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INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE

My discussion about people asking questions of manufacturers and retailers is causing some people to actually question them. In this case Stuart went to REI and sent them the e mail letter below. He sent this to me with their response.

Wiggy,

I used to order a lot of items from REI when I was backpacking back in the 60's and 70's.

I decided to look at the REI web site yesterday to see what they have been offering for everyday wear and for hiking.

I looked at their jackets and parkas and noticed there were some with the REI name and noticed many other companies on their site that offer their own brand of clothing.

I looked at the Arc’teryx Fission SV insulated jacket that was said to be waterproof and breathable. I checked out the Mountain Hardware Stretch Down jacket that was listed as water resistant. To preserve warmth.

I looked at the REI Magma 850 Down jacket where the down has been treated with a water repellant (DWR) treatment to help you keep warm and dry. The coat has a stretch knit liner that is more comfortable than a convention ripstop material.

I also looked at the Patagonia Triolet rain jacket and wondered how this product would be able to keep you dry and not clammy in a downpour.

What I noticed with most of the outer wear was that it had tons of sewn through cold spot stitching to keep the insulation in place and to also make it look very cool and fashionable. Some of the jackets remind me of a washboard that was used for washing clothes in the old days.

They give their products all kinds of wonderful names and some sound "space age." They sure do use a lot of hype in the marketing techniques.

I wrote to REI and asked them to explain what this (DWR) treatment of the insulation both in their rain jackets and regular jackets was all about.

Here is the reply the sent me today. Don't know if it makes that much sense or not?

As you can see their view of waterproof and breathable fabrics is very scientific. I view their response as gibberish.

Below is a testimonial from a fellow in Finland.

Hi

Just wanted to give you some feedback of the Barron Grounds parka

Currently in Finland and the temperatures are moving between -9c to -15c and the parka is sometimes too hot for this :)

With only a T-shirt underneath I feel toasty and sometimes need to open the zipper to cool off.

Fantastic coat!!! Couldn't be happier

1st class gear!!

On Jan 5, 2017 18:04, "Doron Papo"

NEW VIDEO

This week I will be making a new video where I weigh a multitude of garments since I have had numerous requests for the weights. I haven’t bothered to weigh garments because I believe the ability to keep a person warm is more important. In viewing the garments that were shown by various companies at the OR show not a one has a temperature guide but many have weights and as Stuart says they use “space age” names for their garments suggesting that they will keep you warm.

If you go to the web site you will find that I have increased the number of jackets using the DUCKSBACK material. What I haven’t mentioned about the DUCKSBACK material is how soft it is and that it just doesn’t seem to hold wrinkles. Coupled with the Lamilite you WILL think you are wearing a down coat without the water absorbing properties of down, or all of the stitching which is quilting that represents cold spots all over the garment. There will also not be any down migrating through the down proof material either. Then of course the price for a supposed equal temperature rated garment is double the cost of the Lamilite insulated garment that actually does work at the temperature I state about the garment. Last but not least is the feel, which is the same as the finest down if there are no quills in it.

I am also going to make a lighter weight comforter since so many comforter buyers say the current one is sometimes too warm.

As for the video, I am going to try and have it up loaded for the weekend, so those looking for something other than the super bowl there will be me.