The Altitude-sports.com community’s blog. Outdoor sports blog.

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. Read more about choosing a winter jacket

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Greetings!

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.

Read more about The North Face Redpoint Optimus vs. Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody

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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 : Cliquer ici pour le test et obtenir la réponse

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ALEXANDRE LAPOINTE, Axel.

Musician.

YOUR FAVOURITE SPOT IN MONTRÉAL

Café Olympico on St-Viateur and Waverly. My first coffee there…was like my first love.

Read more about Alex Lapointe

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The North Face Gotham Femme

The North Face Gotham Homme

Canada Goose Chilliwack Femme

Canada Goose Chilliwack Homme

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.

Read the rest of the Gotham - Chilliwack comparison

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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.

Click here for more information in my most recent article: The North Face Gotham vs. the Canada Goose Chilliwack (in French).

The Down

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. Read more about these Canada Goose and The North Face jackets and parkas

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If unique and thrilling are what you seek, look no further than Canada Goose Adventure Tours, a new venture by the legendary Canada Goose.

They currently offer three packages. The pictures were enough to make me salivate! Here's a sampling from the tours:

The Canadian High-Arctic and Summer Solstice tour

More on Canada Goose Adventure Tours

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