Thread: No longer a MacPac fanboy...hello Cactus

Originally Posted by Shearer

Not sure what the jacket would have cost you 20 years ago, $200 - $300 maybe??? Personally I would be pretty happy with it's lifespan. Nothing,especially clothing, lasts forever but I think Macpac made a mistake not seeing you right. They should have given you a new jacket at their cost and kept a happy customer even if you haven't bought much off them for 20 years.

It was their top of the line alpine jacket, $599...

Originally Posted by Shelley

It was their top of the line alpine jacket, $599...

$600 20 years ago? Hell. It must have been top of the line. What model is it? I worked in sports retail about then and the dearest Fairydown (Macpacs closest competitor) Goretex jackets were no where near that.
Even so, 20 years is a long time in technical clothing terms and $30 per year ain't bad.
As I said, Macpac should have cut you a deal on a new one but didn't. They have lost a customer because of it but seriously, having a Goretex jacket fail after 20 years isn't going to put me off a brand. In fact, if they could guarantee 20 years I'd be rapt.

Originally Posted by Shearer

$600 20 years ago? Hell. It must have been top of the line. What model is it? I worked in sports retail about then and the dearest Fairydown (Macpacs closest competitor) Goretex jackets were no where near that.

My first alpine shell was a Fairydown goretex one about 15 years ago, from memory I paid about that much but full sticker price was $800! I still have it but its not as waterproof as it once was so I updated and relegated it to casual use.

20 years is a very impressive lifespan for a goretex jacket anyway, I wouldn't complain about that. Technology has moved on though, many new alpine shells will be about half the weight.

I washed my Express 600 sleeping bag and lost some down from two rear baffles & Macpac Tauranga fixed it immediately. I'd expect anything within the 5 to maybe 10 year mark to be sorted but after that I'd call it fair enough to replace it myself.

I'd happily pay $600 for an alpine coat that would last 20 years.Are you Scottish?

Originally Posted by marky123

I'd happily pay $600 for an alpine coat that would last 20 years.Are you Scottish?

Born and bred in Christchurch, does that count?

As much as I love Cactus gear I don't think they have the range or experience in rainwear. The only weatherproof coat they have is over 1kg in weight.

20 years ago I could have bought a Holden HT hunting ute for $600 and I'd be surprised if it was still going strong today.

I've happy wih 20years out of any gear depending on how much it's been used.

Surprised they didn't have a go at fixing it, or at least offer you a decent discount on a replacement, can't see them doing it for free but why couldn't they just cut 40% off a new one??

Got a macpac sleeping bag that is only 4years old and needs the main zip replacing... Will see how that goes this winter when I take it in

Originally Posted by 223nut

...can't see them doing it for free but why couldn't they just cut 40% off a new one??

They do that with a sale every couple of months anyway!

20 yr gortex??
I had 3 gortex jackets thru the last half of the eighties, all leaked like a sieve.
I know they went thru several generations of them, I had two. Helly Hansen and a couple of canadian/US ones. Total waste of money and this was walking round town, didn't dare take them into the woods with me.
Boots the same experience so have stuck with proven leather and grease/dubbin.
Best experience was coming back to nz and trying a 'Wilderness' brand (nz) Reflex jacket in 1990 and now its starting to weep at the seams.

You should frame that thing!

I'll never touch goretex again without some real assurances no matter who makes it.

I'd just get out the silicon sealer and do a DIY job on the seams just like a tent fly. Will make bugger all difference to overall breathabilty o f the jacket.

I wouldn't complain about 20 years service from it.

well, after airing my grump in public, I wondered if the Reflex is renamed Goretex. Can't find anything about Reflex fabric online however.
Sooo, how is peoples take on modern Goretex nearly 30yrs ??? later than my tragic experiences with the stuff......

Originally Posted by Awaian

well, after airing my grump in public, I wondered if the Reflex is renamed Goretex. Can't find anything about Reflex fabric online however.
Sooo, how is peoples take on modern Goretex nearly 30yrs ??? later than my tragic experiences with the stuff......

There are a lot of different waterproof/breathable fabrics around now, Goretex still has the best known name but not the monopoly or clear performance advantage it once had.

My current shell is an Outdoor Research one with Pertex Shield+ fabric and so far it has been just as good as my old Fairydown Goretex one, at around half the weight (440g).

Old goretex and new goretex are different beasts. Something to do with the not being allowed to use the same materials as in the past for environmental reasons. Or something like that. Durability has difference as a result.

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk