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.

Blocking the Wind: Two Schools of Thought

A good winter coat is waterproof and will break the wind, and our featured companies have different ways of satisfying these demands. The external material on The North Face jackets is lined with a waterproof breathable coating – The North Face HyVent – and both jackets have sealed seams. This guarantees that they are waterproof and will block the wind. Aside from really extreme conditions, I don’t think it is necessary for these jackets to be waterproof. They are so warm that it is rare you wear them when it is warm enough to rain. Concerning Canada Goose, they use a very strong, robust outer material that cuts the wind. In this way, the Arctic-Tech (polyester and cotton) material used on the Expedition is slightly more efficient than the Commander used on the Ontario, which uses more cotton in its blend.

Details about the Fit

All four coats have a very roomy fit. I am 5’9 (1.75 m) and weigh 155 lbs (70 kilos) and usually take small or medium, but only the small in The North Face Ice fits me; the others in the same size are too big – the Expedition being the largest (I would need an extra small). When it comes to length, the Ice Jacket is the shortest, ending at the waist, while the others come down to about mid-thigh. The Expedition differs from the McMurdo Parka by its elastic storm skirt at the waist. The other four coats have quite a few storage pockets as well as hand-warmer pockets. At the wrist, The North Face coats have adjustable Velcro® strips on the back of the sleeves. The Canada Goose parkas have long fitted inner wristbands. The North Face jackets have detachable hoods, whereas they are secured on the Canada Goose. I also would like to point out that the zippers on the Canada Goose are very big and consequently very sturdy.

Real Fur or Synthetic?

The North Face parkas have removable synthetic fur around the hood, whereas the Canada Goose parkas have real coyote fur. To get more information on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fur, click here to read the related section of this article: The North Face Gotham vs. the Canada Goose Chilliwack (in French).

Each of these coats would be perfect for those of you who want to be (really) warm all winter long while doing a moderate activity like walking.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also click on the models I just reviewed in the section “Related Products” for more details.

Talk to you soon,

Max

P.S Guillaume: I hope this helps you with your shopping!

*This article was originally published on 2010.10.22

By the way, if ever you have a favourite product or simply one that you are interested in, please us know by leaving a comment. Thank you and see you soon,

---

Click on the following links to see our other picks

The North Face Take Me Down and Arc'teryx Fission SV

Canada Goose Freestyle and The North Face Apex Android

Arc'teryx Alpha SV gloves and Bogs Alex winter boots

By the way, if ever you have a favourite product or simply one that you are interested in, please us know by leaving a comment.

Thank you and see you soon, Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!

Juan

---

Click on the following links to see other months's picks

December Picks: The North Face Take Me Down and Arc'teryx Fission SV

November Picks: Canada Goose Freestyle and The North Face Apex Android

October Picks: Arc'teryx Alpha SV gloves and Bogs Alex winter boots

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.

Right before the profane movements

3) It’s waterproof. I got stuck in the shower with it on once- performed like a charm. With the large hood and comfortable wrists cinched tight, not a drop touched my fragile frame.

4) When I woke up hours later in the shower, friends and family laughing above me, I noticed that I was not in fact cold. Thanks to the whopping 133 grams of Primaloft in the body (and 100g in the arms) I stayed as warm as a fratboy locked in a shower by his friends. Try and do that down feathers! Yeah, I didn’t think so.

5) Have you ever had the nape of you neck tickled by an angel? I have thanks to the brushed collar lining on this jacket. Sometimes when I am alone in my apartment I slide on this jacket just to feel its magical touch. And then I sob into my glass of prune juice.

Mark finding out the hard way that sorrows can't be drowned. They know how to swim.

6) Did I mention that it comes in purple?

7) I also noticed, in my misadventures, that the back dips nicely at the back, offering you a little more protection from the cold when bending over and picking up empty Roll-Up-The-Rim-To-Win cups in the gutter. Along with the cinch cord around the waist I can keep out unruly gusts of wind. And also in other practical areas...

I hope it doesn’t retain odours, like Merino wool…

Mark's a busy guy. See what else's he's been up to by clicking on the links below

24 hour Mont-Tremblant

Arundel, QC: Where Old Meets New

Val D’Isere: the ever-tilting snowglobe

How to get a Sandwich Named After You

Burke, Vermont

Ride

Ghost

Back to Basics

Big Town Kid

The life of a retail assistant: Crazy Horse

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 Hyllus is warm, very warm. A single, thin layer of technical underwear underneath is enough for the Hyllus to keep you warm and comfortable in temperatures around 0 degrees, even without any serious movement. The outer face makes it undoubtedly a very long lasting item and the inside a very comfortable one.

The Hyllus in action

Just like almost every item in Arc’teryx’s product range, the Hyllus is built to perform. Therefore we took it out for a nice little hike up Mont Tremblant. The conditions were typical November conditions; a slight mix of rain and snow with an average temperature around 0 degrees. After the first 100m of ascent it was clear: this weather is not cold enough to use the Hyllus for serious aerobic exercises like hiking or more even though it is really highly breathable and moisture is being transported quickly to the outside. The outer face is surprisingly water repellent so that I didn’t have to wear my shell. The hood has a very good fit and the collar in style of a mini storm hood closes high enough to keep the chilly conditions out and the heat inside. The higher we hiked up the mountain the windier it became and it showed that wind is not the best friend of the Hyllus although it’s more wind resistant than normal fleece hoodies. To guarantee a high breathability Arc’teryx decided to use a less wind resistant outer face that might give the impression of a softshell although it’s really an insulation garment. On the summit I finally decided to wear my shell to protect myself from the wind and use the Hyllus for what it’s made and best for, insulation.

On my way down I learned to love the pulls for the waist adjustment that end in the pockets as you’re able to shut the wind out without having to take your hand out of the pockets. The adjustment of the hood works very well and is, with a fully closed front zipper, almost invisible. This is at the same time a little disadvantage as it’s hard to access.

Conclusion

The Hyllus is a hoody that offers enormous heat reserves while remaining extraordinarily breathable for a garment of that insulation level. Its temperature range is very wide due to the breathability although it’s obviously not an item for the warmer days of the year. The cut is Arc’teryx-like perfect and even the little negative point concerning the adjustment of the hood loses its importance almost completely as the fit of the hood is excellent. Arc’teryx describes their Hyllus Hoody as “the ideal mid-layer insulation garment” and without a doubt its insulating characteristics are more than excellent. If this is enough to justify the price of 400$ especially in comparison to the Atom LT which falls also in this category but is almost 200$ cheaper is the question that everybody has to answer for himself. One thing is sure: It’s the perfect garment for snowshoeing or other aerobic activities at -20 degrees Celsius.

Final Score: 8.9/10

-Raphael

Directly imported from Germany I joined the Altitude-Sports team in April 2010. I invested 8 years of my life into the studies of philosophy and psychology to be able to offer customer service on a completely new level. I love teaching and interacting with people especially kids, kitesurfing, snowboarding and climbing. I like to feel my limits and take a step beyond.

Click here to see more Arc'teryx From Practical to Technical Contest product reviews

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.

When I got to the top, the wind was blowing from all sides and snowflakes were swirling all around me. I reached for my Atom LT for extra warmth. It fit perfectly over top of my base layer, and the underarm side panels made of Polartec® Power Stretch® and Hardface® Technology increased movement and breathability. The outside material, Luminara™, broke the wind, and the water repellent coating shed any melting snowflakes.

After some time, I put up my hood to keep my ears from turning to ice. (My toque was also LT!) The hood was quite big, but I wasn’t sure there would be enough room for a small helmet, such as the one I have, the Elios by Petzl. The Atom’s hood is not adjustable: it didn’t move with my head and the wind came roaring in at the sides. Arc’teryx’s adjustable hoods are the spearhead of their company, and I have to admit, I was a little disappointed.

I stayed at the top for half an hour. Although it wasn’t necessary, I put on my Alpha LT over top of my Atom to see how the two layered together. It was a perfect match. The same went for the two hoods. By adjusting my Alpha hood to my head, I made up for the lack of adjustment on the Atom. Is this what Arc’teryx had in mind? I’m not sure, but I was satisfied with the results. You should note that Arc’teryx hoods differ from one model to another (Beta, Theta, and Alpha), so take the time to test the Atom with your jacket.

When it was time to hike down, I put my Alpha LT back in my bag but left on the Atom. It kept me warm and comfortable the whole way.

At home I inspected the seams on the Atom. Although it’s made in Thailand, Arc’teryx’s signature quality is still there. The zippers are easy to use even with gloves on. I also tried it on while wearing my climbing helmet. I was surprised to discover it fit perfectly under the Atom’s hood!

The Atom is a great alternative to a fleece because it is more compressible, warmer, and wind resistant. I am still a huge fan of down, but Arc’teryx’s Coreloft™has the undeniable advantage of keeping you warm even when wet – the great disadvantage of down. Coreloft™also dries faster. What’s more, if it rips, feathers won’t go flying everywhere! There are certain disadvantages, however. I can’t get over the fact that the hood is not adjustable. Honestly! Also, instead of a small, inside pocket, they should have added a larger, mesh pocket for toques and gloves. I would also like to have a stuff sack to protect the jacket when it’s inside my bag. This kind of material tears easily on climbing gear, for example. I also prefer light insulation layers without hoods (Arc’teryx makes a version of the same jacket without a hood: the Atom LT jacket). They are less bulky to wear underneath an outside layer, such as a Gore-Tex shell. And, it’s hard to beat wearing your favourite toque. I wonder if Arc’teryx will start making insulated layers with down?

Despite any critiques I may have, the Atom LT Hoody is an excellent jacket that I will wear without a doubt on any number of adventures.

Final Score: 8.5/10

-Louis

Louis was a sales help at Altitude-sports.com for many years. Now "retired", his free time is mostly spent climbing, hiking, travelling and doing yoga. Although he isn't on the boutique floor helping out customers anymore, he keeps an eye out for new gear and technology. He's always had a critical and well-informed outlook. He remains an external ressource for our activities and is a proud Altitude-sports.com ambassador.

Click here to see more Arc'teryx From Practical to Technical Contest product reviews!

Thank you to Josyanne for her suggestion!

If you have any questions or suggestions for other Altitudipedia topics, do let us know.

Also, here are some links for more Altitudipedia action:

Maintenance Guide for Waterproof-breathable Jackets - Altitudipedia

Waterproof-breathables - Altitudipedia

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.

1- Sunday Morning: It’s so cold tiny ice crystals form in your nostrils and sparkle in the sunlight.

a) You planned to go skating and you will go skating.
b) You warm up your muscles with by-the-book exercises, apply wax rated for – 30 C to your cross-country skis and spend the afternoon skiing kilometers, until you reach your starting point, your body nice and toasty.
c) You want your time outside to be pleasant and you propose a long family walk into town for some Christmas shopping.

The North Face - Honcho - Denim Blue

2- Monday Morning: The freezing rain that fell during the night has coated the car windows with ice.

a) You get up early to de-ice all the neighborhood cars because you have the best ice scraper in the world.
b) You scream until the ice shatters off the windows while you drive and warm up your hands, already at your destination.
c) You turn on the heat for five minutes, clear off what ice you can without breaking your broom and let the wind take care of the rest.

The North Face - Redpoint Optimus - Bayou Blue

3- Tuesday Morning: It’s January but the sun is shinning like it would in March.

a) With skiing seriously on the brain, you call your boss and cough at him in your best sick-voice that you are suddenly ill.
b) You walk the hour to work instead of driving the car.
c) With a sunny bounce in your step, you use the day to make some headway and get acquainted with your new clients.

Arc'teryx - Atom LT Hoody - Miro Blue

4- Wednesday Morning: The wind’s blowing so hard you can feel it under the covers.

a) You take a deep breath and hold it from the house to the car, from the garage to the metro, from the metro to the office where you finally exhale.
b) You think a short yoga practice in the living room will do just fine.
c) Quick! You’re out the door with your kite-surf before you even eat breakfast.

Arc'teryx - Kappa SV - Dark Ember

5- Thursday Morning: You wake up to rain pouring down the picture windows.

a) You panic and look at weekend ski conditions on the Internet.
b) You prepare yourself for the weekend and change the wax on your skis from - 30 C to + 10 C.
c) You tell yourself that winters are getting warmer, or that it’s the calm before the storm of the century.

The North Face - Varius Guide Insulated - Bittersweet Brown

6- Friday Morning: You’re advised to stay inside due to an attack of the H1N1 flu.

a) You layer up to protect yourself against all possible germs that could infect you in the cold.
b) You dress to move faster than the cold-travelling germs.
c) You dress to be comfortable while everyone else stresses out.

Arc'teryx - Sceptre - Coffee Bean

7- Saturday Morning: There’s a massive snowstorm.

a) You grab your skis, wanting to ski the fresh powder before crowds of tourists get to the slopes and start falling under your feet.
b) You get ready to explore the backcountry on unmarked trails that will take you to the top of the mountain faster than the others will.
c) You spend the day feeding the woodstove, relaxing, going to the spa, snowshoeing and drinking hot chocolate.

If you chose mostly A’s, I recommend a coat made for winter sports. You’ll want one that’s waterproof, with a ski skirt, a high collar, a hood large enough for a helmet, a larger fit for ease of movement and a good layer of insulation so you can stay warm outside all winter long.

Arc’teryx Sceptre Jacket ou The North Face Insulated Varius Guide Jacket

If you chose mostly B’s, I recommend a coat made for aerobic activity. You’ll want one with light insulation, which is easily compressible if you need to pack it in your backpack, stronger material on the shoulders and more breathable material under the arms. You won’t need the coat to be waterproof or windproof, as it won’t breathe as well.
Arc’teryx Atom Hoody ou The North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket

If you chose mostly C’s, I recommend a coat you can wear in the city as well as on the slopes. You’ll want one that’s windproof, (which is also very water-resistant), a warm light insulation like Primaloft or down, a hood just in case, and a classic but technical style.
Arc’teryx Kappa SV Jacket ou The North Face Honcho Jacket

But of course, I’ll leave you to make your final choice according to your preference, your comfort and your budget. Have a great winter!

Véronique Altitude

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.

This year, Arc’teryx came out with the Atom LT Hoody: direct competition for the North Face Redpoint Optimus. The company uses their in-house insulation called Coreloft, similar to Primaloft in composition. However, even though Arc’teryx has a reputation for making very high quality products, Coreloft has not proven to be more efficient or durable than Primaloft.

The Redpoint Optimus is slightly more insulated with 100 gm/ m² of Primaloft than the Atom LT Hoody’s 60 gm/m² of Coreloft. Arc’teryx did, however, have the great idea to increase breathability and mobility by using a Softshell fabric (Polartec Power Stretch) on the sides and under the arms. This also allows for a more fitted style than the Redpoint Optimus.

Other points of comparison

Here are some other important points:

- Both jackets are wind and water-resistant. However, the Redpoint Optimus is in part more resistant and will withstand bad weather better than its counterpart, due to its polyurethane lining at the seamless hood and shoulders.

- They are both adjustable at the waist and the wrist-bands are very similar: tight around the wrist to block the wind.

- The Redpoint Optimus folds into its internal chest pocket and also has a napoleon pocket.

- The Atom LT has hand-warmer pockets.

- Both insulated hoods are the same size, but you can adjust the Redpoint Optimus’ with an elastic cord found behind the head.

- Both collars are the same height, but you can adjust the Redpoint’s with the same elastic cord you use to adjust the hood. This is an important detail, especially on the coldest days because the collar tightens around the chin to cover the neck. You don’t need a scarf or a neck-warmer.

- Finally, much to our distress, the Atom’s zipper has a tendency to come undone slightly when we wear the hood (according to Alex).

- With regards to style, my friend Guillaume just made the difficult choice between the two models, and says the Atom LT looks less like a jacket than the Redpoint Optimus. It is also lighter than the Redpoint (375 g vs 600g).

So to conclude, the Atom LT Hoody is a great option for the quality and price, and makes a good fall, city jacket, but would be less warm in winter than the Redpoint Optimus. Indeed, I’ve worn the Redpoint Optimus for the last three winters, pairing it with a good fleece on the coldest days. For playing sports, the Arc’teryx jacket breathes more and is less insulated than the Optimus. Each jacket satisfies different, precise needs. Also, both are great insulation layers to wear under a shell in winter, for example, if you go skiing.

See you later,

Max

Alex Altitude almost desperate to test out his Atom!!

translation by Judy Murphy

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 :

1- Dimanche matin, le soleil éclaire les micro-glaçons qui nous collent dans les narines :

a. J’avais prévu aller glisser, je vais glisser.
b. Je réchauffe mes muscles selon les règles de l’art, j’applique une cire -30 degrés sous mes skis de fond et je parcours des kilomètres tout l’après-midi pour revenir à mon point de départ le corps chaud.
c. C’est le moment d’harmoniser le froid et l’agréable, je propose une grande marche familiale dans le village pour découvrir les cadeaux de Noël de chacun.

The North Face - Honcho - Bleu Denim

2- Lundi matin, le verglas a givré les vitres de la voiture durant la nuit.

a. Je me lève plus tôt pour dégivrer les vitres des voitures de tout le voisinage parce que j’ai le meilleur grattoir au monde.
b. Je crie jusqu’à ce que le givre casse de lui-même pendant que je me réchauffe les mains au volant, déjà rendu à destination.
c. Je pars le chauffage de la voiture pendant cinq minutes, je déblaie ce que je peux sans briser mon balaie, je laisse le vent souffler le reste.

The North Face - Redpoint Optimus - Bleu Bayou

3- Mardi matin, le soleil de mars se pointe en janvier.

a. J’appelle mon employeur et lui tousse de ma plus belle voix rauque ma maladie soudaine au téléphone, la tout-ski-compte.
b. Je marche une heure pour me rendre au travail à la place de prendre la voiture.
c. Je prends la journée pour faire de la route et rencontrer mes nouveaux clients de bonne humeur du beau temps.

Arc'teryx - Atom LT Hoody - Bleu Miro

4- Mercredi matin, le vent souffle jusqu’en dessous des couvertures.

a. J’inspire et garde mon souffle de la maison à l’auto, du garage à l’entrée du métro, de la sortie du métro à l’entrée du gratte-ciel, et j’expire.
b. Une petite session de yoga au salon fera mon affaire ce matin.
c. Vite, je vais essayer mon kite-surf avant même de déjeuner.

Arc'teryx - Kappa SV - Dark Ember

5- Jeudi matin, la pluie pleure le long des fenêtres doubles.

a. Je panique et regarde les sites internet des conditions de ski pour la fin de semaine.
b. Je me prépare à changer la cire sur mes skis de fond pour la fin de semaine, de -30 degrés à + 10 degrés.
c. Je me dis que l’hiver est de plus en plus doux, ou que c’est le calme avant la belle tempête du siècle.

The North Face - Varius Guide Insulated - Brun

6- Vendredi matin, la grippe AH1N1 nous attaque selon les chercheurs :

a. Je m’habille contre tous les microbes possibles de m’attaquer dans le froid.
b. Je m’habille pour bouger plus vite que le froid qui transmet les microbes.
c. Je m’habille pour être confortable contre le stress humain.

Arc'teryx - Sceptre - Coffee Bean

7- Samedi matin, c’est la tempête de neige :

a. Celle qu’on attendait pour se lancer sur les pistes de poudreuse avant que la foule de touristes nous tombent sur les skis.
b. Celle qu’on attendait pour courir au fond des bois sur des sentiers non-balisés qui nous mèneront au sommet avant les autres.
c. Celle qu’on attendait pour passer la journée à nourrir le poêle de son combustible et relaxer, entre un spa, une promenade en raquette et un chocolat chaud.

Si vous avez obtenu une majorité de A, je vous conseille un manteau créé pour les sports d’hiver, muni d’une jupette pare-neige, d’une membrane imperméable, d’un collet haut, d’un capuchon assez grand pour le casque, d’une coupe plus ample pour la liberté de mouvements, d’une bonne isolation afin de passer l’hiver dehors, au chaud :
Arc’teryx Sceptre Jacket ou The North Face Insulated Varius Guide Jacket

Si vous avez obtenu une majorité de B, je vous conseille un manteau conçu pour les sports aérobiques, avec une isolation légère et compressible, si on a besoin de le transporter dans notre sac-à-dos, sans membrane donc laissant mieux passer l’humidité, avec un matériel plus résistant aux épaules et plus respirant au niveau des aisselles :
Arc’teryx Atom Hoody ou The North Face Redpoint Optimus Jacket

Si vous avez obtenu une majorité de C, je vous conseille un manteau polyvalent pour vous satisfaire en ville comme en montagne, avec une membrane coupe-vent et très résistante à l’eau, une isolation chaude et légère, un capuchon en cas de besoin, un style classique mais technique.
Arc’teryx Kappa SV Jacket ou The North Face Honcho Jacket

Ensuite, je vous laisse suivre votre coup de cœur, votre confort et votre budget. Bon hiver!

Véronique Altitude

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.

YOUR FAVORITE PURCHASE FROM ALTITUDE-SPORTS.COM

My Atom LT Hoody!

SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD NEVER DO

Have sex in my parents’ yard.

YOUR BIGGEST MISTAKE

Playing a show at the Carnaval de Québec without having learnt the songs. Awkward.

YOUR PASTIME WHEN YOU ARE ALL ALONE

I make myself a coffee, I light myself a cigarette and I listen to music.

THE PLACE YOU FEEL THE GREATEST

On stage or in a studio.

YOUR MOST COMFORTABLE POSITION

Lying down.

YOUR INTIMATE OUTDOOR SPOT

Anywhere. I’m pretty open. I think it might be a good thing to point out that I would not do it in my parents’ yard.

BEST CONCERT YOU’VE SEEN

The Roots, Osheaga 2009.

FAVORITE SONG FOR LOVE MAKIN'

There are so many different styles. You can make love on a super smooth Marvin Gaye track, just like you can do it hard on some Eagles of Death Metal.

EPITOME OF FEMININE BEAUTY

Mark Smith or Hugh Jackman.

LE PLUS BEAU COMMENTAIRE QU’ON T’A DIT

My smile. Listen, there are so many! Ha! Ha!

YOUR PRIDE

My musical side.

YOUR WEAKNESS

I give too much.

BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN

Let go, in the sense of taking it easy and letting go.

A WAY TO ESCAPE

A John Coltrane album.

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL DAY

Hmm... Make myself a nice fruit shake. Take a shower. Join my friends on a terrace for a coffee. Do some studio time. Finish it all off by seeing a good show.

ONE THING THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

My bass or my Mac.

BEST MOMENT OF 2009

When we did the first part of the Joseph Arthur show at the Club Soda.

YOUR NEXT TRIP

I’d like to go to Tunisia or Peru, for the culture shock.

A SITE THAT HAS TO BE SEEN

blogotheque.net

A QUESTION YOU WOULD HAVE LIKE TO BEEN ASKED

Where did you most feel culture shock? My trip to Central America.

NEXT ALTITUDIAN IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Mark Smith

TO GET TO KNOW ALEXANDRE LAPOINTE MORE INTIMATELY, CHECK OUT HIS MYSPACE

http://www.myspace.com/alexandrelapointe

Photos by Dave Todaro

davetodaro.com

The North Face Woman's Gotham

The North Face Men's Gotham

Canada Goose Women's Chilliwack

Canada Goose Men's Chilliwack

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.

Made in Canada vs. Made in China

At first glance, customers are often surprised that the Chilliwack is more expensive than the Gotham (for prices see “Related Products” at the bottom of the page). The difference in price can be partly explained because Canada Goose is made in Canada and The North Face is made in China. I think this is an important point because it’s rare that manufacturers make their outdoor clothes in Canada, and a great achievement considering the availability of labour in our country. However, we should consider the fact that Canada Goose produces jackets on a much lower scale than The North Face, for whom it would be impossible to produce such a large quantity only in North American factories. I will leave you to form your own opinion on the subject and to decide whether or not “Made in Canada” is important enough to pay the difference when you buy your next coat.

The Big Technical Differences

Down

First of all, I have to say that both jackets are very well insulated. From Edmonton to Montreal, I’d have no problem recommending either to a customer. The Gotham Jacket uses goose down with a fill power of 550, while the Chilliwack uses duck down with a fill power of 625.

A note on down: a higher fill power number means the coat contains a higher quality down and therefore less is needed to obtain the same level of insulation. Goose down is generally more efficient in terms of warmth than duck down. However, duck down is sturdier and performs a bit better in humid climates. This means it can be used with thicker nylon fabrics. For example, if a thick nylon is used with goose down, the feathers will tend to compress and won’t keep the heat in as effectively. It’s then a question of deciding which compromise is best: light nylon fabrics which are more compact but less sturdy, or strong exterior nylon fabrics that can withstand abrasion.

In both of these cases, these two jackets are equally warm.

With or without a waterproof liner?

Unlike the Chilliwack and Gotham for women, which have a water repellent coating sprayed on the outside of the jacket, making them water resistant, the Gotham for men is totally waterproof. In addition to a spray-on coating, this jacket is lined with a waterproof-breathable liner The North Face HyVent, and has sealed seams, which ensure that water won’t leak into the coat. However, whether a jacket is waterproof or not shouldn’t be the deciding factor in your choice; it’s unlikely you will wear such a coat when it is warm enough to rain. In my opinion, the important point to consider is how wind resistant they are. Both jackets do a great job in this regard. The outer, reinforced fabric on both models for women cuts the wind, while the Gotham for men benefits from a second barrier: its liner HyVent.

Real of Synthetic fur?

Animal lovers will probably prefer the Gotham Jacket with its detachable synthetic fur, making it easier to wash. The Chilliwack has real coyote fur around the hood. I can say from experience that real fur tends to be slightly more durable and will protect your face better from the wind than synthetic. However, I find the Chilliwack’s collar less practical in winter as it comes up awkwardly high around the chin. You either have to wear it zipped down to the base of the neck, or zipped completely up to the nose. The Gotham’s collar has a better design because it zips up high, still leaving room for the chin.

Cut and Style

Apart from their logos, these two coats are very similar in style. They are the same size, but the Chilliwack is slightly more fitted than the Gotham; however, on the same models for women, the reverse is true: the Gotham is more fitted than the Chilliwack. Contrary to other Canada Goose jackets, the Chilliwack will correspond to your normal size. It is also a bit longer than the Gotham.

Well I think I’ve covered all the important points necessary to make a distinction between these two classic jackets, but please don’t hesitate to ask questions in the comments box below. Also, if you want to know more, click on the product in the “Related Products” section found at the end of the article.

Until next time,

Max

This article was originaly published on 2009-11-02 and has been subsequently updated.
---

The North Face Gotham vs. Quartz Nature Bomber

Canada Goose Chilliwack versus Nobis Cartel

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

Monsoon Photo-Safari tour

Polar Bears,  Dog-sledding and Aurora Borealis tour

Each tour includes Canada Goose apparel. And as you know, the only thing better than a Canada Goose jacket is one that comes with a story! Do yourself a favour and check out the tours, if only to get some good ideas!

Juan Altitude