Saturday the 14th of April, from 9am to 3pm, The North Face will be dropping by Altitude-Sports.com on St-Denis, wonderfully located in the heart of Montreal, to get you trying on their new line of trail running shoes. This will be an ideal time to throw some new shoes on and go skipping up to Mount Royal to test not only the shoes but your cardio as well. If you can’t imagine anything better, then try this on for size: get 20% off ALL the running clothing and shoes in store*. Furthermore if you dare test out a pair of The North Face running shoes you will get a free The North Face water bottle.

Join the Facebook event page here.

Check out this video explaining the technology behind one of the models you will be able to try at the St-Denis store:

Available The North Face running shoes to test

The North Face SINGLE-TRACK HAYASA Men
The North Face SINGLE-TRACK II Men
The North Face DOUBLE-TRACK SHOE Men

The North Face SINGLE-TRACK HAYASA Women
The North Face SINGLE-TRACK II Women
The North Face DOUBLE-TRACK SHOE Women

*The 20% discount is only available on The North Face items in the Altitude-Sports.com store at 4140 St-Denis Saturday the 14th of April. The water bottles will be given out until stock runs out.

Patagonia Women's Tres Parka

Video review of the Tres Parka

Patagonia Women's Down With It Parka

VS Canada Goose Camp Down Hooded Jacket

Feel free to ask questions or to leave comments. Let us know if you would like us to compare other models.

The North Face Vostok Parka

• 700 fill goose down
• Waterproof and windproof. Keeps you warm not matter what the conditions.
• Removable insulated and adjustable hood. Versatile look and warmth.
• Expansion zips at lower back for freedom of movement
• Two alpine pockets. "Alpine" means chest. Practical for storing items.
• Four hand pockets: Side-entry hand pockets and top-entry hand pockets. Side entry is half fleeced-lined, to help warm up hands. Top-entry is good for storage.
• Inner pockets: One stash, one water bottle
• Three different fabrics for optimal resistance and movement

Canada Goose Banff Parka

• 625 fill power white duck down
• Removable 2 way adjustable tunnel hood and removable coyote fur ruff. Versatile look and warmth.
• Two chest pockets. Storage.
• Two front lower pockets. Storage storage.
• Inside pockets: lower right & upper left (with zipper closure)
• Double-reinforced elbows for extra durability
• Leather trim along cuff edges, centre zipper flap, outer collar, and under pocket flaps, adds unique flair

Similarities

Right off the bat, both these jackets will keep you more than warm throughout the winter. Not only because they are filled with cold-eating down but also because of their long cut, going down to the mid-thigh with the Banff and lower-thigh with the Vostok. A nice feature they share are the inner cuffs which are great at keeping the wind out. This impressively increases your comfort level. The Canada Goose has a knit style, whereas as The North Face has a sleeker polyester style.

Fit

The Canada Goose Banff has quite the slim fit, tight in fact. You may be better off buying a size up if there’s any debate. With The North Face Vostok, it is actually the opposite in that it has a relaxed fit. Not loose, but relaxed. It fit like a glove with a little extra room for layering.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a warm winter jacket, you’re set. They both have a military look. It’s just that the Canada Goose Banff has a classic military look, whereas as The North Face Vostok has a military look that would look more at home in a James Bond movie. This makes sense since it is designed for working at an Antarctic base. I cannot say whether this base is made for scientific research or world domination.

That being said, the Vostok is lighter and more flexible. This does make it better suited for standing around in serious cold. But if you are more of a city slicker, you may prefer the Banff’s more versatile look.

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Canada Goose Men's Winter Parka Reviews

Canada Goose Men's Winter Parka Reviews

First of all, you’ll be set for the winter since they’re both filled with the best insulator on earth, down. Not only that, but so are their hoods. This is great since you don’t always have a hat with you. Indeed depending on your hair style, you might never even wear a hat. The insulated hood will keep your noggin covered and warm. Speaking of which, they are also both windproof. This only adds to their already high level of comfort in the coldest weather.

They also both have removable ruff on the hood, so you can adjust the look. Other common elements are chest and hand pockets, not to mention elastic cuffs, to keep the wind out. Now that we’ve gone through the similarities, let’s take a look at what sets The North Face Gotham and Quartz Nature Bomber apart.

Quartz Nature Bomber

• Lining with Otron with greater breathability than nylon.
• 650 fill down
• Made in Canada
• Coyote fur ruff
• Removable hood
• Interior pocket

The North Face Gotham

• 550 fill down
• Faux fur ruff
• Bicep Pocket
• Waterproof

In terms of style, they differ in that the Gotham has a rougher look, but that means that the Bomber might be a little more versatile in terms of situations when you can wear it appropriately.

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Canada Goose Chilliwack versus Nobis Cartel

Four Classic Down Jackets for Men Reviewed

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

Congratulations to Simon Laroche, our From Technical to Practical Contest winner. He won an Arc'teryx Beta SL jacket.

Simon Laroche of Laval with his Beta SL

I love enthusiastic people, and I must say that Simon really enjoys life. He was way excited when I broke the news to him, and I am sure he would have been a great contestant on the radio. You know, the kind of person that screams really loud and jumps up and down when they win. BIG BIG WINNER!

For the reviews, the Altitudians had to be honest and report both the positive and negative aspects of the products. Sorry, the contest is over, but feel free to browse through these product reviews by clicking on the following pictures:

Véro

I wear every chance I get, which is often.

It is simply amazing for when you want to spend significant amounts of time outside when it’s cold. No silly, it’s not waterproof nor windproof and actually isn’t all that warm. But that doesn’t detract it from being an awesome baselayer. Quite the opposite in fact.

This man is looking good and feeling GREAT

First of all you’ve got the merino goodness. There’s no need for me to wax poetic about its breathability, softness, fast drying and awesome smell deterrence since I’ve already done so, with musical accompaniment at that.

Second, I really like the thickness of the Bodyfit 260. Between thin and thick, it’s a got an all-round versatility. You can wear it as a warm base layer or as a thin insulating layer over another base layer.

Third, what I find that really sets the Slalom apart is its extra-long neck. To me, it’s the pièce de résistance. It goes up all the way up here, ie just before the chin. I wish more shirts had collars like that. Protecting your neck in cold weather is essential. The Slalom is awesome in doing that. When you’re heading out and wind and cold will be factors, you’re set. A neck gaitor will protect you from the wind and the Slalom’s long neck will both cut out any drafts and insulate lightly.

What if you’re like my work buddy, Dave, and find such a long collar to be bothersome? Easy, just fold it and voilà, you’ve got a ¼ zip length. Sweet. Speaking of zip, that’s another element I appreciate. Given the choice between a turtleneck and a zip neck, I choose the zip neck, for versatility. Ok, so you have to trade a tiny bit of comfort against the neck and warmth to get the zip. However, that’s more than compensated by the fact that if it gets too hot, you can simply unzip the collar and dump some heat.

I can't guarantee you'll look this cool

And there you have it. Three reasons that explain why I love my Slalom. 1. Merino. 2. Versatile thickness. 3. Great neck.

Mont-Mégantic ASTROLab

It rained. It actually did not rain that much but it was overcast the entire time. So no stars for me. But when life hands me lemons, I make limoncello. Anyways, the Park is nice in itself. And the truth is that it’s quite nice walking through a humid forest, a make-believe rain-forest. It really brings out different hues in the foliage.

Mont-Mégantic also has a nice setup where not only are there tent sites but also public cabins. These are open to anyone during the day. Equipped with a stove and abundant wood, these are great places to warm up, cook and eat. During the day we used the stoves to boil our water and make grill cheese sandwiches. Otherwise, my beloved Dragonfly was up to the task, as usual.

The tent sites have a raised platform, which are great as you’re sure to have a level floor, not to mention the extra protection you get since it evacuates the rain. The sites are also equipped with a picnic table and a fire bowl. The cherry on that sundae is that there is a shed filled with chopped wood nearby.

Not exactly ultralight packing

This set-up certainly adds to the comfort and I did not find it took away from feeling of being in the great outdoors. Although make sure you choose your site carefully. Some were too close to open areas where people walk by for my taste.

As for the paths, they ranged from huge and easy to tiny and technical. And the scenes surrounding them were varied and quite beautiful. You really had that old-growth feeling in some places.

The bad news is that we did not make it to the top of the mountain or explore the entire park. The good news is that it’s a great reason to back! I’m certainly looking forward to it as what I saw was great and it was just a small part. You’ll find out all about it in part II, out next year!

The North Face Free Thinker II

Arc'teryx Sidewinder SV

Both these jackets are fully equipped to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at you so you can be one with her. I’ve decided to compare them by going feature by feature. Let’s start with the top.

Hoods

They both have excellent hoods: adjustable and helmet compatible. So the essential stuff is well taken care of. The Free Thinker’s is three-way adjustable, whereas the Sidewinder’s is four-way adjustable and with that a better fit. However, the pull straps for the frontal adjustment are easier to use on the Free Thinker while the Sidewinder’s are hidden thus reducing flappage…hard to tell who wins on the front pulls.

Collars

Both have the hoods attached to the collar rather than a collar-hood one-piece combination. This is a good thing as it means that when the hood is down, as it is most of the time, it does not pull on the front. More comfort, more endurance. But that isn’t what most people would notice about the collar. Indeed, most striking is the front zipper that veers away from the center. I really appreciate this feature. Not only does it make the whole thing more comfortable, it cuts down on the zipper clip flapping. It also guarantees constant wind protection as moving your head won’t cause your chin to push the zipper down. And let’s not forget that it simply looks hot that way. The Sidewinder’s zipper is pushed farther to the side, but that is just a style difference.

Zippers and Pockets

Both have polyurethane zippers, which are pretty standard. The only problem with that is that although they look really cool when new, the test of time is not so kind to their appearance. Pit zips are to be expected and are there. I do prefer the Sidewinder’s as they are deeper at the torso, allowing more heat to be dumped. Finally, when it comes to looks, both are contrasting, but the Free Thinker also has a little futuristic-robotic look to them which will be suitable for some but not for all.

When it comes to pockets, the Sidewinder has a nice medium-large pocket on the right side and a small cell-phone-sized one on the left. The Free Thinker has all its pockets on the right side. I do not know why they choose that configuration but hey, it works nonetheless. The main pocket is smaller than the Sidewinder’s but it does have an earphone port. The smaller pocket is cell-phone specific. Both jacket’s “cell-phone” pockets are only for the small type. iPhones fit easily into the larger pockets. The Free Thinker also has a medium-large stash pocket which can come in quite handy. On the outside, both have very similar left chest pockets. The Free Thinker adds a small left forearm pocket with removable goggle wipe. The Sidewinder counters with a bigger left bicep pocket with a transparent window for ski passes and/or other stuff.

Snowskirt

As would be expected with snowsport specific jackets, both have snowskirts. The Freethinker comes out on top in the domain has it is button-adjustable in two positions and has a two locking mechanisms: pantalock button loops which attach to your snowpants belt loops and a zipper to zip into compatible pants.

Look

Looks can be subjective but that doesn’t mean you can’t compare them. Anyhow, both are obviously well crafted jackets. The Arc’teryx does, however have hidden stitching for a cleaner look. It is also more adjusted, giving a much more flattering appearance.

Various

The Arc’teryx has a superior Velcro cuff in that it is more secure and less bulky. But the Free Thinker replies with interior micro-fleece shoulder patches, giving better protection to the waterproof-breathable membrane from heavy backpack shoulder straps. Speaking of membrane, both jackets are equipped with Gore-Tex Pro Shell.

The Recco reflector used on the Sidewinder SV

They also both have Recco reflectors. They both work the same, but look different. I’m disappointed in both of them. I really don’t see why they can’t be hidden. The one on the Arc’teryx is quite a lot bigger but at least is bland looking. The one on The North Face is definitely sleeker but at the cost of trying a bit too hard, at least according to my humble stylistic opinion.

Bottom Line

The good thing is that you can’t go wrong with either of them. Built for some hardcore activities in the snow, you’ll be well protected. Your biggest problem will be deciding which of the small details is more important to you.

The answer, dear reader, is: “OH YEAH!”

If you knew what I know, you would have already written one. But what can I say, I’ve been pretty busy these days; but not too busy to continue my love for merino wool. We here at altitude-blog.com love the merino. That being said, I’m just gonna step up and say that no one loves it like I do. In fact, if I had any musical talent, I would probably have written this little ditty

I Am Lonely by The Heptones

All my life I was in misery

Then you came along and made everything happy

So, back to the underwear. They’re awesome. Get them, but buy a size larger than usual. You’ll thank me later. Anyways, picture this: a soft, hyper-breathable, temperature regulator which is naturally odor resistant. Doesn’t that make for the best underwear ever? Not yet. They also dry fast.

The other day, a friend and I were hanging out by a lake when we decided to go swimming. Alas, I did not have a bathing suit. It was daylight and for a variety of other reasons skinny dipping was not appropriate. It was blisteringly hot and my body was begging for a swim. I smiled for I had found a solution to my problem. In fact, I was wearing the solution. That’s right, I was wearing merino wool underwear. Icebreaker Men's Beast 150 Brief to be precise.

I was a happy customer. In fact, it inspired to write this review. The close fit was perfect for swimming. Once outside the water they excelled in two departments: 1. Being comfortable while wet (nothing is as comfortable as merino while wet) 2. Drying fast.

So there you go. The ultimate underwear that will keep you fresh and warm/cool depending on what your body needs. And it doubles admirably well as a swim suit! Now you know why my plans in the next year include slowly replacing my underwear repertoire with merino undies.

Part 1: The Preliminary Test

Part 2: The Intimacy Test

Part 3: Waking Up

wax paper = sleeping bag

I woke up feeling like I was a hamburger in a ski hill cafeteria: hot and soggy. In my inebriated state, I hadn’t thought of placing my tent in the shade. I’d also slept-in, so the sun had time to warm me to the point of a light simmer.

I laid there for a while, trying to piece together the evening. It was only after a few minutes that I remembered my late night visitor. I slowly peeked over my shoulder. He was gone, but had forgotten his fanny pack. That’s right… his fanny pack.

the fanny pack

I reached up and opened all the vents. Within a matter of seconds, a cool breeze had swirled its way through the tent, flushing out all the hot air and humidity. I felt refreshed. Outside, the wind was raging but I wouldn’t have really known it without peeking out the window. The guys were keeping the Hammerhead 2 steadily in place. Also, because the tent uses clips rather than sleeves to attach to the poles, the air is permitted to circulate. This means less resistance, so the tent doesn’t shake.

I sat down in one of the vestibules (comfortably, I might add) and made myself some tea using my Jetboil. I stared out at the whitecaps and thought of how it was a perfect day for sailing.

my favorite activity

I found my way to the lodge where Fletch was already busy in the kitchen. “I made you breakfast”. Strange, I thought. What did I do to deserve this? What did WE do? Do I leave him my number, or do I pitch my tent in a new location? “Just go with it”, I thought to myself.

I can’t remember what we ate that morning, only that all of it tasted like bacon. He came down to the beach with me for his fanny pack. That’s right… his fanny pack. We took down the tent together and I went on my way.

“I’ll call you.”

the hammerhead 2

All in all, it was an eventful weekend. I've known many a hoser in my life and can proudly say that I have a bit of hoser in me too. It's a good thing. But throughout the whole experience, I can honestly say that what stuck with me the most was the Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 2 tent. It's an all-round great shelter and I would recommend it to anybody seeking a two person, three-season tent.

Later.

Everywhere you go, Alpha SL will be your buddy, even at Prague Castle

The Alpha SL by Arcteryx is quite the marvel. I got it expressively for a recent trip to Europe that included some planned hiking in Norway and the Czech Republic. It did not take much time for the jacket to impose itself as a critical element in my travel arsenal. Although I was rather lucky weather-wise, it’s so light and packs in such a compact manner that I always had it in my bag, like a safety net, just in case things got nasty. Where rain or wind showed up, I know I’d be safe in my blue cocoon.

Its versatility is enhanced by a four-way adjustable hood. It protects the head and the face all the while allowing excellent peripheral vision. Like all good jackets of this type, you can wear a helmet underneath the hood, even a bike helmet. Being a year-round cyclist, I really appreciate that, not to mention its minimal weight and compact packing. And even with the limits imposed by those two qualities, the jacket  stays practical, with two respectably sized front pockets with a very respectable size, as well as pit zips.

On a more subjective level, I must admit that I really like its look and its flattering cut. The Miro Blue is brilliant and lively without being brash. Not only that, I’m so happy with it that each time I take it out I hear an imaginary sword being unsheathed *shling*, feeling like a knight getting his favourite weapon ready. So yeah, I like the cut of its jib.

Ok, with comments like that, I need to find a few problems with the jacket. I’ve tried finding some, but there aren’t any real ones. At least none that apply. For example, I could deduct a few points because there aren’t as many pockets as I would like, but that would be practically ridiculous since more pockets translate to heavier and more voluminous. SL rhymes with Super Light, not heavy and cumbersome; Arcteryx does not make an HC line. I guess its biggest drawback is that it doesn’t defy the laws of physics. You could also add that it costs a few coins, but I feel that it still represents a value buy.

In the end, because of  its waterproof breathability, windstoppingness, helmet compatible hood, pit zips, easy packing and light weight, the Alpha SL is a must have for your travels, whether they be intercontinental or quotidian. It is for me.

]]> http://altitude-blog.com/arcteryx-alpha-sl-reviewed/feed/ 0 http://altitude-blog.com/dave%e2%80%99s-mountain-hardwear-tent-review-part-2/ http://altitude-blog.com/dave%e2%80%99s-mountain-hardwear-tent-review-part-2/#comments Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:30:51 +0000 Guests / Invités http://altitude-blog.com/?p=2174 I recently had the opportunity to head out to the Eastern Townships for a few days and I thought I’d take the time to review some products while I was out there. Of the many types of gear I brought with me, it was the tents that left the most lasting impressions. I brought two Mountain Hardwear tents: the Light Wedge 2 and Hammerhead 2. I went about testing them in several ways.

Part 1: The Preliminary Test

Part 2: The Intimacy Test

the hammerhead 2

Let me set the scene. It’s late, I’ve just spent the past few hours with friends staying in nearby cabins deep in the woods, and I’m heading back to my campsite on the beach. I’ve had a few. I stumble towards my Hammerhead 2 bag (of course it wasn’t set up yet, it’s part of the test!). It only took me a few minutes to assemble the tent in the moonlit darkness.

I began stocking one of the vestibules with my remaining gear. This consisted of my trusty Jetboil, a backpack full of clothes and random supplies, my shoes, a case of beer, and the open beers I was double-fisting when I got to the site. There was tons of room for other stuff and I didn’t even need to use the other vestibule. I got into the tent, slipped into my favorite sleeping bag (The North Face Orion), and slowly began to fade away.

common loon

Now it could have been the cool breeze sneaking in through the vents, or the fact that the moon was full that night and the inside of the tent was actually glowing, or it could have been the fact that I was sleeping on the beach sandwiched between the gentle lapping waves of a lake and the amphibious symphony of the swamp, or it could have also been the fact that the loons were calling out to each other all night. It could have been a lot of things, but in any case, I fell in love with the Hammerhead 2.

Jason Voorhees

I was awakened by the slow drag of the tent zipper. Who could it be? A friend? A stranger come to steal my kidneys? A really hot lonely woman that just happened upon my tent? Jason?

“Hey Dave! Move over!” – a hoser
Not the same hoser, another one, let’s call him Fletch.
“Wow, this tent is great inside!”

not that there's anything wrong with that...

I checked my watch and asked him why he was in the tent with me and what he had been doing for the past few hours. He gave me some sort of long winded response that that left me feeling confused and vulnerable. He had no sleeping bag and said my body would keep him warm. I was scared. Flashbacks of Brokeback Mountain and a bumper sticker I once saw that read “Three Beers and I’m Gay” flashed though my mind.

It was at this moment that I was happy about the second entrance/exit and vestibule.

stay tuned for part 3

Part 1: The Preliminary Test

the light wedge 2

I found a field and began setting up. I feel like no one should ever have to use an instruction booklet to set up a tent, and I didn’t (but then again, I’m really really smart). I was actually blown away at how easily and quickly I was able to set them up. Before I even had a chance to realize I was putting up a tent, it was already done.

When I started checking out all the bells and whistles however, it quickly became apparent to me that one of them might not make the grade. I’ll get back to the Hammerhead 2 later, but the Light Wedge 2 needs a small spanking. Problem is, my mommy always told me that if I didn’t have anything good to say, then I shouldn’t say anything at all.

my mother

Ahh screw it, I never listened to her anyways… The tent had most of the same features as the Hammerhead, but they didn’t seem to make much sense. Off hand, I didn’t really trust the fly, it looked like it would stick to the interior at the first drops of rain, the guys felt like they were in the wrong spots, and then when I got in, I wondered how two people could sleep in it without being uncomfortably intimate. It was tight, real tight. Unless you think you’ll be setting up a tent in a crevasse, I would fork out the extra $40 bucks for something more comfortable like the Hammerhead.

hosers

A friend of mine came stumbling out of the woods while I was fiddling with the tents (let’s call him Pouliche). I asked him for his opinion. He got into the Light Wedge, farted, said it was too small, them crawled into to Hammerhead. Once inside, he quickly pointed out how it would be a good tent to fool around in, praised the tent for its great ventilation options and vestibule, and asked me if I wanted to get drunk. I politely declined. Seeing that I was actually doing something productive, he got up and disappeared back into the woods. What a hoser.

That night I slept in the Hammerhead.

Continue to Part 2: The Intimacy Test