Christmas Crackers - Warm Things!
Our first batch of festive gift suggestions focuses on cuddly, warm things :-)
Posted: 8 December 2008
by Santa Outdoors
It's that time of year again, and over the next couple of weeks -
rather predictably - we'll be suggesting a few cracking Christmas
present ideas for the outdoors person in your life. Or if there is
no-one in your life, hey, you could always buy something for yourself...
To kick things off, this being winter and all, you can't beat something
warm and fluffy, or even just warm, so here are five warm present ideas
that we've used and approved :-)
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Rab Microlight Jacket
New
from Rab's little helpers, the Microlight is a new, ultralightweight
down top that comes in several different versions including some swanky
women's variants.
It's ideal for cold, dry conditions and while it's not as warm as a
full-on down top, it weighs nowt - 320 grammes - and packs tiny. Down
is top kwoll 750+ fill power stuff as well.
And it looks absolutely brilliant too. Think of it as a tiny packing
alternative to a fleece and you won't go far wrong. Except it's also
windproof :-)
Prices start at around £70 for the vest version and go up to
around £130 for the lush hooded Microlight Alpine.
More at www.rab.uk.com |
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Sprayway Outlaw Half-Zip
It may not look particularly exciting in pictures,
but the Outlaw Half-Zip uses a really nice textured version of
Polartec's Thermal Pro in a 100-weight version and it just looks lovely
close up.
Not only that, but it's also recycled, so you get a warm, green glow,
like the Incredible Hulk.
It's not super technical, but it's spot on for just hanging about in
and will still do the job as an outdoors garment when needed. Our's has
become a regular fixture on the OM test bod, indoors and out.
Priced at around £35 or so.
More at www.sprayway.com
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Alpkit Skyehigh 400
A down sleeping bag with 650+ fill power down, full
box-walled construction, zip baffles, box foot, hood cowl and more,
complete with its own storage bag for £45?
Yep really. Alpkit is running a special price on the 400 at the moment,
it used to be £65, but right now it's 20 quid less. The
latest versions of Alpkits bags are more sophisticated than their
earlier models, have a neat box construction for better insulation and
are just plain nice.
More details at www.alpkit.com -
nice bag at a stupifyingly good price. |
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EDZ Yeti Fleece
If you've always hankered after a super warm, super
furry fleece but been put off by some of the high prices out there, we
have the answer...
It's EDZ's Yeti Jacket. We have one here and it's lovely with super
soft, double-sided fluffiness and a double collar for loads of warmth
and a real luxury feel.
And at 50 quid, we reckon it's a bit of a bargain if you're after a
teddy bear-style top.
More at www.edz.biz |
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Embers Merino Zip Printed Topo
We like this one - it's a neat, lightweight merino
top that's worked brilliantly for high tempo, repeated outings without
any washing...
The unusual topo print makes it stand out as well and like all good
merino, it resists pongs, handles moisture brilliantly and has a
lovely, comfortable feel next to your skin.
Full test to follow, but so far it's been rather nice. Priced at £49
including delivery.
More at www.embersmerino.com |
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Haglöfs Treble Hood
When Haglofs discontinued their old hooded microfleece, the, erm,
Triton, we wept bitter tears. But now it's back in a lush new modified
version using a mix of Polartec microfleece and PowerStretch and
complete with a sexy laminated pocket.
Looks lovely, feels lovely, has a hood that sits happily under a crash
hat and keeps your noggin warm and even includes handwarmer pockets.
It's our new best friend. And while he's not cheap, he's kind of
classy... Priced at around £88
and available in women's Q version too.
More at www.haglofs.se |
Discuss this story
Haglofs Triton was replaced by Haglofs Gemini (now discontinued as well). The Treble looks like a nice jacket and I looked at it myself when looking for a hooded microfleece. But I don't think it is a direct replacement for the old Triton or Gemini which were 100w fleeces. The Treble looks more like a 200w fleece. In the end I managed to get a Haglofs Gemini from an online store in Germany and am very happy with it. Just right under a windproof. Exhibit A: it says here that the Haglofs Treble is an update of the old Bungy hooded top. Exhibit B: the Gemini is only 304g for a large as opposed to the Treble which is 440g for a large. All very confusing.
Posted: 08/12/2008 at 22:03
Well, the Treble Hood in a medium weighs in at 390g on my digital balance. The body is a textured microfleece, the darker areas are PowerStretch, it's very definitely not 200-weight equivalent. My faithful Triton weighs exactly 100g less, but has only a single mini-pocket on the upper arm and is mostly microfleece. I suppose if you want to split hairs, the Treble is a cross between a microfleece and a Powerstretch top. Hmmm...
Posted: 09/12/2008 at 16:42
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