Altus H30 vs J30

[Jenyat53]

Could someone please clarify the difference between the H30 and J30?
As I age I am thinking of trading in my trusty old 10 camino Ferrino Trekker (I don’t walk in hot weather, open zip at every opportunity and have never been soaked) on an Altus as they are significantly lighter but while some swear by the Altus a number of reviews both in this forum and others complain about being soaked beneath their Altus … so feeling a bit apprehensive about the swap.
(I wonder if those complaining simply didn’t realise that you can ‘stew’ in your own moisture from within if you have no air circulation ) or whether occasionally the Altus does fail.
Many thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[Gobsmacked by the World]

At risk of sounding like a kook...OK I might be past that point...but may I suggest the:

Poncho impermeable de montaña y trekking máx. 75 litros Adulto Quechua 900

Compra en Decathlon Poncho impermeable de montaña y trekking máx. 75 litros Adulto Quechua 900 Diseñado y probado en los Alpes franceses, este poncho de manga larga está provisto de cremallera entera para ponerlo fácilmente.

www.decathlon.es

It has huge pit zips for ventilation, is rated at 5,000 schmerber, so very waterproof, and can be seen from space. At 45 Euros, it is affordable.
The money that you save...should you see anyone on the trail with a backpack like that in the profile picture, buy him a beer, or three.

 

[ivar]

The only thing I can see if that they say that the new J30 is made from recycled material, this is not mentioned in the product description on the old H30. If anyone finds out anything else, I would love to know since I have gotten this question a lot.

 

[hikinggirl]

Could someone please clarify the difference between the H30 and J30?
As I age I am thinking of trading in my trusty old 10 camino Ferrino Trekker (I don’t walk in hot weather, open zip at every opportunity and have never been soaked) on an Altus as they are significantly lighter but while some swear by the Altus a number of reviews both in this forum and others complain about being soaked beneath their Altus … so feeling a bit apprehensive about the swap.
(I wonder if those complaining simply didn’t realise that you can ‘stew’ in your own moisture from within if you have no air circulation ) or whether occasionally the Altus does fail.
Many thanks in advance for your responses.

Just finished the Norte and used my Altus poncho. I’m 100 pounds and don’t sweat much and my husband and I were soaking wet in our ponchos. Will be buying Decathlon’s version for our next Camino.

 

[ParisOslo]

Just finished the Norte and used my Altus poncho. I’m 100 pounds and don’t sweat much and my husband and I were soaking wet in our ponchos. Will be buying Decathlon’s version for our next Camino.

Sound like a mobile sauna to me to!

 

[t2andreo]

The only thing I can see if that they say that the new J30 is made from recycled material, this is not mentioned in the product description on the old H30. If anyone finds out anything else, I would love to know since I have gotten this question a lot.

Here are the product descriptions form the Altus.es web site:

H30 - https://wearealtus.com/en/rain-series/atmospheric-h30

J30 - https://wearealtus.com/en/autumnwinter-24/atmospheric-j30

As Ivar pointed out, the only difference I can find is that the J30 claims to be made from recycled materials. EXCEPT that BOTH ponchos claim to be made of: 100% PES Ripstop 20D R/S PU. The J30 description adds the words "100% recycled," after 100% PES Ripstop 20D R/S PU..."

The other difference is the available colors between the two models. BOTH claim the same - 300 gram weight.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Jeff Crawley]

At risk of sounding like a kook...OK I might be past that point...but may I suggest the:

Poncho impermeable de montaña y trekking máx. 75 litros Adulto Quechua 900

Compra en Decathlon Poncho impermeable de montaña y trekking máx. 75 litros Adulto Quechua 900 Diseñado y probado en los Alpes franceses, este poncho de manga larga está provisto de cremallera entera para ponerlo fácilmente.

www.decathlon.es

It has huge pit zips for ventilation, is rated at 5,000 schmerber, so very waterproof, and can be seen from space. At 45 Euros, it is affordable.
The money that you save...should you see anyone on the trail with a backpack like that in the profile picture, buy him a beer, or three.

Like the idea of the pit zips - I wonder if I could get my Altus converted?

 

[trecile]

Like the idea of the pit zips - I wonder if I could get my Altus converted?

Here's a DIY way to add pit zips

MYOG Pit Zips - Backpacking Light

I have long wished my ID eVent rain jacket had pit zips, and I finally decided to install some myself. First, I practiced on my cheapie Driducks rain jacket. It...

backpackinglight.com

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Here's a DIY way to add pit zips

MYOG Pit Zips - Backpacking Light

I have long wished my ID eVent rain jacket had pit zips, and I finally decided to install some myself. First, I practiced on my cheapie Driducks rain jacket. It...

backpackinglight.com

Excellent, thank you - I would have split the seam and then added the zip. This way is much better!

 

[ShoshTrvls]

Like the idea of the pit zips - I wonder if I could get my Altus converted?

So, I had considered that, along with adding the pocket slits that the Decathalon has. Turned out that having it done (I’m no seamstress) would cost the same and add as much weight as buying the Decathlon. So I bought the Decathalon.

 

[Gobsmacked by the World]

Here's a DIY way to add pit zips

MYOG Pit Zips - Backpacking Light

I have long wished my ID eVent rain jacket had pit zips, and I finally decided to install some myself. First, I practiced on my cheapie Driducks rain jacket. It...

backpackinglight.com

Great post. I love the different DIY hacks, mods, McGyver-ing (word?) that I see people do. I’d almost like to see a separate category or forum board devoted just to people modifying or otherwise creatively defacing their gear. I’m much more impressed by someone’s gear/clothes if they’ve ’made it their own’ creatively than some over-priced designer brand name gear.

 

[trecile]

Great post. I love the different DIY hacks, mods, McGyver-ing (word?) that I see people do. I’d almost like to see a separate category or forum board devoted just to people modifying or otherwise creatively defacing their gear

I've created a few threads about gear that I've made. Here are a few:

Thread 'The "Parcho" - rain gear for DIYers'

Oct 23, 2021

@C clearly suggested that there might be enough interest for a separate thread on this piece of DIY rain gear.

I first learned about the Parcho here on the forum from @Pong. The designer named it Parcho for Parka/Poncho. It's similar to the popular Altus in that it has a full front zip and long sleeves. However the sleeves are quite different - they are triangle shaped, and roomy, so there is more airflow than a normally shaped sleeve would give you. You can also easily pull your arms out of the sleeves and into the interior of the Parcho to adjust your pack, get...

• trecile
• rain/sun protection
• Replies: 36
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 
• 
• 

Thread 'Anyone sew their own Camino clothing or gear?'

Mar 9, 2016

I've Googled around and found 100% Merino Wool jersey fabric for around $30/yard. I can easily make a T-shirt from a yard of fabric. Much cheaper than ready made shirts. I was also thinking of a shift/tank dress which could be used for sleeping, or to wear after walking on warm evenings. Or a hemmed length of fabric for pareo, scarf, etc. I have this Simplicity pattern which has a pareo-ish coverup that might be nice. http://images.patternreview.com/sewing/patterns/simplicity/1374/1374.jpg

• trecile
• clothing
• Replies: 65
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 

Thread 'My sleep sack "innovation"'

Jun 25, 2018

I've used a silk sleep sack for both of my Caminos, and the only issue that I have with it is getting tangled up in it as I sleep. I was thinking how nice it would be to have a bottom fitted sheet that doesn't move around. So I attached tow pieces of elastic to keep the liner in place. I made my own silk sleep sack the same width as a twin bed, and with a zipper, but I think that you could probably add the elastic to any sleep sack.

• trecile
• sleeping bag
• Replies: 45
• Camino de Santiago Forum: 🥾 Equipment and Clothes

• 

 

[Jeff Crawley]

So, I had considered that, along with adding the pocket slits that the Decathalon has. Turned out that having it done (I’m no seamstress) would cost the same and add as much weight as buying the Decathlon. So I bought the Decathalon.

I'm lucky, I have an Altus already, I have a sewing machine and I have the inherited skills (Mother was a trained dressmaker/seamstress) but, like the How-To suggest, I might try it out on an old rain jacket first

 

[Jeff Crawley]

My Altus - now with added pit zips!



It wasn't hard, in fact I had more of a problem finding a green zip of the right length. I went for 40cms and spaced them equally where the four seams join in the arm pit - which isn't at arm pit level - in hindsight I might have gone for 2/3 in the torso, 1/3 in the sleeve.
Rather than cut along the seem I unpicked the stitching and then carefully sliced through the sealing tape. This leaves a slender fold of material which acts as a "fly" over the zip.
My Altus is about 10 years old and starting to delaminate so I wasn't too worried if it had all gone pear shaped.
It's unseasonably sunny in the UK at present but I'll give it a try when "normal services" are resumed.
As always thanks to @trecile for the tip-off.

 

[trecile]

My Altus - now with added pit zips!

Nice work!