Down Jacket recommendation?

[blacksheep]

Is the Nova a replacement for the Twilight? If so why the change in name?
I have the Twilight , very happy with that.
Roger

The Nova is the repalcement, yes.
They are very similar- the Twighlight used a 20d Schoeller Nanosphere outer and had adjustable sleeve tabs and a slightly wider fitting sleeve.
The Nova drops a few grams by a change in fabric (slight higher thread count)lycra bound cuffs and a re-shaped sleeve head that allows less width while still giving good movement and forgoes the inner packaway pocket.
Both used 800 fill power, both very nice.

[Moel Hebog]

I would recommend Peter Hutchinson Designs in the UK. He was the man who formed Mountain Equipment back in the 60's and was responsible for the early development of the down clothing we use today. For example he worked with Don Whillans to develop the high altitude one piece down suit. He will ship parcels of up to 2 kg to Australia. All of his kit is made in the UK and it is made to order. I have a couple of his sleeping bags and a down waistcoat, they are superb!!!!! Quality is first rate and service is second to none.

They have 2 sales, one in March and the other in September.

[Plodder]

I can highly recommend the RAB NEUTRINO ENDURANCE JACKET, it's warm, light and well made. As always the downside of a light product is usually it's durability, as I use it for emergencies and hut wear that's not so much of a problem for me.

I'm 6'4" tall, slim with long arms and the cut on a size medium is perfect for me. The arms are a long cut even on a medium.

[Mountain Rocket]

A question to all you people using down jackets, what do you wear when you are walking (with your pack)?
I ended up ordering a jacket from Ben at Goose Feet. Should be here in the coming month. I will report back when I get it

[forest]

what do you wear when you are walking (with your pack)?

Mostly my RAB Meco 120 LS shirt. I walk pretty fast and generate a lot of heat.
If it's really really cold and windy I'll use a windshirt (Montane featherlite smock) or rain shell (Hoping my Montane Air does both well)

Anything more and I sweet heaps. I'm happy to walk cool but dry compared to warm but wet/sweaty.

Post some pictures up of that jacket !!

I have Ben making some down sleeves for me out of 7d. He's great to deal with.

I have my M50 and 7d gear now.
Also my blackrock 7d vest. It's an awesome fabric and very soft, I keep wearing it around the house... why ?? Cause I like it !!
M50 is nice to but feels a little plasticy but still good. Probably will lessen with use. It's more windproff than 7d (ie: harder to blow my breath through)

[norts]

Dont wear my down jacket when walking, only for when stopped, I use all my other layers for walking, thermals,shirt, microfleece, windshirt or wp jacket.
I find any one of the above combinations is ok and never had a situation that needed a down jacket on while walking.
I use a Macpac Twilight Down Jacket. Very warm and light.
Roger

[Macca81]

A question to all you people using down jackets, what do you wear when you are walking (with your pack)?

T-shirt and shorts...

[Mountain Rocket]

T-shirt and shorts...

Even in winter? That is what my question was meant to ask.

[John Sheridan]

What size jacket should I get all my gear is large, so I would think getting an XL Jacket would be the go, would that be the norm or an XXl ??

Thanks for any experience you may have in the matter

Cheers.

[blacksheep]

What size jacket should I get all my gear is large, so I would think getting an XL Jacket would be the go, would that be the norm or an XXl ??

Thanks for any experience you may have in the matter

Cheers.

Why would you not buy your usual size?

[John Sheridan]

Layers if you have 3 or four layers of Large another large would be too tight, but I don't want it to be too baggy either.

So I was thinking XL would be the go, though I should go and try it on at the shop, but the times I do not have at the moment.

Cheers.

[blacksheep]

Macpac designs "ease" so a base layer large and an outer layer large are designed to work together. You should not need to buy a different size, the garments are eased to fit..

[John Sheridan]

Thing is I want my Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie, just want to tell people when they ask whats that coat your wearing, Oh that Thats my nano Puff Hoodie :p

I have heard good things about it, got to get a jacket might as well be that one. From what I have been reading a good synthetic jacket is a good thing to have and maybe a light down jacket as well, just for that extra warmth.

Cheers.

[blacksheep]

Thing is I want my Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie, just want to tell people when they ask whats that coat your wearing, Oh that Thats my nano Puff Hoodie :p

I have heard good things about it, got to get a jacket might as well be that one. From what I have been reading a good synthetic jacket is a good thing to have and maybe a light down jacket as well, just for that extra warmth.

Cheers.

Have you seen the macpac pulsar then?

[slparker]

Just ordered a cloudveil down jacket with hood and gore wind stopper shell. 180 bucks. 600 loft which suits me as I'm always concerned about getting too hot in aus. I ordered mainly for a European winter trip at the end of the year but should do nicely for snow camping in the oz alps when it arrives...

[iGBH]

I can highly recommend the RAB NEUTRINO ENDURANCE JACKET, it's warm, light and well made. As always the downside of a light product is usually it's durability, as I use it for emergencies and hut wear that's not so much of a problem for me.

I'm 6'4" tall, slim with long arms and the cut on a size medium is perfect for me. The arms are a long cut even on a medium.

I'm 6'0" tall, and probably best described as athletic build. I got a large neutrino endurance jacket and find it's perfect for me. Either i have a long torso or you have a short one?

[LTM]

OK reporting back on my progress. Thank you all for making this a very informative and helpful thread as I am a newbie to down jackets. I have taken my first step by buying Forest's (great to deal with) Feathered Friends Daybreak jacket and it has had its first weekend away. It seems a really well made product. It didn't get that cold as it became overcast in the late afternoon and it was too warm to have it zipped up in the 8C early evening temp with only a polypro thermal underneath.
It is a real winner re lightweight walking though. It weighs 260g compared to my 660g fleece and packs down to about a quarter of its size. I am looking forward to testing it closer to 0C.

[Dale]

Picked up the Brooks Range Alpini Hooded Anorak for colder weather use. Total weight 344g and around 200g fill - $130 from the Clymb - nice... Thanks Ninjapuppet for the heads up on the hooded version and at a great price !

[ninjapuppet]

funny that. its stated 344g but I have one thats 442g and one that is 444g both in size small.

I really shouldnt be complaining since its a good thing if i'm getting another 100g of down. but how can specs be so far off? They listed 344g as if its accurate to the single digit.

[forest]

$130 from the Clymb - nice...

How are you buying from the clymb.

I looked at a few things the other week and they didn't post here. Do you use a re-poster.
Just trying to get an idea on how as the re-posters I have used don't act that quickly, I would be worries I might miss the sale as the good gear goes quickly on the clymb.

[forest]

OK reporting back on my progress. Thank you all for making this a very informative and helpful thread as I am a newbie to down jackets. I have taken my first step by buying Forest's (great to deal with) Feathered Friends Daybreak jacket and it has had its first weekend away. It seems a really well made product. It didn't get that cold as it became overcast in the late afternoon and it was too warm to have it zipped up in the 8C early evening temp with only a polypro thermal underneath.
It is a real winner re lightweight walking though. It weighs 260g compared to my 660g fleece and packs down to about a quarter of its size. I am looking forward to testing it closer to 0C.

Good stuff.
The jacket's nice eh. Sad to see it gone but I have too much gear and it's great to see it getting the use it deserves
How's the neck sizing ?? It was massive when new and I hadn't hemmed it up a little.
It just lost too much heat with that huge gap around your neck.

[Dale]

funny that. its stated 344g but I have one thats 442g and one that is 444g both in size small.

I really shouldnt be complaining since its a good thing if i'm getting another 100g of down. but how can specs be so far off? They listed 344g as if its accurate to the single digit.

Mmm... whipped out the scales and mine is 414g. Not exactly the end of the world for a jacket as warm as this, but not great representation from Brooks Range either.

$130 from the Clymb - nice...

How are you buying from the clymb.

I looked at a few things the other week and they didn't post here. Do you use a re-poster.
Just trying to get an idea on how as the re-posters I have used don't act that quickly, I would be worries I might miss the sale as the good gear goes quickly on the clymb.

Forest - just use your trusty freight forwarder ! The Clymb accepts Oz credit cards so you can order directly from the Clymb website providing you ship to a US address.

[slparker]

Just received a cloudveil down jacket from the states. Upsides: great price for its features_ 180 bucks, great hood, windstopper shell for snowproofness & water resistance, snow skirt , pit zips, athletic cut (and it comes with a radio reflector for avalanches!!) Downsides, it's no lightweight - not as compressible as others. Worthwhile tradeoff for me for its intended purposes.

[LTM]

Forest, neck size is perfect, you did a good job with that.