Gear

Hi

I think I've finally narrowed my search for a down jacket this season to these two. Does anyone have any experience of either?

The Rab is current and the Berghaus is last season so they both come up at similar prices (£150 to £145 respectively).

The designs are similar too (they both come in a dark blue option with bright pink lining).

Any insights greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Maria

Try both on, get the one that fits best: it'll be most comfortable, and most thermally efficient.

If that means buying both and sending one back, do it: it'll cost an extra few pounds but you'll know you have one which ypu like best.

Pete.

Designs not objectively similar in performance terms! Quite a weight difference, and quite likely a corresponding warmth one too.

But if colour is going to be a distinguishing feature then maybe you don't mind there (I'll stick in the usual disclaimer about down for casual use though. Not very clever. And apologies if you are going to use it seriously!).

Hi

Thanks for the replies, and apologies but I don't have any real experience with down efficiencies. With regards to use, we're not car owners so I'm looking for a jacket that will get me through the british winter for regular hill walks, urban use and watching sports too. Would the lighter weight Rab jacket (paired with fleece layers when necessary) be sufficient for the coldest days? I'm basically looking for as much warmth as possible without lots of weight, layers etc.

Designs not objectively similar in performance terms!

Ah, quite so, I'd rather assumed we were in a Focus vs. Astra situation.  But we're not.  What is the projected use, would be my next question in that case.

the usual disclaimer about down for casual use though. Not very clever.

Up to a point.  I never use my downie for casual use so clearly I am in some degree of agreement, but on the other hand I know quite a few folk who seem to be sewn in to theirs.  They may be dirtier and not loft as well as mine but they're still warm, nice and useful coats.

It is worth pointing out they're either a total PITA to wash or (if you just send it away to a professional outfit) rather expensive to get washed. 

Pete.

Well there's that and the fact that British cities are rather rarely genuinely cold but are rather often damp, miserable places Given that down doesn't like getting wet at all, its just really not terribly sensible.

If you do go for insulation then synthetic insulation rather saner - its much happier getting wet and if a bit heavier still very light. RABs photon hoodie is apparently ~the same warmth as the microlight. Although something longer cut like this probably rather rational in an urban setting as you'll otherwise leak heat from your legs.

As for whats useful its tricky. The warmth requirements for comfort when winter hill walking are really much lower than standing around purely static for long lengths of time. Even the microlight is going to be just too warm when active.

If you're already covered for hill walking with shells/fleeces and want something for standing about/pottering in very cold weather then yes worth looking at. For overall versatility something like say a longish cut Paramo coat going to be much better. Might need the odd fleece under it when active, but it won't be dramatic.