Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: quixoticgeek on 25 November, 2019, 05:34:27 pm
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I'm in the market for a down jacket.
I'm thinking for the next TCR, to leave my bivvi kit behind, take just an emergency bivvi and a down jacket. If I get short on a hotel, I can at least get a bit of rest before I continue. Experience from this year taught me that hotels are actually pretty damn easy to find in eastern Europe.
Aside from the usual requirements for such a jacket of warm, compact, light, I'm looking for:
- Hood
- 2 way zip
- Hydrophobic down
I need something that will fit someone who's medium height, but fat, and with boobs.
Does anyone have recommendations for good down jackets that meet the above requirements?
Thanks
J
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I hate to brag about it but I just got a Rab pertex one off of a UK outdoors buy and sell group for £25 and it's terrific. It's synthetic down so hopefully it should be easy to care for. As for finding one that fit your boobs I can't help you but I can attest to the Rab ones being the mutts. Comes with a stuff sack and packs down to the size of a travel pillow and a hood.
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I've got a big thick Rab and a lighter weight Montane. Both are excellent. For this application I would think about 2 layers so a maybe a buffalo type thick fleece top and a pertex shelled Montane over the top. The left field option would be a Weezle diving undersuit, the sort you wear under dry suits.
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It's synthetic down
So it's not actually down then :P
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If I was looking for a down jacket I'd look at
Mountain Equipment
Rab
Montane
My Mountain equipment down jacket is now 23 years old and still going strong.
Had a quick look at Montane site and this might suit.
https://www.montane.co.uk/womens-c15/clothing-c30/insulation-c16/womens-future-lite-hoodie-p703
Depends on budget really. The jackets will last but aren't cheap.
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I hate to brag about it but I just got a Rab pertex one off of a UK outdoors buy and sell group for £25 and it's terrific. It's synthetic down so hopefully it should be easy to care for. As for finding one that fit your boobs I can't help you but I can attest to the Rab ones being the mutts. Comes with a stuff sack and packs down to the size of a travel pillow and a hood.
I have a Paramo synthetic insulated jacket, it's lovely and warm, but it is quite bulky and quite heavy (>550g). It's not much lighter than my synthetic quilt (660g). Hence wanting down.
I've got a big thick Rab and a lighter weight Montane. Both are excellent. For this application I would think about 2 layers so a maybe a buffalo type thick fleece top and a pertex shelled Montane over the top. The left field option would be a Weezle diving undersuit, the sort you wear under dry suits.
I have tried the fleece + wind proof solution, but it's not warm enough and quite bulky. For the same volume I should be able to get a much warmer down jacket.
Had a quick look at Montane site and this might suit.
https://www.montane.co.uk/womens-c15/clothing-c30/insulation-c16/womens-future-lite-hoodie-p703
Depends on budget really. The jackets will last but aren't cheap.
Looks lovely, but only goes upto size 16. It's the classic outdoor kit sizing problem. Manufacturers seem to think that only skinny pixies go outdoors...
J
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Mines pretty light - only just got the scales out.
This is men's size large.
(https://i.imgur.com/x9zAXct.jpg)
I think it's this one https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/clothing/synthetic_insulation/rab_xenon_x_hoodie-6255
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My Finistere is completely awesome but it doesn't have a 2-way zip. Same for my Rohan gilet. Both have synthetic fill for easier care. The Finistere also has lined pockets for e train warmth, the Rohan has zips on the pockets helping ensure that your gloves etc. don't go missing.
Both are very light and compressable. The Finistere makes a great travel pillow too.
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In that case you could look at PHD , formed by Pete Hutchinson founder of Mountain Equipment. They can make custom down clothing for you.
https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/Custom+Made?osCsid=7csi6hfdr8po7dg777tk5h2gq2
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Good synthetic insulation is near enough as warm as the equivalent weight of down. Though yes, maybe doesn't pack quite as small. Synthetic can be much better than down in damp conditions.
Look for something with Primaloft Gold.
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Combining the two previous posts gives this:
https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/sigma-primaloft-insulated-jacket?osCsid=dbi71b7bb5u2m237s8ihl0iks4
-5° claimed, 330g, £216, custom sizing available.
Down alternatives available, but that bumps the price up quite a lot.
[edit]
It appears that PHD have their sale on at present (until 9th Dec), so you can get down (-5, 265g,) down to £203.
No custom sizing on sale tho'.
I'm using my 1986 ME Annapurna for proper cold, and primaloft for everything else.
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If you don't mind buying use you can get bargains on Ebay. A bit of a lottery re sizing though.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PHD-Ultra-Down-Jacket-ultralight/163961134746?hash=item262cd85e9a:g:qh4AAOSwG69d3EVm (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PHD-Ultra-Down-Jacket-ultralight/163961134746?hash=item262cd85e9a:g:qh4AAOSwG69d3EVm)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEVER-WORN-Klattermusen-Mens-Feather-Heavy-Down-Jacket-size-XL/264060480059 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEVER-WORN-Klattermusen-Mens-Feather-Heavy-Down-Jacket-size-XL/264060480059)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Klattermusen-Hooded-Down-Jacket/264543699586 (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Klattermusen-Hooded-Down-Jacket/264543699586)
PHD have already been mentioned & have an excellent reputation. I bought a Klattermusen down sweater in a sale a couple of years ago, and was very impressed. Quality stuff and very good warmth to weight ratio, but embarrassingly snug, so it had to be returned.
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I bought one of these a month ago
https://www.trespass.com/whitman-ii-mens-down-jacket#color=Navy&size=XXXL?gclid=CjwKCAiAlO7uBRANEiwA_vXQ-_CMaKn8-Keo09NTwDDR_vkka3FmF-sJcHX-TiKNxKb2zg31WXJBjRoCR-wQAvD_BwE
Got it cheaper at Winfields though. It is very light, down, with a stuff sack and has a hood. It doesn't have the 2 way zip though. Has kept me warm so far this winter, not tried it yet at camp.
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If you want big down jacket + emergency bivvy, then you are not leaving your sleeping kit behind!
FWIW I use a very lightweight down gilet rather than a full jacket and have rarely wanted more.
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If you want big down jacket + emergency bivvy, then you are not leaving your sleeping kit behind!
FWIW I use a very lightweight down gilet rather than a full jacket and have rarely wanted more.
This year I took:
- Alpkit Hunka XL - ~550g
- Astucas Quilt - ~600g
- Sleep matt - ~300g
- Paramo Fleece - ~400g
For no8 I am thinking:
- AMK SOL escape bivvi - ~250g
- Down jacket - ~350g
As well as about 1.2kg less weight, it is considerably less bulk, the down jacket has the versatility that if I'm really cold I can wear it to ride, which I can't with the quilt.
I know that I feel the cold more than most, so where as others might get away with a gillet, I need sleeves and a hood.
My aim is a hotel every night, the emergency bivvi would be an emergency option.
J
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Mrs Ham has really enjoyed her Rab down jacket, and she is lady shaped.
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For no8 I am thinking:
- AMK SOL escape bivvi - ~250g
- Down jacket - ~350g
Don’t forget insulating ground mat of some kind. It’ll make a huge difference to warmth for not much weight. Although can be bulky. I’m getting on well with a klymit 3/4 length mat. Minimal weight and tiny pack size. Although the cut outs don’t suit everyone...
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Don’t forget insulating ground mat of some kind. It’ll make a huge difference to warmth for not much weight. Although can be bulky. I’m getting on well with a klymit 3/4 length mat. Minimal weight and tiny pack size. Although the cut outs don’t suit everyone...
Yep, I have some foil coated bubblewrap loft insulation that I use. It's not perfect, but for warmth/weight/bulk it works pretty well. I didn't include it in the list, as I don't know the weight, and I carried it this year, so it wouldn't be a change.
J
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FWIW I use a very lightweight down gilet rather than a full jacket and have rarely wanted more.
I know that I feel the cold more than most, so where as others might get away with a gillet, I need sleeves and a hood.
J
Your choice, but I think you should give Frank's suggestion some more thought. A gillet with other options for head and arms might give you more versatility for the same weight.
I had a decent down jacket for about 10 years without getting much use out of it, sold it, then a year later impulse bought a cheap Primaloft gillet. I've had more use out of that in 2 years than the 10 with the jacket. I've cycled in it, slept in it, used it for a pillow, worn it to the pub...it works OK when wet and then gets thrown in the washing machine.
I've never raced, but I've had a few unplanned overnight stops, for me emergency use is wearing everything I've got with me and the only extra carried is a tin foil bag. For me it's crucial not to get cold on the bike, if I am then there's little chance of getting warm enough to sleep without the whole works.