Mrs stingmered has been after a proper down-jacket for years now but there’s always been something else in her budget plan (she takes a LONG time to make big ticket purchases…) Thinking It’ll be the backbone of Christmas present this year.

Ideally would have been the Alpkit Fantom but sold out in her size. (I’ve got an Alpkit Filo that is 11 years old that has been and continues to be brilliant – honestly can’t see me needing another one for at least another 10 years.) Hunting round the usual, Rab, Montane, Arcteryx etc but wondering if there was something else less obvious I was missing. There’s nowt on Sportspuruit at the min, again, unless there’s something I’m missing.

Uses – camping/bike-packing, throwing on after sports and fell races, stood round for kid’s sports, walking to school, short cold weather walks etc.

TIA

In the usual style of STW, get her a synthetic. 🙂

Maybe decathlon, not as trendy but I’ve found their jackets pretty good. If you want a namey one fjaarlraven do some nice stuff.

I’ve got a Montane Prism, and a Montane Featherlite jacket and they’re both great, so Montane for me is very high on the list. I got the featherlite at their outlet shop though so only paid £90 for it. Lovely jacket though, reckon it’s perfect for general british autumn/winter, apart from a very few days or if you live in the far north of scotland.

She has a Montane Prism which she loves, and and Arcteryx down vest, but she feels the cold very easily and both those together are not enough. The prism gets worn in Summer! I think a bigger down jacket will be in use anytime under 5degC. (We live high up in the Pennines so not uncommon.)

‘Skinny’ down jackets (like the ones with lots of seams) are a bit shit for anything where you’re not moving around (camping, kids sports). If she gets cold easily you should get something bigger/bulkier (a puffa jacket 🤣).

If you want spendy go nuts on here https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/down-jackets-synthetic-jackets-down-pullovers

Edit: (you live high in the Pennines), get a Primaloft jacket from PHD to handle cold and damp.

Ten year old article here https://singletrackworld.com/2011/11/factory-visit-phd-down-clothing-manchester/

My montane down jacket haemorrhages feathers, and tbh isn’t really much warmer than the synthetic alpha jacket I have.

I got the Mrs a Mountain Equipment synthetic jacket and she loves it (she too gets cold!).
I don’t think in the real world down is any better as it’s compressed (or not there) at the stitching, and thus is only really any good in the lofted baffles.

YMMV

If you are any where near the Rab warehouse shop its well worth a visit as there are usually loads at around 50% off

If you are any where near the Rab warehouse shop its well worth a visit as there are usually loads at around 50% off

SiL lives in Matlock so could be a possibility!

Mrs FH’s favourite jacket for everything apart from the coldest days,has been one of these Isobaa wool jacket

from another thread on here, Sportsshoes currently offering 50% off a lot of Montane stuff, am looking at some for Mrs NBT

e,g,

https://www.sportsshoes.com/product/mon2645/montane-white-ice-women%27s-jacket/#sku-mon2645

“from another thread on here, Sportshoes currently offering 50% off a lot of Montane stuff, am looking at some for Mrs NBT”

I saw that, thanks. It looks pretty much ideal except… I think divorce would be on the cards if I bought her a purple jacket! 😉 In her words, she doesn’t want to look like Violet Beauregarde…

There is usually something in Montane outlet

https://mountain-kit.co.uk/womens-c2/insulation-c29

Do Rab have an online outlet, like Montane and ME do?

For proper warmth I have a 3/4 length North Face parka style coat (bought on sale, otherwise pricy).
Can be too warm at times!

I got a Yeti down short jacket from Sportspursuit which has been handy to have, packs down to nothing.

my dog walking jacking is a 2009 alpkit thing, starting to show its age, but best £50 i ever spent.

Rab. My wife’s one must be about 20 years old and still lofts well. At the same age my mountain equipment one is pretty much on it’s last legs.

My top picks would be as follows. The arcteryx if you will be gentle and weight is a big concern. The Rab is not. I am on my second Rab microlight after the first one did about 6 years. Zips and fabric still great but I struggled to get the down re-lofted after its last wash so got a new one. It is however, heavier and less warm than the arcterex.

Super warm, light, expensive. Not very durable:
https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/womens/cerium-lt-hoody-(nam)

Warm, light-ish, more reasonably priced, relatively durable:
https://rab.equipment/uk/women-s-microlight-alpine-jacket-aw20

MrsRNP has a Colombia Carson – it’s more of a parka style jacket than ‘stomp up a mountain’

The silver reflective liner stuff appears to work well as MrsRNP is a lizard and should live on the equator rather than Lancashire yet doesn’t complain when wearing this coat.

From my POV it’s well made, durable and has put up with her clumsiness and general lack of care for belongings!

https://www.columbiasportswear.co.uk/p/womens-carson-pass-ii-jacket-WL4117.html

2009 alpkit thing, starting to show its age, but best £50 i ever spent.

Gets you a ‘technical t-shirt’ these days. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.