Kathmandu or Macpac?

sunshinenz on 25/06/2023 - 18:44
Last edited 25/06/2023 - 19:50 by 1 other user

I know there are many factors, I guess the general answer is 'it depends'. I'm interested in your personal experience/ opinion on their styles, fit, quality, prices, and value for money. The main products that I'm interested in are puffer jackets, windbreakers, backpacks, rain wear, active wear, mainly for everyday use (camping gear and thermals are already sorted).

I find Kathmandu jackets more stylish but more expensive than Macpac (I'm comparing usual sale prices, I don't care about their RRP), e.g. Kathmandu Epiq vs. Macpac Halo. Just wondering what other cheapies think.

Thanks.

General Discussion Jacket Kathmandu Macpac Nepal Asia

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  • bang4dabuck on 27/06/2023 - 23:22
    +3

    I would actually go for Kathmandu over Macpac overall. But I thing it comes down to product vs product, and price vs price. I only ever buy from these guys off the clearance rack and usually at the end of winter when they have their deepest discounts. For the jackets, I don't really like the shiny material of the base level Macpac jackets, whereas the Kathmandu stuff looks better. I find the best place to shop for these is Sylvia Park which has Kathmandu, Macpac, and Bivouac all right next to each other. Best puffer I've owned was Outdoor Research bought from Bivouac with 850 down.

    • desikiwi on 28/06/2023 - 06:06

      Is 850 considerably warmer then 600 or 700 ish fills ?

      • catchthelight on 28/06/2023 - 08:39
        +1

        Definitely agree on product vs product being more important rather than brand overall.

        In terms of fill-power, you need to combine this with the actual weight/amount of fill in the jacket. 850 is going to be a lot warmer for it's weight, but for example comparing the two base level 600-fill down jackets from Kathmandu and Macpac, the Macpac has more fill in it (205g vs 180g) and therefore would be warmer even though they are both 600-fill. Think of the fill power as the quality of the down.

      • bang4dabuck on 08/07/2023 - 15:12

        I wouldn't say that the 850 was necessarily warmer than the 650, its more weight to warmth ratio. They tend to use less fill when they are going 850, but it is pretty even on the warmth scale.

        The big advantage was that the jacket was incredibly light and that made it super versatile. It was way easier to pack. It wasn't a big puffy thing. You could wear it by itself or you could layer it way easier without looking like the marshmallow man. I could do physical work wearing it. I wore it pretty much everyday.

  • fatboyj on 27/06/2023 - 18:46
    +2

    What about Swanndri, any love for them, that brand?

    Only mentioned because I have a $20 off $100 spend if anyone wants it.

    *Terms and conditions – minimum spend $100, voucher code can only be used once, codes will expire on 30th June 2023, enter your unique code at checkout to obtain your $20 discount. Codes cannot be exchanged for cash or used in conjunction with other offers. Valid in New Zealand and Australia (.co.nz and .com.au.)

    • Ebzmyst on 28/06/2023 - 00:14

      I would appreciate this if you still have it please @fatboyj x

      • fatboyj on 28/06/2023 - 08:32
        +1

        Sure thing, just sent via pm. Enjoy :)

  • Fox419 on 25/06/2023 - 19:28
    +1

    It depends…like you said.

    Where I live both stores are about a minute walk from each other.
    When i go to buy something, i browse both stores first, try on what i like and check prices.

    This winter i got a puffer, and beany hat and a fleece hoody from Macpac because i liked the style and fit better than what Kathmandu had.
    Love the fleece hoody it feels like a warm hug.
    Prices were within $10 of each other for most items.
    I got a fleece parker jacket from Kathmandu the same day because it was on a deep sale and i wanted something for those cold rainy days.

    TLDR: Check both stores when you want something, companies are all trying to make money from you so don't get locked into brand loyalty.

  • Savy101 on 27/06/2023 - 18:35
    +1

    Ice breaker. Have one for sale :) Brand new in M black

  • catchthelight on 26/06/2023 - 08:10

    Macpac > Kathmandu

    Kathmandu/Torpedo7=Hallensteins and Macpac=Barkers

    Bivouac=3WiseMen

    • sunshinenz on 26/06/2023 - 08:55

      Interesting ranking. I wonder how Kathmandu make money given that their prices are generally higher than Macpac's.

      • catchthelight on 26/06/2023 - 09:52
        +3

        My perspective is that Kathmandu's RRPs are outrageous and purposely so, allowing them to have massive sales and make people feel like they're getting a bargain. Their largest shareholder is Briscoes, so it would make sense.

        • sunshinenz on 26/06/2023 - 21:21

          Yes I agree that Kathmandu's RRPs are outrageous, but they are more expensive than Macpac at their usual sale prices too.

          Eg. Epiq hooded jacket: RRP $400, usually 40% off, sometimes 50% off, 60% off is very rare these days. Clearance is $180, 20% off clearance is $144, and usually for colours and sizes that hardly appeal.

          Macpac hooded Halo: RRP $300, usually 40-50% off, clearance is $129, 10% off clearance is $116.1 (20% off Macpac clearance is as rare as Kathmandu 30% off clearance).

          Likewise for other jackets. I have found Kathmandu's camping gear cheaper though.

          • BDS on 27/06/2023 - 05:20

            @sunshinenz: MacPac Winter jackets are reasonable around $112-180 on clearance not much colour and size options in Summer(Jan-Mar).

            I don't know if any one buys any good quality reasonable price jackets from AliExpress or Amazon or Decathlon or factory outlet?

    • Encounter Ekambaram on 26/06/2023 - 13:41

      Meh.. Both similar quality. Go with the one that's cheaper.

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