Folks,
I need your recommendation.
Say if I have a budget of £250 - £300 for a winter jacket layering etc for keeping warm and dry. What do you recommend? It has to be Breathable etc ...
I need them to be warm, durable, tough and reliable as I am going to invest in a reasonably good one that will last.
Went to outdoor shop only too see many Berghaus stuff ...
Arc'Teryx are very good, RAB, North Face...
Really it's the outer that needs the money spent on it, then you can wear whatever you like underneath, it doesn't have to be expensive, a reasonable quality fleece with a merino or microfleece base should do.
At work (outside in these country paralysing conditions????) I layer with any combination of tee's, cycling tops, hoodies & softshells - topped off with a Goretex hi-viz jacket.
The Goretex coat has no insulating liner, but serves it's purpose perfectly as a windproof/waterproof outer layer - the stuff underneath keeps me warm and the outer layer keeps me dry.
As above, spend the majority on a decent Gore-Tex (or equivalent - eVent etc) and then build the other layers from fleece, base layers. I'd try and avoid cotton anything if you are going to be exerting any energy as it just soaks up sweat and will chill you when you stop (especially in this weather).
Brands to look for if you want the best technical performance are Rab, Mountain Equipment, Haglofs, and Arc'Teryx as mentioned. North Face stuff is very good (especially their summit series range), but the fit, which is absoluely key to performance, is going to be more relaxed than Rab etc. This may be a good thing so try stuff on and see what fits best. Don't discount Berghaus either because of their 'image', they are back to making some fantastic kit and their high-end shell jackets have some of the best hoods on the market.
Layering...
newspaper is good; its windproof, absorbs sweat, is cheap and biodegradable so just chuck it on compost heap when its too sweaty. So you do not need to wash it.
Thanks folks.
TenMen that looks good but what else do you need apart from the outer shell?
I just need to make sure I get some proper stuff.
Have a look at [url=http://www.nordicoutdoor.co.uk]null based in snowy Edinburgh, really helpfull and lots of nice kit
Google Finisterre Storm Track. Then buy one!
Montane will also sort you out from base layer to shell. Top stuff, I get lots of bits and pieces to work in, it all works well ie I'm warm and dry and it's robust for lightwight kit.
Crikey ... they are all very technical ... arrrghhh... need to do more research before parting with £££.
Like the look of Keela (good reasonable price) and 66 degree North (expensive but nice looking) from the Nordicoutdoor in Edinburgh.
As for Finisterre Storm Track (expensive) and Montane (expensive) they also look good but not sure what to select.
It looks like £300 might just be enough ... 
oh ... Fjallraven looks nice too ...
Rab Summit Batura.
Sod the layering...
loddrik - MemberRab Summit Batura.
Sod the layering...
That's only for one season and I need one that I can wear for more than one season.
I've always been impressed by Montane kit.
Paramo does some good kit too, slightly heavy and warmer than a hardshell but will keep you warm & dry.
The Keela jacket is very warm for an outer shell, but also very breathable, which I'll need for cross-country skiing etc. All depends what you will be doing when you wear it. I'll be layering it with helly hansen base layer, a light merino wool jumper, and a fleece or two as and when required. I'll also squeeze a North Face down jacket under it for particularly baltic days. Some of the guys who've been before have worn just the Keela jacket with a good base layer and a fleece and been fine on previous Norway trips. It's geared towards breathability and performance, so I'm told...
Cheers TenMen.
Yes, Keela looks very good so trying to decide if I should go for Munro, Spectrum or Kandura Jacket ... hmmm ... difficult choice.
Munro is fine but does not have "Internal tabs for securing inner mid-layer".
Spectrum ... is in between Munro & Kandura I guess but material is slightly different.
Kandura is similar to Munro with the exception that it has the "Internal tabs for securing inner mid-layer" and a bit longer.
This is a pic of Kandura. A bit long?
Decision, decision ...
p/s: I like the look of two large pockets at the waist ...
is this for cycling?
I like the Rab eVent jackets (and their smocks are good too). Can't recall which I've got but with some merino on underneath it was fine struggling through the snow in -6. It's alright on the bike too but even though it's arguable one of the more 'breathable' fabrics I find it gets a bit too hot to wear for any great length of time (unless I'm pootling along and taking it easy).
My wife has a Finisterre and she absolutely loves it. Have only heard good things about them...
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