Intending to buy a good quality down jacket for trekking in Nepal. Any recommendations before I buy probably in London or possibly Ambleside (where there's a fair chance they'll have much better advice).
I don't need anything mega fancy for actual high altitude climbing, just a good warm jacket for the evenings and higher passes.
Ta in advance!
Do you have space in your pack or is it very limited? Do you want to use it after Nepal? is weight a big issue?
Down jackets offer a great weight/compression to heat ratio, but are **** useless if it's damp (even on a relatively dry day in scotland it will lose a considerable amount of it's heat retaining abilities). It's obviously not an issue in Nepal.
If you have the space, and want something that will be useable for back home too, try a synthetic fill. I climb with a Redpoint in my pack for when I'm dug in to the side of a mountain about to take my turn to belay. I wouldn't want to be caught on a hill in scotland with a down jacket.
That said, if you still want down, look at Rab and Mountain Hardwear.
North Face Summit Series are good and light bits of kit. Little bit fragile though - easily ripped - so best used as a liner to an outer shell.
Finisterre Etobicoke or this
alpkit filo for the budjet option.
rab neutrino for the quality lightweight option.
Thanks, weight isn't a big issue. I'd certainly like to use it back here and again in other damper areas so yes a synthetic fill could well be better - Thanks Peter. Bulk is more of an issue though but I'm assuming a lot of modern synthetics are getting similar to the pack size of down these days?
No mountain equipment recommendations ?
my lightline was lovely...
I had a Rab one that survived in Nepal and has done sterling service since then, over 10 years old now, so I suppose you get what you pay for.
You certainly need some sort of down jacket, even at lower altitudes it gets chuffin cold when the sun drops.
My North Face survived 4 weeks up the Khumbu. Wore it most days and came back in one piece
Not down, but my Rab Generator Alpine has been fantastic in both Welsh winters, and harsh (-25 or more) Ontario winters, and as an evening jacket on various bike-packing trips. Packs down small (folds into a chest pocket), and weighs very little.
Mountain equipment stuff is cut silly small.
Patagonia synthetic fill Jackets are nice, recently bought a gilet version in the states.
&
+1 for ME lightline.
Get one of each 
Mountain equipment stuff is cut silly small.
yeah, you either fit it or you don't. I climb in an ME Ogre and it fits like a glove, absolutely outsanding jacket. I forget I have it on, which is exactly what you want I suppose
PHD (the guy who set up Mountain Equipment). Class gear, made in the UK.
Thanks everyone.
@crispedwheel - yeah I was thinking the generator looks good but some shops (including climbers shop in Ambleside) seem to refer to it as a mid layer jacket. Is this just because it's not too bulky to wear a waterproof on top of?
I would stay away from alpkit they look like they are super cheaply made. I have a Mountain Hardware one and it's awesome bought it in the STates when it was $2 to the £1 .. so a bargain (correction Mr MC bought it for me). Folds into itself so super small and light, has done me in -18 degrees.
PHD or RAB.
Yeah the alpkit doesn't look amazing, I'd pay the extra for a more renowned brand. Just wondering if synthetic would be the way to go as it might be handy for going on to NZ and wet but cold/damp places in the future.
@sparkingchains. Hmm, not sure. I read reviews that said similar before I bought it, but have worn it as a top layer snowshoeing in Ontario at -25 (-40 with windchill) with no problems - if anything I was too warm. But yes, it's definitely not too bulky - torso/chest has a heavier weight filling than the arms iirc - so you should be able to put a waterproof over the top of it.
i ordered an Alpkit gilet last year and it was hideous when it came through, super cheap, cut on the female gilet was insanely horrible and just all round cheap and nasty. I would go for a more renowned brand. I have previously seen PhD stuff which looks nice, although price clearly reflects that!! Mountain Hardware, The North Face far more reasonable prices.
Have phd still got their sale on?
Thanks everyone! - Good advice. @crispedwheel - going to definitely try and find one to check the fit.
23-year-old and 12-year-old Rab jackets here. We bought them because they fit climbers rather than Sumos. Our Rab sleeping bags are also 23 years old and we eventually had them washed by a local specialist. I feared the worst but they're pretty much as good as new after the wash.
I've got one of the Alpkit jackets and while it's certainly not as well made as the Berghaus one my wife has, it was cheap, packs down well and is exceptionally warm. I've used mine extensively through a couple of Scottish winters so far and it's still going strong.
insanely horrible
and 
Phd are the best i have used tho Rab is a bit cheaper and great too (own some stuff from both)
As an aside Phd sleeping bags are absolutely amazing,
23-year-old and 12-year-old Rab jackets here. We bought them because they fit climbers rather than Sumos.
I'm more sumo than climber (whatever that implies) and my 12 year old Rab fits great.
+1 for Finisterre synthetic down. Really good quality, warm and amazingly light.
Last year's Etobicoke is on offer at the moment too: http://www.finisterreuk.com/technicalsurfapparel/mens/etobicoke-mark-iv-p245-c27.html
Another finisterre fan here. Their Sarastuga jacket ( not sure about the spelling there ) is the warmest winter jacket I've ever had. Yet it can also be worn at this time of year without overheating.
23 years is quite a long time ago so I can't remember the other brands I tried on but the sleeves were too short on jackets which didn't fit like tents. The Rabs had long enough arms.
I've had an Alpkit Gilet for about 4 or 5 years and no issues at all. Plenty warm and very versatile. Don't understand the comments above about them.
I've got the mountain hardwear down that's got a hard wearing waterproof outer, solid and been to himalayas. Also always carry a patagonia synthetic hooded jacket that weighs nothing, paired with a r2 fleece and a merino base, sorted for most things.
Have phd still got their sale on?
Yes, the PHD September sale is still on. Excellent kit, very light but extremely warm.
The alpkit stuff is a bit utilitarian, functional tho.
Half price Patagonia sir?
or just 'the ultimate' belay jacket...
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