[Closed] Which waterproof? Alpkit Balance or something else

I know it's over budget but I got the [url= https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/902781 ]Marmot Alpinest[/url] for £240 from sports pursuit. I suppose thats closer to the alpkit definition though, I was going to buy one of them before I saw the Marmot.

Absolutely brilliant bit of kit.

That does look a good coat but I was probably thinking about less rather than more and agree it looks a bit heftier which I reckon I can get away without.

I have a Rab Firewall and really highly rate it. If you're lucky you can find it on offer, but otherwise it's generally £220
It's pretty light, breathable with proper pit-zips too

I've got a [url= https://rab.equipment/uk/kinetic-plus-jacket ]Rab Kinetic Plus Jacket[/url], worth a look as it's also every light but also stretchy and comfortable...

Firewall looks good but as you say more spendy, if there was a cheaper option I might be keener. I'm sure the Kinetic would be great but I'm looking for something without a warmth element.

Whilst we are at it any waterproof trouser recommendations? I have generally bad experiences of them and tend not to wear them a lot so looking for something packable and not too spendy.

Whilst we are at it any waterproof trouser recommendations?

Better = Berghaus Paclite are light, breathable and cut well. Also about £60-70 in sale. They are not strong however - liable to nicks easily. But tiny and light.

I'm sure the Kinetic would be great but I'm looking for something without a warmth element.

It's not warm, just a stretchy waterproof fabric.

Better = Berghaus Paclite are light, breathable and cut well. Also about £60-70 in sale. They are not strong however - liable to nicks easily. But tiny and light.

I have these, great trousers. Very comfortable, breathable and pack down really really small.

Had the deluge before and just sold them on ebay, their okay but a bit basic and I found the fit horrible.

Give Joe Brown's in Llanberis or Cotswold Rock Bottom a ring.

They usually have something in last year's colours with a big chunk off the price.
Got the last one less than half price.

[quote=keppoch ]
It fits the bill but at £175 I wonder if there are any other alternatives I should be looking at.

i'd pick last season discounted high end brand over full priced (a bit overpriced to be fair) budget brand.

I picked up a arcteryx alpha fl from sportpursuit for less than that last year. goretex pro, 350g, packs down tiny.

i got a Rab Latok Alpine a few years back from Go Outdoors. They have the latest version of the Latok jacket for £150, event fabric not goretex but works just as well. and i've also used it on the bike and walking to work 😀

Go Outdoors was a good shout. Applied a few filters and then a bit of a suitability test to shortlist these:

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/montane-mens-atomic-jacket-p406985 - £112
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/rab-mens-fuse-ii-jacket-p410115 - £117
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/rab-mens-firewall-jacket-p371188 - £198
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/mammut-mens-kento-hs-hooded-jacket-p409370 - £157
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/mammut-mens-convey-jacket-p399385 - £150
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/mammut-mens-dammastock-hs-hooded-jacket-p409088 - £135
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/rab-mens-latok-jacket-p429670 - £150

Some good prices there, seems like some warrant consideration because at the Alpkit is not really that cheap; that said I always try to look beyond the pricetag at GoOutdoors to think if it is really what I want. Eg. Latok looks great value but am I technical climbing or mainly just wandering around? That said I am likely to use this on some high mountains in the near future.

Thanks for trouser recommendations, will check those out.

Instantly the thread is covered in Go Outdoors adverts 🙂

You could go cheaper - I have a Forclaz from Decathlon ( https://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-400-mens-waterproof-jacket-black-id_8302503.html), which I’m happy with. And £60 means you can buy almost 3 within you budget, or spend the other £115 on something else. It’s heavier than the Alpkit one, but . . .

You could go cheaper - I have a Forclaz from Decathlon ( https://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-400-mens-waterproof-jacket-black-id_8302503.html), which I’m happy with. And £60 means you can buy almost 3 within you budget, or spend the other £115 on something else. It’s heavier than the Alpkit one, but . . .

I have the Forclaz 400 - it's remarkable for the money (or even ignoring the money) - it's maintained its DWR beading properties for two years without reproofing. Just used it on scrambling trip to the lakes with the obligatory sideways rain and once again it's been awesome. It also has longish arms (great for climbing) and massive pit zips. It's really all the jacket I need - and it's not like i'm afraid to spunk money on jackets - my previous jacket was a 350 quid Mountain equipment proshell...

Keela Saxon, available for about £70.

You could go cheaper - I have a Forclaz from Decathlon ( https://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-400-mens-waterproof-jacket-black-id_8302503.html), which I’m happy with. And £60 means you can buy almost 3 within you budget, or spend the other £115 on something else. It’s heavier than the Alpkit one, but . . .

I think I might pic one up later this week.

How would it work out as a biking jacket?

Whilst we are at it any waterproof trouser recommendations? I have generally bad experiences of them and tend not to wear them a lot so looking for something packable and not too spendy.

I guess it depends on how 'packable' you want them to be, but I've had good experiences with Mountain Equipment's own-brand Drilte fabric overtrousers. Same neat cut as their Gore-Tex stuff, but cheaper and still very effective.

The Balance is a nice, medium-weight sort of all-rounder, but it wouldn't be my first choice for full-on mountain stuff to be honest. Depends on what exactly you're intending to do with it. I'd also suggest you try for fit before buying, there's a huge variety of cuts out there from near skin tight up to voluminous enough to accommodate several people at once...

How would it work out as a biking jacket?

It might be a bit sweaty if it's not cold out. That being said I've never found a biking jacket that isn't - the thickness of the material is about the same as goretex proshell (i.e. as thick as a 3 layer).

guess it depends on how 'packable' you want them to be, but I've had good experiences with Mountain Equipment's own-brand Drilte fabric overtrousers.

I have a pair, been my main water proof trousers for 10 years now. Lasted much longer than I expected.

Marmot Minimalist is £135 at SportPursuit.

Id avoid the MOntane atomic, I returned mine cause it wasn't waterproof

double post

The Balance is a nice, ... I'd also suggest you try for fit before buying,

I've been tempted by a Balance but a bit reluctant to buy by mail due to the factor you mention. Is it for a skinny whippet, or a well-fed bloater? (i.e. do I need an XL ??)

Akpkit do free returns so buy a couple of sizes. I have a gravitas, it's quite slim fitting around the hips but I guess it's meant to be. The rest of it, in size small, is pretty standard.

Sanny did a review on a few a while ago...bought the Keela on the back of the review and I'm very impressed.

Not too heavy so good for most days, cheap so no tears and snotters if you fall or rip it.

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/group-test-lightweight-waterproof-jackets/ ]http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/group-test-lightweight-waterproof-jackets/[/url]

Have one for commuting and another for hitting the trails.

Akpkit do free returns

yep.

Their sizing seems middle of the road, not too skinny and not too fat. Unlike Mountain Equipment who assume everyone is completely emaciated eg I'm a Medium in Alpkit but can't physically get into a Medium ME product, I'd be L or XL.

footflaps - Member

Their sizing seems middle of the road, not too skinny and not too fat. Unlike Mountain Equipment who assume everyone is completely emaciated eg I'm a Medium in Alpkit but can't physically get into a Medium ME product, I'd be L or XL.

Just a point about that, ME do (or at least they did) different cuts of varying tightness based on application. Some of their stuff is middle of the road, some not. It does confuse matters but I guess it helps actual athletes get kit that fits their needs.