This week I decided to proceed with a review of four classic down jackets for men. Even though each one of these models was made for braving extreme cold, their urban look makes them excellent city coats. Anybody who has waited at the bus stop for twenty minutes in Québec’s bone-chilling winter winds will understand the advantages of a good coat. The four models under review are: The North Face McMurdo Parka, The North Face Ice Jacket, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka and the Canada Goose Ontario Parka.
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
Canada Goose Ontario Parka
The North Face Ice Jacket
The North Face McMurdo Parka
Where They’re Made
Many people are initially surprised by the difference in price between these two brands. I don’t really like to repeat or quote myself, but for the benefit of the cause here is an explanation from my previous article: Canada Goose is made in Canada, whereas The North Face (in the case of the McMurdo Parka and the Ice Jacket) are made in China.
After trying them last winter, I have to say they’re all very warm: the kind of jacket good for walking around outside in, but that needs to be taken off on the bus or in the metro. The differences between each one are small in detail. For example, the Expedition has more down than the Ontario. The North Face Ice Jacket and the McMurdo Parka have the same amount of insulation. The down used in both the Canada Goose jackets is white duck down with a fill power of 625, while the two North Face Jackets are filled with goose down with a fill power of 550. In my opinion, the difference between the two types of duvet is too small to cause any hesitation.
Compared with November's Picks, we're kicking things up a few notches, in terms of heat and weather resistance. Won't you please join us as Judy and I take a look at The North Face Take Me Down women's jacket and Arc'teryx Fission SV men's jacket. With these jackets you'll be feeling like a snow prince or princess throughout winter. Find out why.
Sitting in my car, driving the two blocks to work I had an epiphany- in hindsight I’m glad it wasn’t epilepsy, because that could have been dangerous. Regardless, in my double-glazed, caffeine generated epiphany I came to realize that all the reviews on this blog are aimed at a single audience- outdoor-oriented, fun-loving people with a penchant for buying quality gear and apparel (hopefully with a great sense of humour). Why should we limit ourselves like this I thought, as I scarfed down my 6th honey cruller? Then I thought a little bit more, but not much more because my car was already stuck in a snowbank. Why not write a review about the performance of my brand new North Face Makalu Insulated jacket for people like me. Ready, set, go:
1) Know that this jacket is awesome. Why? Because it’s purple.
2) It is well articulated in the shoulders. I tested this from the wee hours of the night, into the poo hours of the morning on Play Station 2. Whenever I was killed by some 12 year old kid in Austin Texas playing online I shot up my arms in disgust, and let me tell you, not once did this jacket impinge on my profane movements.
Beginning of November and the colder time of the year is quickly approaching. Time to take a closer look at the Arc’teryx Hyllus Hoodie. Note: the Hyllus used to be called the Hercules.
Features
The Hyllus has a fully insulated hood with an elastic front adjustment, an air-permeable outer face which is highly breathable and slightly water repellent. It also has another adjustment in the bottom seam whose elastic ends in the two zippered front pockets. The zippers of all the pockets are laminated and the mesh of the front pockets forms two inside pockets. The inside material is Polartec PowerShield O2 High Loft.
First impression
Arc’teryx writes on their website “Turning up the heat another notch” and this is not an exaggeration.
The first snowfall of 2010 was the perfect opportunity to take a hike and try out Arc’teryx’s Atom LT Hoody. The air was windy and cold, around 0ºC. The sky was overcast and grey; it threatened to snow again. What a way to spend a day in nature’s playground!
I left with the basics (all by Arc’teryx): the Tau Pullover, the Alpha LT jacket, the Atom LT Hoody, and a LT lunch (LT means light in Arc’teryx language). I move fast and generate a lot of heat when I hike so I kept on the Tau Pullover and put the other two jackets in my bag. The first thing I noticed about the Atom LT Hoody was its compressibility. It takes up about 30% less space than a fleece of the same warmth.
Wintertime is a magical time, but only if you're dressed for the occasion. Get some more out of the quintessential Canadian season by checking out our Altitudipedia video on winter jackets.
I know, I know. You’re always looking for the right coat for the right temperature and the right occasion. The one that will protect you against cold, sweat, rain, wind, and global warming; the one that will outlast fashions so short-lived they’re out of style before you know it. The one that looks the best shoveling the entryway, shopping for organic produce, stopping by the in-laws, skating in the park, walking to a business dinner and changing that damned flat tire. But how do you find this coat? The coat?
This one?
Or this one?
We all experience a thousand different situations in a week. I suggest you take the following short quiz to find out what you really need in a winter jacket.
This week I decided to treat myself and talk to you about two of our favourite jackets here at Altitude Sports. All the employees have at least one or the other, if not both. I have both. Made for men and women, these two coats are lightweight, synthetically insulated, and great for fall, spring or even winter if you’re often moving from inside to outside during the day.
The Women's North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket
The North Face Men's Redpoint Optimus Jacket
Arc'teryx Women's Atom LT Hoody
Arc'teryx Men's Atom LT Hoody
Synthetic Insulation
The North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket became an employee favourite a couple years ago, when we first discovered Primaloft, the best synthetic insulation on the market and the closest imitation of down available. Click here for more information on the company, which also makes insulation for your home! Well-loved because it is very breathable, very light, dries quickly, and efficiently stores your body’s generated heat, this insulation regulates body temperature during drastic temperature changes, such as going from inside to outside. What’s more, a thinner layer of Primaloft is required to obtain the same warmth as down and it keeps you warmer even when wet or damp.
Je sais, il vous manque toujours le bon manteau pour la bonne température et la bonne occasion. Comment choisir le manteau qui nous sera indispensable, celui qui nous protégera du froid et de la transpiration et de l’humidité et du vent et du réchauffement de la planète et des mauvaises modes qui passent trop vite ? Quel manteau saura nous faire honneur en pelletant l’entrée, en magasinant nos légumes bio, en arrêtant chez nos beaux-parents, en dévalant les pistes enneigées, en patinant dans les parcs, en marchant vers notre diner d’affaires, en changeant une foutue crevaison?
Celui-ci ?
Ou celui-là ?
Mille situations peuvent nous tomber sur le corps vulnérable dans une même semaine. Je vous suggère un petit test pour vous guider vers vos besoins réels d’isolation hivernale :
With winter coming, everyone is starting to shop around for a warm winter coat. But the big question is: which one will keep you the warmest without making you look like an abominable snowman? Today’s article highlights for you two coats that meet these important criteria: the Gotham Jacket by The North Face and the Chilliwack Parka by Canada Goose.
Last winter I answered a lot of questions from many clients on Altitude-sports.com, who wanted to know the differences between these two very similar models, their style and their characteristics. With an urban look, these hip-length jackets are insulated with down and made for men and women. They have plenty of pockets, fur around the hood, and rib-knit cuffs that keep out the wind. One last point before we get into the heart of the matter: down is a very effective insulator, and even though there are other synthetic options such as, Primaloft and fleece, it is still the best for those who don’t stand up very well to the cold.
