Bushwalk Australia

I'm after a new "cosy" down jacket for ski touring. My normal online sites don't have anything to suit. For other pursuits, I have generally been aiming at the lightest weight gear available, which is reflected in the sites I use.

Other suggestions would be appreciated.

For my various pursuits, I tend to go to Prolite gear, Cabelas, ph designs. Whilst I've looked at backcountry.com, the shipping limitations irritate me.

Andrew A

Well there are many ways to get around the US shipping limitations..hopshopgo.com etc. You could also check out PH Designs as they are branching more and more into lightweight stuff albeit often at the expense of aesthetics

phdesigns.co.uk

local montbell distributor. delivery times can be slooooooow

http://iclimb.co.nz/aus_insulation.htm

I have to ask what is wrong with your existing down jackets that make them unsuitable for ski touring?
It isn't as if you will be skiing in them, so are they simply not warm enough? Why not add a lightweight jumper , fleece or vest to your layering?
Even better get a lightweight synthetic insulated jacket to layer over the down one.

these guys have no shipping restrictions, fast delivery, cheap postage fees

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... ckets-c204

wayno wrote:these guys have no shipping restrictions, fast delivery, cheap postage fees

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... ckets-c204

+1

although their stocks can be low in warm gear during the warmer northern months

Thanks, Wayno. I have found that site before, but only transiently. It's got some good stuff, but my first impression was that the prices weren't that great. One of my down jackets is the Montbell Ex light. It was about US $190 when I bought it, and about UK £160 on that site, I think. That's not a great conversion, but that's the only one I've compared.

Moondog, actually, there's nothing wrong with the current stuff I have, however I want to extend my stuff to allow 2 of my daughters to come ski touring/snow camping with me, and for that i need another down jacket. I'd rather buy one that fits me, albeit big for them, as I'll use it more.

Currently have Montbell Ex light down jkt -at 185 g it is very light, and warmer than a thermal top, but not a "cosy" jkt
Also have 2 lightweight high quality synthetic hooded jackets at about 300g each - Bozeman Mountain Works cocoon parka, and a RAB equivalent. The hooded jackets combined are great, and almost a perfect combo for skiing on Bogong, but, to extend my stuff to allow 2 of the 4 daughters to come ski touring with me, needs another jkt ( and more sleeping bags/sleeping mats/telemark boots etc......the jacket was the last of these items).

A

ultralight outdoor gear have sales its just a case of shopping around and gives you another option with reliable service and cheap shipping

@ Andewa
Having equipped a son and two daughters I know exactly where you are coming from, damned kids kept growing all the time too.

prolite have a closeout sale going on...

http://www.prolitegear.com/site/xdpy/ss ... Insulation

Europe does seem to be significantly cheaper for shipping to AUS.

Also try these guys http://www.backpackingforever.de/catalog/category/view/s/jacket/id/2039/?cat=2048

You mentioned Backcountrygear as well - their home brand (Stoic) is tops and cheap (i got a stoic down jacket for less than $50 and shipping wasn't too bad either). However the Stoic Down Jackets are approaching ultralight down sweaters and it sounds like you are after more of a big puffer.

Another possibility is Katmandu on heavy discount - the jacket is going to have poorer quality down and be heavier but plenty warm enough if these are not concerns.

I have had great success with ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk in the past as well.
Another favourite of mine is moontrail: http://www.moontrail.com/home.php?cat=4 ... acturerid=

Personally I had my 10D 900+ loft down jacket made by Ben at Goosefeet Gear (if you want light!). It is custom so the wait times can be longer but I am extremely happy with mine. Might be worth asking him what he could do for you? https://goosefeetgear.com/about

My friend just tried to buy a Patagonia Triolet jacket from that German company. The DHL tracking number came through but it has somehow disappeared between Germany and Melbourne. I'm a bit wary of backpacking forever at the moment.

radson wrote:My friend just tried to buy a Patagonia Triolet jacket from that German company. The DHL tracking number came through but it has somehow disappeared between Germany and Melbourne. I'm a bit wary of backpacking forever at the moment.

Sometimes the tracking numbers don't really work well. How long has it been?

nq111 wrote:Europe does seem to be significantly cheaper for shipping to AUS.

Also try these guys http://www.backpackingforever.de/catalog/category/view/s/jacket/id/2039/?cat=2048

You mentioned Backcountrygear as well - their home brand (Stoic) is tops and cheap (i got a stoic down jacket for less than $50 and shipping wasn't too bad either). However the Stoic Down Jackets are approaching ultralight down sweaters and it sounds like you are after more of a big puffer.

Another possibility is Katmandu on heavy discount - the jacket is going to have poorer quality down and be heavier but plenty warm enough if these are not concerns.

nq111 you're getting confused with backcountry.com and backcountrygear.com

ah i hate these threads, they get me online shopping for gear that i cant really justify the need to buy since i've already got several of everything

wayno wrote:these guys have no shipping restrictions, fast delivery, cheap postage fees

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ ... ckets-c204

I have found Up and Under (http://www.upandunder.co.uk) to be even cheaper than Ultralightoutdoorgear in most cases. Their service is excellent, and they can pretty much get anything in from the brands they stock, which includes Crux, Arc'teryx, Rab, etc.. Of course without VAT you pay 20% less than RRP (already lowest I've found) and their shipping rates are very reasonable. I've spent probably $2000 there over the last few years and nothing but positive experiences.

OP: You can't go past Rab down gear for value for money, especially at 20% off UK prices, even with the weaker dollar.