.
We're not really campers or hikers. This would mostly be used for keeping warm on cold walks, I know down isn't really for wet days unless the cost is properly waterproof but I dont see either of us being out much in the rain so that should be ok.
Main aim is that it keeps her really warm and snug on cold days and also that it lasts.
Appreciate the other suggestions, have looked at a couple of Rabb options, Helly Hansen, North Face Berghaus etc but this seems like the best quality vs price point mix. Just making sure I'm not sucked in by a price point that belies a lack of clarity, original price is listed as £300 but can never be sure how made up those are | |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 00:31 - Nov 28 with 746 views | tommcd |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 23:37 - Nov 27 by BlueandTruesince82 |
The one I had seen was on sports pursuits and seems like very good deal, as does the gant for that matter.
We're not really campers or hikers. This would mostly be used for keeping warm on cold walks, I know down isn't really for wet days unless the cost is properly waterproof but I dont see either of us being out much in the rain so that should be ok.
Main aim is that it keeps her really warm and snug on cold days and also that it lasts.
Appreciate the other suggestions, have looked at a couple of Rabb options, Helly Hansen, North Face Berghaus etc but this seems like the best quality vs price point mix. Just making sure I'm not sucked in by a price point that belies a lack of clarity, original price is listed as £300 but can never be sure how made up those are |
For warmth to weight ratio, it’s hard to beat down, and looked after it lasts well.
It has drawbacks though.
The down in many jackets is treated to help stop it wetting out for as long as possible, often the outer fabric of a down jacket is treated with a water repellant coating to help water bead up rather than soaking in. Both of which are attempts to combat downs biggest problem, when it gets wet it doesn’t insulate well and takes forever to dry.
Those coatings don’t last well with strong detergents though, so the usual advice is to wash them with specific ‘down wash’ or just soap flakes. Once it’s washed if you can’t tumble dry it, it’ll take weeks to dry and be really hard to get it un-clumped and re-lofted. Throw it in a tumble drier with a couple of tennis balls and its much quicker, still takes a good few hours though (my tumble dryer turns off when it think things are dry, which is really annoying with down as it dries so slowly, dryer thinks it’s dry when the clumps of down are still hours away from dry, time-based laundrette machine works much better).
Not trying to put you off, I love my down jackets, but if a coat being easy to look after is important, the synthetic alternatives might be better suited. | | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 00:41 - Nov 28 with 723 views | Ryorry |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 00:31 - Nov 28 by tommcd |
For warmth to weight ratio, it’s hard to beat down, and looked after it lasts well.
It has drawbacks though.
The down in many jackets is treated to help stop it wetting out for as long as possible, often the outer fabric of a down jacket is treated with a water repellant coating to help water bead up rather than soaking in. Both of which are attempts to combat downs biggest problem, when it gets wet it doesn’t insulate well and takes forever to dry.
Those coatings don’t last well with strong detergents though, so the usual advice is to wash them with specific ‘down wash’ or just soap flakes. Once it’s washed if you can’t tumble dry it, it’ll take weeks to dry and be really hard to get it un-clumped and re-lofted. Throw it in a tumble drier with a couple of tennis balls and its much quicker, still takes a good few hours though (my tumble dryer turns off when it think things are dry, which is really annoying with down as it dries so slowly, dryer thinks it’s dry when the clumps of down are still hours away from dry, time-based laundrette machine works much better).
Not trying to put you off, I love my down jackets, but if a coat being easy to look after is important, the synthetic alternatives might be better suited. |
Had a Helly Hansen jacket once, not filled with anything, lasted well & more rain-resistent than any other breathable jacket I've had. |  |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 02:28 - Nov 28 with 678 views | Illinoisblue |
Check out Fjallraven. Not cheap but do some really nice jackets. |  |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 08:32 - Nov 28 with 524 views | Steve_M |
A couple of questions to ask:
1) What weight of down?
That's probably more important then the make as a starting point. 900 fill jackets are meant for high altitude or exposed conditions and are total overkill for bimbling around town. Something like the Rab microlight series on the other hand is warm but needs a good fleece underneath it in Winter. There's a big difference between them and plenty in the middle.
2) How waterproof is it?
It's already been mentioned that down loses it's insulating properties when wet so you would need to find one with some sort of waterproofing for general wear. It might be the case that a good synthetic jacket is more appropriate, particularly as the other advantage of down is that it is compressible. Same styling but a little heavier.
I've got a Rab Microlight, it has some weatherproofing and packs really small nice to wear to football on a cold day but I try not to wear it if looks like it's going to be wet. That kind of thing, and most manufacturers will do similar, is good for general wear but not the warmest.
I've also got a heavier Haglofs synthetic jacket that's years old but more suited to being sat in a tent in Patagonia. If I replace it that will be down but it's a different jacket for different occasions.
Might be worth just looking at a couple of manufacturer's web sites to understand the range:
https://rab.equipment/uk/womens/insulated-jackets?
Also Cotswold Outdoor always have a sale on so have a look there if you hadn't already. |  |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 08:56 - Nov 28 with 489 views | wrightsrightglove |
Having had a wide range of jackets over the years of all different kinds and brands, nothing has ever beaten my Rab jackets. I ‘upgraded’ to Arcteryx a few years ago but ended up getting rid of them to go back to my Rab jackets because the Rab was far superior in my view. Not a cheap option but I’ve got a Rab down which I’ve had for 15 years and is still an incredible jacket | | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 10:21 - Nov 28 with 449 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 08:32 - Nov 28 by Steve_M |
A couple of questions to ask:
1) What weight of down?
That's probably more important then the make as a starting point. 900 fill jackets are meant for high altitude or exposed conditions and are total overkill for bimbling around town. Something like the Rab microlight series on the other hand is warm but needs a good fleece underneath it in Winter. There's a big difference between them and plenty in the middle.
2) How waterproof is it?
It's already been mentioned that down loses it's insulating properties when wet so you would need to find one with some sort of waterproofing for general wear. It might be the case that a good synthetic jacket is more appropriate, particularly as the other advantage of down is that it is compressible. Same styling but a little heavier.
I've got a Rab Microlight, it has some weatherproofing and packs really small nice to wear to football on a cold day but I try not to wear it if looks like it's going to be wet. That kind of thing, and most manufacturers will do similar, is good for general wear but not the warmest.
I've also got a heavier Haglofs synthetic jacket that's years old but more suited to being sat in a tent in Patagonia. If I replace it that will be down but it's a different jacket for different occasions.
Might be worth just looking at a couple of manufacturer's web sites to understand the range:
https://rab.equipment/uk/womens/insulated-jackets?
Also Cotswold Outdoor always have a sale on so have a look there if you hadn't already. |
The one I'm looking at is 700 Fill 80% recycled down, 20% Kapok Flower down.
Waterproof I'm less worried about as she'd throw a light Waterproof shell later over it if it was raining.
That feels like a good balance between snug but not tbe sort of thing to wear trekking up Everest [Post edited 28 Nov 10:23]
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 10:43 - Nov 28 with 427 views | WeWereZombies |
I was about to replace my twenty five year old Paramo ealier this year, I have a more recent North Face but that proved to be unreliable, when I went into Rohan's shop in Glasgow last January and found one of their jackets on sale at £150. Not down but Rohan do manage to make the most of technology despite becoming more of a high street fashion brand rather than the rugged and functional outdoor brand they were twenty years ago. So I saved eighty quid and didn't have to trade in my old Paramo (which still does a job for bothy work and any other 'dirty' outdoor tasks.) Not down filled but having seen how problematic a down filled sleeping bag can be when it gets wet (and I have a Blacks hollofil sleeping bag that is nearly fifty years old and still does a job when it is soaked through) I would recommend a point by point scorecard approach to the purchasing decision with synthetic jackets included. |  |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 11:25 - Nov 28 with 392 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 10:43 - Nov 28 by WeWereZombies |
I was about to replace my twenty five year old Paramo ealier this year, I have a more recent North Face but that proved to be unreliable, when I went into Rohan's shop in Glasgow last January and found one of their jackets on sale at £150. Not down but Rohan do manage to make the most of technology despite becoming more of a high street fashion brand rather than the rugged and functional outdoor brand they were twenty years ago. So I saved eighty quid and didn't have to trade in my old Paramo (which still does a job for bothy work and any other 'dirty' outdoor tasks.) Not down filled but having seen how problematic a down filled sleeping bag can be when it gets wet (and I have a Blacks hollofil sleeping bag that is nearly fifty years old and still does a job when it is soaked through) I would recommend a point by point scorecard approach to the purchasing decision with synthetic jackets included. |
Thanks and good points made however the scoring system is rather simple.
Points in favour, Mrs BandT wants one.
Points that are moot, everything else. | |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 11:59 - Nov 28 with 365 views | WeWereZombies |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 11:25 - Nov 28 by BlueandTruesince82 |
Thanks and good points made however the scoring system is rather simple.
Points in favour, Mrs BandT wants one.
Points that are moot, everything else. |
Oh well, I can't get too piqued as I am toasty warm when I walk around in the Rohan and have even had a couple of comments about how good it looks - this is a rare event for me. | |
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| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 12:29 - Nov 28 with 331 views | MrPotatoHead |
Passenger do some nice stuff, might be worth a look. |  | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 12:54 - Nov 28 with 295 views | ArnoldMoorhen |
My friends in Canada swear by Canada Goose clothing. Twice the price of the brands mentioned so far, but able to withstand their regular minus 40 winter days. | | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 12:57 - Nov 28 with 288 views | MrPotatoHead |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 12:54 - Nov 28 by ArnoldMoorhen |
My friends in Canada swear by Canada Goose clothing. Twice the price of the brands mentioned so far, but able to withstand their regular minus 40 winter days. |
Expensive presumably because it can’t be cheap to trap Coyotes and kill and skin them to make coats from. | | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 12:58 - Nov 28 with 286 views | Mookamoo |
Shout out to Alpkit
Really good, lightweight equipment, plus for each purchase, you get member rewards off the next buy
https://alpkit.com/ |  | | |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 15:30 - Nov 28 with 225 views | WeWereZombies |
| Hive Mind, esp outdoorsy types on 12:58 - Nov 28 by Mookamoo |
Shout out to Alpkit
Really good, lightweight equipment, plus for each purchase, you get member rewards off the next buy
https://alpkit.com/ |
And if you take stuff back because it is not up to the job they say they will give you a refund and it never appears. They are in my bad books. | |
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