Lowe Alpine Foraker Jacket

Michael Thomas
Reviewed: 24 February 2005

A GREAT JACKET BUT CAN BE A BIT ON THE WARM SIDE.

Good length, number of pockets, sleeve cuff adjustment, pit(ish) vents/pockets

Hood not as good as I believed it should be, takes some adjusting to get it to fit.
A warm jacket so be careful of over heating.

The first time I wore this jacket in December on the Brecon’s I got soaked from the inside out as it was much warmer than my last jacket. Careful consideration is required to what to wear with it to avoid over heating.
Was sublime on Kilimanjaro during a monsoon and also on the summit day.

john mcallister
Reviewed: 23 August 2004

GOOD QUALITY, WELL BUILT WITH A FEW DESIGN FLAWS

Very well made.
Good zips
Good value
Decent Hood

Pocket layout- bottom pockets blocked by rucksac straps
interactive zip- don't know anyone who likes them.

Decent Mountain jacket at decent price. I've had mine for about 9 years, I don't really like the long cut but my girlfriend's, which is 1 year old is shorter. But in nearly 10 years you'd think Lowe would change the pocket layout.
However the quaility and build of both jackets is excellent and have stood up the worst.
Girlfriend hates the Flouresent orange zip area on her blue one, but can't really complain at £100 new.

john lawell
Reviewed: 06 March 2004

BOMBPROOF!!

Great looking jacket and made to take a bit of a battering....which it does no problem!! A wee bit on the heavy side but I like the feeling of security that the weight gives. Try a Gore pac-lite in bad weather and you'll see what I mean.

My only gripe with the jacket is the that the hood does not roll away too well when not in use.

Super jacket. Well worth the £160 I paid for it and will give years of service.

Julie Meikle
Reviewed: 05 October 2003

STILL GOING STRONG

Great pockets Brilliant hood, even fits my smallish round head!
Warm in winter
Never reproofed in 8 yearsand still waterproof
Strong durable and abrasion resistant material.

Heavy by todays standards

It's been great value, and I have no plans to replace it, alkthough I have just bought a new summer, lightweight jacket....to carry when I hope I won't need it!

Jon Wickham
Reviewed: 06 March 2003

VERY GOOD, BUT NOW LOOKING A BIT DATED.

Extremely good cut, long length gives great protection from the weather.
Hood is comfortable and gives good field of vision.
Generally has a bomproof construction with great comfort and good mobility that gives total confidence in it, in any weather.

Though the Triplepoint Ceramic fabric is good, it was never quite as good as standard Gore-tex which was its original main comparison. With the arrival of eVENT in the Lowe Alpine range, and its competitor's of Gore XCR and Paclite 3, it does not perform nearly as well in terms of breathability or weight.
Although being well featured, it is on the heavy side, mainly again due to the fabric.
Handwarmer pockets are covered by a rucksac waist strap.
Hood will not accomodate a large climbing helmet, but then this is not a climbing jacket.
Lacks pit-zips.
Zip on napolean pocket is quite small, making it tricky to use when wearing gloves.
At rrp price it is not great value compared to many of the latest jackets.

I got this jacket a few years ago for only £90, and it was an excellent bargain. It is absolutely bombproof and still looks nearly new. At the time many of its features were reasonably good, but these are now standard on most jackets so are no-longer a selling-point. Also compared to the more modern walking jackets available, it is quite heavy and not nearly as breathable. If LA brought out a new version in eVENT and with a few tweaks, it would quite possibly be the best all round walking jacket on the market.