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Down jacket question?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 9:20 pm
by traveljunkie78
Hi!
I'm looking to buy a new down jacket, but i dont know which one to buy. I'm debating between the Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero jacket or the Patagonia Fitz Roy. Can anyone tell me which one of these jacket will be better to keep warm?

Thanks

PostPosted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:36 pm
by brokesomeribs
Define "keep warm." Where will you be? What conditions? How long are your trips? Technical climbing or general mountaineering? Just wearing around town? How sensitive are you to weight requirements?

There are way too many variables.

PostPosted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:38 pm
by Brad Marshall
brokesomeribs wrote:Define "keep warm." Where will you be? What conditions? How long are your trips? Technical climbing or general mountaineering? Just wearing around town? How sensitive are you to weight requirements?

There are way too many variables.


Agreed, but if you need something for very cold temps and you're climbing check out the First Ascent Peak XV. For most other stuff when climbing you could probably get by with a synthetic.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 7:26 pm
by 96avs01
Unless you opt for the MH Subzero SL parka, I would recommend the Western Mountaineering Vapor for just a jacket sans hood.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:38 pm
by radson
Some MH Sub zero parkas :)

Image

PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 9:48 pm
by traveljunkie78
I am looking for a jacket for general mounateering. I really dont mind the weight i just want a jacket that is warm in cold conditions. Maybe anyone can recommed any other Patagonia down jackets that are good?

PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 10:12 pm
by Autoxfil
"Cold" is very general.

How cold? 0ºC? -20? -40? Windy? Altitude?

If you're not concerned about weight that much, why down? It's very expensive and the main benefit is less weight.

The Patagonia DAS synthetic parka is the gold standard for a heavy synthetic puffy.

The Mountain Hardwear SubZero Parka is very warm and made of extremely durable materials.

Both are plenty of jacket for "general mountainering", if that means no winter ascents at high latitude or 6000m+ peaks.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:44 pm
by sneakyracer
Autoxfil wrote:"Cold" is very general.

How cold? 0ºC? -20? -40? Windy? Altitude?

If you're not concerned about weight that much, why down? It's very expensive and the main benefit is less weight.

The Patagonia DAS synthetic parka is the gold standard for a heavy synthetic puffy.

The Mountain Hardwear SubZero Parka is very warm and made of extremely durable materials.

Both are plenty of jacket for "general mountainering", if that means no winter ascents at high latitude or 6000m+ peaks.


Get the MH SubZero Parka w/hood. That is enough for most everything short of Denali and 7-8000M peaks

PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:16 am
by 96avs01
sneakyracer wrote:Get the MH SubZero Parka w/hood. That is enough for most everything short of Denali and 7-8000M peaks


I used a Subzero parka on Denali and was never wishing for something warmer, note we climbed in June not May.

One thing to consider is if you will be wearing the jacket and a harness simultaneously. If so, and you decide on the MH Subzero, you may find the jacket vs. the parka to be less interference with your harness/rope/gear..

PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:48 am
by MScholes
If you're after something lighter and not for extreme cold, the patagonia down sweater is certainly awesome imo. I love mine to bits.

PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 3:17 am
by Woodie Hopper
You might also consider Montbell. Their stuff is reasonably priced, and often lightweight. I have one of their parkas and I've been happy with it: used down to -20C.

Woodie

PostPosted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 9:03 am
by sneakyracer
Woodie Hopper wrote:You might also consider Montbell. Their stuff is reasonably priced, and often lightweight. I have one of their parkas and I've been happy with it: used down to -20C.

Woodie


Beware that Montbell Jackets are short. I measured my size L Alpine Light Down Parka at 26in center back length! Had to return it. Most Jackets (not parkas) are about 28.5-29in in size L.

PostPosted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:54 pm
by Hotoven
There are many good threads on this topic that will help out. just search for them!