Thanks for the replies. Sorry to hijack the thread.
I'll be getting the extreme.
ATB
I'll be getting the extreme.
ATB
Hi Guys,
Just a few more thoughts. Fortis's waterproof Triflex material is great - I have the Marine Jacket and Marine Liner. The Triflex is a far nicer feel than my equivalent 3 layer Goretex, and roughly half the price. I don't yet have the Tundra salopettes but will likely get those - suprised to hear of waterproofing issues but the Tundra fabric is a 2 layer Triflex rather than the 3 layer on the Marine jacket. Haven't heard of any waterproofing issues with the Tundra jacket though, which is the same 2 layer fabric as the outer?
The issue I have with both the Snugpack and Fortis products (excluding the Fortis Marine Jacket and Liner) are the necks and hoods. To me an insulating or combi insulating/waterproof in the case of the Tundra jacket should have a high neck, capable of comfortably zipping up to the chin and a hood that fully covers the head and face when cinched down from 2 points of adjustment (3 is generally overkill). None of these products currently do that. My other outdoor insulating layers, Montane, Rab and even Buffalo (Buffalo hoods could do with a wire peak and a bit more space) do that job better. On a really cold day (yes we still get a few!) I like the option of being able to cinch everything down and stand or sit out in it, rather than being tucked away in a zipped up bivvy!
I do like the idea of a burly winter all in one coat like the Tundra but I've yet to find one from any manufacturer, at any price point (even ridiculous ones) that hits the mark. I agree with the earlier comments that while 20k+ hydrostatic head may seem overkill, it's helpful to have and water saturation takes longer/beading seems better, thus quicker to dry. I've tried the Rab Valiance on before and it didn't seem that warm, certainly not vs the Tundra and also I'm not that keen on using down in damp UK conditions even with a waterproof outer, imo synthetics are better.
Montane have finally started using Primaloft Gold (Gold Active plus) so a couple of warm insulating layers worth a look are the Fortes XT and also the Rab Xenair Alpine. Arcteryx last season made the excellent but more pricy and bulky Nuclei SV Parka (Coreloft rather than Primaloft) but you'd struggle I think to get a waterproof layer over it (excepting expedition spec Goretex) whereas you'd get a regular sized waterproof over the former 2.
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt and Trousers I've had since the early 90's. They serve a specific purpose ie: next to skin or with thin base layer and are best for active use. I still throw on the shirt in autumn but it's really not warm on it's own and I far prefer a wool base layer and a synthetic or light fleece and synthetic insulating layer(s)
Just a few more thoughts. Fortis's waterproof Triflex material is great - I have the Marine Jacket and Marine Liner. The Triflex is a far nicer feel than my equivalent 3 layer Goretex, and roughly half the price. I don't yet have the Tundra salopettes but will likely get those - suprised to hear of waterproofing issues but the Tundra fabric is a 2 layer Triflex rather than the 3 layer on the Marine jacket. Haven't heard of any waterproofing issues with the Tundra jacket though, which is the same 2 layer fabric as the outer?
The issue I have with both the Snugpack and Fortis products (excluding the Fortis Marine Jacket and Liner) are the necks and hoods. To me an insulating or combi insulating/waterproof in the case of the Tundra jacket should have a high neck, capable of comfortably zipping up to the chin and a hood that fully covers the head and face when cinched down from 2 points of adjustment (3 is generally overkill). None of these products currently do that. My other outdoor insulating layers, Montane, Rab and even Buffalo (Buffalo hoods could do with a wire peak and a bit more space) do that job better. On a really cold day (yes we still get a few!) I like the option of being able to cinch everything down and stand or sit out in it, rather than being tucked away in a zipped up bivvy!
I do like the idea of a burly winter all in one coat like the Tundra but I've yet to find one from any manufacturer, at any price point (even ridiculous ones) that hits the mark. I agree with the earlier comments that while 20k+ hydrostatic head may seem overkill, it's helpful to have and water saturation takes longer/beading seems better, thus quicker to dry. I've tried the Rab Valiance on before and it didn't seem that warm, certainly not vs the Tundra and also I'm not that keen on using down in damp UK conditions even with a waterproof outer, imo synthetics are better.
Montane have finally started using Primaloft Gold (Gold Active plus) so a couple of warm insulating layers worth a look are the Fortes XT and also the Rab Xenair Alpine. Arcteryx last season made the excellent but more pricy and bulky Nuclei SV Parka (Coreloft rather than Primaloft) but you'd struggle I think to get a waterproof layer over it (excepting expedition spec Goretex) whereas you'd get a regular sized waterproof over the former 2.
Buffalo Special 6 Shirt and Trousers I've had since the early 90's. They serve a specific purpose ie: next to skin or with thin base layer and are best for active use. I still throw on the shirt in autumn but it's really not warm on it's own and I far prefer a wool base layer and a synthetic or light fleece and synthetic insulating layer(s)