Cheers Jonathan,

Measuring loft is a real can of worms, I look forward to your long term review.

Ah, good to know. Didn't realize one was box wall vs sewn through. That's a huge difference (I usually prefer not to compare them since choosing one construction over the other is usually a choice dictated by contradictory demands).

As for Rab's sewn through box construction, I've noticed that too. The only think I can come up with that makes "sense" is that they are distinguishing sewn box wall construction from welded construction (like the old MB Permafrost). Why such a distinction is necessary is a bit beyond me since I assume sewn is standard and welding is a "feature" that is worth marketing specifically...but companies aren't always the most consistent or logical.

Anyone else get to see.one of these in the flesh yet?

A good review of it here.

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/brooks-range/mojave-jacket/

I got one of these last week for my birthday.

Will be trying it out this weekend.

Stephen,

How did you like the Mojave in the end?

Any particular strengths/weaknesses?

Cheers,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I have not used in anger yet as it did not arrive in time for my last trip.

It is very well constructed and as good as quality as any of the other high end kit I have.

To be honest I am slightly disappointed with the loft as its only half the thickness of my Gooses
Feet Parka which has the same amount of down in it (800vs900 fp though) but the Goooses Feet Parka is like a mutant :-)

I will post some pics in a bit.

I have one to clo test but won't get to it until I finish a couple of other very big projects (months off).

Based on my initial manual inspection, I will be VERY surprised if the clo value tests anywhere close to what 9oz of 800 fill should.

The loft is anemic compared to other 800 fill parkas with 9 oz. of fill but, low loft can be offset by increased down density. Unfortunately even the down density appears sub-par.

I have the same I impressions Richard.


I have taken some photos comparing the loft with other parkas.

The blue Parka has 250g down, the black one has 310g.

Edited by stephenm on 02/23/2013 14:14:57 MST.

I bought one & also thought it seemed distictly underfilled. Packs up smaller than my rab infinity even though its cut about a size bigger and suppodly has about 2.5 oz more down. Its a nice jacket, but I don't beli eve the spec. I also like my infinity a better (besides the reg down) so I returned the mojave. Also curiou to see how these different types of hydrophic down fair against eachother (downtek vs encapsil etc)

I would definitely class it as 3 season Hoody, it does have zippered pockets and all that so that's what adds the weight.

If it was 80g lighter it would be a great item.

Edited by stephenm on 02/27/2013 09:49:50 MST.

I have sent an email to the company it was bought from voicing my concerns about the loft.

Will let you all know the outcome.

Stephen and Richard,

Thanks for your insights. I too could not reconcile the apparent lack of loft with the reported 9 oz of down. Interestingly (or not), the jacket has received a mostly positive review at OutdoorGearLab.com, with a "warmth" rating higher than the Rab Infinity. Perhaps this is more a result of box baffles rather than increased down content, though.

Cheers,
A

Hi Andrew?

Its only box baffled in the body and not in arms and hood.

Not to knock outdoorgearlab but I find there reviews not as "scientific" as Richards or Bpls.

The construction is all sewn-through except for the front of the torso is box-baffled (1/2 the body area).

Thanks Richard.

I just had a look and the back of the baffles mush be mesh lined as there is a "loose" fabric panel on both sides of the front.

This photo shows what I mean.

Stephen,
Is that perhaps the pocket?

Hi Tjarrd,

My apologies I missed your question, its definitely not a pocket.

I was waiting for the weather to warm up a bit to try it out, I was on an overnighter last night
and found it slightly chilly in the back and warms at about 25f due to the stitch through construction
In those areas, putting a wind shirt over it did help a bit. It is definitely a 3 season piece.

Cheers,

So a 9oz fill weight pseudo box-wall jacket is chilly at 25f?! My MB UL Parka with a wind shirt can get me to around freezing, and layering two of those would be the same weight as the Mojave but with only 5oz of down and at least as warm if nor warmer than 25f. Looking at the pictures it also looks even less lofty than my MHW Hooded Phantom with 6ish oz of 800fp down.

I mean many 20F quilts are made with only 11oz of down spread over a much larger surface area instead of just a torso, so what gives?

Has anyone figured out where the discrepancy comes in?