what sort of fill power should he consider a minimum?
Does Rab stuff still fall apart at the slightest touch as it did a few years ago?
My thoughts also..What would you recommend?
Or you could spend £200 on the equivalent Arcteryx.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alpinism-warm-mens-jacket-id_8271763.htmlOr you could spend £200 on the equivalent Arcteryx.
I've got a Mountain Hardware vest stylee and a North Face Nuptse with sleeves. Had them both years and they have been great. Vest type things are definitely better for bouldering.
Happy with my Rab Neutrino Plus - box wall, 275g of 800 fill down - anything heavier duty and you're market for greater ranges expedition wear. What I really like is that it has a very long body - no more pesky drafts below the belt line. Got it cheap as it was the old non-hydrophobic down model. The lack of waterproofing doesn't bother me - I don't boulder in the rain and it's always stood up to the odd rainy walk-in to the shelter of the Malham catwalk.I've tried synthetic insulation alternatives (DAS Parkas, RAB primaloft filled jackets etc) but to me they never seem as warm and cosy as down for cold days spent mainly inactive. The insulation also seems to lose potency after a few years. Although, I like the lighter-weight synthetics for active-wear on cold days (I love my Patagonia Nanopuff as a fleece alternative). That said, YMMV - my metabolism does run very cold, so if you have a less feeble constitution a synthetic might be warm enough and more suited to this damp isle.
Isn't your belayers who spend most of the day inactive?
My alpkit one has lasted well but they don't seem to make them anymore