Arc'teryx - any experts?
Discussion
deckster said:
Not so sure about that. Rohan is very much associated with a certain breed of mildly outdoorsy rambler type. My A-level Physics teacher lived in Rohan gear and that was 30 years ago and I'm not sure the image has improved since 
You mean the ramblers who have the walking canes and hate cyclists, horse riders, motorbike riders, runners, fishermen, joggers, kite flyers, green laners, campers and rock climbers. who take great enjoyment in walking across any right of way which includes peering into peoples property.. those types of people??Faust66 said:
Excellent shout on Keela. Always fancied a Munro but I'm a bit worried about breathability (I walk very hot!). Would you say it's an issue in your experience?
I;m another hottie! In my experience the Keela is 20% better than the ME Kongur MRT for breathability. I don't tend to run more than a t-shirt and fleece top under it and I've only encountered one scenario on a cliff top where I would have wanted another layer, but that was because of the Storm Eunice.Faust66 said:
ecsrobin said:
vikingaero said:
If you want a good value shell, that performs well technically and don't give a s
t about brand names, then my recommendation would be Keela Munro or Munro Travel. It's also made in the UK. Most Mountain/Lowland Rescue use Keela, Mountain Equipment or Paramo in the UK.
I have both the Keela Stratus and ME Kongue MRT supplied to me. The Keela is around £200 and the ME Kongur is around twice that - the Keela is easily as good as the more expensive ME Kongur.
I’d echo this. There’s a reason lots of rescue teams use the kit. t about brand names, then my recommendation would be Keela Munro or Munro Travel. It's also made in the UK. Most Mountain/Lowland Rescue use Keela, Mountain Equipment or Paramo in the UK.I have both the Keela Stratus and ME Kongue MRT supplied to me. The Keela is around £200 and the ME Kongur is around twice that - the Keela is easily as good as the more expensive ME Kongur.
Another group of people who are outdoors in terrible weather not working up as much of a sweat are shooters and hunters so their jackets tend to be warm and very weatherproof. They are also cut for the less athletic
Musto and Barbour are OK but Harkila and Schöffel are on a par with Arc'teryx quality wise. Cheaper brands like Deerhunter and Seeland also do good kit
Decathlon are a great source of kit for all outdoor pursuits and you probably need to be spending at Arc'teryx/Harkila level to get a significant step up.
Musto and Barbour are OK but Harkila and Schöffel are on a par with Arc'teryx quality wise. Cheaper brands like Deerhunter and Seeland also do good kit
Decathlon are a great source of kit for all outdoor pursuits and you probably need to be spending at Arc'teryx/Harkila level to get a significant step up.
GiantLee said:
Faust66 said:
ecsrobin said:
vikingaero said:
If you want a good value shell, that performs well technically and don't give a st about brand names, then my recommendation would be Keela Munro or Munro Travel. It's also made in the UK. Most Mountain/Lowland Rescue use Keela, Mountain Equipment or Paramo in the UK.
I have both the Keela Stratus and ME Kongue MRT supplied to me. The Keela is around £200 and the ME Kongur is around twice that - the Keela is easily as good as the more expensive ME Kongur.
I’d echo this. There’s a reason lots of rescue teams use the kit. t about brand names, then my recommendation would be Keela Munro or Munro Travel. It's also made in the UK. Most Mountain/Lowland Rescue use Keela, Mountain Equipment or Paramo in the UK.I have both the Keela Stratus and ME Kongue MRT supplied to me. The Keela is around £200 and the ME Kongur is around twice that - the Keela is easily as good as the more expensive ME Kongur.
OP: don't want to derail your thread more than I have done (apologies for this) so I've started a separate discussion: The hiking gear and adventures thread...
I've gone through a fair amount of kit over the last decade, from Craghoppers upwards. Arc'teryx is far from cheap but it's generally well made, fits me (typical 6'3" ectomorph) really well, and - most importantly - works well and lasts. My 7-year old Zeta AR jacket has been trekking in Patagonia, over Welsh hills in every possible condition, dog walking year round and is STILL in pretty much perfect nick.
Montane kit is great too (especially the lightweight stuff) but not as bombproof and tends to come up a little short on me.
Montane kit is great too (especially the lightweight stuff) but not as bombproof and tends to come up a little short on me.
oddman said:
Another group of people who are outdoors in terrible weather not working up as much of a sweat are shooters and hunters so their jackets tend to be warm and very weatherproof. They are also cut for the less athletic
Musto and Barbour are OK but Harkila and Schöffel are on a par with Arc'teryx quality wise. Cheaper brands like Deerhunter and Seeland also do good kit
Decathlon are a great source of kit for all outdoor pursuits and you probably need to be spending at Arc'teryx/Harkila level to get a significant step up.
Often over-insulated in my experience, as generally you will be spending a lot of time static, rather than the more dynamic hiking/mountaineering brands. A lot of my stalking kit is very warm, but I am generally staying still or moving very slowly, so not building up much body heat. But otherwise, yes Harkila and Schöffel are quality brands.Musto and Barbour are OK but Harkila and Schöffel are on a par with Arc'teryx quality wise. Cheaper brands like Deerhunter and Seeland also do good kit
Decathlon are a great source of kit for all outdoor pursuits and you probably need to be spending at Arc'teryx/Harkila level to get a significant step up.
Got a beta ar after jumping on the arcteryx hypetrain.
Done great for mountain walks in the pissing rain due to the goretex pro. I think it's pretty solid for UK climate in a t-shirt till about November maybe then perhaps a jumper needed. Only point I'd make is due to the stiffness of the material, they feel and sound like bloody cardboard so probably not the most ideal kit for casual wear.
If I went pub I'd just go in a hoodie tbh rain or shine.
Done great for mountain walks in the pissing rain due to the goretex pro. I think it's pretty solid for UK climate in a t-shirt till about November maybe then perhaps a jumper needed. Only point I'd make is due to the stiffness of the material, they feel and sound like bloody cardboard so probably not the most ideal kit for casual wear.
If I went pub I'd just go in a hoodie tbh rain or shine.
Douvre777 said:
Got a beta ar after jumping on the arcteryx hypetrain.
Done great for mountain walks in the pissing rain due to the goretex pro. I think it's pretty solid for UK climate in a t-shirt till about November maybe then perhaps a jumper needed. Only point I'd make is due to the stiffness of the material, they feel and sound like bloody cardboard so probably not the most ideal kit for casual wear.
If I went pub I'd just go in a hoodie tbh rain or shine.
I did wonder about that with some of the shell jackets as I didn't want to sound like a crisp packet if I sit down or move.Done great for mountain walks in the pissing rain due to the goretex pro. I think it's pretty solid for UK climate in a t-shirt till about November maybe then perhaps a jumper needed. Only point I'd make is due to the stiffness of the material, they feel and sound like bloody cardboard so probably not the most ideal kit for casual wear.
If I went pub I'd just go in a hoodie tbh rain or shine.
Useful to know
Is there a scale of crispiness i.e. thinking back to the Solano Hoody which is the one that really appeals.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: Is there a scale of crispiness i.e. thinking back to the Solano Hoody which is the one that really appeals.
Solano looks nice. Looks like an urban focussed Gamma type jacket. Shouldn't be crispy as its a softshell. It'll probably wash quite well if my Gamma is anything to go by. Softshells are really good. My hardshells mostly live in my pack or on a coat hanger these days.
Douvre777 said:
Got a beta ar after jumping on the arcteryx hypetrain.
Done great for mountain walks in the pissing rain due to the goretex pro. I think it's pretty solid for UK climate in a t-shirt till about November maybe then perhaps a jumper needed. Only point I'd make is due to the stiffness of the material, they feel and sound like bloody cardboard so probably not the most ideal kit for casual wear.
If I went pub I'd just go in a hoodie tbh rain or shine.
Agree, the AR is stiff, but very hard wearing. The LT is thinner and less crispy.Done great for mountain walks in the pissing rain due to the goretex pro. I think it's pretty solid for UK climate in a t-shirt till about November maybe then perhaps a jumper needed. Only point I'd make is due to the stiffness of the material, they feel and sound like bloody cardboard so probably not the most ideal kit for casual wear.
If I went pub I'd just go in a hoodie tbh rain or shine.
I’ve got/had loads of outdoor and mountain gear from most of the top brands. I find montane make some of the best stuff around at the moment. Great quality and not too expensive. I’ve found some of the top stuff like Mountain Equipment/arcteryx hit and miss, they cost a fortune and sometimes found missing on quality/design such as leaking stitch seals or water leaking in to pockets. Prob the best waterproof I’ve ever had was a £120 berghaus, it lasted 10 years, never leaked and extremely rugged.
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: I did wonder about that with some of the shell jackets as I didn't want to sound like a crisp packet if I sit down or move.
Useful to know
Is there a scale of crispiness i.e. thinking back to the Solano Hoody which is the one that really appeals.
Take a look at Paramo if you don't want crispy sound shells, they also run a bit warmer so might suit your needs. They use a different style of waterproofing Useful to know
Is there a scale of crispiness i.e. thinking back to the Solano Hoody which is the one that really appeals.
that mimics otter fur (if I remember correctly).
https://www.paramo-clothing.com/
I've always wanted to try it but never have. Can't get on with the styling.
If not too bothered about torrential downpours and wanting a slimmer fit, perhaps a gamma mx would be better. It's a water resistant hoodie, more fitted and no funny sounds as you walk about. Lot cheaper than a beta ar too.
As someone mentioned above, berghaus is probs best bang for buck technical wear-wise.
As someone mentioned above, berghaus is probs best bang for buck technical wear-wise.
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