UKC

My partner is after an insulated jacket, looking to spend up to about £150. Will mostly be used for bouldering out in the peak district so lots of time just stood around. She sort of prefers synthetic jackets as she's not too keen on baffled jackets although she hasn't written off down altogether. Anyone got any recommendations? We went around all the usual outdoor shops in Sheffield and Hathersage at the weekend but there weren't a massive selection of women's jackets and mainly Rab down.

In reply to chris20:

Karrimor Avalanche. Bargain piece of kit. I bought my girl one for the massive price of £32. Love my men's version. Or there's always the ladies version of the Simond belay jacket. Montane flux is worth a look. Mountain Equipment Compressor also worth checking.

In reply to chris20:

Whatever fits her best to be honest. So many good synthetics these days. If its just for regular use get something cheap as it will likely get trashed on Peak Rock. If she gets very cold and you want some serious business get one of the hardcore belay parkas like the DAS Parka or Black Diamond Stance.

It's pushing your budget a bit but there's probably not much warmer in the synthetic market. I used the mens version in Siberia and was very impressed. http://tinylink.net/yiR

In reply to purplemonkeyelephant:


Really? It's only 80g Silver Primaloft. What about:

Warmer:

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/citadel-jacket - not women's specific
http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/vanguard-jacket-wmns
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/womens-das-parka?p=84110-0
http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=womens&cate...

or all the 60g Primaloft Gold jackets out there?

In reply to galpinos:

It's two stacked layers of Primaloft Silver 80g... so 160g throughout. The Citadel is another good contender but I don't believe they make it for women.

In reply to purplemonkeyelephant:

Ah, didn't spot that, my mistake.

In reply to chris20:

Thanks for the suggestions. I had looked at the Karrimor Avalanche jacket as it had been mentioned a few times on the forum but could only find it in a 10 and she is an 8. The other one is the women's version of the simond alpinism jacket that a lot of people rate the men's version. We were on the look out for a primaloft gold jacket but there was a serious lack of synthetic jackets in the shops. We have seen the ME vanguard at a decent price so are tempted by that one

In reply to chris20:
I've got a Rab Ascent (they seem to be on offer a lot, so definitely in your price range if you look about) and it's lovely and snuggly. I'm warm in it to below freezing, it's great to throw on at a cold belay / in between bouldering. It is down, and I know that makes some people nervous about getting it wet but I've certainly worn it in the damp and it's been fine.

Edit: just read your post again - do you mean to wear whilst bouldering, or in between goes?

In reply to chris20:

Most shops will be getting their Winter deliveries in as we speak, so maybe hang fire for a couple of weeks until the full range is in. I would personally look at TNF Summit series especially Thermoball. Warmth to weight ratio, and pack size are awesome, plus they often do a decent women's cut.

In reply to annak:

She'll probably just wear it whilst she's not climbing so doesn't have to be really hard wearing. I have the Rab Ascent and really rate it but she thinks they're too bulky and actually prefers the fit of the microlight

In reply to chris20:

My wife has a Patagonia Winter Sun jacket and it is fantastic.
Primaloft insulation but also waterproof so she uses it for absolutely everything.

Got it cheap, £45 from that well known auction site from the States and with import charges and post it came to about £80.
She is a ladies size large which is a 12-14.

Having also had the blokes version for winter climbing, I can't rate it highly enough, really is an excellent piece of kit.
Other very similar jacket is the North Face Makalu, also excellent.

Hope this helps, Den

In reply to Ysgo:


Just to buck the trend, I noticed Blacks were selling off various insulated gear from MHW, Montane, TNF, etc.

And my local TK Maxx have a few LA W's insulated jackets.

In reply to chris20:

I've worn both - the Ascent is miles bulkier and therefore miles warmer. I guess it depends where on the bulky/warm side you want to be

In reply to chris20:

Great value and very warm

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/lady-alpinism-warm-jacket-id_8331126.html

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/mens-warm-mountain-jacket-id_8327120.html

In reply to chris20:
Good deal on Montane extreme on female sizes here at £50, pile lined but nice and warm - small fitting if an over jacket get a size up.
http://www.gaynors.co.uk/womens/clothing/softshell-clothing/dp-78868/womens...
Brownie

typo

In reply to
The OH has a nano air which she really rates, cheap ish here but often cheaper in sales :
http://www.patagonia.com/eu/enGB/shop/web-specials-womens-jackets?k=1E-6z-g...