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Post by downriver on Oct 5, 2023 17:33:24 GMT -8
What do you think of this list? Who have they left off per your views? Do you agree with their list? I have never heard of Norrøna; it’s a brand I am unfamiliar with. Think I’ll take a look at their stuff… www.switchbacktravel.com/best-outdoor-clothing-brandsHappy Trails, DR
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 5, 2023 18:51:42 GMT -8
That list strikes me much better than most such things. There are a couple weak entries, but it includes most of what I would recommend.
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Post by leadbelly on Oct 9, 2023 9:09:40 GMT -8
Pretty good list, and some pretty good and current comments about the brands. I think you have to be careful with LL Bean, The North Face, Kuhl, Cotopaxi, Helly Hansen, Eddie Bauer, Fjallraven. No issues with quality, but each, to varying degrees, is a mix of useful outdoors gear and 'outdoors casual'. Just make sure the specific item will perform the way you want. a few other observations:
-Our daughter wore a Fjallraven Nuuk for a season - super warm and protective, great build quality, but too heavy for someone used to down winter jackets. their little day packs last forever.
-Eddie Bauer First Ascent is where I look for that brand.
-I have had some recent fails with Marmot - i think the brand has slipped.
-Premium down gear? Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Valandre.
-premium wool gear? Smartwool, Icebreaker, Kora. I would say Ibex, but everything of theirs that I wear is pre-shutdown {company went out of business 2018/19, re-opened late 2019}, can't speak to their current quality.
-some missing brands I would consider including: Vaude, Berghaus, Montane, Westcomb, Mammut, Mountain Equipment Co. (MEC is a bit like REI, a cooperative with a quality in-house brand), Royal Robbins (with the caveat like above about sorting outdoors functional vs. outdoors casual).
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 9, 2023 9:35:25 GMT -8
-premium wool gear? Smartwool, Icebreaker, Kora. I would say Ibex, but everything of theirs that I wear is pre-shutdown {company went out of business 2018/19, re-opened late 2019}, can't speak to their current quality.
My sad observation on wool gear is that Woolrich pretty much stopped making wool clothes, unless you count their super-expensive imported fashion line (mostly $450-$1600) and some stocking caps. LL Bean has also dramatically pared back their 100% wool offerings, and they do a lot more with wool-synthetic blends or pairing thin wool outer layers with synthetic puffy linings. Filson is still in the game, but their best wool stuff is now only available seasonally and at eye-watering prices.
This is sad because so much wool is now discarded because the market for it is so poor.
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Post by trinity on Oct 9, 2023 10:32:28 GMT -8
I agree that this is a pretty solid list, with useful comments about each brand. It occurs to me that this is a far better list than any I have seen from Backpacker/Outside.
One brand I might add is Kuiu. Better known among hunters, but I have a couple of layering pieces from them (especially the Peleton 97 Fleece Hoodie) that are absolutely stellar. I've read positive reviews about their pants as well.
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Post by leadbelly on Oct 9, 2023 13:42:02 GMT -8
-premium wool gear? Smartwool, Icebreaker, Kora. I would say Ibex, but everything of theirs that I wear is pre-shutdown {company went out of business 2018/19, re-opened late 2019}, can't speak to their current quality.
My sad observation on wool gear is that Woolrich pretty much stopped making wool clothes, unless you count their super-expensive imported fashion line (mostly $450-$1600) and some stocking caps. LL Bean has also dramatically pared back their 100% wool offerings, and they do a lot more with wool-synthetic blends or pairing thin wool outer layers with synthetic puffy linings. Filson is still in the game, but their best wool stuff is now only available seasonally and at eye-watering prices.
This is sad because so much wool is now discarded because the market for it is so poor.
i get the sense that there are several good options for merino base layers. Bean has a full run of 150 and 250 weight merino layers, and i think black diamond and REI have good options. i love those patagonia merino/synthetic blends that are super-comfortable and snag on everything. well, except for the snagging.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 9, 2023 13:55:30 GMT -8
My sad observation on wool gear is that Woolrich pretty much stopped making wool clothes, unless you count their super-expensive imported fashion line (mostly $450-$1600) and some stocking caps. LL Bean has also dramatically pared back their 100% wool offerings, and they do a lot more with wool-synthetic blends or pairing thin wool outer layers with synthetic puffy linings. Filson is still in the game, but their best wool stuff is now only available seasonally and at eye-watering prices.
This is sad because so much wool is now discarded because the market for it is so poor.
i get the sense that there are several good options for merino base layers. Bean has a full run of 150 and 250 weight merino layers, and i think black diamond and REI have good options. i love those patagonia merino/synthetic blends that are super-comfortable and snag on everything. well, except for the snagging.
Yes, there are lots of good options for merino base layers. It's mainly outerwear and especially non-merino applications where things have really changed.
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Post by trinity on Oct 9, 2023 14:20:02 GMT -8
Yes, there are lots of good options for merino base layers. It's mainly outerwear and especially non-merino applications where things have really changed. I haven't worn such wool shirts in quite a while, but I think Pendleton still has some options available.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 9, 2023 15:08:39 GMT -8
Yes, there are lots of good options for merino base layers. It's mainly outerwear and especially non-merino applications where things have really changed. I haven't worn such wool shirts in quite a while, but I think Pendleton still has some options available. I'm ashamed to say how many Pendleton shirts I have (I'm wearing one now), plus two Pendleton coats. They're still among the best things going, although the cut is increasingly big and boxy. The decrease in direct competition might be helping them.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 9, 2023 17:06:19 GMT -8
Stio will be disappointed. I have a few of their fleece pieces and am a fan.
If Prana qualifies as an "outdoor" clothing brand, then I would think Smartwool does too (and, yes, I think they deserve it for their baselayers and socks.)
Happy to see OR on the list.
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Post by downriver on Oct 13, 2023 13:05:54 GMT -8
Yes, there are lots of good options for merino base layers. It's mainly outerwear and especially non-merino applications where things have really changed. I haven't worn such wool shirts in quite a while, but I think Pendleton still has some options available. I think Pendleton has really gone down in terms of quantity over the years. When I transferred back to the Pacific Northwest (about 14 years ago) where they are headquartered out of, I was surprised how poorly their jackets/shirts fared/lasted when I purchased 3 items at a discount. Two shirts and one jacket were garbage compared to their products of the past. Funny, all three were made overseas. Pendleton gear was made in the USA in the past. I much prefer Filson to Pendleton. Regards, DR
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Post by downriver on Oct 13, 2023 13:22:09 GMT -8
Stio will be disappointed. I have a few of their fleece pieces and am a fan. If Prana qualifies as an "outdoor" clothing brand, then I would think Smartwool does too (and, yes, I think they deserve it for their baselayers and socks.) Happy to see OR on the list. Funny you should mention Stio, as I just received a $50 off coupon if I take one of their online surveys. I’m actually thinking of doing it and trying their Wilcox fleece jacket (I really like the look of their blue color). And regards to Prana, I have to say my favorite shirt jac is their Everton flannel shirt. I purchased one on special back in 2017. I liked it so much I bought a second one (also on special). Great shirt jac! Very comfortable and breathable. It’s a great fleece garment for the damp Pacific Northwest. I really like it’s style/cut and love its winter color. Great shoulder season garment. Happy Trails, DR
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 13, 2023 13:22:24 GMT -8
Stio will be disappointed. I have a few of their fleece pieces and am a fan. If Prana qualifies as an "outdoor" clothing brand, then I would think Smartwool does too (and, yes, I think they deserve it for their baselayers and socks.) Happy to see OR on the list.
I agree that Smartwool belongs. Stio might be a good recommendation. Their catalogs are great, but you're one of the few people I know who owns any, so I don't have much basis for evaluation.
My ancient Prana softshell pants are my favorite ultra-cold bottom layer.
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Post by downriver on Oct 13, 2023 13:52:16 GMT -8
Stio will be disappointed. I have a few of their fleece pieces and am a fan. If Prana qualifies as an "outdoor" clothing brand, then I would think Smartwool does too (and, yes, I think they deserve it for their baselayers and socks.) Happy to see OR on the list.
I agree that Smartwool belongs. Stio might be a good recommendation. Their catalogs are great, but you're one of the few people I know who owns any, so I don't have much basis for evaluation.
My ancient Prana softshell pants are my favorite ultra-cold bottom layer.
I feel the same way about their catalogs, too…! Kinda reminds me of some of the stuff Patagonia puts out. I enjoy reading some of the narratives pieces in their catalogs. Excellent photos, too. Very well done… Happy Trails, DR
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Oct 13, 2023 22:00:35 GMT -8
Stio might be a good recommendation. I have a fleece jacket, and the "Turpin" fleece pants and half-zip. You won't remember but I wore the half-zip the entire time at Pickle Gulch. And I mean literally, as in day and night. :D It's the most comfortable fleece I've ever worn, gets washed often, doesn't pill (hasn't yet, anyway.) Oh, and I also have a pair of their shoes - the "Colter" in a tan suede. Total impulse buy because they looked cute and were on sale. I've been wearing them all summer. Love them. I do wait for their sales though.
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