Tue 16 Oct 2007
So this is the first of a few gear reviews I have planned, and it was inspired by a recent purchase of mine: a custom made down jacket.
I needed a new winter coat in a rush, after having inadvertently forgotten my primaloft jacket in a cave in Crowsnest Pass. I was doing the Skyline Trail in snowshoes in two weeks, so a warm layer was going to be essential. I took the obligatory trip to MEC, and browsed their down jackets. The cheapest was too heavy (only 500 fill), however the medium priced one was nice ($230), 700 fill and 585 grams. But the fit of it was pretty baggy for me round the waist (if I got one big enough in the shoulders), and it lacked a drawcord for me to stop any draft from going right up my torso, and the neck was similarly loose. The most expensive one, $310, was a very nice jacket. All the features you could need, great fit, but it was nearly 900 grams and a little expensive for me. I wanted something a little more lightweight.
So I took a trip down Whyte Ave, to a place a friend of mine had once mentioned: Kluane Mountaineering. I stopped in on my way to work, and stayed for nearly 45mins….it’s a fantastic place! They specialise in handmade down products: sleeping bags, jackets, parkas, vests and booties. And it can all be customized. I was hooked immediately and made a choice on the spot.
The jacket I got was 800 fill (they do nothing less), in awesome lightweight DWR (durable water repellency) nylon , with hydroflex for the shoulders (to add some water-resistance there). The material was my choice, I could have got any mix of cotton, two weights of nylon and the hydroflex. I also opted for an extra thick, high collar, a flap cover for the zip, and a narrower fit in the waist. The pockets are also original, and awesomely warm. Perfect.
And the best thing of all? You can pick your colours and they have a huge selection! You can mix and match, and choose the inside colour. Haha. Obviously the most important thing to consider. And it all weighed in at just 550 grams.
I used this jacket for 3 days on the Skyline so far (and sleeping outside for the MEC gear swap, haha) in temperatures down to -10C. And it is COSY. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Not only that, but it was ready in just 1 week (she made a special effort cos I was going on a trip) and it was only $260 (including all the customizations I asked for).
So go check it out. And I promise I got no discount for writing this article, it’s an honest review. Although she did knock $2 off my price because I didn’t have the exact cash……does that count? lol.
In case you didn’t figure, the jacket is the bright blue/turquoise one featured in the photos. It’s so sexy!
