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Just bought a Morphosis, looks excellent. Wasn't sure about the sizing, I was close to the M/L boundary and although I'm nearly always M, the L is a better fit.
I have a lot of Alpkit stuff and it's all good value and nearly all good. I had some Ti channel tentpegs where they'd tried to be clever and make a notch half way down to hold the guy if the peg didn't go all the way in, but that made a weak point and they bent or broke - fully refunded after 18 months, no hassle at all. But their lightweight drybags are too light, and quickly lose their waterproofness.
Tested my alpkit gloves at the weekend. A perfect fit, so good, hardly felt like I had them on. No idea how they will last but, as above, they have a fantastic warranty.
*bump* / word from the wise please...
I had been eyeing up some ~500gm down jackets on Ultimatepursuit, there are some Fjerns (their in-house brand?) @ £100 (RRP ~£200 allegedly) and other random brands I've never heard of, I expect the Alpkit Filoment £99 from £139) would be a better or "safe bet" quality/designed jacket? I CBA ordering a few then sending most back if I can avoid...
While it will mostly be worn to the pub etc it should get used "properly" eg camping/bikepacking etc at some point.
Fjern stuff is pretty good. It's SP in-house brand so not much real world impartial reviews out there
AlpKit is good and also backed up by excellent customer service and they have real shops you can walk into to talk to somebody. And phone numbers that you can talk to someone on.
I have 2 Fjern hooded fleeces and a gilet and really like them.
I grabbed a PD400 (the 200 just doesn't make sense - it's only like 190g lighter, has much less down, no baffle, and is stitch through rather than box wall) and a few other bits.
Has anyone tried the hooped bivy for solo bikepacking? At about 900g, you can get a 3f Lanshan chinese ultralight 1p tent for 700g + poles/pole.
@cynic-al - no experience of the SP/Fjern kit but my wife has a Filoment jacket and it would be fine for the usage you describe.
@continuity - I'd be more inclined to go for the Soloist tent - not much heavier but much more versatile. Getting in and out of a bivy bag when it's chucking it down without getting everything inside wet is an exercise in frustration. There's also this - https://www.weirdosonbikes.com/product/ultralight-one-man-tent/
Had some Alpkit sales success! I'd almost given up on their upper body garments after trying and returning one shirt and three jackets that were all too big in the middle but a bit snug across the back and shoulders - however I just got a Fantom down jacket and it fits! Can't see myself using it until the far side of summer but that's why it was discounted. Feels really nice.
And I just got two pairs of their techy jeans - Jeanius in a large/long (need a belt but a great fit otherwise) and Sequence in a medium/long (perfect fit without a belt - miracle!) Very happy.
I think their clothing comes from several different manufacturers each of whom have their own size charts! Look at the tops on this page - https://alpkit.com/collections/mens-midlayers , it may be how they are photographed but pretty well every top has a different profile with any "waisting" at different points.
My Griffon mid-weight fleece arrived this AM, slightly big around the stomach and just snug around the shoulders.
@cynic-al - I'm quite confused to be honest! I'm 5'10.5" tall, 33.5" leg, 6'2" arm span. About a year ago I was a bit over 13.5 stone, but since the gym's been shut and I've been denied my regular meetings with a barbell I've probably lost about a stone, maybe a bit more. I'm now probably pretty middling compared to generic MTBers, bigger compared to roadies and XC riders and slim compared to the general populace in the 30/40ish age bracket.
Alpkit stuff often being big on the lower torso but tight on the back/shoulders confuses me because I thought stereotypical rock climbers were even more inverted triangle shape than I am, and surely they're a key part of their market?
"My Griffon mid-weight fleece arrived this AM, slightly big around the stomach and just snug around the shoulders."
I've had one of these for a while now and really like it - I'd say it's more of a lightweight microfleece though, similar to a heavy base layer. It's so stretchy that mine is a medium and fits snugly all over.
Cheers, that was my point, I would expect Alpkit "proper" outdoors stuff to be for slim physiques (I'm 6'0", 12 stone) and I hate stuff that doesn't fit well.
@continuity I have the hooped bivvy, tried it once and didn’t really get on with it. Found it a bit claustrophobic and I couldn’t sleep on my side without compressing my sleeping bag. If you’re of average size and sleep on your back, you might like it. Mine will be going in the classifieds at some point.
Next question, I don’t really get on with mummy bags. Anybody tried the Cloud Nine bag? https://alpkit.com/products/cloud-nine
Might treat myself 🙂
Have you tried quilts? I started using them about four or five years ago and now find traditional bags way too restrictive.
Biggest problem might be getting hold of one on the sunlit uplands.
Have you tried quilts?
Pretty much use my bag as quilt in the summer, so I think it might be time to get something specific.
In alpkit range, I was looking at the Cloud Cover quilt, but it looks a bit lightweight, so that's what drew me to the Cloud Nine as it can be opened out if needed.
@whitestone - what quilts have you used / recommend?
The Cloud Cover quilt is okay down to say 8/9C
Below that it's too draughty for me. We've got them for the camper van.
If you've got a good mat they'll be okay in mild conditions
I've a Cumulus 150 and my wife's a 350. The 150 is fine for summer though I got it for multi-day rides/races. The 250 is probably the sweet spot for UK late spring through to autumn. They changed their design last year so they are now a bit wider which will suit any side sleepers. For me their temp ratings are pretty accurate. The 150 weighs 360g and the 350 around 570g
I know people who use Enlightened Equipment quilts - they used to be a bit light on the filling as they expected people to be wearing light down jackets and trousers! Their temp ratings are now a bit more realistic. There's also An Tucas and GramExpert but I've no experience of either.
The big problem is that EE are US based and the others are European so you'll get stung getting them here.
Doh! I bought a couple of Vango Cobra 400s for £169 each a month back as the Pipedreams were still full price 😔
Think the cobras will be good tho.
But I did receive my sale bibs and 3/4 bibshorts last week and they're great....swings and roundabouts!!