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Posted by Bill S on January 18, 2008 at 12:16:15 pm EST
In reply to Dolomitti Jacket posted by Gear Selection (Guest) on January 18, 2008 at 11:08:49 am EST

Since the rise of the Canadian dollar (or decline of the US dollar, depending on your viewpoint) from about 60 cents to over one US$, the price of the Dolomiti has almost doubled during the past couple of years. I have had mine for 7 or 8 years, and was shocked when we bought Barb's last year that it cost double mine. Well, what do you expect, since it is all synthetic material derived from petroleum, which has gone from $10/barrel just a few years ago to the $100/barrel range. Be glad they aren't asking $1500, which would be the oil cost increase. Gee, gasoline has gone from "only" a little over $1/gallon to "only" $3.50/gallon in the same time (some stations in the mountains here are asking close to $8/gallon).

If you found someone selling them new at $200, I would grab it. That's equivalent to $110 or $120 at the time I got mine. Most of the time, you have to buy ID stuff directly from ID, since very few shops carry it retail. I assume you know that ID makes their stuff in Canada (they are based in Alberta) at Canadian wage levels, and you are getting top quality, and stand behind their work - excellent example of "you get what you pay for". They are one of the top 2 or 3 outdoor gear companies in the world for jackets, sleeping bags, tents, and the like. I have a number of items from them, some heavily used for over 10 years, all in excellent condition despite the heavy use.

My experience with every Windstopper and Windbloc garment I have had is 1. they mostly just stop breathability, 2. they are not as warm for the weight as regular fleece, and 3. they are heavy and don't pack well in your pack when you aren't wearing them. I rarely use my "Peruvian" style hat because of the further problem that it cuts down on being able to hear things (you end up shouting at your partner because it does cut down so much, almost like industrial earplugs). On the other hand, some people like them. I gave my Windbloc jacket to my son, who wears it cycling in Wisconsin winters.

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