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Topic Date User

Feedback on Kathmandu down jackets wanted 22-May-2010 At 6:31:57 PM Paulie

Message

On 21/05/2010 Rocker wrote:
>Hey,
>I am an freelance outdoor educator and I spend the vast majority of my
>time in cold climate's.
>I do not currently own a Downie for several reasons.
>1) if it gets wet is it useless. How often are we seriously in cold areas
>that are completely dry? (ok... perhaps a climbing forum is the wrong place
>to ask this rhetoric...
>2) A polar fleece, thermals and quality wool mid layer's provides me with
>plenty of warmth in all conditions.
>3) Its a $2-3-4-500 investment that I simply don't require.
>4) I see as owning a Down Jacket as a "status symbol" for extreme Outdoor
>enthusiast's who climb real mountains, wannabe's or rich weekend warrior's...
>5) Down gear is best suited to very cold (-10) climates, such as in Swaziland
>or Germany, where you only have one layer to put on to venture outside
>to cross the street to your neighbour's cosy living room.

I disagree with a lot of this (tho the layering bit is spot on) as mine has been like a best friend over the years and has really saved my ass quite a few times from climbing ice in big mountains to getting caught out in the cold in Melbourne!

If like me, you feel the cold, then a downie is a great piece of kit that will keep you nice and warm without too much extra weight. E.g., I used mine today over my wetsuit between dives (seagrass monitoring) to keep some body heat in and the wind out (it's pertex lined btw).

They're brilliant for that sort of stuff, and they really excel in a winter (particularly sport climbing or bouldering) climbing situation where you get hot doing something but get a chill on and need to capture that body heat when you slow down.

>Furthermore I have found that all Kathmandu gear is overpriced and of
>a low quality/ durability. If your still intent on buying one, spend the
>cash on a quality MONT Icicle, available from Rock Hardware at a reasonable
>price. When I do have some spare cash that's what I will purchase.

I totally agree with this bit! My One Planet downie (pertex lined) has lasted for around 15 years so far and is not showing any signs of giving up, awesome stuff and it only cost me $180- :-)