Down jacket for under £100

[ootini]

As per the title, does anyone have any recommendations for a sub £100 down jacket please ? Or hints on what to look for ?

[Ray Young]

I bought a hooded karrimor for about £80,
It's a little on the heavy side and doesn't pack down as small compared to more expensive ones but it's OK and does the job. When it wears out I would spend more on a better quality one rather than buy again.

[benp1]

What temps/conditions?

A great recommendation for much cheapness is the uniqlo down jacket. Light, packable and cheap

[ootini]

I guess just 'general' UK winter. Nothing horrendous. Lets say down to 0*c in good conditions.

[Ray Young]

Go outdoors has Montane Featherlight Down Jacket for £100.

[Taylor]

My Rab microlight has been great for the last 4 years.
I think I paid about £120 but I have seen sales for as low as £80ish.
Excellent value for money. I think I'd struggle to see past another one when its time to replace.

[benp1]

If it was me, for down clothing, I'd aim for something from PHD, something light from Montane (as I like and rate their stuff), or something in hydrophobic down from Berghaus

(It so happens that my favourite down items of clothing are from these brands)

[Scattamah]

If you don't care about the colour, Ultralightoutdoorgear have a kiwi coloured large Montane Antifreeze going for 85 quid just now. RRP of 160.

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... cket-p1649

It's a bit heavy for autumn/spring, but it's a good 'un in winter.

Greetz

S.

[ootini]

Thanks for the suggestions so far guys. Do all of these jackets pack quite small? I'll have to go and take a look at some of them in person, as it's really difficult to judge pack size / compression on t'interwebs.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Remember that down quality as well as quantity will make a big difference to weight / pack-size / warmth. Ideally, look for something with a 650fp rating as a minimum and 90/10 (or above) down / feather ratio.

Many lighter jackets will be stitch-through construction which reduces weight and cost but can mean cold spots along the seams. Something with proper baffles will generally be warmer.

These 2 from Karrimor are actually very well specced given the pricing.

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-su ... e=44328690 Would be well suited to Winter conditions.

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-ic ... e=44327790 Lighter, should be fine down to zero and at £38 is a bit of a bargain. Both are 750+fp and 90/10.

[giryan]

Might be worth looking in a local ski shop about now, about a month ago I wandered round mine, and picked up a Berghaus Hydroloft one for £80 off retail :D
I think it's last year's range, but that doesn't really matter :)

[ootini]

Cheers, the Field And Trek ones do look like good quality. I really wish these companies would post more information about pack size, or appropriate size compression bags, just so you get an idea. I'd hate to go and hit the button on a jacket only to find it won't fit in my bags alongside my other kit.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'd hate to go and hit the button on a jacket only to find it won't fit in my bags alongside my other kit.

Don't go putting it in a stuff sack then trying to fit that alongside your other gear ... simply stuff it straight into a drybag along with your sleeping bag. Stuff-sacks take up much more room and are the work of the devil and marketeers

[ootini]

I'd hate to go and hit the button on a jacket only to find it won't fit in my bags alongside my other kit.

Don't go putting it in a stuff sack then trying to fit that alongside your other gear ... simply stuff it straight into a drybag along with your sleeping bag. Stuff-sacks take up much more room and are the work of the devil and marketeers

Ah sorry, I actually intend to ram it in my AlpKit Airlok with my warm socks and Sleeping bag. I know roughly how much space I have available in the AirLok and knowing how big the jackets compression sack is would give me, at least a vague idea of whether it would fit.

[giryan]

Mine fits inside the 2Lyellowstone dry sack that I got here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0037CF6A2
at least I think it was the 2L one :/ I was pretty sure it was, but now I'm not so certain, it definitely wasn't the big one! :)

[benp1]

Ideally, look for something with a 650fp rating

UK or US rating?

[Bearbonesnorm]

UK or US rating?

UK

[Ray Young]

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-su ... e=44328690 Would be well suited to Winter conditions.

That looks similar to the one I have. I can get that, my venom 400 down bag and fluffy socks into a 13 alpkit dry bag.

[ootini]

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-su ... e=44328690 Would be well suited to Winter conditions.

That looks similar to the one I have. I can get that, my venom 400 down bag and fluffy socks into a 13 alpkit dry bag.

As I'm not sure of the size of a venom 400, do you know roughly how much of the 13l is taken up by the jacket? Thanks

[Ray Young]

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/karrimor-su ... e=44328690 Would be well suited to Winter conditions.

That looks similar to the one I have. I can get that, my venom 400 down bag and fluffy socks into a 13 alpkit dry bag.

As I'm not sure of the size of a venom 400, do you know roughly how much of the 13l is taken up by the jacket? Thanks

About a third, the venom 400 fits nicely in an 8l dry bag.

[Chew]

Dont know if i'm being helpful or not but you may want to pass by down jackets and look at primaloft?

In typical UK conditions if its cold its more than likely to be wet and trying to keep anything down dry becomes a pain. I have the same jacket as Taylor but it usually stays at home now.
One of my most used pieces of kit is my Rab Generator Vest. You dont have to worry about it getting damp and on cold mornings you can wear it whilst riding until you warm up. It also comes in handy to wear while sleeping or using it as an additional blanket. If it does get a big grubby its easy to pop it in the wash.

[fatbikephil]

Buy one in July when they are mega discounted my mountain hardware one cost £50

[Charliecres]

I have the lighter weight Karrimor one. It's plenty warm down to freezing or lower and packs down about the size of a large grapefruit. It doesn't feel as nice as a Arab or similar but I'd say it's well worth the price.

[ootini]

I popped to the local SportsDirect last night and had a look around. They had the 750fp gilets or the 550fp jackets. Must admit the jackets did feel quite thin and empty in comparison. I think I'll be going for the lighter weight 750fp jacket. However they only have my size in the black version which is £50, not £38, but it's still a pretty good price I think. They felt pretty well made considering.

[Bearbonesnorm]

However they only have my size in the black version which is £50, not £38, but it's still a pretty good price I think. They felt pretty well made considering.

Buy it on-line then ... they listed all sizes in blue yesterday. Obviously you'll pay postage but it'll end up less than £50.