Bushwalk Australia

I'm 6 ft 7, 83 kg. Looking for a fairly down jacket to go over, at most, a 200g merino base and 260g merino real fleece mid. I take xxl for shoulder width, 42' inch chest but thin waist. A down jacket puffy around the waist would be a disaster. With my build I tend to get cold.

This is for camp, down to a bit below zero I guess. My first down jacket purchase. I have been in the habit of ordering stuff from the states.

Cheers, Stefan

As you are a long way from a 'standard' size I would suggest going for a custom made variety.

PHD in the UK custom make jackets and bags - http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/custom.php
I have an off-the-shelf jacket from them that is well made and high quality so I doubt the custom jobs would be any different. There has been one report of an unpleasant odour on a new vest from them but read the topic http://bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9265&p=123015&hilit=smell+on+jacket#p122730

Also look at Feathered Friends in USA http://www.featheredfriends.com/frontpage.html also seem to have a good rep. I only have some booties from there but they are great.

I don't like your chances of finding anything to fit as well as you would like.......

What's wrong with using a drawcord for the waist??

Moondog55 wrote:What's wrong with using a drawcord for the waist??

Everything!

Strider wrote:

Moondog55 wrote:What's wrong with using a drawcord for the waist??

Everything!

Explanation needed.
Why??

that is the function of a waist cord, to reduce volume and make the garment more effective by reducing excess volume.
Until I hit middle age i had a 32inch waist I know the problem, i never had a problem using a drawcord.
BTW I am an XL Tall it is sleeves I can't get to fit.

Moondog55 wrote:

Strider wrote:

Moondog55 wrote:What's wrong with using a drawcord for the waist??

Everything!

Explanation needed.
Why??

Uncomfortable and tend to cause jacket to ride up. Doesn't typically decrease volume at all either.

That is true of a bottom hem drawcord but not of a when fitted at the waist.
OP I made an assumption given your height that you were after a proper full length jacket, cut to fit to the crutch. In 30 years of wearing down parkas and jackets i have never had the problem Strider alludes to. That is however a possible drawback in a short bomber or blouson style, as it is in pile or fleece

Moondog55 wrote:That is true of a bottom hem drawcord but not of a when fitted at the waist.

Sorry. I misinterpreted!

Common problem that, we think we know what other people are thinking or that everybody else thinks as we do.
Stephan, PHD make very good quality gear. There are other bespoke makers of down gear too, Nunatak in the USA.
Have you considered a multi-layered approach to the problem? Wearing a good down vest is another way to increase core body insulation which can help greatly, vests are good value for money in terms of warmth for weight. Although a single custom garment would be cheaper than two custom garments always the combination of a down ( or synthetic ) vest and a windshell is effective.

Guys, thanks for all the great suggestions.

Gayet, I'll have a good look at your link. Custom-made might be the only way to go in the end.

Moondog55, using a vest might be a good starting point. I will be able to downsize the vests considerably since I won't have to worry about the arms/shoulders.