Down jackets

im obsessed with down jackets i have about 10, arcteryx, mammut, schoffel, rab, and me, the mammut and arcteryx arent as hardwearing as the the rab or me jackets
im not far away from the rab outlet store (summercoats derby). some real bargains to be had
 
I work outside in all weather conditions. I buy a cheap second hand down jacket every two years. I don’t care what make it is because it will be knackered after two winters. I’ve had Marmot, mamott, Rab, Mountain equipment, North Face, Karrimor and a few others. None of them last more than two winters in the forest. They get caught on trees and ripped. Cheap and cheerful for me but they’re a tool for a job and not a fashion statement.
 
I work outside in all weather conditions. I buy a cheap second hand down jacket every two years. I don’t care what make it is because it will be knackered after two winters. I’ve had Marmot, mamott, Rab, Mountain equipment, North Face, Karrimor and a few others. None of them last more than two winters in the forest. They get caught on trees and ripped. Cheap and cheerful for me but they’re a tool for a job and not a fashion statement.
you can buy cheap stick on repair patches from temu etc they are brilliant
 
Rab now do there own repairs and offer a wash service for there own products.
 
Lads would always carry their own civi kit for Norway deployments, a must have would be the Buffalo shirt, the MOD did try to issue a cheap copy of it, but obviously not up to scratch. These were the best kit you could buy yourself for working home and abroad. Don't forget you only put warm gear on when you stop yomping or cross country skiing so under your combat jacket would just be a T shirt, you would quickly go down with heat stroke/exhaustion if you kept on your warm kit. Snug pak (I think did a puffa jacket that was synthetic and compressed well. Finally for that quality civi touch touch everyone would have a big RAB down jacket stowed away for luxury, and for hitting the civi slopes at the weekend. This was 30 years ago so kit, brand names and what's trendy might have changed.
 
I usually ask myself, what do those who have to be out in the cold/wet wear? Farmers and soldiers have little choice but to be out in the shittiest of weather and I don’t see either of those groups wearing down kit. Not robust/weatherproof enough and doesn’t keep you warm when it gets wet.
I don't generally wear a down jacket if it is wet weather ...occasionally under a waterproof jacket, but normally it is for cold and dry, under a motorbike outer jacket (as their standard liner is often shite) or when I am pottering about camp after a ride.
My original go to active top was a Buffalo, back in the early 90s (still made...but bloody expensive) but I found it hard work if I was doing a 2 day activity with an O/N camp...fine for day 1 when it was damp and 4c...but you roasted on day 2 if it was brighter and 10c....the vagiaries of UK weather.
 
I have had a Canada Goose and thought it was well over rated TBH
Now you are telling me :D
Went to Romania last year at the end of Nov. -12C, I was outside all day. T shirt, thin merino base layer and my old Lafuma Wind stopper. It was perfect. However I agree at £1500 is well over priced there are loads of other gear for less cash.
 
Now you are telling me :D
Went to Romania last year at the end of Nov. -12C, I was outside all day. T shirt, thin merino base layer and my old Lafuma Wind stopper. It was perfect. However I agree at £1500 is well over priced there are loads of other gear for less cash.
It is a good coat and certainly for what you paid for it there won't be better

Glad you are enjoying
 
, under a motorbike outer jacket (as their standard liner is often shite) or when I am pottering about camp after a ride.
Yep, can't remember ever using the liner that came with a biking jacket. Replace it with a fleece or a thin down jacket and you've not just made the jacket warmer, you've doubled up your wardrobe by adding off-the-bike gear.
 
Now you are telling me :D
Went to Romania last year at the end of Nov. -12C, I was outside all day. T shirt, thin merino base layer and my old Lafuma Wind stopper. It was perfect. However I agree at £1500 is well over priced there are loads of other gear for less cash.
£1500 for a coat
Barmy money
I am with King Rat on this
 
I will say it again
Any idiot can get cold and wet

Or being tight won't keep you warm
Ah, however there are plenty of decent jackets that will keep you warm, dry and comfy .................that are not £1500 though

One is just paying for the badge exclusivity of a Canada Goose, in the Doncaster shopping mall :D
 
Ah, however there are plenty of decent jackets that will keep you warm, dry and comfy .................that are not £1500 though

One is just paying for the badge exclusivity of a Canada Goose, in the Doncaster shopping mall :D
see my reply on Canada goose I think for the price they are overrated and have become a fashion brand rather than the "tool " coat they once were

I hate being cold and I have lived in colder conditions than many on here could comprehend and let me tell you when it comes to surviving, I or you or anyone would pay any amount to do so.
 
I 'splashed' out £54 on this proper Down jacket in Cotswold Outdoor's sale, last few weeks


Decent enough and in the Big Freeze 10 days ago, it was proper toasty

£54 well spent and a bargain, fully recommended
 
I work outside in all weather conditions. I buy a cheap second hand down jacket every two years. I don’t care what make it is because it will be knackered after two winters. I’ve had Marmot, mamott, Rab, Mountain equipment, North Face, Karrimor and a few others. None of them last more than two winters in the forest. They get caught on trees and ripped. Cheap and cheerful for me but they’re a tool for a job and not a fashion statement.
I very rarely wear mine without an outer shell. They are very delicate 👍
 
I 'splashed' out £54 on this proper Down jacket in Cotswold Outdoor's sale, last few weeks


Decent enough and in the Big Freeze 10 days ago, it was proper toasty

£54 well spent and a bargain, fully recommended
Shall we do an experiment

Next time it gets below zero with a bit of snow you wear your £54 jacket with a jumper underneath and I will wear one of my expensive ones and bring a spare for you to look at and we can sit out all night on a hilltop somewhere and every hour see how much you would bid for a warmer coat :D
 
I very rarely wear mine without an outer shell. They are very delicate 👍
Hence why I would love one of the PHD ventile Down jackets but not even I can stomach the price
The Thrudark Parka seems very tough though and the Dynema reinforcement in all the key areas is a good thing
 
Down jackets have their their place but I have never needed one - and don't like the bulk.

When its very cold here (-6C ish) I wear a thin motorcycle base layer, a normal shirt, a thin synthetic padded jacket and a cheap thin waterproof over the top. Very little bulk but still warm enough when out walking.

If it warms up, off comes one layer at a time and goes into the small backpack.
 


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