Lowe Alpine Outer Limits Jacket

Lightweight technical insulation. Polarguard 3D synthetic fill gives maximum insulation with minimum bulk - wear over or under a shell. This is the elusive piece you have been looking for. Take it on all cold weather adventures.

Site	Price	Postage	Total
	£109.50	£4.50	£114

   User Reviews

General comments: Arguably being unaffected by their fill getting wet, synthetic insulated jackets are more suitable for our damp British climate than real down. The Lowe Alpine Outer Limits is certainly suited to wet conditions, with in addition to a synthetic fill, the face fabric being waterproof. Because the seams are not sealed the jacket as a whole isn't technically waterproof, but in practice I've not had any water penetrate. The fill is Polarguard 3D, which seems to work at least as well as the slightly more common Primaloft. It compresses and lofts well (although I don't store the jacket compressed just to be on the safe side). Warmth wise the jacket is very warm - I run quite hot when active, and find the jacket too warm to walk briskly in, in anything but extremely low temperatures. This does however make it an excellent choice for putting on when standing around for long periods, such as birdwatching and I would imagine belaying. The collar is lined with a fine microfleece which is warm and comfortable against the skin. The hand pockets aren't perfectly placed for access with a pack waist belt, but they're not too bad and supposedly are clear of climbing harnesses. An outer chest pocket is the perfect place to store the stuff sack, whilst the inner pocket is a little small to be very useful. The sculpted hem (apparently designed for harness interaction - although as a non-climber I can't confirm how well this work) does look odd. The front drops noticeably, over the crotch, and whilst I haven't had small boys coming up to me and smirking, it might not be the best jacket to wear around town (although if you tighten the hem cord you can tuck the extra material up inside the jacket). Construction is excellent, and whilst I wouldn't want to drag the jacket through a bramble patch the face fabric seems as strong as similar type jackets. The stuff sack is only just large enough - compressing the jacket well, but with a fight to get it in.

Pros: Very warm and effectively waterproof.

Cons: No hood, odd hem.

General comments: I bought a Lowe Alpine Outer Limits Jacket in early winter 2005 due to its light weight and Polarguard 3D fill. I like Primaloft but I think the material loses its loft a lot quicker than polarguard, so this was the jacket for me. I would have liked a hood and I think this jacket is crying out for a detachable hood. It is warm and snug fitting, but has space for other clothes underneath. I think that the jacket is a bit short for normal use and this is accentuated by the groin patch which provides much mirth for my climbing partners. However, once you have a harness on it comes into its own and it stays exactly at the right level out of the way of the gear loops. The material is said to be waterproof but not taped, however, as far as my experience goes it has been waterproof and never leaked on me yet. The neck drawcord has been great at keeping out drafts, spindrift and water and the high pocket just takes a few snacks or a trimmed down map. For normal town or pub use, it looks strange and is to short, however used just for climbing it is spot on. Lets have a hood next year Lowe Alpine!!

Pros: warm, light, almost waterproof

Cons: No hood, too short for casual wear or walking.

   Add Your Opinion...

To help us prevent spam, please enter the security code below:

© Buachaille.com 2005 - 2009 All Rights Reserved    |     Contact us    |     This page took 0.07174 seconds to load.