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Down jacket

Lex Luthor

Looking to get a good down jacket for the cold weather
I have an excellent gore tex jacket for the rain, but whatever else I have for cold weather is not great quality, keeps me warm, but I sweat a lot in it, so I read that a down jacket is the way to go for the cold days

I tried this on yesterday and found it very comfortable and the reviews online seem to be very good, budget is around the €200 mark so this is just there

Columbia Men's Alaskan II Down Hooded Jacket

Thanks

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Gasherbraun

These are excellent -

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/ie/rab-mens-microlight-alpine-jacket-a1212829?id_colour=108

Normally sell at about €230.00 - €250.00 but I think 53 Degrees North at Carrickmines have them on offer for about €180.00 at present.

It is a pure down jacket so not as good when wet as synthetic but because it is lightweight I just pull a shell over the top when needed. It is very light and stuffs into a sack very easily. If important to you the hood is compatible with a helmet.

I have had one of these for about 3 years and wear it regularly when standing around in very cold conditions with no issues whatsoever. I have also worn it over a fleece and under a shell in a wind chill generated -25 (Scottish winter) and stayed perfectly warm.

Overall I like the fact it can be layered and it actually does its job. The micro baffles are also good at keeping down where it needs to be.

EndaHonesty

Are you looking for a Down Jacket for use on the hills?

The Columbia Alaskan jacket you linked is not for that, it's more of a warm winter coat for everyday use.

For use on the hills the following jackets are more appropriate, IMO;

Jack Wolfskin Helium
Rab Microlight Alpine
Montane Featherlight Down

sparrowcar

https://www.alpkit.com/products/filo

Without doubt the best bang for buck. Fantastic gear and no worries about buying from them as they are a well established and respected brand.

gman2k

Ireland is too warm to get the use of a down jacket if you are exercising. Maybe if you're just standing aound. I've climbed in Wicklow at night in sub zero temps and had to remove my down jacket due to overheating.

EndaHonesty

gman2k wrote: »

Ireland is too warm to get the use of a down jacket if you are exercising. Maybe if you're just standing aound. I've climbed in Wicklow at night in sub zero temps and had to remove my down jacket due to overheating.

I agree. A down jacket is more for when you are not doing enough too keep warm.
To put on when you're taking a break, or sitting around the camp.

The jackets I recommended are suitable for the hills because they are lightweight and packable, so easily kept in the backpack.

The Columbia jacket OP linked is a big bulky winter coat.

Lex Luthor

Thanks for the suggestions...I was in 53 Deg North in Carrickmines yesterday and didn't see the Rab jacket which is a pity as I would have liked to try it on

Basically want the jacket for a lot of standing around. I spend a lot of evenings outside coaching kids and it gets frosty after 7, so I need to keep warm. The most exercise I would do with the jacket would be a 1hr brisk walk 2-3 times a week

This is the main reason I zoned in on the Columbia jacket. It also has at least 1 napoleon pocket which I like to have for my phone or notes at hand

EndaHonesty

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions...I was in 53 Deg North in Carrickmines yesterday and didn't see the Rab jacket which is a pity as I would have liked to try it on

Basically want the jacket for a lot of standing around. I spend a lot of evenings outside coaching kids and it gets frosty after 7, so I need to keep warm. The most exercise I would do with the jacket would be a 1hr brisk walk 2-3 times a week

This is the main reason I zoned in on the Columbia jacket. It also has at least 1 napoleon pocket which I like to have for my phone or notes at hand

I would stand by my recommendations for you. Each jacket I mentioned has a similar fill to the Coloumbia, around 700, so they'll be just as warm, but they are also lightweight and packable, so you'll get more use out of them.
They're cheaper too, so a bit of a no-brainer.

Lex Luthor

EndaHonesty wrote: »

I would stand by my recommendations for you. Each jacket I mentioned has a similar fill to the Coloumbia, around 700, so they'll be just as warm, but they are also lightweight and packable, so you'll get more use out of them.
They're cheaper too, so a bit of a no-brainer.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm compiling a list at the moment

seen these, just wondering on your thoughts aswell

North Ridge Men's Hybrid Down Jacket

Hi Gear Men's Packlite Down Jacket

Gasherbraun

Lex Luthor wrote: »

It also has at least 1 napoleon pocket which I like to have for my phone or notes at hand

The Rab jacket has a large pocket on the front and the whole jacket is designed to stuff into the pocket and zip away when not in use - not for long term storage I should add.

As for your specific use I am a landscape photographer so stand for hours sometimes, in all weather, all conditions and literally any hour of the full 24!

It keeps me warm....

good luck with the search. It is really very subjective what works for each individual but based on experience I find that 2-3 established brands work better than others.

EndaHonesty

Lex Luthor wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm compiling a list at the moment

seen these, just wondering on your thoughts aswell

North Ridge Men's Hybrid Down Jacket

Hi Gear Men's Packlite Down Jacket

To be honest I don't know either brand so can't really comment.
Going by the specs on GoOutdoors, the North Ridge is only 550 fill so not as warm, and the HiGear is too cheap to be as described IMO.

To be frank, if the Rab jacket is good enough for a professional outdoor photographer, it should be good enough for you.

SomeFool

EndaHonesty wrote: »

Montane Featherlight Down

Have one of these, only used it in Ireland in the reeks last year when the cold snap hit, it has served well in the alps and Scotland for the past few years though so would heartily recommend it.

Have a look at Rabs vapour rise jackets too, have a smock and find it plenty warm/windproof and more hard wearing then a down jacket too if you're going to get everyday use from it. The down wins on high summits as its more packable/lighter.

Lex Luthor

ya I like the look of the Rab Microlight....especially in the grey/orange combo
Probably take another trip to Carrickmines tomorrow and see if they have any to try on

They had a Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket there yesterday...very comfortable and light, but no chest pocket which I would like to have

Lex Luthor

Gasherbraun wrote: »

The Rab jacket has a large pocket on the front and the whole jacket is designed to stuff into the pocket and zip away when not in use - not for long term storage I should add.

As for your specific use I am a landscape photographer so stand for hours sometimes, in all weather, all conditions and literally any hour of the full 24!

It keeps me warm....

good luck with the search. It is really very subjective what works for each individual but based on experience I find that 2-3 established brands work better than others.

Can I ask your opinion on the sizing of the Rab jacket you have?
I went to Carrickmines today and they only had a Small & XL in the Rab jacket. Small didn't even get to close the zip. I'm usually a medium (5'10 78kg) in most jackets but I get the feeling these are a small fit and if I was to order one online I am thinking of maybe going for the Large

I tried on the XL and its like a tent though so Im worried the Large could be very big also

Mycroft H

I've a Columbia Turbodown 650. It's not super pricey. It's warm enough for anything on the hills. I've also slept in it once when I forgot my sleeping bag in a mountain hut. Grand jacket. I had a Rab down jacket but it got nicked along with a bag. It's not worth the money over the Columbia IMO.

Lex Luthor

I picked up a Columbia Turbo 860 jacket today. I had to decide hood, or no hood
Eventually I decided no hood as I will probably wear it a lot under my goretx shell that has a hood. I can always throw a hat on if needed if wearing alone

Was hoping for a jacket with an outside chest pocket, but this has one just inside the zip so happy enough with it.

Its a nice light jacket with a good rating. Will try it out later and give feedback

Thanks for all the suggestions

RamblingRuairi

I love my Rab microlight -it is a go everywhere down jacket.

http://www.alpinesports.ie/outdoor-clothing/mens-clothing/insulation-mens.html

There's a few very good jackets here.

Have recent bought the Mountain Hardwear Nilas Jacket - this yoke is unreal but is designed as a lightweight, high altitude jacket. It's like having your own portable electric blanket with you at all times

Lex Luthor

went out this morning in the new jacket with just a tshirt under

I don't believe how warm and light this jacket is. When hands start to get a bit cold, straight into pockets and warm up again instantly