Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: chris on October 12, 2010
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I was away in Wales with work for a few days and I am now fully converted to the idea of synthetic Insulation! Namley Primaloft it is the absolute ticket! Absolutely no fuss, I pretty much lived in this primaloft coat I borrowed and it was awesome! Wacking it on over wet waterproofs, stuffing it in a bag with muddy boots and a wet rope, I even Climbed in it! No way could I have even thought about that with a down jacket.
As well as that I chose my synthetic sleeping bag over my down one, it was awesome, jumping in at night with damp trousers and socks, not giving a second thought then waking up in the morning with everything bone dry!
Its the future! No more down for me!
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Thats what I have always said. ;D
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I tend to use a combination of natural and synthetic materials. We almost always have a fire and synthetic materials do not stand up to sparks and embers. It's Poly cotton trousers all the way for me and a synthetic filled Nanok jacket for warmth in the winter. The rest of the time it's wool and cotton shirts. For you guys that spend your time on the hills though, I can definately see the advantage of Synthetics over naturals.
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what bag did use?
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I've been looking at getting a Primaloft jacket as I still haven't got a proper insulation layer. Originally I'd looked at down vests, but was a bit worried about getting one considering we live in a fairly wet country. Got on to thinking about Primaloft when I saw Mr. Blacks Rab jacket when we camped at Lough Shannagh (at least I think it was Primaloft?). Looks like the ticket!
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what bag did use?
My wee snug pak one.
I've been looking at getting a Primaloft jacket as I still haven't got a proper insulation layer. Originally I'd looked at down vests, but was a bit worried about getting one considering we live in a fairly wet country. Got on to thinking about Primaloft when I saw Mr. Blacks Rab jacket when we camped at Lough Shannagh (at least I think it was Primaloft?). Looks like the ticket!
yep its primaloft you want to go for, however again its not that simple! There are various different kinds of primaloft, but basically ignore everything unless its "primaloft one"!
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Got on to thinking about Primaloft when I saw Mr. Blacks Rab jacket when we camped at Lough Shannagh (at least I think it was Primaloft?). Looks like the ticket!
Yup its Primaloft, its the only thing I always bring with me, great for when its cold and its not too warm to walk in. The thin material the jacket is made from worries me.
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So whats a good recommendation for a winter synth bag that wont break the bank?
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I have two of the Mountain Hardware lamina bags. I almost exclusively use the 35 as I like to be cool at night. If it gets cold I normally throw on a silk liner.
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At this rate there is going to be a run of Pipedreams in the Classified section ;)
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Shhh, don't say anything until I've offloaded mine :D
At this rate there is going to be a run of Pipedreams in the Classified section ;)
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I have two of the Mountain Hardware lamina bags. I almost exclusively use the 35 as I like to be cool at night. If it gets cold I normally throw on a silk liner.
Beat me too it, the MH lamina series of bags are awesome!
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Yup its Primaloft, its the only thing I always bring with me, great for when its cold and its not too warm to walk in. The thin material the jacket is made from worries me.
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I was the same, the exterior of mine is pertex microlight, I'll admit that I was pretty sure I'd tear it straight away but since the coat wasn't mine I thought i'd put it through its paces! I even ended up climbing a few pitches in it with no problems at all.
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My pertex smock (single layer) is over 3 years old and heavily used and hasn't worn through yet. It's so slippy that it seems to avoid most of the friction. Has been caught in buckles a few times: it will tear if you 'catch it badly and pull' but I'm careful as I am inside, and what punctures Pertex, punctures me :D
I'm looking at the MH Lamina 20 to fill my 3/4 season synth void since the Softie Harrier proved finally dead. The Lamina's are quite roomy so word is they are good to even lower temps as you can get in with a down jacket or ultralight race sleeping bag and it has space to loft. I know Ray Jardine near had me out with the sewing machine, but I can get one of these for the same price as the materials to make my own.
Might also get a wee Montane Prism jacket with my special work deals... it's similar to the Rab generator that I think you're talking about.