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Post by cheaptentguy on Dec 30, 2015 3:54:07 GMT -8
I'm looking at down-like packable jackets. I've heard the advantages of Primaloft in terms of weather. Assuming most of my use will be 20+ degrees, here are my questions:
What are the requirements for you when looking for such a jacket? (Fill type? Draw string hem? Pockets?)
Other than durability and features, are there significant advantages in keeping you warm between a cheap dept store insulated/down jacket versus one by specialist manufacturers?
What about jackets that just say polyester filled but are not primaloft or some other TM version?
I keep seeing what appear to be very nice jackets on sale for under $100 on loads of sites by great names. However, I also keep seeing $20-30 down jackets in stores. As someone getting started, I've already shelled out tons of money recently on gear, so starting with the cheap jacket is quite desirable unless spending and extra $50-60 is going to be a significant difference.
As an example, one I have my eye on is a $25 Hawke & Co down jacket at Sam's. (Going to go back and check the packability and weight of it. Leaning towards getting it.)
My plan is to layer as everyone suggests, and I have a rain shell to pair with one.
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Post by cweston on Dec 30, 2015 4:56:40 GMT -8
I'm not at all opposed, generally, to buying cheaper gear, IF it will do what you need it to do.
With puffy coats, some differences:
Cheaper synthetic insulation will not compress as well, and will not recover its loft as well (and hence not be as warm) after being compressed.
Cheaper down coats usually use lower fill-rating down (like 500 fill), and are therefore heavier for the same amount of warmth. (By contrast, a 800 or 900 fill down sweater weighs practically nothing.
Cheaper jackets use cheaper zippers. Zippers are generally very difficult to replace, so once the zipper fails, the jacket is useless.
Cheaper jackets are also likely to be less "downtight," so you'll lose down through the seams and through the fabric itself at a faster rate in a cheaper jacket.
If you don't need to make this purchase right away, you could try watching steepandcheap.com--they frequently have down jackets at well discounted prices.
Most people here will discourage you from buying cheap gear, but I realize that money doesn't grow on trees. Sometimes cheap gear can be a viable alternative.
(FWIW, I have gone the cheap gear route in some cases, but I probably wouldn't buy a cheap down jacket.)
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Post by dirthurts on Dec 30, 2015 5:21:02 GMT -8
Often times a cheaper down jacket will come with less fill inside, leaving small gaps that will be less cool. Thankfully, even a little down is pretty warm.
What temperatures are you planning to go into?
When in doubt, you can always layer and get away cheap. A wool base layer, with a long sleeve cheap synthetic shirt, with a fleece jacket under a rain jacket is a pretty solid layering system. Less comfortable, but it's likely things that you already own.
TJMax and The Clymb often has pretty solid deals on outerwear pretty cheap too.
My experience is cheap down jackets seem to work better than cheap synthetics, as synthetic fibers vary hugely in quality, with Primaloft being way better than standard poly fill.
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Post by cweston on Dec 30, 2015 6:18:23 GMT -8
Also, before I ever owned a down jacket, I used a nice quality Cloudveil Windpro fleece jacket that I bought on eBay for something like $35. I'd be a little hesitant to buy a down jacket used (not knowing if it had been properly laundered, etc), but fleece would be fine.
Of course, it takes up a lot more room in your pack--that's one of the great things about a high fill down jacket--it's extremely lightweight and packs down extremely small.
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Post by trinity on Dec 30, 2015 7:00:04 GMT -8
There is no telling where that cheap down comes from, much of it may come from live-plucked birds, a horrifying and inhumane process. I know it's expensive, but if you buy down, you really should get it from a company that can verify that its down is ethically sourced. Patagonia is one of the leaders in this regard, but obviously they're not cheap. Almost anything you can get from REI will be ethically sourced, so you might just check there for deals. As far as features I personally like, yes on the pockets and the drawstring hem (a must). I am also in the camp that believes that if you're going to get a puffy, you might as well get one with a hood. A very small weight penalty for a lot of added warmth.
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tigger
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,547 
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Post by tigger on Dec 30, 2015 7:45:41 GMT -8
I got two Lands End Down jackets about ten years ago (Thanks Sarbar) for $26 a piece...shipped. They both went with me on my trip to the ice sheets of Greenland for a month. They worked great and will be going back again this spring. They are both 650 Fill jackets - not exactly stellar but not bottom of the barrel. I have quite a few decent synthetic fill jackets that all hang in my closet...to be used around town. I will always bring a down jacket out in the field. Way more compressible, lighter (even the cheap ones), and warmer for the weight. The only things I need are a good hood and large zippered pockets, both inside and out.
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idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198
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Post by idahobob on Dec 30, 2015 9:27:34 GMT -8
I want the best of both worlds: comfort and light weight. I got a western Mountaineering down jacket which keeps me wonderfully warm, especially with the option of putting a rain coat on over it. And it weighs less than a fleece pullover. 13.7 oz of happiness. The downside: expensive ($300) but worth it.
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