Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: Oisín on January 09, 2013
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So I'm getting some bits of kit purchased to try and get a complete outfit that I trust. I trust my waterproof, my trousers, baselayer and gloves and hat. But something I don't really have is some good proper insulation top. I just bought a karrimor down jacket, nothing special, http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-lightweight-down-jacket-mens-443081 but still need some form of warmth.
I've been considering the following items:
-Mountain Equipment Touchstone Fleece
-Montane Fireball Smock
-Mountain Hardwear Desna
I would mainly be wearing these for hillwalking, sitting around at camps, and possibly a bit of outdoor climbing. So something that I can use for being active but also as a good warm layer.
Has anyone got any recommendations? Possibly a good recommendation for a Primaloft jacket.
Thanks in advance
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A good priced one would be the Lowe Alpine one Dave has. Cant remember where he got it.
I love my Berghaus (I know I love Berghaus) Belay jacket.
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You might have already seen it, if you havent, have a look at Mountain Equipment fb page second post on right.. Trail magazine reviews.
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Hi Oisin, I've got the Mountain Equipment Fitzroy jacket and I think it's great. It fits nicely into its stuff sack and doesn't take up too much room in your rucksack.
I wasn't sure how strong the material was but i wore it sking and had a few mental wipeouts while wearing it, also have snagged it on many trees and it's still good, touch wood.
I've never really wore a down jacket before as they are for Faries ;D, but this has kept me warm and served me well.
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I fell in love with rabs microlight alpine jacket, it's lightweight, packs really small, warm enough for me in our weather. Despite it being on deal over the Internet, it is down insulated and its impossible to find in a medium, unfortunately which is my size.
Also there's a cracking deal in Cotswold for the marmot-ama-dablam-down-jacket which is down to £100 from £190. Meant to be a very good jacket.
Not to hijack the thread but if anyone has any suggestions for a lightweight down jacket I'd be grateful.
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You can try out my alpkit filo on our next camp
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A good priced one would be the Lowe Alpine one Dave has. Cant remember where he got it.
I love my Berghaus (I know I love Berghaus) Belay jacket.
Im always in two minds about my jacket.
It has been both great and pants
It was exceptional on a snowy and wet night hike of Donard last year with Redleader as I just chucked it on over my waterproof and felt lots warmer.
It was pants sitting about close to zero anytime Ive used it.
So I only really use it for wet active heat/short stops. I dont think I could stand and belay all day in it.
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I'd rate the filo quite highly on initial impressions of warmth. Its a snug fit so with a medium I can get my goretex coat over the top of it for both warmth and dryness.
I won't use it much though but for those edge cases where you're cold due to tiredness and lack of a good feed, it'll be worth it
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Just after purchasing my insulation piece.
In the end I went searching for PRIMALOFT instead of down, just for the climate suitability and bought the Montane Prism Jacket. At £90 it was one of the cheaper options and after reading reviews it seems to match up to the ME Fitzroy jacket and others in the same category. It was a nightmare finding one, I think I've just bought the last size Medium jacket on the whole internet ;D
Thanks for the advice everyone.