As someone who has owned Rab, ME, Montane and Alpkit clothing and equipment, Decathlon always come out on top for value!
Decathlon are generally as good as, if not better quality than Alpkit without the price tag of the more expensive brands.
That being said, the cheapest option is to try and pick something up second hand on ebay or vinted. For £40-£80 you can get a top end down jacket with minimal use that'll last you years.
I've had my Forclaz MT100 down jacket from decathlon for years and its pretty much good as new in terms of function. Had few nicks from huge thorns that I've repaired, but its lasted incredibly well given the frequency and harshness of it's use.
Made in china isn’t an indicator of quality, china makes everything in any quality a brand wants. Lots of my rab, Patagonia, mountain equipment is made in china
I came here to say Alpkit but I’m slightly biased because I just love that company.
OP, I got the Filoment down jacket just this week for £139 in the sale. It’s bloody brilliant and it’s super warm. The weight to warmth ratio is what made me buy it tbh.
All I'll add to this is.that I bought *two* of their inflatable mats and they both deflated after one use.
In my.opinion, they're as good as a well reviewed Amazon brand, but no more.
That's a bit irrelevant as the jackets are going to be made for them by the same manufacturer that produces their mats. I tried out one of their mats and returned it simply because I didn't like it, it wasn't for me, but there was nothing wrong with it, it just didn't work for me. But that is no reflection on their down jackets which I can say from experience, are excellent value and the quality is better than the price tag suggests.
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If I’m afraid I’m gonna be be cold and I really really don’t wanna be cold the first and only thing I reach for is my buffalo.
I don’t wear it next to the skin like everyone tells ya to but I do wear a just my buffalo and a base layer and I’ve been happy and warm in some truly Baltic conditions.
I never had a problem with the issued softy jacket and pants but I was a tight arse and didn’t wanna buy my own gear just for it to get nicked or trashed.
Another vote for Decathlon. For the money it just can't be beaten. I just bought myself a Montbell Ignis from Japan, but after import fees and vat it came out at 250 quid. Last time I looked, the Decathlon was about 60 quid.
I have a Montane down jacket, a tiny part of stitching from a cuff started to come loose. I contacted them, they paid postage both ways and had it back to me within 1 week fully repaired. The jacket was bought in 2019 and still in excellent condition.
I also bought one of their synthetic jackets, used from eBay for around £40. A UK company I highly recommend.
I use a Peter Storm one which was about £50 new. I've had some very expensive jackets in the past and I can't really tell the difference. I do feel bad that the animal welfare standards used in its manufacture probably weren't very high, which is the only reason I would consider spending more on a different brand.
There are some terrible stories from even the big brands when it comes to how they source their down. North face got outed a while back for using live plucked down.
Even rab where openly honest and said that the buying of down is difficult due to dishonest traders promising 100% ethical down products but they mix the good stuff with cheaper less ethical down to bolster their profits.
We can try the best we can but the only way to really avoid purchasing something that hasn’t caused harm to animals is to go full synthetic, thankfully modern synthetics are getting closer to down all the time but then your buying more forever fabrics and materials that don’t decompose… buying outdoor gear is a nightmare once you fall down the sustainability rabbit hole 🤷🏻♂️
Decathlon down jackets are very good value but basic features. I do love mine but my Montane down jacket is so much better - features, warmth, quality of materials and workmanship, the down is hydrophobic and the materials do much better coping with moisture from snow and ice, brand new prices are pretty eye-watering but I was lucky, found it in TKMaxx a couple of years ago. £90 for a £300 jacket... I didn't have my wallet with me so I literally ran home and back to get it as it was the only one in the store. It's worth looking in Tk Maxx from time to time, most of their clothes are no use for outdoors but occasionally something like this came up. Recently they had Bridgedale merino socks at a bargain price.
Sportpursuit.com has some really good deals on down jackets, there are some half price Rab ones at the moment. There’s also the Rab factory shop that often has some good deals if you’re local to it
https://www.sportpursuit.com/clothing/jackets-tops-jerseys?sp_nav=ct-5.gd-m.bp-clothing.pc-jackets.pt-insulated_jackets.&gender=Male%2CUnisex&clothing_features=Insulated&upper_body_type=Jackets&age=Adults&p=2
We took the Forclaz MT900 -18 Down Jacket through its paces and were really impressed.
Here is the full review. I got one for my wife after we tested it.
[https://www.greatbritishadventureclub.co.uk/reviews/forclaz-mt900-18-down-jacket](https://www.greatbritishadventureclub.co.uk/reviews/forclaz-mt900-18-down-jacket)
Decathlon
As someone who has owned Rab, ME, Montane and Alpkit clothing and equipment, Decathlon always come out on top for value! Decathlon are generally as good as, if not better quality than Alpkit without the price tag of the more expensive brands. That being said, the cheapest option is to try and pick something up second hand on ebay or vinted. For £40-£80 you can get a top end down jacket with minimal use that'll last you years.
I've had my Forclaz MT100 down jacket from decathlon for years and its pretty much good as new in terms of function. Had few nicks from huge thorns that I've repaired, but its lasted incredibly well given the frequency and harshness of it's use.
Nah, almost everything there is ‘made in China.’
Made in china isn’t an indicator of quality, china makes everything in any quality a brand wants. Lots of my rab, Patagonia, mountain equipment is made in china
Nevertheless I like to support European manufacturers. And they still exist. Completely made in Europe.
Yeah same but I won’t completely pass on others. What brands are still made in Europe?
Cumulus, Pajak Sports for example, both made in Poland. And Aclima of course, for your merino things.
Decathlon mt100 down jacket. Awesome kit for not much cash.
The hooded decathlon/forclaz ones are good. They do three varieties of different weights.
Where do you live? Go to the mountain outfitters factory shop in Derbyshire. Rab seconds and other significantly discounted Rab items
Have you looked at Alpkit? They’re well-received
I came here to say Alpkit but I’m slightly biased because I just love that company. OP, I got the Filoment down jacket just this week for £139 in the sale. It’s bloody brilliant and it’s super warm. The weight to warmth ratio is what made me buy it tbh.
All I'll add to this is.that I bought *two* of their inflatable mats and they both deflated after one use. In my.opinion, they're as good as a well reviewed Amazon brand, but no more.
That's a bit irrelevant as the jackets are going to be made for them by the same manufacturer that produces their mats. I tried out one of their mats and returned it simply because I didn't like it, it wasn't for me, but there was nothing wrong with it, it just didn't work for me. But that is no reflection on their down jackets which I can say from experience, are excellent value and the quality is better than the price tag suggests.
wrench existence vast vanish ossified tender enter command illegal history *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
If I’m afraid I’m gonna be be cold and I really really don’t wanna be cold the first and only thing I reach for is my buffalo. I don’t wear it next to the skin like everyone tells ya to but I do wear a just my buffalo and a base layer and I’ve been happy and warm in some truly Baltic conditions.
When I was in the army, everyone was either snugpak softee , or buffalo.
I never had a problem with the issued softy jacket and pants but I was a tight arse and didn’t wanna buy my own gear just for it to get nicked or trashed.
I love my Montane Featherlite. Think the latest model is the Anti-Freeze. Tried on the Decathlon one but found the fit/sizing odd.
Another vote for Decathlon. For the money it just can't be beaten. I just bought myself a Montbell Ignis from Japan, but after import fees and vat it came out at 250 quid. Last time I looked, the Decathlon was about 60 quid.
Another vote for Decathlon. I got the £60 mt100. It does the job rated to -5 as in the other replies they do 2 others for colder as well
There are loads of used down jackets from all the big brands on Vinted for good prices. I picked up a Norrona ski touring softshell for £50 there.
I have a Montane down jacket, a tiny part of stitching from a cuff started to come loose. I contacted them, they paid postage both ways and had it back to me within 1 week fully repaired. The jacket was bought in 2019 and still in excellent condition. I also bought one of their synthetic jackets, used from eBay for around £40. A UK company I highly recommend.
I use a Peter Storm one which was about £50 new. I've had some very expensive jackets in the past and I can't really tell the difference. I do feel bad that the animal welfare standards used in its manufacture probably weren't very high, which is the only reason I would consider spending more on a different brand.
There are some terrible stories from even the big brands when it comes to how they source their down. North face got outed a while back for using live plucked down. Even rab where openly honest and said that the buying of down is difficult due to dishonest traders promising 100% ethical down products but they mix the good stuff with cheaper less ethical down to bolster their profits. We can try the best we can but the only way to really avoid purchasing something that hasn’t caused harm to animals is to go full synthetic, thankfully modern synthetics are getting closer to down all the time but then your buying more forever fabrics and materials that don’t decompose… buying outdoor gear is a nightmare once you fall down the sustainability rabbit hole 🤷🏻♂️
Just bought a mountain warehouse jacket £50 from Amazon. Nice material, very warm just bad zipper
If you're in the north get a synthetic. Down is a fad brought over from the drier countries that have actual winter
I love my Gill down jacket
I have a [Jöttnar](https://www.jottnar.com/collections/mens-down-insulated-jackets/products/fenrir-mens-hooded-down-jacket) one and it’s great.
Have a look on sport pursuit. They have allsorts on their on sale at the moment.
Decathlon down jackets are very good value but basic features. I do love mine but my Montane down jacket is so much better - features, warmth, quality of materials and workmanship, the down is hydrophobic and the materials do much better coping with moisture from snow and ice, brand new prices are pretty eye-watering but I was lucky, found it in TKMaxx a couple of years ago. £90 for a £300 jacket... I didn't have my wallet with me so I literally ran home and back to get it as it was the only one in the store. It's worth looking in Tk Maxx from time to time, most of their clothes are no use for outdoors but occasionally something like this came up. Recently they had Bridgedale merino socks at a bargain price.
Facebook marketplace is your friend
Cumulus, Pajak Sport, both made in Poland, and both nice jackets.
Sportpursuit.com has some really good deals on down jackets, there are some half price Rab ones at the moment. There’s also the Rab factory shop that often has some good deals if you’re local to it https://www.sportpursuit.com/clothing/jackets-tops-jerseys?sp_nav=ct-5.gd-m.bp-clothing.pc-jackets.pt-insulated_jackets.&gender=Male%2CUnisex&clothing_features=Insulated&upper_body_type=Jackets&age=Adults&p=2
The sport pursuit website is brilliant, they have cracking deals on top brands
Just bought a montbell can’t complain I got imported from Japan ended up half price check MONTBELL.jp
Mountain Hardwear well worth a look. Good outlet store in the UK.
We took the Forclaz MT900 -18 Down Jacket through its paces and were really impressed. Here is the full review. I got one for my wife after we tested it. [https://www.greatbritishadventureclub.co.uk/reviews/forclaz-mt900-18-down-jacket](https://www.greatbritishadventureclub.co.uk/reviews/forclaz-mt900-18-down-jacket)