Gear

I have been thinking about buying a down jacket for years.

I have a Rab Photon Hoody that is almost permenantly in my pack and even in the very cold of winter I wear it under my paramo jacket and I am usually plenty warm enough.

 But, I want a down jacket to wear around town and for travel - places were I would not normally take my paramo.

Over the years I have looked art the Nuptse and the Lightline and even the new Rab Ascent and had almost made up my mind to buy an Alpkit Filo - and if they every had any in stock I might have done so.

But, lastweek I had an email from Cotswold Outdoors with an offer on the Berghaus Manaslu Jacket for £80.00 (rrp £140) which sounds good especially as I am tight and didn't want to fork out £150! - I almost always wait for an offer of some kind - Millets havethe nuptse for £134.00 but I have been waiting for something under £100.

I googled Berghuas Manaslu jacket but only results for Cotswolds came up - has any ever heard of this jacket? I tried looking for a review but I can't find anything other than the cotswold links - not even on the berghaus web site.

My wife has a berghaus down vest and the down 'leaks' all the time.

anyone with some info?

Hello mm

I tried one on in Cotswold yesterday, it's got 650 fill power and looks nice.

For around town on a winters day i think it would be ideal and for £80 not bad.

If they are the same price in store then I might make the trek to my nearest one and take a peek.

Thanks Mick

ok, I purchased one of these today.

build quality is ok for £80 and it has a nice breast poket on the left inside and out, a draw cord at the bottom, velcro cuffs and the back is longer than the front.

The filo as a hood and is about £10.00 less - but Alpkit never seem to have any in stock and I got bored waiting. 

I suspect that the filo may have made a slightly better 'outdoor' jacket but the Manaslu looks a bit more 'normal' and would not look out of place on the high street or pub.

I would not have paid £140.00 pounds for this jacket but £80.00 seemed fair and was cheaper than the nuptse vest.

I should point out that they also had a vest version of the manaslu for £60.00.

I imagine that both of these products will fly off the shevles as the tempratures fall.

The reason you won't find it in other stores/sites is that Cotswold have literally the entire available stock from Berghaus. Last year they sold so well on a similar offer that we have double the amount in this year. If you want one, get in quick because they really aren't going to last long and there won't be more til next year!

On a technical note, the 650 fill power is EU, making GREATER than the 700 US of the (overpriced and frankly quite chavvy) Nuptse.

Picked one up at lunchtime today. Great value but I'm glad I went to a shop to get one as I've ended up with a size small.

I tend to be size medium for most other things; berghaus gortex, north face fleeces etc..

I've been lucky and managed to get Alpkit Filos. Got a couple - the older non-hooded version and the newer hooded one which is superior fabric, lighter but also warmer.

I love my Filo's - cracking value (if you can get them)

hey i bought the manaslu @ cotworld in the sale @ £80, was in 2 minds over that and the RAB @ £230!

i went for the cheaper option,( esp if u cant wear them in the rain!) im now regreting it as it doesnt keep me as warm as id hoped.(even with plenty of layers & a fleece)

wish id spent the extra & got the rab.