Primaloft jackets – Keeping warm in the wet British winter.

Gareth    Clothing, General Outdoor     Berghaus, Brands, Mountain Equipment, Rab, The North face, webtogs

It’s said there are just two certainties in life, death and taxes, but I’ve long thought there’s another certainty that should be included in this elite list – if you’re out in the British hills it’s going to rain. In summer it’s not a problem, with hardshells, softshells, packlite and a million and one choices to pick from, but in winter it’s not so easy.

Outside it’s that most perfect of walking days; that combination of cool blue, cloudless skies, a chill in the air and an inviting crispness to the ground. It’s a day just made for your favourite down jacket and a camera, but you just can’t avoid the fact that this is Britain and no matter what it looks like now, chances are the rain will find you and down and rain don’t get on well.
The alternative to down is Primaloft, a synthetic fibre that keeps working even when wet. Being synthetic it doesn’t quite match up to down for pack size and weight, and isn’t quite as warm ounce for ounce as a filling, but it’s got definite advantages when it comes to the British climate. Primaloft is water resistant, and even when it does get wet it retains the majority of its insulating properties and dries quickly. It’s often overlooked, but Primaloft garments are usually machine washable, whilst down means a trip to a specialist cleaner.

With autumn already upon us and winter creeping up we thought we’d give you the low down on four of our top name Primaloft jackets, all under £150.

Mountain Equipment Fitzroy Jacket
Price: £134.99
Weight: 620g/22oz
Features: Turn-with-you adjustable hood, 3 external pockets, Primaloft 100/60g combination for weight saving.

The Fitzroy’s been with us for a couple of years now, and picked up the “Best in Test” from Trail recently with its combination of Primaloft and Drilite Loft. The main body is filled with 100g Primaloft One – the highest grade Primaloft, with 60g filling in the arms to give your core warmth but keep that extra flexibility in the arms, and keep weight to a minimum. A double layer of Primaloft in the hood completes the insulation, with windproof, water resistant Drilite Loft covering the critical areas and a more breathable UltraSoft face fabric everywhere else.
The Mountain Equipment hood is legendary, and justifiably so with a good volume adjuster that’s truly helmet friendly and a stiffened peak that stays stiffened in the wind. The same attention to detail has gone into the draw cords for the hem which now have “capture points” to prevent snagging, and Velcro cuff fasteners you can manipulate with gloves on. You get four pockets, 3 on the outside and an internal zipped map pocket. The lower pockets are set a bit higher and a bit further in from the sides than on the other jackets making them easily accessible with a rucksack on.
Our View:
Value for money water resistant synthetic insulation that keeps working even when wet. Well positioned pockets and excellent hood from a name you can trust.

Berghaus Combust Jacket
Price: £143.99
Weight: 775g/27oz
Features: Highly tear resistant outer, close fitting baffles, Primaloft PL1 filling, Raptor hood.

The Combust jacket is from Berghaus’ Extreme range and features Primaloft PL1 filling and a coated nylon outer. Instantly recognisable the Combust’s outer shell uses a DWR and PU coating to keep the water out, with a unique combination of 15 denier nylon and 50 denier yarn making it highly tear resistant. The innovations don’t stop there, though, with a DWR coating applied to the lining and unlike the other jackets on test a storm flap over the main zip.
The Combust features an enormous, but fully adjustable hood that will happily take a helmet and still close up tight against the elements, and an elasticated internal pocket ideal for keeping your drink above freezing perched on a Scottish winter ledge. The two hand warmer pockets benefit from a soft-touch lining and the cord zips are just long enough to use gloved, though lack any form of toggle on the end. Once on you can’t fail to notice the sleeping bag style baffles in the main body which pull the jacket into you for a closer fit. The close fit also applies overall, and if you’re planning on using it as a traditional belay jacket to be thrown on over everything else when you stop then removed for setting off again, then you’ll probably need to step up a size.
Our View:
Innovative tear resistant construction combined with top quality insulation and a close fit give a very warm product. Not the lightest jacket on test, but it is cut a little longer and the generous hood will take a helmet with ease.

Rab Generator Alpine Jacket
Price: £139.99
Weight: 520g/18oz
Features: Technical version of classic Generator, Pertex Endurance shell, Roll down hood, Extra length.

The Rab Generator jacket is a legend in its own lifetime, renowned for its versatility in typical British conditions. The Alpine takes the best of the Generator’s features and adds to them. Like the Mountain Equipment Fitzroy the Generator Alpine uses 100g Primaloft One in the main body and 60g in the arms, but the outer shell is made from hard wearing Pertex Endurance.
Unlike the other jackets on test the Generator Alpine features a helmet compatible hood that you can roll down and secure when not needed. You only get two external pockets and one zipped pocket on the inside, but the back is slightly longer than the standard jacket and zips are water resistant. The Pertex Endurance fabric gives a more heavyweight feel to the Generator Alpine on the outside, but on the inside Rab have chosen to stick with Quantum for a softer feel.
Our View:
The roll down hood makes this an ideal jacket for winter belays or sitting around the camp fire in the colder months. A stronger, more hard wearing, version of a classic jacket with excellent warmth per gram.

The North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket
Price: £118.99
Weight: 600g/21oz
Features: Seamless shoulder yoke, packs into internal pocket, Primaloft PL1 filling, Alpine Fit.

The Redpoint Optimus was developed for the North Face athletes team and became their favourite product with its Primaloft One filling and ripstop nylon shell. The 100g PL1 filling gives plenty of insulation and the shell is DWR coated giving all round security. A new design for winter 2009 is a snag-free, seamless, shoulder yoke that gives better flexibility for arms and shoulders.
The hood on the Redpoint Optimus is fully adjustable, and you get the traditional complement of two hand warmer and one breast pocket on the outside. The inside, zippered pocket doubles up as storage for your jacket when not in use, saving carrying an extra stuff sack. Unlike the other jackets on test the Redpoint uses softshell fabric for the cuffs, using elastic rather than adjustable Velcro fastenings. The Alpine fit is a little shorter than the Berghaus Combust and Rab Generator Alpine but the overall fit is a little less tight.
Our View:
The Redpoint Optimus offers great value for money, coming in cheaper than the other jackets on test. Rolling into its own pocket for storage it’s ideal for cold winter days when you can’t afford to worry about rain.

From Rain to Shine

Helen Lloyd    Clothing, General Outdoor, Helen Lloyd     cycling, Helen, take on africa, waterproof

Take On Africa: Latest update from Cordoba, Spain

It’s now a month since I left England on that dull grey, wet day. In that month, I’ve seen and done so much, the time has just flown by – I can hardly believe it. The cycling is going great – better than expected – I’ve now pedalled over 1500 miles since leaving home and am now accustomed to cycling day-in, day-out come rain or shine.

1500 miles brought me to a pretty town on a hill in the hot, arid Spanish Extremadura, Trujillo. As I’ve been progressing steadily south through Central Spain, the thermometer reading has steadily risen -I happened to see the weather on television today and it’s topping 38 degrees here.

The heat is stifling in the afternoon and makes cycling almost unbearable, especially when having to tackle a particularly steep uphill section where I can’t even go fast enough to create a small breeze. The simple solution I have found is to just not cycle then. There’s clearly a reason the Spanish have a siesta and I’ve certainly found out why! So from now on, it’s up before dawn to be cycling in the cool mornings, the added benefit is also some gorgeous sunrises. Then as the evening draws in, I can get back on the bike to cover a few more miles until sunset. It also means I get to relax and see some lovely little towns along the way, with old churches, impressive castles and remains of fortified walls. I can also enjoy an ice-cold beer or ice-cream in the plaza mayor (the central square in every Spanish town), which makes a refreshing change from my bottled water which is warm again within ten minutes of re-filling from a fountain in town.

It’s certainly not to say it’s been hot and dry all the way though. There have been a number of wet days; first in France and then again in northern Spain where the weather is known to be variable.

Fortunately I had my Marmot waterproof jacket (and I love the lime green colour – makes me visible in the driving rain too) which I’m really impressed with.

It’s kept me dry from the rain and even when pushing hard to make town or campsite it’s claims for breathability have been put to the test and definitely passed. The other great thing is it packs down so small, I hardly know it’s in my bag – so I don’t mind carrying it with me over the next few months, when chances are I won’t need it (not if the current weather in central Spain is anything to go by!).

I’ve just arrived in Cordoba and shall be taking it a little slower, giving me chance to re-organise, ready for the crossing over into Africa and the ensuing challenges to be met there. I’m can hardly wait!

Ohhhh – shiny new product videos

Gareth    Clothing, Footwear, Gareth     Gareth, Mica, Targhee, video

We have been busy out and about in the woods and have added a couple of product videos to the website that you can view below. I’m wearing my shiny new Mica jacket which has made my summer so far awesome. We’ve also posted up a review on our Targhee II’s as well.

She’s off!

Gareth    Clothing, Planning    

Helen Lloyd of ‘www.takeonafrica.com’ has finally set off on her marathon two year journey. Due into Poole on Friday 17th July, Helen has left home in Norfolk on a short warm up before catching the ferry  for the Continent on Monday 20th. We will be waving Helen off on Monday along with the local press, local well wishers and friends and family. We wish Helen all the best on her long journey and look forward to her frequent updates on both her website and here on the webtogs blog.

Dean Karnazes – the fittest man in the world?

Gareth    Clothing, Footwear, General Outdoor, Planning, Uncategorized    

I was out running around my new home town of Shaftesbury – which is pretty hilly to say the least, but after warming down, stretching etc (not!) but I did have a shower and a packet of crisps! Anyway, idly surfing/searching (working) the web for a local running club later that evening I came upon this truly amazing character.  Needless to say, I have put away my cheese and onion six pack and trying even harder to sprint up Gold Hill (the one from the Hovis advert) to the cafe at the top, mmm – Dorset clotted cream teas’ …

Newport H2′s reviewed in Motor Boat & Yachting

Gareth    Clothing, Gareth, General Outdoor     Gareth, Keen, Motor Boat & Yachting, Newport H2's

We’ve just got a sneak peak from our friends at Motor Boat and Yachting about a review they have done on the Keen Newport H2′s. It’s coming out in next month’s magazine but Dave Marsh their technical editor has kindly sent us across an advance copy.

As a boater, I normally hate sandals. They often feel flimsy and unsupportive, and their soles rarely grip well. Most crucially of all, exposed toes are a liability on a boat. A single clumsy contact with a deck cleat can render you immobile for ages. Designed by an American sailor, Martin Keen, specifically for boating, I bought these Newport H2 sandals from Webtogs for one reason only; because the toe protection looked so sturdy. In practice, they’ve excelled in every area.

Mine are only two months old, so I can’t comment on their longevity yet. You might struggle to get into the Royal Yacht Squadron wearing sandals, but otherwise I can’t recommend these too highly. For day-to-day boating, I’d take these in preference to most deck shoes.