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Warm downjacket for the “waiting time” (photographer)


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Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 34 total)
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  • #1300909
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    I'm an amateur photographer and am often standing around for 2-3 hours without moving.
    I've got an excellent primaloft jacket that is warm enough for sport activities, but it's not enough for
    things like this.
    Therefore I am looking for a good, warm and lightweight down jacket that I can use for this purpose.
    Since the prices are dropping at the end of the season here, it's a good time currently.

    I am using 4-5 Rab Jackets and I'm very happy with them, that's why I had a look at the following jackets:

    Rab Summit Jacket, http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/down_1/p-summit-jacket-p.html (maybe too warm?)
    Rab Neutrino Plus Jacket, http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/down_1/neutrino-plus-jacket.html
    Rab Infinity Jacket, http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/down_1/p-infinity-jacket-p.html

    I've left out the endurance versions since I think if it is that cold, it's usually not really wet.
    So I don't need the endurance shell..
    But I'm unsure which of these jackets are suitable, maybe someone here has already experience with one of them?

    I'm of course also open to alternatives to Rab (I'm from Europe so not all brands are easily reachable though).
    I want to use the jacket also for cold winter touring and camp evenings.

    Thanks a lot!
    Christoph

    #1969665
    Johan Engberg
    Member

    @luffarjohan

    Locale: Wrong place at the right rime

    There is a review on the Rab Infinity in the members section if you can see that.

    Or if you want to be a little bit unorthodox go and check "jerven fjällduk" out. http://jerven.mediabook.no/5/

    It's a norwegian company making isolated bivy/bothybags for hunters/military/photographers/anyone who wants to be still for a long time. It's not lightweight but for the intended use it's perfect. Quite versatile and probably perfect for your intended use but I don't think it can do as much double duty as you want.

    and to paraphrase: It's made right here in Europe. :)

    #1969728
    Jennifer Mitol
    Spectator

    @jenmitol

    Locale: In my dreams....

    I bought a rab infinity and I have to say that it is, by far, the warmest coat I've ever used. It is embarrassingly puffy, especially the hood, and I have never, ever been cold in it.

    For info, I live in Chicago and have bought and gotten rid of literally hundreds of coats and jackets looking for one that would keep me warm in the windy, chilly city. If it were longer it would be perfect (when it's that cold I like my bum covered), but if I have enough insulation and wind proof ness for bottoms I'm good.

    This keeps me warm while I take my pup to Lake Michigan in below zero temps and 30 mph winds. Enuf said.

    #1969777
    Richard Nisley
    BPL Member

    @richard295

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    Christoph,

    Your question has no logical answer unless you specify the minimum temperature you must be comfortable standing around for 2-3 hours.

    #1969956
    steven franchuk
    Member

    @surf

    in cool conditions don't forget your legs. The worlds best insulated jacket won't do you any good if you don't insulateo your legs with fleece or down pants. Long underwear is also very helpful.

    #1970030
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    Well I think that there is a logical answer to this question. I'm not looking for a jacket that I can use at a specific temperature.

    I'm rather looking for people that have experience with one of the jackets and can tell me when for example a summit is enough, when it is too warm, etc.

    The ranges I need a jacket like that are 0 to -20 degrees celsius I would guess.

    I of course do have something warm for my legs, that's why I specifically ask for a jacket..
    The Jerven stuff is more for stationary use as it seems, but I have to be able to move..

    Regarding the above mentioned jackets, the fill distribution is:

    275g of 750 fill power goose down at 880g (summit
    275g of 800 fill European Goose down at 785g (neutrino plus)
    210g of 850 fill European down 500g (infinity)

    does anyone know how this relates to each other? :)

    #1970090
    Richard Nisley
    BPL Member

    @richard295

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    Christoph,

    The 1.5 MET rate your stated activity is less than the 1.75 MET average for camp chores; this requires a warmer jacket for the same temperature. The lowest anticipated temperature is the critical one. The higher end of the range can just be handled by unzipping the jacket.

    All three of the Rab jackets you asked about are more than adequate for a low of 0C at 1.5 MET. Your best Rab choice for low weight and cost is the Infinity. It will allow you to be thermo-neutral doing your activity to a low of -4C.

    #1970104
    Josh Brock
    Member

    @needsabath

    Locale: Outside

    This is probably obvious but: Check out feathered friends hooded helios or voalant jackets… I have had both they work great for being stagnant. Great jackets for camp and hanging out waiting for the perfect light.

    #1970106
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    Hi Richard,

    Thanks a lot for your insight.

    Out of curiosity: How do you come to the conclusion regarding temperature, based on the jackets and the met rate?
    I also thought of combining the Jacket with one of my down vests, for flexibility.

    How would you rate the other two jackets temperature wise, and what do you think is needed for a met rate of the camp activity you stated?

    Thanks a lot,
    Christoph

    #1970156
    Richard Nisley
    BPL Member

    @richard295

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    Christoph,

    You can BPL forum search my related past posts on these topics. The multi-part answers are far too long and complicated for me to repeat.

    Your camp chores MET rate will average 1.75 MET and will require less insulation to be thermo-neutral at the same temperature.

    Jacket 1.5 MET T-N C 1.75 MET T-N C

    Rab Infinity -4 -10

    Rab Neutrino Plus -11 -18

    Rab Summit Jacket -8 -15

    #1970283
    Peter Fokkinga
    Spectator

    @nitto

    Locale: the Netherlands

    Richard,

    In similar vein, could you give an estimate on the amount (weight) of 900 cuin (US) needed in a jacket to be comfortable at 1.75 MET and 0 degrees C? Assuming a simple hat, and something like the current (3.8oz Polartec PD) Cap4 shirt as a baselayer? And would the material of the shell (ultralight 10d vs regular 20d) make a perceptible difference in isolation?

    #1970305
    Richard Nisley
    BPL Member

    @richard295

    Locale: San Francisco Bay Area

    Peter,

    3.41 oz. There will be no perceptible insulation difference (wind or no wind) between 10d and 20d shells since they are both down-proof fabrics for this application.

    #1970394
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    Thanks a lot Richard!

    That's interesting, I thought the summit might be warmer.
    Would it make a big difference to get one of the endurance versions of these Rab Jackets?

    Do you know, by heart, any alternatives that I should consider to the Rab jackets?

    Thanks a lot for your help!

    #1970398
    Rick M
    BPL Member

    @yamaguy

    del

    #1970399
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    Thanks Rick, I thought so, yes

    In the meantime, someone else pointed out these alternatives from yeti.pl:

    Torre II down jacket Black DRY
    http://www.yeti.com.pl/en/spiwory-kurtki-kamizelki-puchowe/details/1435/14/odzie%C5%BC-puchowa/kurtka-puchowa-torre-ii

    Pro II Jacket black dry
    http://www.yeti.com.pl/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&Itemid=57&category_id=14&product_id=930

    Both with 860 cuin down.. but I can't see the fill weight or total weight anywhere.

    #1970707
    Peter Fokkinga
    Spectator

    @nitto

    Locale: the Netherlands

    Thank you Richard, this is really helping me!

    #1972437
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    Richard, is there any thread/post where you explain how to calculate these values?
    Then I could do it for some jacket models and get some estimates.

    I will receive the data for the yeti.pl jackets soon

    #1972659
    Grave Worm
    BPL Member

    @graveworm

    Locale: London

    I have the Infinity and it's a great jacket but it is stitch through and it would not be my preferred jacket at -20C especially if I was standing around. I don't know about the Neutrino Plus but that has a Box Wall construction. If you don't mind waiting and they are within your budget then I am sure PHD have something that will fit the bill or if they don't they do a design your own jacket they will also customise any of their range to suit. I have 4 Jackets and a vest from them (Together with a few Bags) and I am very happy with all of them. For minus 20C I would be very comfortable standing around in the Hispar.

    #2024482
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    alright – the summer stopped my plans for this jacket, but now it's time to continue :)

    Richard, as written above already, do you mind sharing how you calculate these values based on the specs? I'm right now especially looking at the Yeti jackets..

    #2024594
    Richard Fischel
    BPL Member

    @ricko

    not sure of their avalibilty in eu. i got mine off of ebay for a steal and they show-up with some regularity, at good prices and in a multitude of sizes.

    #2024610
    Steve K
    BPL Member

    @skomae

    Locale: northeastern US

    I have the Patagonia Fitz Roy as my cold weather/alpine belay jacket. It is ridiculously warm. It is built with box-baffles like winter sleeping bags. The hood seals the deal, since there is nothing like having a nice toasty head.

    Very expensive at MSRP, but can be sometimes found for a great deal.

    #2024669
    Eric Blumensaadt
    BPL Member

    @danepacker

    Locale: Mojave Desert

    I recommend buying a down jacket made with some form of down-specific DWR (Durable Water Repellant) substance.

    Dri Down, Encapsul and a few other treatments make down VERY resistant to both exterior wet (rain, snow) and interior dampness (sweat).

    Plus, once wet they dry very fast, faster than some synthetic fills.

    #2024716
    Richard May
    BPL Member

    @richardm

    Locale: Nature Deficit Disorder

    Personally I like the infinity because of the Dri-down.

    Here are the threads of Richard Nisley's work:

    The best clothing combinations for backpacking or hiking?
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/9378/index.html

    A New Paradigm for Understanding Garment Warmth
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=18950

    #2027980
    Christoph Blank
    BPL Member

    @chbla

    Locale: Austria

    Thanks for your comments and links!

    However, I can't find anywhere how to actually calculate (at least an estimate) these values based on the expected MET values and loft weight/material.. or did I miss this?

    Thanks a lot,
    Christoph

    #2027987
    Lapsley Hope
    Member

    @laps

    Eddie Bauer First Ascent BC MicroThermâ„¢ Down Jacket 2.0.
    I don't own one, but seriously considering it due to water repellant properties.
    I have a MontBell Alpine Lite which is great for backpacking, but still have to wear a waterproof shell with it if raining.

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