Macpac Down sale

[keithy]

I got an email from Macpac and had a look at their down stuff on sale:

Uberlight down jacket (mens/womens) - $90
http://www.macpac.com.au/mens/jackets-v ... ket-m.html
http://www.macpac.com.au/womens/jackets ... ket-w.html

Uberlight down vest (mens/womens) - $80
http://www.macpac.com.au/mens/jackets-v ... est-m.html
http://www.macpac.com.au/womens/jackets ... est-w.html

Halo Down jacket (mens/womens) -$90
http://www.macpac.com.au/mens/jackets-v ... ket-m.html
http://www.macpac.com.au/womens/jackets ... ket-w.html

I think that Macpac stuff seems to have gone down in quality recently, but these seem like good prices.

[Aidan]

I think that Macpac stuff seems to have gone down in quality recently,

Hi Keithy,
Care to expand on your theory a bit?
I've been very satisfied with my Macpac purchases of late but always keen to learn from others.
It might just be me, but I think its important to be specific when bagging a company.
For instance it would be a shame for people to stop buying their jackets if your complaint was about merino underpants.
I'm in no way suggesting they or any other company are perfect but I've personally found the gear that I've bought to be fine and the service here in WA, where retail service is notoriously poor, to be very good and a stand out amongst the shops I frequent (not limited to camping).

Thanks for the Down Sale tip.
I'm holding out for a Sundowner Vest to come up on sale.
My full Sundowner XP jacket is just too warm for the WA conditions I've struck and I'm hoping for something that doesn't take up as much room in my bicycle panniers.

[weeds]

We went to buy a Halo today and walked out with a Sundowner for the wife.

[Aidan]

We went to buy a Halo today and walked out with a Sundowner for the wife.

Do you even have a winter in Queensland Weeds?
Not sure how much local use you'll get out of it Weeds locally but for visits to cooler climes you'll enjoy it I'm sure.
Great for sitting in a stadium in the cold perhaps but the damn thing is so efficient it can get saturated with sweat in the blink of an eye.
I can't walk the equivalent of the two blocks to my supermarket in the jacket with only a cotton t-shirt in mine, without seriously wetting of the armpits.
It bodes well for really cold conditions, but I try to avoid above the snow line myself.
I bought my sister in NZ one and its quickly become her favourite jacket

[keithy]

Hi Keithy,
Care to expand on your theory a bit?
I've been very satisfied with my Macpac purchases of late but always keen to learn from others.
It might just be me, but I think its important to be specific when bagging a company.

Just my opinion.

I was quite a fan of Macpac clothing - I still have an older softshell that was my goto travel jacket bought in 2005 and used well into 2011. Still have it a spare jacket but it is showing it's wear now and the collar doesn't stay propped up. And I also still have a nice Gore windstopper fleece jacket I bought around 2006 that was good for car camping. I recommended Macpac to a friend who was after a good rain jacket and they had issues with the DWR within a year. He wasn't that happy as it wasn't a cheap jacket.

I'm not sure what happened to the company since although I'd heard they sold it and production is all done in the Far East (China / Vietnam / Phillipines). Where it's made is not a problem for me, as long as the QC is there.

I still like looking at Macpac stuff - my last trip to NZ in 2012 I went had had a look at a few Macpac stores and their gear looking for a replacement softshell and a pack. I noticed that stitching quality was different between two samples of the same jacket, and the sizing was bigger than previous models. For their regular (non-sale) prices, there seem to be other options.

To me they seem to have become more like Kathmandu - I mean, early last year I sold an older style long length Kathmandu jacket that was made in NZ. It was bought a long time ago, but didn't get a lot of use as I couldn't get used to the longer over thigh fit. Still, it was quite a bullet proof jacket for it's price back then. But these days I would recommend people look elsewhere for a hardshell jacket first.

I haven't used Macpac's tents or sleeping bags though, so my comments were really on the clothing.

The reason I posted this down sale is that the prices for the product seem good in comparison with other down products out there now.

[Aidan]

Just my opinion.

I was quite a fan of Macpac clothing - I still have an older softshell that was my goto travel jacket bought in 2005 and used well into 2011. Still have it a spare jacket but it is showing it's wear now and the collar doesn't stay propped up. And I also still have a nice Gore windstopper fleece jacket I bought around 2006 that was good for car camping. I recommended Macpac to a friend who was after a good rain jacket and they had issues with the DWR within a year. He wasn't that happy as it wasn't a cheap jacket.

I'm not sure what happened to the company since although I'd heard they sold it and production is all done in the Far East (China / Vietnam / Phillipines). Where it's made is not a problem for me, as long as the QC is there.

I still like looking at Macpac stuff - my last trip to NZ in 2012 I went had had a look at a few Macpac stores and their gear looking for a replacement softshell and a pack. I noticed that stitching quality was different between two samples of the same jacket, and the sizing was bigger than previous models. For their regular (non-sale) prices, there seem to be other options.

To me they seem to have become more like Kathmandu - I mean, early last year I sold an older style long length Kathmandu jacket that was made in NZ. It was bought a long time ago, but didn't get a lot of use as I couldn't get used to the longer over thigh fit. Still, it was quite a bullet proof jacket for it's price back then. But these days I would recommend people look elsewhere for a hardshell jacket first.

I haven't used Macpac's tents or sleeping bags though, so my comments were really on the clothing.

The reason I posted this down sale is that the prices for the product seem good in comparison with other down products out there now.

Ahh its funny how we are all a bit different.
I struggled to settle on a raincoat as my preference is for a long one.
I went with a Reflex model (Copeland I think) as I wasn't happy with the length or venting in any of the Event ones.
I've read of lots of different brand event jackets failing to impress long term due to higher maintenance issues.
I figure if I'm going to be moving in above 10 degrees, I'm going to be damp from perspiration anyway.
I use a very well vented event jacket from Showers Pass for cycling which I like but I really wanted a coat for walking in.
I grabbed some pertex Resolution pants but have yet to use them in the wet so can't yet report on my thoughts.
I'm very happy so far with the Copeland with the caveat that I expect to be damp (from sweat) but warm.
I got excellent longevity with high use from my last reflex rainwear.
Extremely happy with my warm Macpac sleeping bags and tents that have proved weather proof.
Like all brands they have their strengths and compromises but my gear has largely proved suitable for my use and I'm happy with my choices.
This isn't stated to in any way deny your own experience or deride your opinion as there is plenty of learning to be had from others experience and opinions in my view.
Reading your post, I shall now pay close attention to stitching in any of the clothing I purchase in future.
Thanks for sharing your experience.