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I have a Alpkit down jacket, that they no longer produce. Not the Fantom, but similar size but with detachable hood and a longer rear, great for keeping your bum warm. What was it called? But my real question is.... who makes a mid weight jacket with a similar long cut? And would you recommend it?
Filo
One of their original products I think.
Yeah, Filo - made before their products went down hill
They sold off a bunch of Filo jackets cheap because they'd been made with the wrong cut. Too long and skinny apparently, I got one and its absolutely perfect!
Every other alpkit jacket I've tried has been like a sail on me.
I've got a large Filo I've worn maybe twice ever. I bought it ages ago for a Basecamp trip that never came off and now for various reasons it likely never will.
Open to offers!
(not silly ones though, it's doing no harm "on standby" in my cupboard!!)
Re Jacket to replace it - - I don't have any down kit, being on the West Coast I think it rains too much for down to be effective on a reliable basis but YMMV - Montane Prism all the way...
Have a look at the Mountain Equipment Superflux - long cut, loose (synthetic) fill that compares well to cheaper down jackets like the Filo and has certain advantages. Some very good pricing on these jackets, much cheaper than RRP. More 'down-like' than Primaloft jackets like the Prism (or the Nanopuff I own), pros and cons.
I've never come across a jacket with the same exaggerated ducktail design of the Filo - they should have called it the Alpkit Platypus - before or since. I think Patagonia does a kids' down sweater that's 'droptail', but it's far less extreme and, I'm guessing, you're an adult anyway. Your best bet, if you really like the whole platypus vibe, would probably be to set up a saved search on eBay and get a lightly used one on there. Fwiw, I like the cut of ME's insulated stuff, it tends to be quite fitted compared to a lot of brands.
If you're minted, PH Designs could probably make you whatever you want - they manufacture in Stalybridge - and it will use amazing down, but it won't be cheap.
Arh! Yes the Filo! I think I got it in the sale for £89, that’s when their stuff was worth it.
Mine is still going strong, best £89 I've ever spent.
Yep, original Filo owner here and still being used every winter. Think I must have been ripped off as paid £99 😂
I have the Filo, it was my first purchase from Alpkit. Its lasted really well and still very warm, a bit tatty and grubby but I use it for wild camping etc.
The quality of most of the kit I have purchased in the last couple of years has been pretty poor.
I have 2. One of the original ones I think when Alpkit was very new and another one that we call the "new" one which is about 11 years old... Later one much softer material and nicer to wear. Original one just as warm but stiffer outer material and cuffs stating to perish. We use them a lot in the van for sitting, going to the loo in the night and generally hanging around. Too warm for activities but a great buy and wouldn't be without them.
Just to resurrect this thread, can anyone recommend a "over the bum" length down jacket. Doesn't have to be waterproof, but sub £300 and down please.
Don't do the STW way of recommending me a log burning, Skoda Octavia Est with winter tyres!
Mountain Equipment Lightline
can anyone recommend a “over the bum” length down jacket
I've still got the Filo I half-heartedly tried to sell up the page - although as pointed out above, the over the bum bit is literally only over the bum, it's something of a quirky cut!