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Howdy

Time to upgrade my down jacket, wanna help?

Looking for compressible but still very warm. Winter belay/emergency jacket. I think the MH Phantom is probably exactly what I'm looking for... 800, stuffed pretty full, seems to be compressible, super warm.... anyone have any experience? Also been thinking about the NF Nuptse.. My main problem is that I never pay full retail, preferring to trade hungry climbers food money for their used gear. So, I'm sort of limited to whats available on that market, and don't really know what to search craigsy and ebay for.

Thanks

-Ben

Do you plan on climbing in it?

Nitrox wrote:Do you plan on climbing in it?

Maybe very rarely, but generally don't plan to

I sweat and overheat badly.. I actually did climb in my down on two occasions last season, but regretted it both times

Are you set on down? There are some pretty nice synth options that give you more flexibility with wet weather.

Wait for the Brooks Range Mojave Jacket.

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Down-Jack ... ave-Jacket

I use my Rab Neutrino Endurance for those purposes, and it's just perfect. Warm enough for anything in the lower 48, very light and compressible, and it's got a highly water-resistant shell to boot.

Ben B. wrote:

Nitrox wrote:Do you plan on climbing in it?

Maybe very rarely, but generally don't plan to

I sweat and overheat badly.. I actually did climb in my down on two occasions last season, but regretted it both times

Buy anything you get a deal on that you like. If it doesn't have a place in your climbing then a lot of the key features are irrelevant. Hell, I'll sell you my almost new down jacket that I probably will never use again for 50% off retail.

Nitrox wrote:Buy anything you get a deal on that you like. If it doesn't have a place in your climbing then a lot of the key features are irrelevant. Hell, I'll sell you my almost new down jacket that I probably will never use again for 50% off retail.

How do you figure?

What you got?

Ben B. wrote:

Nitrox wrote:Buy anything you get a deal on that you like. If it doesn't have a place in your climbing then a lot of the key features are irrelevant. Hell, I'll sell you my almost new down jacket that I probably will never use again for 50% off retail.

How do you figure?

What you got?

If the jacket is only going to get used occasionally or sit in your pack then things like collar height, type of wrist closure, pocket orientation, or some new down treatment will make no difference to you.

OR Maestro in Blue Large. $170 shipped. Worn once. Very warm but I climb in synthetic.

uhhhhh

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research- ... B005CTH822

large blue avail for 163

Burchey wrote:uhhhhh

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Research- ... B005CTH822

large blue avail for 163

Perfect, buy it new.

RAB

Nitrox wrote:
If the jacket is only going to get used occasionally or sit in your pack then things like collar height, type of wrist closure, pocket orientation, or some new down treatment will make no difference to you

Indeed- none of those things matter... but I didn't say I was concerned with any of them, either.

Let's see now, by your own admission you only buy used. "My main problem is that I never pay full retail, preferring to trade hungry climbers food money for their used gear."

So not only used but generally from climbers who don't have the funds or may be the experience to buy the best or the most useful in the first place by the sounds of it.

I just don't get the rational unless as you say, you never plan on using it.

Q: "Do you plan on climbing in it?

A: "Maybe very rarely, but generally don't plan to
I sweat and overheat badly.. I actually did climb in my down on two occasions last season, but regretted it both times"

My 2 cents is that no one in the NW needs a down jacket for climbing, although I own several myself. I can count on one hand the times I have actually used one in several decades of climbing here. All above 12K feet fwiw. A 60 to 100g synthetic is way more useful as a belay or a climbing jacket here in all 4 seasons. Those I have lost count of the times I have used them in the Cascades.

As I said I have several down jackets. For all around use, I really like the RAB Infinity.

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2011/10 ... acket.html

"Indeed- none of those things matter... but I didn't say I was concerned with any of them, either."

Seems to me like your only real concern is the price you pay. That kind of economy never seems to end well in the long run.

If it comes with a condescending tone, you can keep your advice to yourself. Thanks!

Those who suggested the Rab Neutrino and OR Maestro- look like perfect candidates. Thanks, two more jackets to watch for.