Furtech Claw

Just arrived at £129 for the 'maybe not water repellent thread' deal.

Andy Davison must be related to the person that writes copy for Paramo - same weird stuff.

Quote...
Helmet compatible Sight'n'Sound hood offers excellent movement, peripheral vision and hearing clarity

What's that about ????...it has a hood much like any other hooded jacket...the peak has a clear plastic extension unlike anything I've seen before !!!!
Dont like the adjustment - it's the one that runs from your temple to the back of your neck - the adjusters themselves are from another planet.
Hood folding took ages to work out - some tiny poppers that store the hood 'inside' the coat - another first.

It has rain vents - don't know what they might be ??

Quote..
Hand Protector sleeves can be fastened across the palm of the hand for added protection witout loss of dexterity (unless your hands are large)

I think thst means that you can pull the sleeves over your hands and velcro them up so you look like an amputee - doesn't work - I'm a 'medium' but buy large to get fleeces underneath - a large claw jacket's sleeves are so short I can't pull the sleeves down far enough - the sleeves are also cut extremely tight and aren't 'articulated like Paramo's.
The wrist closures are bite tabbed but made for a small child, again the tightness of fit makes pulling the sleeves above elbow level impossible.

Pit zips as usual go too far down the arm and not enough down the body.

Quote....
Excellent freedom of movement for climbing

Noooo...cut very tight.

Quote...
Snow Seal Hem keeps fine powder out and secures the jacket in high winds. It also ensures a close fit for climbing

Errrr...it's got a draw cord like every other jacket.


Quote...
Jacket forms a roll (secured by cord locks) that can be tied around the waist if you are travelling without a sack

Took a while to work this one out too...one of the draw cord locks looks like it wasn't trimmed properly when it came out of the injection moulder - the offending bit fits into a corresponding female entry on the other lock - presto - you roll the coat up and connect the locks around your waist...I always used to tie the arms around my waist.

You get a key clip loop - with no mention at all as to where it may be clipped.

Don't like the face protection, the cords are all wrong, cut wrong.

Jacket is short compared to Paramo, very tight fit especially the arms.

I don't totally hate it though...material super soft and comfy...pockets...HUGE...just what I want.

This is a jacket 'not' a coat like a Cascada, similar weight & feel.

For £129 it's OK, entry level Paramo is more...the sleeves need sorting and I'd prefer an 'over the head' volume adjuster for the hood and side adjusters - I'd also expect helmet wearers to feel a bit cramped.

Another jacket for the collection - it'll get used just because (like Paramo) it feels so comfy.....and it has great pockets.

Good effort Andy.

Not so sure about that - I've been writing this with the pit zips open - done them up and the arms are even tighter and feel a nasty pressure on my clavicles - I'd never get a Paramo explorer on underneath this.

Do you always wear a jacket whilst typing on the internet?

Chris,
you make some very interesting observations - but it seems primarily that this is a problem of personal fit? I have been waiting to hear some 'in the field' comments on Furtech's jackets as they make some bold claims. Does the transparent hood help? And most importantly, does it keep you dry from the inside and outside? For me, there are plenty of mountain jackets out there that are right in the sleeves but wrong in the body or vice versa. If it really doesn't fit, why don't you return it?

This illustrates the difficulty of buying something online. If Furtech honour their promise of refund (including return postage) then they all-but eliminate this problem (it's still a pain to have to return something!).

their sizes are odd numbers rather than the usual even numbers - so a medium is 39" chest against the usual 40".

i'll have to take a look at the draw cord locks for this rolling it up lark.

the hood stowage is rather novel and rather good - once you 've worked it out.

>Do you always wear a jacket
>whilst typing on the internet?

Sometimes I wear nothing at all...but I'm usually clothed here.

>you make some very interesting >observations - but it seems primarily >that this is a problem of personal fit?

I buy only online and have many Paramo also Berghaus, Montane, Craghopper, Keela etc etc all in large and have not had a problem - I must be a 'typical' size.
The arms of the Claw are tight and my arms are pretty puny - the bite tab system is also poorly designed - the tab is so short it hides in it's sheath, the lack of pre articulation at the elbow is annoying.

>I have been waiting to hear some 'in the >field' comments on Furtech's jackets as >they make some bold claims. Does the >transparent hood help?
It's not a design feature I would ever have thought of - it's like a mini sun visor that is about 2 inches deep but only half is see through - it'll either be great at shedding rain or a total pain when the wind gets under it - time will tell.

>And most importantly, does it keep you >dry from the inside and outside?
Dunno - far too busy at work to try it out - looks like/feels like Paramo - works OK in the sink, it'll certainly be a warm jacket.

I've criticised Paramo a lot but mostly for cruddy cord locks, lack of pockets, strange design but never for not 'feeling' right.
That's what I like most about (typically) my Cascada - it's like a second skin and I'm not particularly aware I'm wearing it.
The Claw is irritating - if you open the pit zips you can move your arms - closed you get that nasty 'full armpit' feeling you get when putting on a tight jacket over a chunky sweater - the zips aren't two-way either.
The shoulder yoke is cut two/three inches to low to make the 'deep collar' feature - you can feel this all he time.

>For me, there are plenty of mountain jackets out there that are right in the >sleeves but wrong in the body or vice >versa.

I've not seen one as wrong as this is - I'm 5'8" 12 stone 38" chest standard build - I could put on 6 explorer tops and still have room to breath with the jacket zipped up...the arms however are so restrictive you wonder if they are for a different sized jacket.

Whether I'll keep it I'm not sure - it'll be no good as a really cold weather coat as you can't put anything on under it - for moderate weather it may be OK with just a T-shirt as it's pretty substantial.

If this were a membrane coat I'd have returned it already but it's so Paramo'ish...soft..comfy (ish)...big big pockets...I might love to hate it.

Well, Chris, you've obviously paid a lot of attention to the design here and I am certain that Furtech would benefit from your comments. Hopefully you'll post a review once its been put through its paces?

As for use in cold weather, do you think it is the kind of jacket that is designed to under insulation layer (belay jacket)? Given its alleged breathability, it should be suitable for high energy output in cold weather with a belay jacket thrown on for stops... if not, they've got something very wrong, at least for your 'standard' build. Especially if you ordered large. I am 5'10, 12 stone 12 and usually find I fall between medium and large in most outdoor brands... A Furtech large would obviously be too small then if you are having difficulty...

Hi folks, the recent comments on this thread have just been brought to my attention and its good to get the feedback although I did go "Ouch" a few times.
The first thing to say is that we will of course honour our gurantee.
We did make a decision to make the sizing a bit closer fitting than Paramo. That said its something I'll be looking into for the next batch. Chris, I'd be happy to exchange for an XL or refund.
It seems that some more photos on our site would go a long way to explain the features:
The hood drawcord runs around the head, acting like a head band and allowing the hood to move with you, unlike more conventional vertical volume adjusters.
The press studs that hold the hood in the collar allow it to be deployed easily without removing the jacket (or adding extra weight).
The materials are quieter than many laminates allowing you to hear a little easier when its up.
There is elbow and shoulder articulation cut into the jacket but the freedom of movement depends on the sizing. As does the length of the sleeve. I can comfortably get my hand inside the sleeve or fasten the velcro across the palm of my hand. I tend not to roll it up more than a couple of turns because I can get my arm out of the pit zip for better venting - thats the reason the zips terminate around the elbow. I find that if they run too far down the side of the body they are obscured by the sack straps. If there's little wind these vents can be left open in surprisingly heavy rain.
I too use the sleeves to fasten the jacket around my waist but also use the hem drawcord to hold the body of the jacket in a roll so that it doesn't hang down at the back.
The hem drawcord exits tha back of the jacket in a loop which can be pulled between your legs and fastened with the clippable toggle to form a snow seal/crotch strap... not as uncomfortable as it sounds!
The Claw is about 100g lighter than a Cascada, despite the extra weight of the large hood and pit zips, though some of that is down to a closer cut.
I find that using a belay jacket or group shelter over the top for stops means I don't wear so much underneath and don't overheat when working hard.
Sorry, if all of this sounds a lot like self promo - I suppose in a way it is. But I do appreciate the feedback and its clear that the jacket isn't quite right for Chris. Maybe we should revert to more of a Paramo cut or have two versions for different body shapes, what do you think?

chris, we are more or less the same size. i'm 5'8", 12 stone and a 38-39 chest. my jacket is a medium. perhaps you have a medium mislabelled?

i like the way the sleeve tabs go into their sheath ;-)
i agree the pit zips should be two way to give the options as at present they're open or they're not.

from feeling what's inside the jacket, i haven't discovered any bits where you can see the lining, it feels as though it is thicker and will be warmer than paramo and probably won't want an extra layer on.

Andy,
you've got mail

John

Chris i agree with you.

I am 5' 10 and my chest size is 44-45 inches i have purchased the Claw XL and i also find the movement somewhat restrictive around my arms and lower back shoulder areas wearing only a T-shirt or base layer.


That said and done it is very very comfortable and seems to do what it says on the tin, not had the chance/weather to give it a proper test yet


The arms issue is nagging at me tho, although £130 may not be much to some people it should still allow a level of comfort and movement

Sent my 'large' back to Andy, promptly exchanged for an 'XL'.
The forearms are still tight but I can get into it now.
Maybe it's just me - I can't wear those figure hugging baselayers and dislike any sort of close fitting clothing.
Time will tell but maybe the Claw & a T-shirt will be all that's needed, I have a belay jacket to put over it but I'm more used to putting layers 'under' a jacket.
However it's still preferable to membranes like my Berghaus Boulder which keeps the wet stuff out but you wouldn't want to wear it next to your skin which you could with the Claw.
I'll get back to you in the Autumn :)

I've been eyeing up an Aspira for winter, but would you say the Claw is Furtech's equivelent? Just seen the price and I am VERY tempted to treat myself (even if the threads aren't waterproof, one wash will sort it!) to a Claw. The fit is a little worrying though.

I'm assuming that Nikwax treatment works as well on these as Paramo as i've got 5l TX-Direct proofer under my sink and don't want to buy Grangers (also as you need to tumble dry for best effect, meaning i'd not be happy).

Hi,

I had similar concerns regarding the furtech claw, but in fairness after i reproofed it and on a field test the fit was very comfortable and not noticeable as supposed to restrictive.

I am 5'10 chest 46" so im quite wide and i have a claw size XL ,if that helps

also heres a link to a small field test i did last week and have to say i shan't be going back to a shell type jacket

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/UTN/18322/V/8/SP/

Hope this helps
Sheridan

I'd concur that the fit on the Furtech stuff is qute snug relative to other brands. Andy is quite compact, so that may be part of the reason why.

Interestingly, the Crux clothing seems to suit tallish, slim people and Adam van Lopik, who had a big hand in their development is a tall, slim, mountaineer.

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OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all make the mountain gear that suited us! And thank goodness for the range of brands and choices available these days...