Archive for the ‘health’ tag
Hiking Gear For Dogs
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 Dog Backpack Pet Gear Saddle Bag for Hiking Camping New $17.98 End Date: Wednesday May-23-2012 15:18:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $19.98 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
 Dog Backpack Pet Gear Saddle Bag for Hiking Camping New $17.98 End Date: Friday May-25-2012 10:41:16 PDT Buy It Now for only: $19.98 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list |
Where can I find First Down long down-filled coats or other coats for hiking in extremely cold weather?
Quite a few years ago I bought a "First Down - Expedition Gear" brand down-filled coat that reaches down to my knees and up to my chin. Although it is extremely puffy, it has a shape to it, and fits close to my body to keep cold air out. It got really dirty so I tried dry cleaning it, which only made it look worse. (I had tried putting a previous down coat in the washing machine which definitely didn't work. So, another question would be, "How do you clean a down coat?".) I still wear it but it has gotten dirtier and dirtier and I'd like to get another one or one like it. I love to take long hikes with my dogs, even if it's 5 degrees out with a wind blowing. I have been to every store in my area and have searched on line but no one seems to carry this line any more and no one seems to offer a similarly warm coat. The ones I find are much thinner than mine, don't hug my body, and usuall
First thing's first. If you were hiking you should be generating enough body heat that a down coat is unnecessary...even in 5 degree weather. I hike all winter and normally a wicking base layer, wool pants, wool sweater, and a Windbloc Fleece jacket is all I wear. (Plus hat and gloves.)
Second. Down is for when it is going to be cold and dry. If you can see mud, you don't need down. Buy something with a nylon shell, preferably waterproof.
Now, cleaning down is really easy. You get something like Nikwax Down Wash or even good old Woolite and wash it in the gentle cycle. Then you put it in the dryer on low heat or even just air only and let it tumble dry for a couple of hours. Down needs to be clean and dry to work. So the longer you can keep it on tumble the more loft you will put back into the garment. Dry cleaning is the LAST THING you should ever do with down. Was there not a "How To Care For" tag or something when you bought the coat?