Hello everyone, I have a Columbia coat with their Omni heat reflective lining. I would like to look into other companies that have a similar technology. However I think Columbia has a strangle hold on search algorithms, when I search for coats with a reflective lining, I get very little in the way of options.

I figure this would be a good place to get assistance. So, do you all know of other coat manufacturers that have reflective linings?

I'm not interested in base layers, or wear this wool with this whatever.

I just want to find a coat that isn't Columbia, that has reflective liner. :^)

I’ve noticed there are a lot of new without tags gear listings on eBay from accounts out of Ukraine, Romania, and China. These accounts tend to have good ratings and reviews. The gear is usually 50% off msrp or higher. Wondering if anybody has experience with these types of sellers, especially for Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, and Patagonia. The product seems relatively legit from photos but you never know. Any info would be great.

I'm just wondering if there are outdoor-gear nerds here that can recommend me a good jacket for my use case. I like good stuff that lasts (and am willing to pay for it).

Anyway, I'm a surfer who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's not super cold here; I survive most of the winter in thick cotton hoodies and just try to stay out of the rain. My system, however, doesn't really work early winter mornings at the beach where it's often windy, drizzly, and in the 40s temperature-wise. I get cold, especially so in the more northern areas like near Marin, etc.

I'm looking for a nice, techy/puffy jacket that'll keep me warm in these early-morning, winter beach conditions. I don't really like to layer a bunch of stuff. Something I can just throw on over a t-shirt--or at most a flannel on the coldest days--would be ideal. For reference: I own a Patagonia "Nano Puff" hoody, and that doesn't cut it. Still too cold, so whatever I get has to be warmer than that.

Thanks for your help.

EDIT: I'm not partial to Patagonia. I find my Nano Puff isn't that durable (I have cuts in the outer layer just from normal use) and I seem to be in between sizes (Medium and large). Medium fits kinda tight; Large is a little big. I tried on a Mountain Hardware Medium, and that fit fine though.

Gang, here’s the story. I’m a pilot. I fly all over. Last week I flew from 55 degrees to a very wet blizzard. I had my very aged nano puff and a very light uniform sweater. I was dying getting the aircraft packed up and in the hangar. Only to walk out and do it again a Few hours later. That nano puff has done well for me. But it’s not enough and it is very aged for my normal day job as a “professional” pilot. For my gigs it’s fine. Think stripes on my shoulders, tie, dress shoes etc..

Here’s what I want/need. -Good Mid-layer. Not so thick that I can’t layer. Good in static, breathable when not. Sometimes I’m in small cockpits. So thick/puffer can be very cramped/get caught on things. Even my nano air is so widely cut. It looks a little frumpy. I may need to size down.

-Relatively professional looking. Ability to look semi-professional over a tie but can bring with me for the various outdoor activities and anything casual. I will wear it all the time. Black or ideally a dark blue. Dark green may work.

-very packable. Even in the summer I bring a light jacket on flight.

-At least wind resistant

-I would love a removable hood. But this does not have to be the case. At least one zip pocket. Which all seem to have.

Considerations: I like Kuhl aesthetics and the tapered fit, though I know they are not the warmest for this. The Kuhl Aktivator looks great to me. But for the price I can do better as far as performance I think. Patagonia Nano air. But I’d still prefer cheaper. But I can buy used.

Thank you!

Gear advice needed. I’ve got a trip to Austria, heading to a ski town. I will not be skiing - but maybe some light hikes. Temperature range -2 °C to -7 °C. I have a Patagonia down sweater and a torrent shell. I’ve worn this with a base layer and fleece in -2 °C and felt cold. Question: what’s a good outer jacket to add warmth but can still utilise my Patagonia down sweater? Feel like something like a Northface McMurdo Parka might be overkill.

Hi,

I live in Rochester, NY, and we get pretty serious winters in terms of both coldness and, most noticeably, winds. I love hiking and taking long walks and I’m trying to see what kind of jacket might work best for that cause. I have good base and mid layers (systhetic+Northface summit Casaval hybrid hoodie) but am not sure what kind of out layer would work best on top of this. Softshells seem enticing but there is so many of them and relatively few which have pit zips, which, at least on the face of it, seem very useful since I tend to work up quite a bit of heat after a while. Any suggestions from those with experience with similar conditions? Thanks!

I am about looking for a lightweight softshell Jacket for the Spring.

I found on the Macy’s, The Columbia Softshell Jacket trend to be more good reviews than the Calvin Klein brand.

Anyone knows which brand is better and more popular ?

Hey y’all. I’m thinking about biting the bullet on a few diferent hobbies in the next few years (boating, surfing, skiing) and I want to get a roof rack that can carry the requisite items (skis, kayak/ canoe, surf board).

Hello everyone,

does anyone know if there is a existing one man tent that could also be used as a hammock?

Thanks in advance

Are my hiking boots suitable for climbing Kilimanjaro?

I have the Storm Womens IsoGrip Waterproof Hiking Boots from Mountain Warehouse. I am hiking Kilimanjaro via the Machame route in August. Are these ok? I've worn them a couple times before for short treks and hikes and they seem ok but this is much more extreme than an average hike in the UK.

Please also do let me know if you have any gear you would recommend for Kili.

https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/storm-extreme-womens-waterproof-boots-p43923.aspx/grey/

I'm looking for a pair of pants that are comfortable enough to lounge in, but also have some weather resistance so I can go for a quick dog walk without getting blasted by wind. I don't need 3L gore tex - just something with a soft shell that sheds water and dirt, and holds up a bit to wind. Can you help Goldilocks out on this one? Patagonia R2 tech face seems like a viable option...

what is a gear item that you have a hard time finding the right rec for?

Hi, having real issues here finding hiking trousers for my small waist. I am probably classed as xxs or 4.All the top name brands are huge on me, even the size 6. Fjallraven used to make a size 32 (4) but have now dropped it from their range. So infuriating when you can't get what you need to hike. Anyone in a similar position? Any suggestions? I am in the UK

Hey everyone! Any help is appreciated. My wife had a mountain hardware stretch down hoody. Lasted about 5 years and then the material began to separate and the baffles collapsed. She really liked it. It was very warm for its weight and thickness. But she has a long torso. So I researched a bunch of other coats in the same style. I came across the PAKA Apu parka and saw some great reviews. Love the construction and design and the potential for a down alternative, but it's just not that warm. Has anyone had any experience with PAKA?Where do I go next? Feathered friends? RAB? Any suggestions would be appreciated?

Floridian new to a pretty snowy area, looking for a snow shoe/boot and I really like these. Would they work? Open to suggestions or general advice on snow gear shopping. Thanks!

Would love something that works for hiking as well, and is somewhat fashionable/comfy. That's just a preference though.

Jacket

Looking to replace my discontinued OR REFUGE (not refuge air) synthetic down hoody. I’m open to tracking down another one but wanted to see what else is out there. Some non-negotiables I’m looking for in a similar jacket would be: Hood, Zip hand pockets, Zip chest pocket, No external baffling (I just don’t like the look), Synthetic Insulation.

The Refuge has 60g/m2 Vertical X insulation and I have found it to be very adequate in cold weather. I do frequent field work in cold temperatures and this thing is just perfect for my activity level, though a touch warmer would probably be fine. My wearing environment for the refuge ranges about 10F to 35F, though I often throw it on in warmer temps for a quick store run etc.. At the lower range I’m usually going to pair it with additional layers. Weight or packability is not really a huge consideration (Refuge specs state 1 lb 4.1 oz). One of the things I really appreciate about the Refuge is just how cozy it is. It has that sleeping bag-like feel, but retains a sleekness without the external baffling.

For durability the Refuge has 20x30 Denier which has worked fine. Waterproofness isn’t a huge issue, the synthetic down works well enough. When needed I throw on a durable wind shell w/ gortex and pit zips and will continue to use that as an outer layer. Over 4-5 years I’ve only earned a couple small tears (thanks barbed wire) which patched up fine with gear tape.

I don’t need to go super premium brand on this. I think new, this jacket was $220. I don’t mind getting a previous year model either.

I can often wear the Refuge with just a tee for around town, and then add warmer base layers for a longer exposure.

Mid layers can be a huge rabbit hole and I’m hoping to get some input from though who love a similar jacket. From reading other reviews it sounds like the Atom LT is similar but maybe not warm enough. My other main jacket is the BD First Light Hybrid hoody, which I love, but isn’t my first pick when the temps drop.

This winter I'm looking for a new jacket after losing weight and needing something warmer. I'v finding so many jackets no longer have velcro wrist cuffs that you can adjust. It's so uncomfortable especially if you don't perfectly fit in the jacket but need a size up because of broad shoulders.

Everything they can do to save a buck and we don't even have wrist straps on $500 jackets anymore. Very sad.

Just received an email that "Order CO-CAN-XXX was canceled at your request and your payment has been refunded.

It was actually not at my request so I tried calling their 888 number. Was on a loop for 27 minutes then disconnected. I think I actually dodged a bullet because it was a big ticket item and if anything were to go wrong it's clear that there is no hope of fixing it.

Thought this might be of interest to a few people here... it's an interview I did with the people behind Mountain Style, a seriously hefty book documenting the history of British outdoor gear throughout the 20th century, from wool and Ventile to lightweight nylon and beyond...
https://www.nativve.com/people/an-interview-with-max-leonard-and-henry-iddon-the-creators-of-the-mountain-style-book/

Ordered a beacon on December 17th have not heard anything since. I have contacted their Instagram, email, and phone, with one lousy email being extremely vague. Maybe they’re legit, and just don’t care but extremely shady from my POV, $260 eaten for a trip starting less than 2 weeks away now. Thanks Miyar Adventures!

Hey, let me start out with a confession, i LOVE being outdoors, but i sleep absolutely horrible on darn near everything. 210 lb 180 cm and a not very forgiving back and neck.

I have tried almost every pad, the last investment was teh Exped MegaMat Lite 12 LW, which was quite expensive. Even on that bad boy i can not find good rest. Soo i look for every improvement and gear development and now i did see the Thermarest Neoloft….

The skeptic in me thinks this cant be any different than the exped, they are basically the same in specs and philosophy. The naive version of me WANT to believe that Thermarest truly created something special, i suck up all the marketing hype and want to pull the trigger.. BUT its shit expensive as well.

So what i really want is to hear from persons with high comfort demands who have tried both and can give me some impressions of the neoloft compared to the exped.

And i know i know, its propably the same and there is no such thing as a magical sleeping pad, but i do hope so :0)

What's the best budget-friendly hiking gear for beginners looking to get started without breaking the bank?

I’m not exactly a “noob” to hiking and I have a good day pack and well enough hiking boots but there are so many brands and miscellaneous, essential items my brain can’t think of. Help a guy out!

I've recently been in the market for new winter mittens/gloves and was looking into my options, when a type of mitten always stood out to me, the three finger mitten where your index finger is free like your thumb and the three others are in a regular mitten. I've always thought they'd be kinds usefully but id be lying if I didn't say I also just found them cool.

This desire for a three finger glove returned when I saw Luke from the outdoor boys use the "Army Leather Heli Ski 3-finger", seeing how they aren't a sponsored product they must be pretty good if he keeps using them so they are what I'm currently looking at.

So, are they as useful as I think they are, and are the "Army Leather Heli Ski 3-finger" a good choice, id be using them for skiing and general outdoor stuff so id like to keep the the powder cuff, and id be using them in Canadian winter so like max -30c ish. (edit for clarity the minimum temp would be -30 but the usual temp would be like -20 to -10)

Thanks for the help guys

Is their regular quilt compatible with a wide (25’’) mat or will it be stretched over too far a distance and I’d have to get a large quilt?

Sherpa Adventure Gear Dumji full zip review

65%merino/30%nylon/5%alpaca

The textiles used for this garment are perhaps the worst modern merino-based fabrics I have come across making this one of the worst quality garments in recent memory. The recycled nylon content is advertised as an eco-friendly addition but in reality it is a short fiber waste product that is hap-hazardly slapped into the mix to seemingly bulk it up. With it not being properly woven in, these fibers shed significantly and are obvious by their sharp, single-fiber, 4cm long, and non-fuzzy appearance. Modern manufacturers often utilize nylon to increase durability, with the best quality ones winding the wool layer around a nylon core to provide the best of both worlds. This fabric looks like waste nylon strands are just tossed in the shredder to mix with the already-wound natural fibers.

The wool itself is also incredibly itchy compared to others. I have never had issues with modern wool base layers pressed directly against my skin. This garment some how manages to be itchy even when wearing a thick long sleeve cotton layer beneath it. Truly incredible.

Fibers are not pre-shrunk, nor pre washed at all making it extremely difficult to wash if used regularly.

Overall this is a style-garmet (or dare I even say fast-fashion garment masquerading as an outdoor product) and is not suitable for regular outdoors use. The pricing is that of a mid range quality garment yet the fabric quality is extremely low.

I will not purchase anything from this manufacturer for the foreseeable future and would recommend the same unless you appreciate the design and looks more than function or fabric quality. I feel bad for the animals that were harassed for their fibers only to have them end up in this garment. I appreciate the idea of using recycled fibers, but in this case it just Wastes new material and let's loads of fibers loose so you can deposit microplastics everywhere you go.

Happy trails

I want to buy a used kelty tioga SE. I was not able to find any information online about what makes it special edition, probably because they don’t make them anymore. Does anybody have anymore information on it? From pictures of it, it appears that the main difference from the other regular tiogas is it has a solid pad in the back. Any other differences? Is it still adjustable to my torso? What about cubic inches?

I’m thinking about getting the Kelty Coyote 60-105L for some long hikes and would love feedback from anyone who’s used it, especially with 25kg (55lbs). I’m mainly concerned about durability and its ability to handle heavy loads over multiple days. How well does it hold up under heavy weight? For multi-day hikes with 25kg, did you have any issues with straps, zippers, or seams? How does the build quality compare to other similar backpacks? Would you recommend it for long hikes or backpacking with heavy gear? Looking forward to your experiences! Thanks in advance! 🙏

hello! this is my first ever reddit post so apologies if im doing this thing wrong…

i love hiking & camping, and have rediscovered this passion with my boyfriend of two years. i have finally invested in a sleeping bag for myself, having begged/borrowed/made do for the past couple years, and have bought the mountain equipment glacier 600 womens. i am super happy with my purchase, although i’ve yet to be able to get out camping just yet. my choice was based on the following:

• i was looking for a women’s long (which seems to be a rarity)
• i was looking for at least a -6C rating
• i was looking for down

other than the women’s long requirement, this seems to be the same sort of thing my boyfriend is looking for. he currently has a much lover hand me down patagonia sleeping bag, but has often mentioned double sleeping bags/how cool it would be to be able to zip our sleeping bags together. he has a big birthday coming up and i would love to get him a sleeping bag we could do this with/find him something that he would appreciate! he is a very experienced camper/hiker/canoeist.

tldr: i am looking to find a sleeping bag for myself boyfriend as a gift. ideally, it would be something that can zip to my women’s long mountain equipment left-zip. what i would be broadly looking for is:

• approx -5C - -9C range
• down
• right zip
• fits a 6’1 fairly broad guy
• suitably light for backpacking

thank you in advance for any advice/help! we are UK based atm and a lot of the brands/sites ive heard discussed have been US/NA only so id love some advice from more experienced outdoor purchasers. thanks all!!