There are always exceptions and circumstances but the difference is then whinging about it not doing what it's designed not to do. The op seems to have bought the wrong jacket.
How many people buy something that's expensive and looks cool that is unsuitable for what they predominately use it for. Gramme counting, fashion, expensive, looking cool all play a part.
How many people buy something that's expensive and looks cool that is unsuitable for what they predominately use it for. Gramme counting, fashion, expensive, looking cool all play a part.
That's a fair point
However, having a wardrobe half-full of Paramo, I plead "not guilty"
In an ideal world I'd agree but anyone doing a varied mix of pursuits is either going to have to spend a large sum of money getting suitable jackets for each OR going to get a much smaller number and have to work around any issues as best they can. I suspect that most are in the latter group.
Agreed bedders but if you don't mountaineer then why buy a mountaineer jacket? If you're not mountaineering why take a mountaineering jacket? If you do mountaineer do you actually NEED more than two jackets? One for mountainerring and one for not? I have a large selection of jackets; mostly not really needed.
OR going to get a much smaller number and have to work around any issues as best they can.
Well, on the one hand, yes, but on the other my idea of "working around as best I can" in this case would be accepting the pockets will fill with water in sustained downpours and account for that in my usage. I don't see that moaning about something you have on as a compromise is actually the best way of working around the matter.
Multipul people from well respected shops, forums i.e. UKC even the manufactures website have said that the Changabang is a 'highly' suitable jacket for climbing, high altitude trekking, skiing etc.
Are you saying there wrong?
You seem to have missed a common point there that all the activities listed are the sort where sustained heavy rain is generally not the routine job because they're most typically above the snow line. And when I'm above the snow line I'll personally take accessible pockets over storm-flapped awkward pockets by preference, because I'll often be wearing chunky gloves too.
There are always exceptions and circumstances but the difference is then whinging about it not doing what it's designed not to do. The op seems to have bought the wrong jacket.
The Changabang is billed by ME as a top of the range all round jacket. I think its fair to assume that any all round mountain jacket can cope with the rain and the Changabang appears to failing by design to do that.
If it was billed as alpine jacket suitable for cold dry days fair enough but its not. Mark I hope GoOutdoors do you the honour of admitting this jacket has failed to work in the evirnonment the are sell it is suitable for. As water resistance is one thing but puddles in your pockets is a joke.
So, I looked closely at the jacket before going back to Gooutdoors today and actually found 2 small rips on the inside. Nothing to do with the leak, but possibly a design issue which, fortunately for me means it's faulty and could be replaced. In case anyone is interested the 2 toggles at the bottom of the jacket that tighten the waist have rubbed on a small seam next to them and ripped on both sides. Hard to spot unless you are looking.
I swapped it for a Kamchatka but their new design is pretty tight across the chest (they describe is as an athletic fit) . In the end I went for the new Kalanka and paid a little more. It does have the new zips on it so we shall see.
Interestingly the new range of ME are definitely tighter across the chest. A couple of people commented in the store that they needed a size up from their usual. I had to get an XL and ill live with the fact the arms are a bit long.
Mark - interesting that. My friend recently returned a brand new changabang for seemingly the same issue, but it had generated a noticeably large tear in one pocket and a smaller one in the other. This was after about two days of use.
FWIW I've been using my changabang since around 2008 in a variety of weather because, frankly, I'm buggered if I'm spending £250 on a jacket for "mountaineering" and £200 on a jacket that can take the dartmoor rain. I've never had issues with mine leaking into pockets or elsewhere, even in persistent driving rain whilst out on the hill in the lakes for 3 days. The only issue I get is water ingress in the neck when the wind is blowing it into the hood, as there isn't an effective drainage channel, but that is easily solved with the application of a buff/neck gaiter.
. In the end I went for the new Kalanka and paid a little more. It does have the new zips on it so we shall see.
