I wanted to post a review of the popular Morgedal anorak. I've been wearing mine for about 18 months now and strangely, although it's a very imperfect garment in many ways, I keep coming back to it.
GOOD POINTS
Shape
It's longish, reaching mid thigh on me (6'1" wearing an XL), and long enough that when you sit you sit on the coat itself
Pockets
Both are really well sized, and the lower pocket reaches right across: e.g. although it has two openings it's not two pockets, it's one. I carried a hammer around in there the other day.
Zips
The zips have really big metal pull rings which I find easy to find and grab, including with gloves
Build and materials
The fabric is very soft to the touch and very flexible - you can easily ball this up and put it in a small backpack despite its size; and while the seams don't seem particularly heavy I've had no problems with the heavy use i give to the pockets, for example
Breathability
It's very light and breathable - I regularly cycle in it, and run when I have to. Run up a hill and you don't end up sweaty. In fact, it's so light it adds almost no extra insulation at all. As someone commented previously on the forum, it's a "cold" garment. It doesn't stop the wind much either - see below. Woodlore describe it as "Highly breathable", "Windproof" and "Retains body heat". I'd certainly agree with the former, not so sure about other two. The wind has a tendency to blow through it, so you need to make allowance for that underneath, especially if using out on the water as I sometimes do.
Chin protection: nice and soft, just high enough to cover the mouth
BAD POINTS
Waterproofing
It's made of Epic Cotton, apparently a fabric in which the threads are silicon or plastic coated before weaving. However, the waterproofing is light at best. Bergans describe it as "water repellant", Woodlore describe it as "highly water-repellent". Well, a twenty minutes in a decent shower and you are wet. It starts at the cuff and the neck and seeps along the seams. However, if you regard it as a light waterproof at best then it's fine. I often wear it when i need to be prepared for a bit of rain but I'm not expecting downpours. If you get a downpour you're better off sitting it out under a tree - this coat will not deal with that.
Hood
Three minuses for the hood:
1. lateral adjustment only. It has an elastic drawstring that runs sideways about midway up the hood. I don't see the point of this as it doesn't pull it up out of your line of sight like the more usual vertical adjuster would. I do get frustrated with this in situations where you need to turn your head and retain vision: cycling, driving a boat etc. It's so annoying that I may even add a vertical adjuster.
2. the hood is kind of cinched in at the neck and there's a seam right at where your neck ends (on a lot of garments it's further down). This is a bad design as the water collects at this point and then starts leaking right on this seam into your collar, and this is about the worst place you'd want water to leak.
3. When you have the neck done up to the top the hood is too tight to pull on and off; you have to undo the chin to do it. This is a faff and unnecessary.
One plus: it can pull down completely over your face. I like this for daytime kips.
No Side Zip
Doesn't have any side opening to ease putting on and taking off. Nearly all modern smocks do feature this small aid.
Warmth
As mentioned above, this coat really doesn't offer much insulation at all, doesn't really stop the wind and I'm not sure it evens retains body heat.
Other claims: Woodlore says "Fabric is anti-bacterial and provides protection from mosquitoes and UV rays" - this is not on Bergans own site and I can't testify to this. Obviously great if it's true.
CONCLUSION
So, there are some pretty big negatives on the Morgedal as a bit of outdoor wear: it's not really waterproof or windproof. I have to say I was pretty p*ssed off the first time I had to walk in decent rain in it and ended up soaked.
HOWEVER, this is what I'm currently wearing now it's a bit warmer, whether to ride my bike to the shops or chop wood. I just did a weekend in Switzerland, nothing hugely strenuous but conditions were unpredictable, and this is what I packed. I do own quite a lot of smocks in the traditional Norwegian fjallsikker shape (in fact I'm selling some, I'll put a listing up soon) and I really like the length and shape in general.
No garment is perfect - there's always a compromise. I wish it was more waterproof. I wish they would redesign the hood. BUT I like the weight, the feel, the shape, it's very comfortable, the pockets are perfect and I use it a lot, especially if there's going to be some exertion - did I mention chopping wood? Just don't expect it to handle heavy weather.
I know it's a popular piece around here. What do others think.
GOOD POINTS
Shape
It's longish, reaching mid thigh on me (6'1" wearing an XL), and long enough that when you sit you sit on the coat itself
Pockets
Both are really well sized, and the lower pocket reaches right across: e.g. although it has two openings it's not two pockets, it's one. I carried a hammer around in there the other day.
Zips
The zips have really big metal pull rings which I find easy to find and grab, including with gloves
Build and materials
The fabric is very soft to the touch and very flexible - you can easily ball this up and put it in a small backpack despite its size; and while the seams don't seem particularly heavy I've had no problems with the heavy use i give to the pockets, for example
Breathability
It's very light and breathable - I regularly cycle in it, and run when I have to. Run up a hill and you don't end up sweaty. In fact, it's so light it adds almost no extra insulation at all. As someone commented previously on the forum, it's a "cold" garment. It doesn't stop the wind much either - see below. Woodlore describe it as "Highly breathable", "Windproof" and "Retains body heat". I'd certainly agree with the former, not so sure about other two. The wind has a tendency to blow through it, so you need to make allowance for that underneath, especially if using out on the water as I sometimes do.
Chin protection: nice and soft, just high enough to cover the mouth
BAD POINTS
Waterproofing
It's made of Epic Cotton, apparently a fabric in which the threads are silicon or plastic coated before weaving. However, the waterproofing is light at best. Bergans describe it as "water repellant", Woodlore describe it as "highly water-repellent". Well, a twenty minutes in a decent shower and you are wet. It starts at the cuff and the neck and seeps along the seams. However, if you regard it as a light waterproof at best then it's fine. I often wear it when i need to be prepared for a bit of rain but I'm not expecting downpours. If you get a downpour you're better off sitting it out under a tree - this coat will not deal with that.
Hood
Three minuses for the hood:
1. lateral adjustment only. It has an elastic drawstring that runs sideways about midway up the hood. I don't see the point of this as it doesn't pull it up out of your line of sight like the more usual vertical adjuster would. I do get frustrated with this in situations where you need to turn your head and retain vision: cycling, driving a boat etc. It's so annoying that I may even add a vertical adjuster.
2. the hood is kind of cinched in at the neck and there's a seam right at where your neck ends (on a lot of garments it's further down). This is a bad design as the water collects at this point and then starts leaking right on this seam into your collar, and this is about the worst place you'd want water to leak.
3. When you have the neck done up to the top the hood is too tight to pull on and off; you have to undo the chin to do it. This is a faff and unnecessary.
One plus: it can pull down completely over your face. I like this for daytime kips.
No Side Zip
Doesn't have any side opening to ease putting on and taking off. Nearly all modern smocks do feature this small aid.
Warmth
As mentioned above, this coat really doesn't offer much insulation at all, doesn't really stop the wind and I'm not sure it evens retains body heat.
Other claims: Woodlore says "Fabric is anti-bacterial and provides protection from mosquitoes and UV rays" - this is not on Bergans own site and I can't testify to this. Obviously great if it's true.
CONCLUSION
So, there are some pretty big negatives on the Morgedal as a bit of outdoor wear: it's not really waterproof or windproof. I have to say I was pretty p*ssed off the first time I had to walk in decent rain in it and ended up soaked.
HOWEVER, this is what I'm currently wearing now it's a bit warmer, whether to ride my bike to the shops or chop wood. I just did a weekend in Switzerland, nothing hugely strenuous but conditions were unpredictable, and this is what I packed. I do own quite a lot of smocks in the traditional Norwegian fjallsikker shape (in fact I'm selling some, I'll put a listing up soon) and I really like the length and shape in general.
No garment is perfect - there's always a compromise. I wish it was more waterproof. I wish they would redesign the hood. BUT I like the weight, the feel, the shape, it's very comfortable, the pockets are perfect and I use it a lot, especially if there's going to be some exertion - did I mention chopping wood? Just don't expect it to handle heavy weather.
I know it's a popular piece around here. What do others think.
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