Budget Jacket Review. Better than the Decathlon MT100 Down Jacket?

[@adwarfsittingonagiantsshoulder]

After your last video, I've ordered a Decathlon MT100, but in synthetic (also in the same colour as yours). There are different variants of the Decathlon Forclaz : with or without hood, and with down or synthetic. I've ordered it from a Decathlon shop, they did not have the specific model in stock, but at least I could try one of those Forcalz vests before ordering... and I'm glad I did try one beforehand, because they size smaller that what I though they would. Anyway thanks for the video.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

I was going to review that one against the down, but they just never had it in stock, not even to order online so I gave up in the end. looks like a good jacket to me.

[@steveround315]

Got to love a bargain

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Always, I'm from the north originally, its practically in my DNA.

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍👍👍 .. a good, informative review 😊. I have a budget down jacket (a local Swiss Supermarket Chain 'Brand Name') with which I am quite happy .. and it was 'on special' at the time .. post Winter 😏. I suspect that it could possibly (?) have originated (the fabric and composition thereof at the very least) from under the same roof or Industrial Complex as the Decathlon version. That said, I live in Northern Switzerland with wetter rather than snowy winters. Thus, my down jacket going out with me, depends on the weather forecast. Thinking back, I should probably have got myself a synthetic fill equivalent .. but .. I have no problem working with what I've got .. and the performance for the given weight and pack size is an advantage. Also, rain Jackets work 😏. Yep, one does not have to, for normally-anticipated conditions, go bankrupt in order to equip oneself for the outdoors .. common sense and doing one's research playing a part therein. Thanks for the share .. take care ..

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Thank you.

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

Good video my friend, well explained.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

cheers Jim, thanks.

[@OldtricksForolddog]

I have a "cheap" winter jacket..I was in -2 ..no issues, as I had a light rain over jacket..

[@dogdadoutdoors]

That's the message, you don't have to spend a fortune.

[@scotbotvideos]

I got a synthetic puffer from FatFace which I reckon is pretty good. P.S.: Walmart haven't owned Asda for several years now.

[@PokerMuppet]

It's a great jacket for the price but I still disagree with the argument about getting it wet. Both this and the MT100 are supposed to be shower resistant and while I can't speak for the George jacket, I've been out in some fairly prolonged showers and the coating has worked well and left the down dry. Through the winter I would keep the coating regularly reapplied (Nikwax Spray-On). However, if I was planning or aware of potential of heavy rain then I would take a small packable waterproof over jacket that packs down to the size of a tennis ball (Peter Storm) and this keeps the water out regardless... so much so that I also keep one with the motorcycle kit and it keeps water out in heavy rain at motorway speeds. I think it would be better to advise people to wear the correct kit for the weather and to check and prepare rather than suggest that alternative kit is better. Furthermore, one thing that never seems to get mentioned is that synthetic down (especially the cheap stuff) flattens and loses it's loft far more quickly than down... and that flattening will seriously affect it's warmth potential. I also have the MT500 and that packs down to about a third of the size of this George jacket. Last is the elephant in the room that synthetic down is plastic, recycled or not, it's still plastic.

[@chrishamilton2527]

Spot on. Totally agree. I also have the MT500 and favour it for my winter hiking over my £400 RAB and over my Outdoor Research synthetic jacket.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

It's fine to disagree, we all have different opinions and experiences. In my experience, I've been caught out where waterproof jackets have failed and I've been soaked through, on more than one occasion and with more than one jacket. But the properties of down are fact rather than opinion, how you chose to act upon it, wearing something over the top or choosing another material is up to you. One part of your comment does intrigue me though, "I think it would be better to advise people to wear the correct kit for the weather and to check and prepare rather than suggest that alternative kit is better." I believe sometimes alternative kit is the correct kit for the weather. All materials have different properties and those properties are going to work better or worse that others in different situations. I also believe the weather can be unpredictable. There is no universa'correct' kit, only kit that is 'correct for the situation'. And I guess finally the bit about plastic. I didn't mention it because that isn't my primary or secondary concern although I appreciate it might be different for others. To be fair, neither did I mention Down is made from animal products and I know the Vegans have a real issue with that!

[@chrishamilton2527]

@ none of which changes anything - people can obfuscate as much as they wish, it doesn’t change facts. Quality down remains the warmest coat for weight. Recommending a coat that by your own admission is not particularly suited to winter conditions is irresponsible. That is not an opinion, it is fact. That jacket is at best suitable for two season use, nothing more. The Deacathalon jacket totally outclasses it and comparing a basically summer jacket with a four season one is totally unreasonable. I guess some people will do literally anything, including compromising any integrity they might have had, for views. Desperation is an awful place to be.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@@chrishamilton2527 Respectfully, you have completely misunderstood the content of the video and I can only think you must have skipped through it or been doing something else at the time. 04:54 I did not state the George jacket isn't suited to winter conditions, I stated it was more suited to colder and wet conditions. The george jacket is measurably warmer than the MT100 jacket. I know because I measured it. And I am comparing it to the MT100, not the MT500 you have. Yes, down is the lightest material for any given level of warmth, but it is entirely possible for a heavier synthetic fill jacket to be warmer and as I stated, this jacket is 60% heavier. As for being desperate for views, this feels like you are getting personal now, discussing the person rather than the point. I'm that desparate I don't think you should come back. I'm going to cover other insulation materials and I don't think you will enjoy it.

[@chrishamilton2527]

@ you clearly have a chip on both shoulders with anyone challenging you. You did not prove anything with your alleged test which if you listen to your own dialogue where you say it was inconclusive. Secondly you stated that the starting temperatures were significantly different which you then gloss over when there is only a one degree difference later, despite the wind picking up. That clearly indicates the MT100 is warmer. I also own an MT100 - so once again you have leapt to a wrong conclusion. You really do not like people having different opinions to yourself. Of course you can feel it’s personal if you wish to do so - you made the statements and myself and other people have commented about same. So yes, you can take umbrage or you can learn.

[@david6920-r6z]

Good review Brother 🇺🇸 🇳🇿

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Much appreciated, thank you.

[@darrenmilo9565]

Not sure about this one being “better” than the decathlon jacket when they are so different. I love down jackets because they not only keep you warm, the tend to regulate the heat better so won’t overheat. Go outdoors did some good inexpensive polyester jackets last year and I bought one. Although decathlon do good value I prefer the standard of jacket from Tog24 for down. It really does depend on the persons preference and the activity employed for it. Interesting though to hear your thoughts.

[@OldtricksForolddog]

@darrenmilo9565 over rated

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Yup, thats why I was so careful to be specific about what specific attributes I'm looking for and why and also point out things it wasn't as strong in, like weight and packability compared to the Decathlon down jacket.

[@Mugwumps107]

Good genuine honest review 👍🏻 Are you on the Instagrams friend???

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Cheers, no, not on Instagram.

[@TheOutDoorMan101]

That's my next purchase is then lads .👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@dogdadoutdoors]

For the money, honestly its pretty impressive. Its definitely not as refined as some other jackets but it does the job, and under a smock or a waterproof nobody can see what you are wearing anyway!

[@colingoddard7540]

Interesting. I thought the brand might be Snugpak as they do some cracking jackets.

[@winniethepooh2947]

Snugpack has some stiching problem.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

Yeah, snugpack was always really popular in military circles, great kit but is relatively expensive in comparison. No doubt more bells and whistles though.

[@chrishamilton2527]

I disagree on so many fronts. I have both and I’ll select the down jacket every time. No one that has any sense will wear a down jacket in the rain. I carry a light weight waterproof shell for rain protection. Every hiker that I know carries their down jacket for use inside their tent and when stopped - but not in the rain. The jacket you are promoting is built down to a price - to me it’s more important to keep warm without all the issues that you mention but gloss over. Drafty sleeves and bottom hem, no hood, can result in you getting chilled - just to save a few quid? No thanks.

[@dogdadoutdoors]

It's fine to disagree, I'm just another guy with another opinion. Although saying that, parts of this review are objective (down does lose its insulation properties when wet, and parts are subjective, how I choose to act on that fact. So what do you wear when its cold, its raining and you are moving if not your down jacket? do you carry a separate layer for that eventuality, so you have one for moving and one for staying still? How does that affect overall weight and packability? But I do have to correct you on a few inaccuracies, the sleeves are not drafty, they have an elastic cuff, they work fine. The jacket is available with and without a hood, there are options and even with no elastic in the hem, this jacket is objectively warmer than the Decathlon one, as measured by a thermometer inside the jacket.

[@OldtricksForolddog]

Such silly gripes about pockets..just tie a piece of string on them..

[@dogdadoutdoors]

When I do a review, I typically review it as it comes.

[@OldtricksForolddog]

Elitist views on weight and named brands 😂😂😂😂..get stronger and fitter..easy solutions

[@dogdadoutdoors]

I have said it before and I will say it again, unless you are superfit already, you are better off losing a couple of pounds body weight than a few hundred grams by buying expensive kit.

[@OldtricksForolddog]

@dogdadoutdoors I'm 150lbs soaking wet..54 and keep fit..my load out is ridiculous 😑 😬🤭..but I can never justify the cost of lightweight gear..my pack for tomorrow is around 18kg..for 15 miler ..but I would love a lighter tent and bag..

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@OldtricksForolddog That is a lot to carry.

[@OldtricksForolddog]

@dogdadoutdoors I'm dreading it...food and water alone is 5kg..practicing for south downs way..bag and tent is 4kg ..trying to aquire lighter gear..it's expensive though..doing it for MH charity MIND..they helped me during some real bad times so...just trying to give something back you know...I may forego some luxuries like extra clean clothes, any advice would be appreciated 👏..

[@dogdadoutdoors]

@OldtricksForolddog I attempted the south downs way a few years ago. (I got stomach bug and had to pull out 3rd day) If you start at the eastbourne end the first day has a fair amount of up and down. I'm pretty sure there are lots of places you can top your water up along the way, you should confirm, but there are sources like this that help. bikebible.co.uk/water.html.