UKC

Looking for a cheap down jacket for general knocking-about. There seem to be a fair few Berghaus Popenas offered at about a hundred quid; anybody got one?

Plus, how's the sizing on them? Are they sized as an outer layer, or mid-layer?

Many thanks. In the last two weeks, I've bought a Hoover and a couple of Laydeez harnesses following UKC advice - and saved enough to think about a jacket - so hopes are high.

(Plus, it wouldn't be UKC without at least a couple of posts telling me I don't want a Popena, as there's a late-model Patagucci for twenty quid at Sports Direct. Would welcome any tips along these lines.)

In reply to Martin not maisie:

Sorry, it's actually UKC etiquette to wait until you post that you've bought the jacket, then let you know they're cheaper elsewhere...

No experience of the popena, but both myself and Mrs Ridge have Berghaus down jackets (no idea what models) bought cheap a few years ago and still going strong. I'm a 42 chest and could get a mid weight jumper beneath my medium. Only problem is being sneered at in gear shops in Keswick.

In reply to Ridge:

Stuff the sneerers - last couple of knockabout down jackets have been Berghaus. Unfortunately, it seems to be zips that let them down, but generally good value.

In terms of bargains, old, dependable Blacks currently have an extra 15 per cent off everything over seventy five quid - including items already in the Sale. Unfortunately, it ends at midnight (and most of the sale items are OOS in medium).

In reply to Ridge:

http://www.blacks.co.uk/mens/003067-mountain-hardwear-mens-m-ratio-hooded-j...

With code, SIXTY SEVEN QUID.

In reply to Martin not maisie:

What size are you looking for ? I've a Mint M.E Lightline Hooded Down Jkt in Red £60 XL but really more like a large

In reply to stevieweesaxs107:

Probably a tad on the big side for me, Stevie, but thank you

In reply to Martin not maisie:

I found a North Face micro baffle hooded jacket (700fp proofed down) in TK max for £79 - i wasn't sure whether to return it or not.

I just can't see when it would be appropriate to take it over either an atom lt, a generator alpine or a proper box wall down jacket?

In reply to Martin not maisie:

Thanks, just ordered one!
Pedro.

In reply to Pedro:

It's a bl**** steal, isn't it? Just not my size.....

In reply to Martin not maisie:

Couple of cheap-ish Patagonia down jackets at Bananafingers. Limited sizes/colours though

In reply to Martin not maisie: Joking apart, there are a lot of down jackets on sportpursuit.com currently. I'd obviously be delighted if you signed up via this link:

http://www.sportpursuit.com/join/Ben_Brockway_75946

'Cos that way I get five quid in my account if you order something

They have Yeti, Berghaus, Arcteryx, Mountain Hardware, Sherpa, Jack Wolfskin, Izas, Columbia and Marmot down jackets for 50-60% off RRP; which means the Arcteryx Thorium is 80 not 200, for instance.

They are hiding in the "Men's Hiking Jackets" section; personally I think it's worth deciding if you want the all enveloping 'expedition' jacket which you can only comfortably stand still in vs a thin 'pullover' type that is way more practical but not quite so solid. I melt fairly rapidly in proper down jackets so am quite biased!

Happy hunting

cheers

b

In reply to ben b:

Sorry, Ben - already a member (and I'm following the sales as well).

In reply to Martin not maisie:

Cheap down jackets can be found at Uniqlo, cheap if you don't need a "climbing" heritage label on the chest

In reply to Martin not maisie:

Cotswolds have a sale on at the moment and there are a few down jackets in there for around the £90-£100 mark.

In reply to Martin not maisie:

As it went, the epicentre are selling off Sherpa Dengboche jackets for sixty five quid. No hood, but a bargain at that price.

Uniqlo, have been using them for years, as good as the branded ones

In reply to Martin not maisie:
The best cheap down jacket is a second hand one from ebay in nearly new condition, it's not meaning more resources are going into your new-to-you jacket.

There's always Rab and Mountain Equipment ones floating about.

In reply to Martin not maisie:

I bought this , not tried it out yet (waiting for some snow) but for 75 quid I thought why not.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-900-mens-down-jacket-black-id_8286606.ht...

In reply to Simon80:


But like with like? I've got a uniqlo one too - great, the lightest insulating jacket I own. But its so thin, its really like a medium weight fleece with a bit of windproofing thrown in. Super value, but not warm enough for cold weather except as a mid layer.

In reply to Martin not maisie:

did you find one, i've got a blue medium sierra designs 600/650 fill down jacket in v. good nick (no hood).
Its great for town, hanging about belaying etc (esp at Hull wall !) sort of thing
Not really a suitable mountain jacket but fine for what general use.
I have 6 down jackets , i need to slim down my collection!
35 quid posted

In reply to lithos:

Thanks for the reply. As it turned out, I got a Sherpa Dengboche from The Epicentre for sixty five quid posted. Couldn't really go wrong at that price.