Thermals/Jackets - Macpac Vs Kathmandu Vs North Face Vs Other

confusedhuh on 17/06/2015 - 11:57

Hi All, Planning a trip later this year wanted to get some good winter stuff - the common marketed brands I have heard are MacPac, Kathmandu and North Face. What are peoples recommendations and experiences ? not just buying but also in terms of warranty?

what I have heard till now :

North Face - Personally I have heard a lot about North Face, if you go to europe or UK it seems everyone has one, buy I think they are overpriced here.

Kathmandu - the stuff I bought an year back in sale is still good but people seem to hate it whenever I talk about Kathmandu - they say its bad quality in general.

MacPac - its an ok product for the masses, but not for people who know what they are paying for!!

Also, any hidden gems i.e. local stores that are amazing ?

General Discussion

Comments

  • hashtagbargain on 17/06/2015 - 12:05

    Kathmandu is bad quality?? You lost me there.

  • mad__llama on 17/06/2015 - 12:17

    I'd have a look at Mountain Designs too, sometimes they're better bang for your buck than some of the other chains. In my (limited) experience some of their gear seems to be a little more rugged/hard-wearing too…

    If you want some really serious gear then you're unlikely to find it at any of the chain stores.

  • tight-a55 on 17/06/2015 - 12:48

    I'm Also confused by the kathmandu bad quality comment? But i have only bought there jackets/jumpers and base layer items, so maybe it is the socks or trousers that have issues?? anyway… perfect timing as Kathmandu stores went on sale yesterday (well Cronulla did), some good clearance items in store. I think its only an in store thing though as no mention of the sale on the website.
    i cant comment on their comparison to the other brands you have mentioned as i have never bought them. But i wore kathmandu jackets in Europe over Christmas (coldest was -19c) and was fine with just a kathmandu base layer, normal t-shirt, normal jumper and a kathmandu jacket.

  • BargainCowboy on 17/06/2015 - 13:41
    +1

    I agree with Kathmandu being bad quality. It's usually overpriced B grade products. All year round they have a "sale" which reflects only 130% of the actual price of the product, in contrast to the usual 400% they charge. They now have a winter sale for "members" (which is everyone after they gave away free memberships) so maybe you can get some reasonably priced thermals. Under 20$ is probably correct.

    North Face is very good but to be bought only in the US. In Australia the prices are ridiculous. Try to get a jacket from Amazon, the prices there are reasonable

    Macpac - had no experience with winter clothing, just with a Macpac tent and a bag. Both were mediocre.

    Besides the question, from my (army) experience, nothing beats Gregory when it comes to packs. Made to perfection, literally. The only problem is the lack of availability in Australia. Even in the US it's considered to be costly though.

  • Islund on 17/06/2015 - 13:58
    +1

    the Aldi stuff is very good for the money.

  • arislan on 18/06/2015 - 14:06
    +2

    Kathmandu's quality is ok, only if you buy it at the extra discounted sale price. If you buy it at their RRP, then the quality you get is a ripoff for the price you pay (again at the RRP).

    The North Face is actually of better quality, but unfortunately marked up quite high in Oz (as with most imported outdoor brands).

    I personally go for Marmot or Patagonia (potentially even TNF) from oversea online shops (rei, campsaver, etc.) during the annual sales event as a preference. Kathmandu only during their extra final reductions and if I can't wait and the gear fits my liking.

    • tonester on 18/06/2015 - 16:30

      I personally go for Marmot or Patagonia

      +1 also outdoor research, arc'teryx

      http://www.outdoorgearlab.com might help

      locally, one planet are still made in australia, including their classic cat+dog rain jacket, as are wilderness wear, whilst earth sea sky are nz-made

      besides macpac, perhaps also consider mountain designs, mont, snowgum

      avoid kathmandu/tnf - too cheap/expensive

      oversea online shops (rei, campsaver, etc.)

      also sierra trading post, campmor, backcountry

      rei and llbean own label house brands are good

  • tonester on 18/06/2015 - 16:32
    +2

    confusedhuh

    Member Since
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    a comment would be nice :)

  • 2ndeffort on 25/06/2015 - 15:40
    +2

    Where are you going on holiday? I go skiing overseas every year. Some of the clearout stock of winter stuff from the big US shops has great bargains. I once went skiing in America and because the cost of shipping to Australia was so expensive, i bought some great name-brand cold weather gear (Patagonia, Spyder, North Face) over the net and had it delivered to the first US hotel i was staying at. My mates said i was crazy but it was waiting for me when i arrived in the US, porter brought the boxes up to my room! i have done this now heaps of times, free US shipping to my ski lodge, hotel or even Vegas Casino a couple of times. 2 years ago i bought a load of cycling clothes, shoes and sunglasses and picked them up when i checked into MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

    If you are tempted there are often 40% off codes on retailmenot for sierra trading post. Use a 40% off code there and you'l get some premium gear for less than the cheapo Kathmandu stuff locally. FWIW I have owned most of the brands, I have a Macpac down jacket that I bought in one of their regular $90 sales, it is OK, used it all over including Canada, Colorado etc. I don't rate most of the Kathmandu stuff although i've never owned their top end stuff because i can get better brands for 1/2 of what they charge. I have a couple of Goretex ski jackets from good brands like Marmot that i bought for <$100 AUD, similar Kathmandu stuff seems to be massively marked down at only $400. Some of the Nth Face stuff is great, other stuff is just lifestyle clothes masquerading as technical apparel. i used to have one of their ski jackets that was great!

    If you want to be warm have a look at Icebreaker Merino baselayers, they are cheaper from the US normally than locally (even though they are NZ sourced). And i like Patagonia mid and outer layer stuff, very expensive here in oz but on the net from the US much cheaper. I have some Nth Face stuff that is good, some Mountain Hardware stuff and some Cloudveil stuff as well, all good. I don't rate most Columbia stuff but I have a couple of bits. I have some high end skiing stuff from Kjus that is awesome but i am too scared to see what it would cost here in Oz.

    If you are going to Orlando in the US there is a big Nth Face outlet there.

    And if you find a good deal on Arc Teryx, buy it then post up the bargain so i can buy it! Had one of their softshells years ago…awesome! wore it out!

    • goosmurf on 25/06/2015 - 16:36
      +1

      +1 for Icebreaker thermals.

      You can wear them for literally 2 weeks without stink. Even the socks can go for days without stinking.

      Only problem is they're quite pricey (still worth it in my mind but who doesn't want a lower price ;).

      Where do you usually get your Icebreaker gear from?

    • confusedhuh on 01/07/2015 - 17:27

      Thx for the tips buddy, planning to go to London and France this winter - both places will be really cold. Lets see what I can get on a good deal.

  • DarkOz on 29/06/2015 - 20:19

    The North Face is over priced in Australia. I read that everyone wear them in Europe and they are much cheaper in the States.

    Kathmandu is reported to be a mixed bag. Some good and some bad quality stuff. Typical you get what you pay for.

  • arislan on 30/06/2015 - 12:39
    +1

    Btw when you say thermal jacket, which type do you mean? The 3 layered ones or just a down fill puffer? For down fill puffer and if you're weight conscious, I'd recommend the uniqlo ultra light down for $99. At this price it is the best ultra light down puffer - there are better ones, just not at this price range. I just bought one myself. Layer with a good wool jumper and an external soft shell and you're good to take on a typical snowy winter.

    And you can actually try it on at the uniqlo retail outlet!

    • confusedhuh on 01/07/2015 - 17:27

      Thx, have got a Uniqlo store nearby, will try them out

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