 Hi all. I'm looking for an insulated jacket mainly for UK late autumn/winter/early spring. The prime objective is warmth since I want something to keep me warm while inactive eg. evenings at camp, standing around on mountain summits, lunch breaks, walking between camp site and pub, etc. I don't envisage wearing it much for active use (except when exceptionally cold) so it'll spend a lot of it's time stored in the top pocket of my rucksack, so low bulk would be good and light weight is desireable but not as important. It should also offer good windproofing and decent water resistance. I'd like a hood, preferably insulated, but could live without that. The budget is up to about £150 but I could maybe stretch it a little if something really stands out that will do the job well and last a few years. Insulation options are down or synthetic. Down should offer best warmth for weight/bulk and should last longer than synthetic. Is all that still true or are modern synthetics getting to be comparable with down? The down side (no pun intended  ) is that it's harder to look after (washing) and doesn't work when wet. My biggest concern with down is how much rain can it withstand before it stops working? I expect that depends on the jacket's outer material but I'd be interested in peoples' experiences with different jackets eg. can withstand up to an hour of steady Scottish rain or becomes useless after 5 minutes of light misty drizzle? A waterproof shell over the top should keep most of the dampness out. In down jackets I've been looking at PHD Minimus, ME Lightline, Montane Anti-Freeze, and in synthetic I'm looking at Rab Belay, Montane Toasty, Patagonia Micro Puff, but I'm open to any suggestions. I'm open to all brand names - the most important criteria is WARMTH: there's no such thing as too warm, the limiting factor is my bank balance. Any advice, opinions, and especially experiences (good and bad), much appreciated! 
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I got the rab photon hoddie as a lightweight belay jacket and it's worked great for me in scottish winter and the alps - obviously the rab belay jacket will be warmer though. I'd definetly go with synthetic. It's too wet in britain for down.
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Hello Craig, I can recommend the Lowe alpine Outer limits jacket, i'ts very warm and waterproof (alledgedly) but with untaped seams. I've had one for a couple of years for the same purpose as you want and i'ts never let me down. The only niggly point is getting it back in i'ts stuff sac ! www.springfield-camping.co.uk have them reduced from £100 to £80 at the moment. mick
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Thanks Ned. The Rab Belay does look very appealing, and it would be good to support a British company if I can, although I doubt the jacket is made in Britain. My only concern with the Rab is sizing. They have a reputation for being on the small side, especially qround the shoulders. May not be a problem for me as I'm not exactly built like Arnold Schwarzenegger anyway! 
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Thanks Mick. I hadn't seen the Outer Limits jacket before but I've had a look around the web and it looks quite good. I have an old faithful Lowe Alpine waterproof so I know they make decent quality stuff. I've added it to the shortlist.
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Hi Dodgepot. Yeah I found that while searching for information earlier. Great price but unfortunately I'm going to need size small and they only have medium and large in stock. 
They have some other good jackets very cheap though so I'll be taking a closer look later - either that or start eating more!!
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So your not built like Arnie eh! Check out these little gems, Montane Bivvy jkt size small £59.99 Montane Bivvy smock med £40 Available at www.copa2000.co.uk clearence dept.
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Yes, I got the rab jacket in a large, though for other makes i'm often a 'medium'. It's meant to go on top of all your other clothes anyway so large is good.
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We have a new contender. Montane Bivvy has just shot to the top of the shortlist! Thats a lot of jacket for £60. I want to do some more looking around but very tempted just to buy the Montane anyway....
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Cheers Diddy. It looks good, much lighter than the Montane and probably packs down smaller too. I don't know about the Bivvy but most Montanes come in a separate stuff sack - another plus for the Haglofs. I've never tried any Haglofs gear but I've only heard good things. Decisions, decisions...
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.jpg) Yeh that Montane is one heavy jacket  and i bet it dont pack too well either. Haglofs one is less than half the weight and a smooth piece of kit if i ever did see one. and you dont have to go for the green i got mine in blue.
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Looks like the Haglofs Barrier jacket is out of stock  . I'll do some searching on other sites. Their Haglofs waterproofs do look nice though! Despite the weight and the colour I still like the look of the Montane Bivvy because it has more insulation than similar jackets. In theory that should make it warmer (I guess), and I do feel the cold a little more than most I think. I also like the look of the insulated hood. And for £60 it's going to be hard to beat.
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try here monday its where i shop and they do have them with the hood in stock i think but no promises,not cheap but i can get you another 10% off if you do decide to go for it.. http://www.fellandmountain.co.uk/acatalog/Haglofs_Mens.html have you looked at the snugpak range slighty heavier than the haglofs but their sleeping bags are wicked...? they also do them at fell and mountain..
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 The Haglofs Barriers are very good indeed, I've got the jacket and the hoody, but the fill is not as warm as Primaloft. In fact I slept in one at 1007m on Sunday night  The Montane Bivvy is better ,the Toasty is also good but they're all heavy. I had a Mountain Equipment something with Polarloft fill which was brilliant and warm, but a lttle heavy and I didn't like the jacket. The best combination of warmth/weight seems to be Primaloft wrapped in Pertex Quantum.
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| Edited: 08/09/07 20:19 |
Craig, here's a nice primaloft filled jacket, A Golite Buzz reduced from £125 to £85 at www.1outdoors.co.uk they've got your size to! mick
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Cheers guys, and thanks for your offer Diddy. I'll be looking early next week - my plan is to make a decision by then. Thanks for your input ptc*. It's always good to hear from people who've used the stuff and so can make comparisons based on experience in the field. I read your review on the Barrier hoodie. It sounds like an excellent jacket and is still a strong possibility but I'm still leaning towards the Bivvy because it's a little warmer and so would probably suit me a little better when the temperatures drop. I'm not a fan of olive green but I can live with it. I don't mind carrying a few hundred grams more weight if it's of benefit to me and as for the bulk, it would be replacing a fleece jacket and so will be lighter and smaller than what I'm currently carrying anyway. Mick, I saw the GoLite Buzz but for me I think it would be more suited to active wear rather than inactive wear. Cheers.
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 How's this for a way - out suggestion I haven't actually tested, but intend to. A waterproof, 8 TOG hooded jacket weighing 254 gms (9 oz.) for £24.99. It fails your "packs small " test, but does pretty well against other criteria. http://www.blizzardsurvival.com/product.php/110/blizzard_survival_jacket_military_spec . I bet it's warmth/weight ratio beats Primaloft/Quantum. If you don't like it you can afford to try something else.
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WOW that looks pretty much like a bin bag and not too hard wearing either... what a waste of £25 notes...and the guy dont look to happy to be wearing it either Hey Craig should look pretty cool around camp with that on..he he he!
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| Edited: 08/09/07 23:49 |
