I got the Merlin Yuri for 60 quid off sports bike shop on offer from about 130 and love it, and it works well under the Rev it Sand 4. Love how body heat inflates them and they fill in gaps between you and top jacket. Its a 90/10 down feather ration and 650 fill rating.
Belstaff may have been the first to sell that combination but I’m sure people have been layering down jackets or gilets for years before that. I live in Mongolia most of the time. I wear leathers which are too tight to put down jackets underneath. Down needs space to loft in order to do its job. So, I put my Rab down jacket over the top of my leathers. Since down needs air to loft and then trap, down jackets aren’t particularly windproof. Therefore, I wear an Oxford Rainseal rain jacket over the top of the Rab down jacket. This combination keeps me reasonably comfortable in temperatures as low as -20C. Below that, I just don’t ride because I’d need electric heated layers which I don’t have, except for heated grips. I’d ignore fill power and focus on loft. High fill power is mainly a weight saving option for mountaineers who have to carry gear up a mountain so weight saving is critical. They essentially pay more to get the same warmth but with less weight and packed bulk. For lazy bikers, it’s largely irrelevant and costs a hell of a lot more.
Quick question: If you wanted to block the wind, wouldn't you put the wind-breaker near the outer layers, rather than the inside layer? I have this problem myself, and I've always put the wind-stopper as far out as possible. Am I doing it wrong? Cheers for the great videos by the way. Much appreciated!! I just found you guys and I'm hooked.
I bought the Klim Maverick in Spring 2023 and was happy to have it while moto-camping. It is very warm, light-weight, and packs down into its own pocket. However, as I understand it Klim does not recommend washing this item, but merely suggests spot-cleaning with wash cloth. I consider this a negative. Care instructions are always now a consideration that I take into account now when making a purchase.
Chris, why wear the wind stopper underneath the down jacket, I thought it would be better to wear it over the down jacket? Can you enlighten us why this is the correct method please.
You forgot about Klim's other jacket, the BOULDER JACKET, 800 fill power down, "windproof", and DWP treated at $280. It's $30 more than the regular 800 filled power down, non-windproof jacket, the MAVERICK DOWN JACKET.
Nearly tempted, but through the cold months the wiring for the Gerbing heated gloves runs down the sleeves between the jacket and the zipped in liner. I just know I'd get wrapped up in the tangle of wires donning a down jacket.
I’ve emailed your team for more information on the Klim and they replied within 15 minutes…. We need your shop in Newcastle the shops around town today don’t stock the high end quality gear sadly.
A great review as always Chris, I have absolutely no reason to doubt anything you said in the video but I had a question, I was always of the understanding that a down jacket, any down jacket is puffy for insulation purposes and they work great as long as they don't get wet, once wet their heat properties are lost, but my main question is that down jackets only work properly if they stay puffy, so when putting an outer motorcycle jacket on over it, it will of course crush it somewhat so it's not so efficient. Maybe I have this wrong but I would appreciate your thoughts?
I wear my Rab jacket over the top of my leathers in temperatures as low as -20C (I live in Mongolia). Under the leathers would, as you say, prevent the down lofting. Useless. So, with a tight outer jacket, you should wear the down outside. For best results, put a windproof jacket over the down jacket. It’s a lot of faffing about but if you want to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures, it’s essential.
Great review again, thank you. Is the down fill power rating not reflecting the space that a given weight of down expands to occupy? So a higher fill power rating doesn't mean it has more down or is warmer, it just means that it would be warmer for the same weight of down that a given jacket is filled with. 🤓
Fill power is mainly for weight saving for mountaineers who actually have to carry stuff. So a 1000 fill power will weigh less than the same amount of loft in an item with 600 fill power. For bikers, the amount of loft and therefore warmth is the critical thing. Also, good baffling, instead of sewn-through seams, will help prevent cold spots.
@@low-costgearbudgettour714 In my experience claims of down over 800 fill power should be taken with a pinch of salt, although PHD's 1000 fill power is undoubtedly excellent and super spendy.
Or you could be smart and get a Helly Hansen Verglas Down Insulator Jacket with European goose and a fill power of 700+ for under 200 euro ... (right now selling 40% off for £99.99 ..)
That doesn't look as though it is going to work under a motorcycle jacket. Way too baggy and long! And if you are buying from Europe be prepared for duty and VAT charges. So not necessarily a smart buy.
