on the hunt for a new jacket!

[belle]

high loft down is fine, just make sure you use total information (ie: muliply the fill qty by fill power to give the insualtion power!)

ie: here is our 800 loft jacket for you http://www.macpac.co.nz/shop/en_nz/gear ... goose.html
but like most similar garments, it has around 125gms of fill, so is more ultra light and compact than the ultra warm sundowner of equinox...but choice is good..just informed action is better .

Thanks for all of the info on the jackets but i dont think im prepared to spend that much yet as there is alot of other things that i need to buy as well, but would definatly think about it for my next jacket, pursuming that this one wont last long according to you guys

[belle]

Hi Belle,
For a not bad down jacket have a look at this sale of Outdoor Research down jackets from a NZ company: http://www.bivouac.co.nz/ I have just noticed that the sale ends this Sunday.
For a good waterproof bush bashing jacket I like the Earth Sea Sky gear - now available at Passion 8 in Hobart. Refer to: http://www.earthseasky.co.nz/ I have some of their gear and it has lasted several years. I generally like anything that has been made for and tested in similiar conditions to Tassie. Well worth a look. I should say that I have no commercial link with either of the above companies, but like to stick by reputable brands that I know will last and where the manufacturing quality is good.
Cheers
Andrew

Thanks for all of the info, im not very trusting with online buying because im always worried that it will be to small or too big so i just went around town alnd looked at all of my options and the one that i still realy like is the Kathmandu one! so i got it, there was just something about the others that i didnt like. It seems pretty silly asking for ideas and then just going to buy the ones that eveyone said not to but oh well. I guess ill learn the hard way!

[Nuts]

tbh i had a k/mandu fleece and it was ok, perhaps their clothings ok. it will likely last as long as any. Its only really extreme weather that tests gear and brings up the 'downfalls'.
Dont worry about sticking to your guns, some people seem to ask opinions After they likely already have something judging by their reaction to negative comments. Now for something waterproof eh?

[pazzar]

It seems pretty silly asking for ideas and then just going to buy the ones that eveyone said not to but oh well. I guess ill learn the hard way!

The best way to learn!! As you start getting more gear you will begin to find certain brands that you prefer. Gotta love a bargain too - Kathmandu have some pretty nice prices at the moment. Hope it serves you well!

Jared

[sthughes]

Unless it is ridiculously cold (like not in Tassie) you won't wear a down jacket when walking, and at night there is always a sleeping bag. Like Geoskid said a waterproof jacket is more important, but man oh man aren't good ones of those expensive!

I have a Macpac Sundowner 600 loft down jacket and I am extremely happy with it and have never been close to cold wearing it around camp(down to about -3). Higher loft just means you can go lighter and less bulky for the same weight (but at more cost).

If you don't want to shop online I'd get a good value (i.e. cheaper)jacket (best I can see are the Macpac Sundowner or Aurora), like Cam said compare fill weights as well as loft. Then keep the savings for a better rain coat. But do get one with at least a very basic water repellent coating.

Unfortunately nobody seems to have down jackets REALLY on special at the moment. I paid $179 for mine last year and a mate paid $150 for his similar but different brand one.

Now on rain coats I don't know. I have a Kathmanpoo NGX. It was okay when new but now it wets out and doesn't breathe much, as will happen on even the most expensive Gore-Tex & Event ones if you don't renew the DWR coating. (whoops there I go using techy acronyms ) I got it for $180 so I don't regret buying it. Personally I think I'd either go for a cheap proprietary membrane like NGX, Repel, Toray etc. or go the whole hog and get Event jacket. My next coat will be Event. Of course a $50 coat will keep the rain off as well and if you don't tend to sweat much they are okay, albeit a bit more fragile. Not sure of your size but THIS is a bargin!

I just read through the whole topic for the first time from top to bottom and oh boy it's like you ask a question and smacked in the face with an encyclopedia of answers! So sorry but thats my opinion to add to the encyclopedia! Good luck and happy shopping

[Ent]

Good on you for buying what you like. My first down jacket was a Kathmandu one. I brought it on half price then further reduced chuck out price rate price at around $150. For that price not bad but at $450 full retail it was a rip-off. My current favourite is a Mont 700 loft one with a water resistant coating. It is much warmer and covers more of me for the same weight. I love it. I do envy the 850 loft ultra light Western Mountaineering ones but not so sure on the fabric surviving mis adventure. I holed my Kathmandu on just brushing a wall to dodge a kid on a skateboard. The Pertec fabric is nice and light but does not resist abrasion well. However, with sensible care you should get many warm years out of yours. They make great pillows as well.

Anyway happy walking and as mentioned check out the rain coats as when walking they are your true friend while down ones are camp wear. I might try an Montane eVent jacket but what other have experienced with Gore-tex ones it might be twenty years before my Gore-tex one wears out

Cheers Brett

[gisborne612]

I owned a Paddy Pallin Vista for over 15 years. Fantastic jacket but the current one is not the same and I don't like some of the features. It was pricey back then as still is, but my old one was well worth the money. I replaced it last year with a Mont Tempest. It was as close as possible to my old jacket and for a far better price. I think I paid about $400 or just a tad over. It is robust, long, and looks like it will last me as long as my old jacket did. Today people seem to be driven more by trend and fashion rather than function. As a result, a lot of new gear has all the fancy bells and whistles, but many of them barely go past your hips. I think if you are going to be out in the rain/ wind for a long period of time you would want a 3/4 length jacket or at least mid thigh length. I don't like change for the sake of change, or to sell more products. If something is good stick to it. Personally I like the shape and cut of the old japara jackets. But I concede that technology has changed a lot re fabrics, so my ideal jacket would be a goretex japara, with a few extra well placed pockets and a more functional hood. That is how I came to choose the Mont. A good Australian company that has been around for quite a long time and understands the needs of Australian bushawalkers, and a good price to go. Amen.

[samh]

so im getting a new jacket soon and am just looking for suggestions or recomendations. Im looking for something that is suitable for day walks and also overnighters, pref waterproof. Prehaps something that can be worn for everyday use also. Thanks in advance =)

For bushwalking (day or overnighters) I would definitely suggest keeping your warmth layers and waterproof outer separate. There will be times when you will need to separate them - to avoid overheating.
For around town or at the ski lodge - a totally different kettle of fish, you can happily integrate the two layers in one fashionable garment.
If the new Jacket is primarily for bushwalking - I'd suggest getting a good waterproof shell first ( your warmth layer(s) can be cheapish microfibre).

I agree, I never wear a down jacket for walking, it's just too hot. Around the camp or hut it's a different story.

[sthughes]

As a result, a lot of new gear has all the fancy bells and whistles, but many of them barely go past your hips. I think if you are going to be out in the rain/ wind for a long period of time you would want a 3/4 length jacket or at least mid thigh length.

Couldn't agree more. It is impossible to buy a nice long eVent jacket and even in gore-tex they are very rare. I guess if you make them a nice long length then less people wont use overpants as much, so there goes more profits

[casey79]

As a result, a lot of new gear has all the fancy bells and whistles, but many of them barely go past your hips. I think if you are going to be out in the rain/ wind for a long period of time you would want a 3/4 length jacket or at least mid thigh length.

Couldn't agree more. It is impossible to buy a nice long eVent jacket and even in gore-tex they are very rare. I guess if you make them a nice long length then less people wont use overpants as much, so there goes more profits

wait until oct/nov and there will be a knee length Macpac eVent jacket in the market.

[pazzar]

wait until oct/nov and there will be a knee length Macpac eVent jacket in the market.

Or wait until Christmas sales start. Most of the winter sales are finishing up now, so save up some money and wait for the summer deals to begin. $400 should get you an excellent coat if it is on sale.

[sthughes]

wait until oct/nov and there will be a knee length Macpac eVent jacket in the market.

Hooray Hope they stock up, at the right price it might be very popular

[Nuts]

Thats odd, see blacksheep on here earlier, no mention, wheres the info from Casey?

I imagine a longer event jacket Would be popular.

There do seem to be fewer long jackets available from brands better known to have been 'Australian'.
As this might only represent a very small market on a worldwide scale i'd say it's probably got more to do with ready access to international brands, obviously consumer driven. I guess there is a bigger section of the market more interested in fashion than us bushwalkers or a bigger market from those outdoors doing other things. Either way, not really something to blame the manufacturers for.

The market dominance with event being used in shorter jackets (and most of the marketing and information available) makes it pretty obvious that the big O/S manufacturers never really considered Aussie bushwalkers.. why would they? They are making jackets for adventure racers or copying what is already popular for 'hikers' in places colder and/or dryer.

Putting aside what i personally prefer (I have Montane event jacket and pants), seems that current designs may not make traditional thinking the best approach for what one is choosing.
Afterall, if you can be wearing the pants and jacket whilst others have long ago peeled their goretex off dripping in sweat perhaps the only cost is getting the pants out when the rain starts, with the jacket... The thinking, not an aspect really appreciated unless youve tried both systems. (As with those gaiters, the listed features mention less need to want to take them off during the day)

Verdict is still pending on the Montane gear for me. I guess time is needed for that particular manufacturers design to be proven. I did notice (kinda crept up on me after a few hills and realising that i didnt feel the need to take the jacket off in the light drizzle) that event does 'breathe' better. Thats about all, nothing really spectacular, more subtle. If I wasnt one to sweat much, carry (occasional) heavy loads or tend to charge up the occasional hill I probably wouldn't bother if i already had goretex. Bear in mind also, if you generally feel the cold in your rain jacket that you will feel it more in event (so this needs to be dealt with)

Anyhow, I'd probably like a long jacket for mid-summer when perhaps the event pants might stay at home. Macpacs Current range do appear a little longer than those from the other manufacturers?

[Ent]

I owned a Paddy Pallin Vista for over 15 years. Fantastic jacket but the current one is not the same and I don't like some of the features. It was pricey back then as still is, but my old one was well worth the money. I replaced it last year with a Mont Tempest. It was as close as possible to my old jacket and for a far better price. I think I paid about $400 or just a tad over. It is robust, long, and looks like it will last me as long as my old jacket did. Today people seem to be driven more by trend and fashion rather than function. As a result, a lot of new gear has all the fancy bells and whistles, but many of them barely go past your hips. I think if you are going to be out in the rain/ wind for a long period of time you would want a 3/4 length jacket or at least mid thigh length. I don't like change for the sake of change, or to sell more products. If something is good stick to it. Personally I like the shape and cut of the old japara jackets. But I concede that technology has changed a lot re fabrics, so my ideal jacket would be a goretex japara, with a few extra well placed pockets and a more functional hood. That is how I came to choose the Mont. A good Australian company that has been around for quite a long time and understands the needs of Australian bushawalkers, and a good price to go. Amen.

Fully agree. I have the modern Vista and it is a great jacket but could not but help to notice my mates older Vista was a better jacket in some regards. Lets keep the bum freezer designs for the marketing driven rather than walker driven companies Curious how people wear jackets in the various conditions. In a recent walk mine stayed in the pack while others had their on so again personal rather than "definite" things might govern what works for the individual. I wear woollen underwear so less a need for the jacket to act as a windproof or warmth layer. Heck, one walker even slept in their Gore-tex waterproof pants in a sleeping bag He did not appear to be sweaty the next day so it must have suited him.

Cheers Brett

[Nuts]

Heck, one walker even slept in their Gore-tex waterproof pants in a sleeping bag He did not appear to be sweaty the next day so it must have suited him.

Cheers Brett

Sillyness aside ( ) This is generally a Really bad idea

[blacksheep]

Thats odd, see blacksheep on here earlier, no mention, wheres the info from Casey?

I've posted this a couple of times. Off to finalise the styles right now actually!

[Nuts]

ok, ill have red and black thanks ; )
(you better make one XXL, extra heavy construction lol)

[Ent]

ok, ill have red and black thanks ; )
(you better make one XXL, extra heavy construction lol)

\

And a matching set of Ugh Boots to go with the bloke that likes red

[Nuts]

now your making sense ( ) goretex event lined of course!

[Ent]

now your making sense ( ) goretex event lined of course!

Just what you need for one trip.