Bushwalk Australia

I know, done to death, but....

I am in need of a new WW jacket and like the look of the following:
MacPac Copland
Oringi Grampian

What they have in common is extra length - I am close to 6' tall and prefer my bum has some protection.
Different fabrics - Flexothane vs 3 layer Reflex
Weight - Oringi ~ 700g, Copland - don't know.

Does anyone have any information, experience or recommendations with either of these jackets?

I would prefer not to have to resort to complicated maintenance programs and keep it light if possible. Equally important is that it covers my bum!

Thanks

Gaye

My wife has the Macpac Copland jacket and I have the Macpac Resolution, which is more or less the eVent fabric replacement of the Reflex fabric Copland. Despite my initial skepticism of the touted advantages of eVent fabric over Reflex, in-use experience has convinced us that the Resolution stays drier and breathes better than the Copland and that it's not just marketing hype. The Resolution also has better designed pockets which allow getting at them without undoing pack straps or removing your pack, unlike the Copland. Despite only owning her Copland for little over a year, my wife is seriously considering trading it for a Resolution.

Macpac also make a longer eVent jacket called the Hollyford, but I prefer to have a mid to upper-thigh length jacket and wear quick-drying pants (when not wearing rainproof overpants).

Don't know much about the Oringi, but I recently accompanied someone wearing an older Oringi work-wear jacket on a walk with lots of rain and sleet. This jacket had stretch fabric cuffs inside the sleeves that quickly became cold and waterlogged and were a real nuisance. No doubt the newer and purpose-designed Oringi bushwalking jackets like the one you're looking at don't have this design (fault).

The bushwalking jacket (Grampian) does have "•Elasticated internal storm cuff and Velcro closure at wrists to prevent water seepage" So the extent of wet wrists may be dependent on the velcro? I agree it would be uncomfortable by the end of the day.

I take note of your comments re Copland and have dropped it from the possibles. Either way the main use of the jacket will be walking with cameras and less walking with pack - I would probably have a shorter lighter jacket for that.

I had a look at the Hollyford - any idea what its weight is? Its also on a slight reduction in price at the moment, which is good.

On my kitchen scales , my wife's size 12 Copland and my size S Resolution are both 710g (the Macpac jacket sizes seem to be quite generous, since i usually wear a size M). I don't know how much the Hollyford weighs, but when I compared it to the Resolution in the store I would guesstimate that it's about 1/4 to 1/3 heavier than the Resolution. As well as being longer, they apparently used a thicker, more robust fabric on the Hollyford to make it more durable for walking through scrub.

Although weight can't be ignored, I put precedence on performance and durability.

Although weight can't be ignored, I put precedence on performance and durability.

I agree! But I am not going to carry a kilo more when it only gains me an ounce more protection! The Grampian is lighter but perhaps less robust and only fractionally cheaper as well...

Might be the Hollyford

Thanks for your comments, much appreciated

Except the Hollyford is out of Stock

Start again

I have used the Oringi Grampian for about 5 years and just recently changed to a Macpac Resolution.
The grampian very basic design and easy to maintain, no DWR. Doesnt breath that well keeps you dry but you get wet from sweat. Just throw it in the washing machine at the end of the walk. I keep my 2 oringis for aound the property now.
The Resolution(event fabric) is a well designed jacket and breathes incredibly well. It does require more maintence but if you keep the maintence up to it it will keep you dry and not wet from sweat.

Roger

Thanks Roger.

I might try to get a Hollyford - there were none available on line but I can only ask....

I recently bought a Hollyford. Obviously I think its the best jacket for my needs. Its a long jacket - most jackets today IMHO are too short - they are designed for climbing harnesses or for people who always wear waterproof trousers or just for a low weight on the tag. Whatever the reason there are very few long jacket around. The Hollyford comes down to just above my kneecap. With gaiters you rarely need over-trousers. You can sit on a log at camp and have a dry bum. You could live in the thing for a week of foul weather and stay warm. I had a Mountain Designs Stratus jacket for about 20 years - I think it was made in Australia thats how long ago. It lasted very well. Not the DWR maybe but the jacket. When the guaranteed for life seam tapes fell off they replaced the lot. I did a lot of harder trips in those days including weeks in snow caves. The harder trips gave way to car camping with kids but a couple of years ago I bought a Kathmandu jacket (NGX?) for a trip to the Walls - was OK but not the longevity. Shoulders leaked in NZ last year and I could not get the DWR to revive despite using a miracle wash.

The Hollyford has some good design features - the hood is the best I have used. The chest pockets you can use even with a waist belt and are good to keep hands warm. It is not light. Its performance new is excellent as it should be. Macpac stand by their gear. My experience is that well designed jackets of quality fabrics can last a very long time. My wife's Arcteryx jacket is a lot lighter but it wont last as long.

Other jackets I considered - they still make the Stratus and it still looks good. The NZ company Earth Sea and Sky make some good gear including gear for their antarctic bases - it does not have much of a profile here but it is well made and tough - they know a thing or two about rain over there. Their Hydrophobia jacket looked good - the fabric is Jelanots which is a Japanese Goretex I dont know a lot about but it looked tough. Not light. With our dollar as it is buying from NZ is pretty attractive. Ultimately I liked the design features of the Hollyford and I am happy with the choice.

Chris

Thanks Chris. Your comments have been most helpful! I tried online again and there were a few available in dingy grey (or whatever the colour is) this time. An order has been placed.

Thanks to all who have assisted in my decision.

Gaye