Which puffer jacket?

Hi-Tec puffer jackets are really good value for money and functional.

Hiked around the Drakensburg in -1 to 1 Degree Celcius with just a t-shirt, long sleeve shirt and puffer as my layers.
That puffer kept me warm from start to finish.
Can definitely recommend.
 
TheMightyQuin said:
Why would you need a puffer jacket in South Africa?

Anyway...synthetic is better, especially when the jacket gets wet. Down cannot handle moisture...

It's also cheaper.
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I have a K-way down jacket and it is the perfect jacket for the cape winter, as long as it doesn’t rain.

I also have a North Face synthetic and it’s too warm to walk in but perfect for sitting outside in the evening.
 
lexor said:
Just be careful , there are many fake(mostly K-Way) jackets out there on platforms such as Facebook marketplace.
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guessing you have never been to bellville and most flea markets

i bought a soft shell north face jacket about 3 years ago for R300 from bellville somaliaville - only fake item i ever bought from there for me

i struggle to find my size ..XL at fake places

the jacket is "Fake" but so good quality

buddies of mine have "kway" from belville also around R350 and so good quality
 
G.A.S said:
I've had First Accent for many years now: 90/10 650 fill and 90/10 850 IIRC. The former is pretty comfy in autumn and winter if the house isn't too cold, but the 850 is really nice when it is cold. I paid R1200 for the 650 about 5 years ago (on a sale). Both can also be compressed very small for transport (the one essentially inverts into its own side pocket and zips shut), although shouldn't be stored that way long-term.

The 850 had micro-tears where feathers started leaking out, but some paragliding wing repair tape sorted that problem out: you won't even know it has been fixed.

And as mentioned above, you don't want them to get wet.
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The fp doesn’t tell the whole story, the volume is more indicative of how warm a thing is.

For example I’ve got a 550fp north face that cost best part of R10k which I wear pretty much only in Finland (my company is based there and I go a couple of times a year) and it’s absolutely toasty in minus 20 etc, whereas my 650fp K way is a lightweight piece of paper which would have me die of hypothermia in a Finnish winter.

Edit: I should add that the 550 is not a puffer
 
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I did have a puffer jacket from Billabong (surf brand) and it was R1000.
Quality wasnt great,stitching came apart after a month i sent it back for a refund which was given to me.
Years ago these surf brands were made high quality and imported from Indonesia etc.Now made under licence in china for a local company.
Most clothing i suspect is made in China now,among other things,its just the quality control at these factories differs...
 
saflyfish said:
I did have a puffer jacket from Billabong (surf brand) and it was R1000.
Quality wasnt great,stitching came apart after a month i sent it back for a refund which was given to me.
Years ago these surf brands were made high quality and imported from Indonesia etc.Now made under licence in china for a local company.
Most clothing i suspect is made in China now,among other things,its just the quality control at these factories differs...
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yeah i had i think an Oneil jacket ..bought for like R1000 in 2005 -lasted me years and very good quality

was needed in cpts icy cold and rainy winters
 
saflyfish said:
Ive never owned one and there are so many options.I have these questions:

1. Duck down or synthetic?
2. Which brand that has the best quality\price option?K-way,Columbia,North Face,First Ascent etc

Sure i could google or chatgpt this one but im looking for actual personal opinions from people who have had puffers...
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I've had a First Ascent 650 down jacket for about 10 years now. It has survived many, many hikes and camping trips in SA. I've used it extensively every winter since I bought it and now I'm using it in the UK. I fscking love it, would buy one again in a heart beat. I guess it's more on the expensive side but thinking about the use I got out of it...absolutely worth the money
 
Spizz said:
The fp doesn’t tell the whole story, the volume is more indicative of how warm a thing is.

For example I’ve got a 550fp north face that cost best part of R10k which I wear pretty much only in Finland (my company is based there and I go a couple of times a year) and it’s absolutely toasty in minus 20 etc, whereas my 650fp K way is a lightweight piece of paper which would have me die of hypothermia in a Finnish winter.

Edit: I should add that the 550 is not a puffer
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Indeed. You get NF and then you get NF. The NF that gangsters wear, is just a poser jacket. But they wear NF for a reason when they climb Everest.

I again am a big Helly Hansen fan...mainly as it comes in a size that fits me comfortably. I have 5 of their jackets...all for different weather conditions.
 
saflyfish said:
I did have a puffer jacket from Billabong (surf brand) and it was R1000.
Quality wasnt great,stitching came apart after a month i sent it back for a refund which was given to me.
Years ago these surf brands were made high quality and imported from Indonesia etc.Now made under licence in china for a local company.
Most clothing i suspect is made in China now,among other things,its just the quality control at these factories differs...
Click to expand...
I have a Quiksilver puffer jacket, it was around R2k and it’s very warm and has lasted well.
All the boarding brands Billabong/Quiksilver/Element/Vissla etc make good stuff, just avoid anything by them that's manufactured locally. Everything is made in India/China, thats not the salient point, the QC is all that matters.
 
I have a TotalSports one, they're relatively cheap but its lasted me several years already with no signs of giving up.
 
airborne said:
I have a Quiksilver puffer jacket, it was around R2k and it’s very warm and has lasted well.
All the boarding brands Billabong/Quiksilver/Element/Vissla etc make good stuff, just avoid anything by them that's manufactured locally. Everything is made in India/China, thats not the salient point, the QC is all that matters.
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Well my Billabong puffer was made in China but licensed the brand to a local company...not good quality,the materials and the stitching...I imagine your qs puffer was an "import"
 
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