K-Way vs First Ascent down jacket

Morning all,

I'm struggling to make a decision between these 2 down jackets. I'm not looking for something for extreme weather but for cold nights & the fact that a down jacket can pack up small for travelling.

Which one do you think is better?

www.capeunionmart.co.za/k-way-drake-down-jkt-mens

www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/product/first-ascent-mens-transit-down-jacket/4997

I need to make a decision asap & find stock.

Thanks!

I guess a decision may be based on which brand you prefer - I would possibly go for First Ascent. HOWEVER, get the one which has zipped hand pockets, zipped chest pocket and maybe an internal one too. Draw string on the waist is a must. Check the wrists too. A velcro for making it tighter on the wrists is handy. No adjustment means it better be a good fit. It's possible both of these have all of this.

I've got a First Ascent down jacket I've been using for a long time. When I buy again, I may buy one with a hood. And if a jacket can extend an extra 100mm longer than all the other jackets, bonus. Good luck.

Both brands are owned by the same holding company so to some extent they'll be similar. Things to look out for on down jackets (besides mentioned by AdrianT) is the fill rating (typically these brands use 650 fill), the higher the better, and then the mixture between down and feathers (chopped up and use as a filler - gives zero warmth and just increases weight). A jacket with a higher down fill rating will last much longer as mature down is used, meaning you can compress it virtually endlessly and it will puff up like new. With lower fill rated down the down shaft eventually breaks down and then it can't create loft, resulting in a cold jacket. You can find 800 fill jackets for around R2500 or so (look on mountain mail order or city rock). These jackets are a lot lighter and will typically give you the same warmth as a 650 fill for half the weight. Yes, it is a bit more expensive but it will last longer and since these typically use overseas down from Europe or Canada/USA the down used are better than the stuff used in SA.

The only decent down jackets (locally stuffed) that is readily available is the First Ascent Extreme Glacier and Malamute. The latter is overkill but FA EG is awesome. Still uses the same casing and filling.
All the other things from these locals are a waste in my humble opinion. Dig deep and go Extreme. You won't look back.
Most of the smaller K-way models use duck down. And those with Goose Down seem to have inferior casings to the Extreme Glacier and other top brand imports.
Alternatively go Primaloft. Magic stuff!

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