THE Winter jacket recommendations

THE Winter jacket recommendations

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Discussion

popeyewhite

19,910 posts

120 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
slugelise said:
Paramo - as worn by most of the UK mountain rescue teams. I've been up snowdon in january over the snow line in my alta and still felt toasty.

Currently a bargain £150

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/paramo-alta-2-mens-wat...
Very heavy though.
I didn't like the Paramo's poor breathability at all and went with the Keela Munro - which really IS worn by MR teams. Oh it's lighter and cheaper as well at £139.

The Moose

22,850 posts

209 months

Wednesday 26th October 2016
quotequote all
I know it's unlikely to keep me warm and toasty on the top of Everest as so many on this thread seem to do on a regular basis, however I love my Quba Jacket. 'Officially' a sailing jacket however it was one of the few that I found that would keep me warm, keep the wind off me and keep me dry all whilst being half way decent looking and that could be worn when, well, my Barbour just wouldn't do!

Similar to: http://www.quba.com/mens/x-10-series/x-10-mens-nav...

Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 26th October 23:51

Rawwr

22,722 posts

234 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
The Moose said:
I know it's unlikely to keep me warm and toasty on the top of Everest as so many on this thread seem to do on a regular basis, however I love my Quba Jacket. 'Officially' a sailing jacket however it was one of the few that I found that would keep me warm, keep the wind off me and keep me dry all whilst being half way decent looking and that could be worn when, well, my Barbour just wouldn't do!

Similar to: http://www.quba.com/mens/x-10-series/x-10-mens-nav...

Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 26th October 23:51
What do the numbers mean?

Mannginger

9,065 posts

257 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Perfect topic, was just thinking I needed to replace my old Berghaus which has served me well for a number of years.

Was triggered by our office doing a collection for "Wrap up London" as it's the classic time of year for people to replace their old winter coats or jackets. A great idea to donate the old ones to homeless charities so seems only right to pop it up here as well: http://wrapuplondon.org.uk/#home

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
LordHaveMurci said:
slugelise said:
Paramo - as worn by most of the UK mountain rescue teams. I've been up snowdon in january over the snow line in my alta and still felt toasty.

Currently a bargain £150

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/paramo-alta-2-mens-wat...
Very heavy though.
I didn't like the Paramo's poor breathability at all and went with the Keela Munro - which really IS worn by MR teams. Oh it's lighter and cheaper as well at £139.
Interesting. I've had a paramo for about 6 years and been very happy with its performance. All day waterproof, literally I've worked outside in the pouring rain for 10 hours and wasn't wet under the coat. Legs and feet were another matter though.
I've found breathability to be good enough, I've never been wet after a period of intense activity, apart from down at the ends of my arms.
I'm going to look at the keela though, it looks quite good.
I need something that will not let in water at all but that is also warm when stood around in the winter for hours without doing anything.
Most stuff is ok for an hour or two, it's when you're 8 or more hours into a job that the good stuff makes itself apparent.

LordHaveMurci

12,045 posts

169 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
I always thought Paramo were very breathable, that's what made me look at them as I run very warm when doing, well, anything really! That Alta is as heavy as my years old Berghaus though so not what I want.

burnstar

49 posts

94 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
hora said:
Great as a boot coat or working outdoor but not stylish.

If it gets really cold I'm getting a PHD designs coat biggrin
PHD are lovely but bang for your buck they are not! Agreed re Snugpak. May not be the most stylish but when it comes down to keeping warm its a winner. Very popular in Military circles.

popeyewhite

19,910 posts

120 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Super Slo Mo said:

Most stuff is ok for an hour or two, it's when you're 8 or more hours into a job that the good stuff makes itself apparent.
Agree absolutely. So far the Keela is the only coat that's kept me dry on for more than 5 hrs. I've not been out longer than that yet. Breathability is very good. the Paramo's breathability was suspect on a couple of long fast hikes... Of course everyone's different and personal taste may be colouring my opinion here... the cut and function of the Keela is better as well I think.

Super Slo Mo

5,368 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
popeyewhite said:
Super Slo Mo said:

Most stuff is ok for an hour or two, it's when you're 8 or more hours into a job that the good stuff makes itself apparent.
Agree absolutely. So far the Keela is the only coat that's kept me dry on for more than 5 hrs. I've not been out longer than that yet. Breathability is very good. the Paramo's breathability was suspect on a couple of long fast hikes... Of course everyone's different and personal taste may be colouring my opinion here... the cut and function of the Keela is better as well I think.
I've found my Paramo to be fine regards breathability. It can get pretty warm if I'm lugging stuff about, but that's more a function of needing to dress for the long periods of inactivity I think.
It's not exactly stylish though, but I'm not that bothered really, for me performance is the priority. The other things I like about it are that it's not 'rustly', and if it gets damaged, can just be sewn back together without any real loss in performance. As it happens, I haven't managed to damage it yet, but due to the nature of the job that's mostly down to luck. One of my other coats still has sail tape (not sure if you know what that is, it's for repairing boat sails) on it patching holes together smile

TheLuke

2,218 posts

141 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Can anyone recommend a cheap Parka.

Dont really want to spend more than about £80. Dont need one that will see me through being dipped in liquid nitrogen. Just one that wont leave me cold.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

234 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
TheLuke said:
Can anyone recommend a cheap Parka.

Dont really want to spend more than about £80. Dont need one that will see me through being dipped in liquid nitrogen. Just one that wont leave me cold.
Hunt on eBay.

ReaderScars

6,087 posts

176 months

Thursday 27th October 2016
quotequote all
Does it actually have to be a parka - if you want something warm, with a 3 way adjustable wired peak hood, highly water resistant and will keep you warm even if some water does eventually get to you (hasn't happened to me yet), then you could do a LOT worse than a Montane Prism.

You can definitely get them at £80, that's how much I paid from a 'mall' outdoor store. And if need be it can pack down into one of it's own pockets and you can use it as a pillow if you're camping or whatever.

The reason it will keep you warm if water does happen to get in is due to the insulation type, Primaloft.

The Moose

22,850 posts

209 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
Rawwr said:
The Moose said:
I know it's unlikely to keep me warm and toasty on the top of Everest as so many on this thread seem to do on a regular basis, however I love my Quba Jacket. 'Officially' a sailing jacket however it was one of the few that I found that would keep me warm, keep the wind off me and keep me dry all whilst being half way decent looking and that could be worn when, well, my Barbour just wouldn't do!

Similar to: http://www.quba.com/mens/x-10-series/x-10-mens-nav...

Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 26th October 23:51
What do the numbers mean?
Nothing particularly. I believe the original jackets were made from old sails or similar so the numbers are like numbers on sails...but it could just be marketing b.s.

Rawwr

22,722 posts

234 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
I just ordered a Rab Zero G. I don't need it. It's too expensive. It's a total waste of money. It's blue, though.

Hard-Drive

4,081 posts

229 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
The Moose said:
Rawwr said:
The Moose said:
I know it's unlikely to keep me warm and toasty on the top of Everest as so many on this thread seem to do on a regular basis, however I love my Quba Jacket. 'Officially' a sailing jacket however it was one of the few that I found that would keep me warm, keep the wind off me and keep me dry all whilst being half way decent looking and that could be worn when, well, my Barbour just wouldn't do!

Similar to: http://www.quba.com/mens/x-10-series/x-10-mens-nav...

Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 26th October 23:51
What do the numbers mean?
Nothing particularly. I believe the original jackets were made from old sails or similar so the numbers are like numbers on sails...but it could just be marketing b.s.
Correct. You could send them a knackered sail and they would make it into a jacket. However Dacron sailcloth is pretty hopeless as a clothing fabric so most are made from a more conventional fabric these days, although they will still make one from your old sails if you want.

However the X10 is in no way whatsoever a technical sailing jacket, it would be next to useless as one. It's "shore wear", you wear it to the pub after a hard days sailing to show everyone that you are a yottie...

Mothersruin

8,573 posts

99 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
It looks like something Kanye West would wear.

Or Lewis Hamilton.

The Moose

22,850 posts

209 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
Hard-Drive said:
The Moose said:
Rawwr said:
The Moose said:
I know it's unlikely to keep me warm and toasty on the top of Everest as so many on this thread seem to do on a regular basis, however I love my Quba Jacket. 'Officially' a sailing jacket however it was one of the few that I found that would keep me warm, keep the wind off me and keep me dry all whilst being half way decent looking and that could be worn when, well, my Barbour just wouldn't do!

Similar to: http://www.quba.com/mens/x-10-series/x-10-mens-nav...

Edited by The Moose on Wednesday 26th October 23:51
What do the numbers mean?
Nothing particularly. I believe the original jackets were made from old sails or similar so the numbers are like numbers on sails...but it could just be marketing b.s.
Correct. You could send them a knackered sail and they would make it into a jacket. However Dacron sailcloth is pretty hopeless as a clothing fabric so most are made from a more conventional fabric these days, although they will still make one from your old sails if you want.

However the X10 is in no way whatsoever a technical sailing jacket, it would be next to useless as one. It's "shore wear", you wear it to the pub after a hard days sailing to show everyone that you are a yottie...
I most certainly am not a yottie I'll have you know!!!

wink

Floptimus Prime

8,855 posts

187 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
Do we have any mountain rescue people on here that can confirm what jackets they really wear?
I've read 2 different accounts on here and a have a go hero at work claims they wear "S.A.S type stuff"

Mothersruin

8,573 posts

99 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
Floptimus Prime said:
Do we have any mountain rescue people on here that can confirm what jackets they really wear?
I've read 2 different accounts on here and a have a go hero at work claims they wear "S.A.S type stuff"
Give me a week , or so...

TheJimi

24,997 posts

243 months

Friday 28th October 2016
quotequote all
ReaderScars said:
Does it actually have to be a parka - if you want something warm, with a 3 way adjustable wired peak hood, highly water resistant and will keep you warm even if some water does eventually get to you (hasn't happened to me yet), then you could do a LOT worse than a Montane Prism.

You can definitely get them at £80, that's how much I paid from a 'mall' outdoor store. And if need be it can pack down into one of it's own pockets and you can use it as a pillow if you're camping or whatever.

The reason it will keep you warm if water does happen to get in is due to the insulation type, Primaloft.
yes

In this very thread, I posted this back in 2014 -

TheJimi said:
If you want serious versatility, have a look at the Montane Prism.

Waterproof, windproof and insulated but very very lightweight and it packs down into one of the pockets. More warmth can be gained by wearing layers underneath, which is part of the versatility. The hood is insulated too, and has a visor & drawcord to adjust the hood fitment (fixing Croyde's complaint above about hoods)

There's a reason that these jackets are popular with mountain rescue teams, such is the versatility. I was at a climbing competition a couple of weekends ago, and I had to be careful where I left the jacket - there was so many of them about!

Living in Scotland, and spending a lot of time up the hills, I have a lot of outdoor kit, and more expensive jackets than my Prism, but I love it and is the most versatile jacket I've ever had. I'd argue that the Prism and similar are the only jacket you need in lowland, urban Britain.

It was £100 quid when I bought mine, but they can now be had for circa 60-80 quid, which IMO, makes it an absolute no-brainer.