Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 24 conversations about:
swimjay
115
Nov 21, 2016
bookmark_border
Another contender in this weight range is the Montbell Mirage hooded parka, which has fully baffled box construction, adjustable cuffs, 5.3 oz of 900 fill down, & weighs 12.85 oz in medium.  Fit is a bit on the generous side for me, as I rarely wear a thick layer under it.  Price is higher, AFAIK.  Box construction has the potential to be warmer, as there are no sewn through seams -- unless the down settles in the box, leaving a void above it. Most of the reviews I've read on line describe how well the Agravic performs in fairly active situations -- skiing, climbing -- but in those situations almost anything will keep you warm, if it blocks the wind and you have a wool layer under it.  The real test of a jacket is how warm it keeps you at the end of the day, tired and motionless in a freezing campsite.
Nov 21, 2016
DannyMilks
4557
Nov 21, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayMontbell makes some great jackets, and at a good value. I'm not sure why they're not more popular. I guess it's hard to find them in stores? Lack of sales? Not a lot of advertising?
Nov 21, 2016
jimbolaya
104
Nov 22, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayHas Montbell gone to direct sales only in the US? Stores that used to carry them, such as Campsaver, no longer do. But I don't know if that's because Montbell stopped selling into retail, or because stores stopped stocking then due to low sales.
Either way, I've got a few things from Montbell that I'm happy with and that are good values. Maybe their stuff will show up on Massdtop one day?
Nov 22, 2016
Stepbystep
549
Nov 22, 2016
bookmark_border
jimbolayaYes, Montbell took everything in-house two years ago. I hope they do well with that, considering what that move did to GoLite (different situations and GoLite was already hurting badly). Downside is that no more deep closeout discounts for Montbell items but in their outlet they put at least 20% on things, and they have a points reward program now as well. Montbell has always been the best bang for the buck for high quality stuff. Cult following for sure.
Nov 22, 2016
swimjay
115
Nov 22, 2016
bookmark_border
jimbolayaI just checked with the Montbell store in Boulder, and they have the Mirage in all sizes and several colors.  They discontinued a few colors a while ago, and it may be that those are what Campsaver was selling, and are now out of.
And it may be that Montbell is emphasizing direct sales from the store or online.
But, it's not really an apples to apples comparison to the Massdrop Adidas Terrex offering, as the Mirage retails at $319.
Nov 22, 2016
nicbari
42
Adidas
Nov 23, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayThe Montbell Mirage is a decent comparison but I agree, not apples to apples. Key differences are the fabric, fill weight, baffling construction, and traceable/ treated down. The reason why the Agravic is a higher price point is because of the Pertex Quantum GL Fabric and the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) water repellent down. Even though Montbell is using 30g more down, the costs of the brand name fabric/ traceable down used in the Agravic requires a higher price.
Nov 23, 2016
Stepbystep
549
Nov 24, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayHonestly I think a better comparison for this is the Montbell Alpine Light, as close to apples-to-apples can get here. I was surprised to see the 120g fill amount stated here...what I tried on in person sure felt like a lot less, much closer to a ghost whisperer type ul sweater - it certainly didn't loft much but perhaps what was on the rack had just been unpacked and didn't have time to normalize yet. But if 120g is correct then that's close enough to what the Alpine Light parka is. For the new version with the longer/comparable torso length, they quote 4.8oz (135g), and it uses similar elasticized cuffs and 800fp goose down (I've never seen anything less than 90/10 from Montbell and had one piece that said 93/7 on the tag...always decent stuff). It gains a couple ounces using a wonderful silky and durable 20d fabric rather than a wispy 7d fabric. Although the difference there is really minor in terms of performance, it theoretically can retain a little more warmth and resist compression a little better if used under a shell (the biggest disadvantage of using the extra high fill power downs). Water resistant down...makes more sense in garments than it does in sleeping bags, but a big "meh" in general. I'd forgotten about those pit vent patches on the Adidas but I do remember thinking right away...why? Doesn't seem to make sense in a piece like this. I do think the Alpine Light and Mirage have a much nicer collar than what is on this Adidas, and generally prefer the cuff adjustments like what are found on the Mirage and other higher warmth parkas...in the lighter pieces the simple elastic bands are the norm, though. I guess if Adidas is paying licensing fees for the Pertex fabric and any higher costs it may have, plus any additional costs for RDS certs and records rather than other avenues of simply trying to source more-humane down, as Montbell and most others do, then maybe that's enough to put that high MSRP on the item. The Massdrop price isn't bad, but forget that full MSRP for this piece. Montbell has their Alpine Light at $199 which I think is $20 higher than the shorter previous version, and if you don't mind 3 extra ounces and what that might add for you, it's a heck of a light parka. If Adidas could tweak this piece a little and/or lower the price it would be much more attractive. It's still a nice piece for what it is if you can get it at a decent price. After trying it on and examining it, there was nothing about it that made me want to give up my Alpine Light and the next runner up would be the Rab Microlight Alpine. Props to Adidas for making some really good efforts at making good outdoor gear that shifts away from their usual sport and fashion. Whether it's the right piece for me or you, it's still good stuff.
Nov 24, 2016
Stepbystep
549
Nov 24, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayAlso interesting that right now you can buy this jacket directly on the Adidas website for $174.50 with free shipping. That might cheese me a little if I was a Massdrop buyer, but there ya go, becomes even more attractive if it suits your needs.
Nov 24, 2016
swimjay
115
Nov 24, 2016
bookmark_border
StepbystepGreat tip about the Adidas offer.  Think there's only one more medium left, don't know about other sizes.  Where I come down ultimately is that the Agravic just isn't puffy/filled/warm enough to justify the initial price, but that it's extremely good as a lighter duty piece, and well worth the lower price.
Nov 24, 2016
swimjay
115
Nov 25, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayAlso on sale on the Adidas outdoor site, for $212.50, marked down from $425, is the Adidas Terrex Climaheat Techrock hooded jacket.  It weighs 17.3 oz.(Adidas' number), vs. 10.8 (Adidas' number) to 12.6 oz. for the Agravic (my measurement).  But probably that weight difference is not all extra down, as the jacket, though otherwise looking very similar to the lighter Agravic, uses 100% nylon plainweave (non-ripstop) vs. Pertex Quantum GL 7D (ripstop, very high tech and expensive).  So some of the weight difference might be explained by heavier fabric.
Nov 25, 2016
Stepbystep
549
Nov 26, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayMy understanding is that the Quantum GL varies in fiber thickness from 7 to 10 and for whatever reason they can't or don't control that more finely. Extremely fine yarns, and most fabrics vary a little like that, and as a result the actual finished weights from bolt to bolt will vary somewhat. Given the overall specs, I was skeptical of a 10.8 ounce weight for this jacket, and your numbers along with a few reviews from the last year or so all give that 12+ scaled weight. Personally I wouldn't fret over a couple ounces at all, as long as the jacket meets the need. I think Pertex still makes their fabrics in Japan, which generally does the finest and most technical fabrics for the industry, but apparently working with such tiny fibers is just too much to tighten up the final specs. Ultralight fabrics are really an amazing advancement, one we all take for granted at this point.
Nov 26, 2016
swimjay
115
Nov 26, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayProbably you understood just what I meant about the weight diff, but I was a bit unclear -- I was wondering about the weight difference between the Agravic and the Techrock, and how much of that difference was attributable to increased down fill and how much to fabric difference.  I totally agree that the difference between my measurement and Adidas' number for the Agravic is inconsequential, less than a power bar, even assuming my measurement is right.  Thanks for the info on the advanced yarns; very interesting.
Nov 26, 2016
nicbari
42
Adidas
Dec 6, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayBetter late than never: Material- Outer:The Techrock is using a 86g Pertex Endurance as main fabric, hip pocket bags and hood where the Agravic down Pertex Quantum GL material is only 25g. Material – Lining:The techrock is using 4.2y of lining where the Agravic down only 3.1yard of lining with the same material weight.   Down Filling:The Techrock is filled with  195g of 90/10 Goose Down from Allied, where the Agravic Down is filled with 120g Hyperdry 90/10 Goose Down
Dec 6, 2016
swimjay
115
Dec 6, 2016
bookmark_border
nicbariThanks!! I bought one of them from Adidasoutdoor, and think it's a great jacket.
Dec 6, 2016
nicbari
42
Adidas
Dec 6, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayWhich one - the Agravic or Techrock?
Dec 6, 2016
swimjay
115
Dec 7, 2016
bookmark_border
nicbariActually, both!!!
Dec 7, 2016
nicbari
42
Adidas
Dec 8, 2016
bookmark_border
swimjayAwesome - please let the community know what you think! We have the agravic down returning in Fall 17
Dec 8, 2016
View Full Discussion