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Original poster

North Face (and equivalent) down-filled jackets -are they worth it?

39 replies

NorbertDentressangle · 05/02/2010 14:02

I'm fed up of being cold on the school run -we live on a hillside, it can be a very windy walk to school etc.

I have 'fashionable' coats and jackets and I have a waterproof-ish jacket (but neither sort is warm/thick) - I want something that is warm and waterproof. I'm fed up of wearing layers of clothes under thin coats .

I was wondering about the North Face Nuptse jacket but as its £££££s I don't want to make a mistake here.

Are there any other ones out there that meet my requirements that you can recommend?

I realise that its not the most stylish of looks but I need practicality in this instance

OP posts:
MrsMotMot · 05/02/2010 14:08

I bought DH a Patagonia down gilet for xmas. Was £100 so mega bucks but he has yet to take it off. And as it is squishable down he can wear it under his smart coat.

I know you are fed up of layers under coats, but this is just one very warm layer!

I would love a down jacket but worry I would never ever remove it again.

LetThemEatCake · 05/02/2010 14:08

I got a North Face for the first time this winter and it has changed my life.

Still hate winter but at least I am not a shivering, moaning wreck

Definitely worth the money

Original poster
NorbertDentressangle · 05/02/2010 14:12

Ooh thats 2 votes in favour then

LTEC -which did you go for, was it the Nuptse? I'm just worried it might be too 'sleeping-bag' like IYSWIM

OP posts:
PeasPlease · 05/02/2010 14:13

With North Face stuff you are paying somewhat for the name. When you click on that link there is a red Mountain Equipment jacket that appears below it that is the same price but the filling is sewn in more (I'm sure there is a tech term for this) so you need less filling for more insulation which makes it lighter.

When you feel the two types of jacket you can just tell that the ME one has been made for professional(ish) use. It is so light and squishy that you can roll it up into a pouch it comes with and stick it in your handbag if you get a bit hot.

I don't work for them BTW, I just love the ME jacket I have at the mo, far better than my old NF ones!

deloola · 05/02/2010 14:16

I'd go for something longer that the nuptse - otherwise you'll get cold legs.

MrsMotMot · 05/02/2010 14:19

Ok, I had a look at the Nuptse- it looks very cosy but I though a wee bit manly with the big quilt squares... have you had a look at the Patagonia ones? The quilts are narrower and more feminine I think, less sleeping bag! And more colours, too. Argh I so wish I could get myself one...

emsyj · 05/02/2010 14:20

DH has a down-filled jacket that is sort of ugly and a bit like a sleeping bag in coat form, but it's very very light and exceptionally warm. The cat likes it a lot though, so if you have a cat then don't leave your new coat lying around else you'll be forever wrestling with the dead weight of a sleeping cat to get it back.

Paolosgirl · 05/02/2010 14:21

I bought a down filled jacket from Mountain Warehouse (thanks to my lack of height, I was able to buy one from the children's dept ) at a grand total of £25.99. It has changed my life forever. I'm a complete stinge, so wouldn't part with the money for a NF jacket or equivalent unless I had to - and I don't have to now I have my MW one. Bliss!

Original poster
NorbertDentressangle · 05/02/2010 14:22

I'm not so keen on the long ones TBH. There is a mum in the playground who wears a long one and she has the 'wearing a sleeping-bag' look which has put me off a bit!

I don't usually find that my legs get cold, its around my middle and shoulders that suffer -if they get cold, the rest of me feels cold

Thanks for the tip PeasPlease

OP posts:
LetThemEatCake · 05/02/2010 14:24

Norbert I got this one - long enough to keep my bum warm on park benches!!

I wear it without the detachable dead animal

Got it from outdoorkit but a friend who admired my jacket on the weekend and went home to order said she ended up buying hers from the US .. she didn't explain why though - maybe sold out in UK?? maybe cheaper in US? sorry not more help

LurcioLovesFrankie · 05/02/2010 14:25

Second PeasPlease - I have a mountain equipment jacket which is brilliant. The general consensus among climbers and outdoors types I know (and it's been my experience too) is that since North Face started trying to go for the brand-name fashion market their quality has gone completely to pot.

Original poster
NorbertDentressangle · 05/02/2010 14:26

lol at the cat -that would be ours too. She waits for someone to vacate a seat or put down a warm discarded jumper and she there like a shot

Thanks for all you feedback and comments everyone. Keep them coming.

I'll have a shop around as it seems that down-filled jackets on the whole get the thumbs up but there are more options than I thought.

OP posts:
Molesworth · 05/02/2010 14:28

DP has recently bought a similar down jacket from Mountain Warehouse - it was £65. He's preparing for a trip to the arctic and was told (by the arctic travel expert chap) that there's no need to fork out for the North Face label because the cheaper 'own brand' ones are just as good.

ClenchedBottom · 05/02/2010 14:29

DH bought me a ME down jacket in early Jan when it was soooo cold because I kept complaining about the weather. It is completely fantastic and tbh I don't care if it's not the most fashionable garment in the world, it's wonderfully warm and cosy. Think mine is an ME Odin?

JumpJockey · 05/02/2010 14:29

I have a Rab jacket that's 10 years old now and it is the warmest thing ever, gets worn every day for about 3 months during winter (and longer if spring is chilly!) and it is fab. Cost about £120 but is coming out at about 10p per wear which is pretty good really! The only problem is if you catch in your neighbour's sticky-outy fence and the feathers start to spill out, but I phoned the manufacturers and they sent a sticky patch through to seal it all back in.

Actually the only serious problem is if it rains, the seams between the puffy pocket bits tend to leak a bit, but then it's not really made for waterproofing, more for warmth.

Carrotfly · 05/02/2010 14:31

Agree with Lurcio, I used to hanker after one, but after seeing most of the teenage girls at DD's school wearing one I realised I didnt want to look like a sixthformer again.

thatsnotmymonster · 05/02/2010 14:32

The best ones are RAB jackets.

Most people who are in the know agree and they get the best reviews, though they don't seem to make them the same as they used to.

They are much more than £100. Both dh and I have them- mine is 7/8yrs old and his is about 5 yrs old. I am NEVER cold when I wear it, even when it's -15 outside. On the school run I am so hot in it I have just been wearing a t-shirt underneath!

I have this one

dh has this one

Managed to get them both in sale.

Lilymaid · 05/02/2010 14:34

And if you can't afford a Rab jacket, buy an Alpkit Filo.

NinthWave · 05/02/2010 14:38

Seconding the RAB recommendations - my DH has one and it's fab. I'm quite jealous actually, but then he spends more time up cliff faces/in tents in the snow that I do

thatsnotmymonster · 05/02/2010 14:43

here's one on sale HERE Though it's only in size 10.

CMOTdibbler · 05/02/2010 14:47

I have a down jacket from Lands End, and although it is not the most elegant garment in the world (but I only paid 20 quid for it in their clearance), it is soooo toasty warm and light, it is a pleasure to wear.

I have a down gilet from LE too, which I ride in, and that is great also

Original poster
NorbertDentressangle · 06/02/2010 16:17

While I was in town earlier I tried on the North Face one and it was lovely -a really good fit and so light and warm.

Unfortunately they didn't have any other makes there to compare it with (other than a rather nasty purple Puffa one and a white shiny thing -both of which were nasty and obviously on the sale rail for that reason!).

We're off to Devon over half-term so might wait and see what I can find there in the outdoorsy shops. I'm rubbish at buying things on-line unless I've seen them and tried them on in person first.

OP posts:
MadameCastafiore · 06/02/2010 16:30

I have this one for when it is really really cold - I have never ever been cold in it and it is as good as DHs Canada Goose one which was 3 times the price. Have loads of women asking me where I got it from as they walk their dogs in the freezing cold round the corn fields shivering whilst I am all toasty. It comes down to mid calf and I am quite tall.

And I have this one in black for driving to work or nipping the kids round to school - is only a 3 minute walk though. Is nowhere as warm as the North Face one - oh have had the north face one for 3 years so the £220 price tag has more than earnt itself.

aseriouslyblondemoment · 06/02/2010 16:32

i've got a northface nuptse and it's fab
has really made a difference to my life this winter

SixtyFootDoll · 06/02/2010 16:34

Lands End do down filled jackets
I got mine from Uniqlo lst autumn I love it, it was only £65 and I have had more than my moneys worth!

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