Race Face Piper Jacket Review

Oct 28, 2009
by Tyler Maine  
Source: elise

Now, initially I felt this little jacket was too light and flimsy to be considered part of a Fall-Winter collection. Who did this featherweight think it was trying to compete outside its weight class?

Full Piper Jacket review inside,
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The Piper (also available in Apple Green & White) is lightweight and breathable, sewn from a material Race Face dubs Windshift Technology. This material breaths and stretches like lungs expanding for your muscles. Of course if you’re one of those people who perspire a lot then the two-way zippered air vents can also help cut back on the sweating. They start high on the chest in front and go diagonally down the side catching the natural movement of air across the core. This works considerably better than traditional pit-zips.

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The snap collar closure is a nice aesthetic detail but more importantly for me are the pockets. There are pockets for your hands, inside pocket for your keys and another storage pocket on the back for the removable hood. Although the back storage pocket is designed to hold the hood so you don't misplace it, it doesn’t fit that well. Be advised that it will look a tad like a growth on the side of your hip should you choose to stow it here. A little convenience coupled with a fashion mishap. Personally I think I’ll use it for snacks, perhaps a couple of gels, instead.

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Storm-cuffs complete with thumb holes are a definite must in the cooler weather. I tend to have slightly longer arms than the average woman and find storm-cuffs definitely help to keep the sleeves from creeping up.

Now should you be one of those people commuting to work by bike you’ll appreciate the reflective arm tape. This feature becomes more and more beneficial as the days continue to get shorter. I’d even consider this coat viable for trail runs and jogging on the city paths.

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The Piper claims to be both 'feminine and functional' and I’d say its strengths are in its function. All the comfort I’d want in a hoodie with the wind and sweat management skills of a jacket. Its lightweight and stretch components are a real winning combination that you might not want to take off. Leading to the thing we all crave… versatility. So, although right now you might be entertaining the idea of getting the Piper for those crisp Fall rides, I say think broader. Think climbing, running, snowshoeing, snow angels, cross country skiing, back flips, outdoor yoga or just running to catch the bus.

***The Be-Cozy toque is also from Race Face and is available in white too. Canadian MSRP for the Piper jacket is $158 and if you are looking to accessorize it, the Be-Cozy Toque sells for $35 Canadian.

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Member since Mar 27, 2001
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34 Comments
  • 10 0
 hmmmm cute... I mean, cute jacket!!
  • 5 2
 Are the LBS' still going to be able to buy from RF? I really don't care about the plight of the distributor. Raceface is no longer dealing with a single Cdn company that had a monopoly to buy their products, add a mark-up, and then solely distribute them to LBS at their price point across Canada. While I hope that my LBS will still be able to buy directly from RF I also look forward to hopefully not having to shop online in the US for the best deals on a brand where many of the high end components are still made in Canada!
  • 2 2
 LBS's have always been able to buy right from RF. Lambert has only carried it for a year or two, and I don't blame them from dropping RF. Norco had to do it a few years ago with Easton, it happens sometimes.
  • 1 1
 everyone will. However it will be more expensive for shipping. Sales will slump cause of less availability. That is what it seems for now at least
  • 2 0
 Race Face was selling exclusively through Lambert in Canada. Canadian LBS' could not buy direct. They can now though & prices should be cheaper without Lambert's mark-up.
MEC is just another place to buy Race Face - great!
  • 1 1
 Lambert only had distribution of Race Face for a couple seasons. Before that shops went through Race Face direct. When Lambert took over prices stayed the same on msrp levels. The only thing that changes now is Race Face will charge Shops what Lambert was charging shops so they will make more money..
  • 3 2
 First the jacket, nice detail and pattern. Too bad RF continues to Euro-brand their product with way-too-big logos in a generic font.

MEC is selling RaceFace softgoods and limited hardgoods, yes, that's true based on what I hear.

I agree, I prefer to see RF product sold at an independent bicycle dealer.

Making RaceFace product available through a wanna-be co-op/retailer (MEC) whose aim is to purchase in bulk and provide product cheaper than your local bike store sounds good but that can come at a cost. For example, people may not shop at their IBD as much which could result in job-loss. So the next time you go into your local shop and your favorite sales-person or the mechanic who you've trusted your fork rebuilds to is gone because of lack of business, you may have MEC to thank. And I doubt you'll be taking your multi-pivot bike to MEC for a rebuild.

Lack of experience in the sales staff at any MEC. Hmmm, do I really want someone who "normally works in the rock-climbing section" trying to explain how to set up my front suspension fork, or better yet, guessing at how to properly fit me on my new commuter-bike so I'm not stressing my knees and avoiding back, neck and arm fatigue riding to and from work 5 days a week?

I've been to MEC, I've seen the bikes. They've specifically targeted the hottest bike market right now, urban bicycles; road bikes, flat-bar commuter bikes, comfort bikes, cyclocross and they even have 2 mountain bikes. I'd be willing to bet they're almost more excited about the potential increase in P&A sales (fenders / racks / tires / tubes / clothing) as a result of this than the actual bike sales themselves.
  • 3 2
 Part 2:

Product pricing at your IBD is partly determined by what the market can bare (of course in combination w/ manufacturing costs and also that they need to make some money to pay the mortgage and feed the kids). If you think Lambert put sizable mark-ups on RF product before it got to your IBD you're sorely mistaken. If anything, RF made less money on those parts so they could sell at a similar price at the local store to what they sold at BEFORE Lambert was distributing RF. And that's one of the reasons they've probably moved to MEC, to cut out the middle-man so they can pocket more cash themselves. Lets see if that translates into better prices at your local store eh? They can pocket the extra cash they're making and use it for whatever they like, or they can give the dealer a break and in turn give Canadians a bit of a break, good luck with that.

As for those of you on here saying how you hope your local bike shops can still get RaceFace parts (which they can) but are complaining about the cost AT your local bike shop so you're buying it online from the United States, grow up! You're only contributing to the struggle your local bike shop is going to have against MEC. If you truly cared about your local bike shop you would be buying locally plain and simple. Like many things you can buy, the "actual" cost versus what the "real" cost is can be two completely different things. Learn about that here: www.storyofstuff.com

Regardless, bikes are awesome and the more people who incorporate them into their daily routine the better, we'll be healthier and happier!
  • 5 0
 The other factor that you are not taking into account is volume. As a manufacturer you need to push a certain amount of product at some certain profit, to be able to pay the bills. If the volume decreases for whatever reason, say economy, then you have to either increase the price of the product or remove some middle men, to make a large profit per item.
I don't know all the details in this particular issue, but you can see distributors getting cut out more and more as their value seems to decrease. That is if more users but online, the shipping and purchasing methods on the web are easier, then less people are going to the LBS. It's not a manufacturers fault that they have to change their methods, it's actually the consumers fault....and actually it's the internets Smile fault for allowing end customers to buy direct. It's actually no ones fault just a changing world.
  • 1 0
 Yes, BUT is there a greater volume of product sold to the LBS network via Lambert or MEC? I understand economy of scale, but that assumes greater sales direct, as it were in this example.
  • 1 0
 hustler: MEC isn't a distributor, just a retailer.

radek: Good points. However, it's not "just a changing world". It's the result of the conscious decisions we all make as consumers and consumers have to acknowledge that. Otherwise they're just pointing fingers and that usually results in 3 being pointed back at themselves. Smile
  • 1 0
 Exactly my point, I should have been more clear. Lambert represented hundreds of retailers, MEC just 13 and internet sales (where low price is all that matters).

Also, ironically, MEC has a blog entry up about ethical sourcing - they aren't comfortable buying from sweatshop factories, but introducing gray market merchandise and squeezing independent shops is fine.
  • 1 0
 I think Radek is right. The intereweb has been the jumping point for this king of thing. Example: I was at local LBS about an hour away from where i reside and there was a fox 40r takeoff fork for sale by one of the mechanics. I though it would be a good price and inquired about it. He was asking 1350(used) I procedded to tell him in no uncertain words that the 40rc2 version sold for 1250.00 on sale online brand new. He told me I was out to lunch because the 40r was 3000 new in his shop. I actually took him to the website and showed him and he couldn`t beleive it and said that was less than his cost on the 40r here in Canada. In my opinion we need this to happen in our sport beacause prices are so far out of whack that the consumer is getting gouged all the time. After the issue with fork I inquired about a set of Oury grips he had on his wall. The price was 45.00 plus tax-for grips"!/$%. This same item sells for 16.50 online. I think the distributors need to and deserve to get cut out of the equasion. Why would anyone need to pay 45 dollars for an item that is made for 2 dollars in China just so someone can have an exclusive distributorship contract?
  • 1 0
 The world is getting smaller, and logistics, accounting and shipping easier. Before you needed the distributors to make it easier to order from one place, pay in one place and have it delivered once....because it was time consuming and expensive to do other wise. As time progresses, all those 3 things are getting easier to do and the role and value of the distributor is decreasing. Even for the manufacturer very hard to manage a lot of clients direct, so they went with distributors. Now with all the software and communication, online bookings, etc, they can handle more and more clients direct. Distributors also played a big role in sourcing stuff. That is finding the company, contact info, etc, to be able to even purchase or even locate certain companies. Now, you just google it, call, and can order it. Its a wave of change.
  • 1 0
 Respect, after all the only constant is change. And MEC is the Evil Empire.
  • 5 1
 i've got deep pockets but short arms. if my gf wants one of them she can pay herself! lol
  • 3 0
 I love that jacket! It has a retro feel (maybe just the colors) but obviously modern at the same time. I want one!
  • 7 6
 BOOOOOO! Race Face, Having your product distributed through a NON bike shop is a real slap in the face to local bike shops and gives your product a "cheap" image. Not cool!
  • 3 0
 Thanks for finally reviewing some ladies specific gear!
  • 4 3
 Great jacket... How long before MEC has these in stock? Wink
  • 4 7
 is it actually true that MEC has bought RF? Anyone got a link on this or something? Some further information? I'm really interested especially since they're both Canadian companies.
  • 8 1
 No MEC did not buy raceface. MEC will be another retailer where you can purchase RF clothing, and some lower end RF parts.
  • 3 3
 Awesome Beer
  • 4 1
 raceface has been dropped by its canadian distributor, lambert, ostensibly for agreeing to sell its products to mec. ibd's may be able to buy from raceface directly, but this is still unclear.

www.canadiancyclist.com/dailynews.php?id=17736
  • 4 10
flag cjwanner (Oct 28, 2009 at 11:28) (Below Threshold)
 I will not be buying raceface products since the move to MEC.
  • 6 2
 Why? because Lambert did a bad job distributing the brand and then everyone started buying it cheaper in the states? Now they want to get a better price for Canadians to better our economy. Good reason to boycott.

Besides it's only the low end RF stuff that is going to MEC.
  • 6 2
 race face will die as a result though. MEC will carry them for about 1.5 years or so. Then they'll suddenly pop out a strikingly similar soft goods. They will not be carrying their hardgoods. So we will be direct buy only for now. Once their softgoods are duplicated, MEC will drop them and raceface will become a byword and go into the history books.. Plz pick them up Norco, don't let it happen =(. Thats worst case, hope that doesn't happen.
  • 2 1
 After being involved in the bike world and living the business every day of my life for the last three years... MEC is not my favorite store. When they can sell parts for cheaper than lbs buy them for... thats just bullshit. If MEC paid the same tax as we did on our products, and still gave decent deals... I wouldnt boycott as such. IMO
  • 1 0
 thats great, must be cool for riding and snowboarding without that extra weight, and movement strain.

is there a male model?
  • 2 0
 Nice coat Wink
  • 4 6
 Raceface has gone over the head of the Canadian Distributer and is selling direct to MT equip CO_OP taking money out of the hands of IBDs who built up the brand boo on MEC boo on RF.
  • 3 1
 RaceFace IS the Canadian Distributor. Bike shops are the retailer.
  • 1 0
 Ya! maybe if they weren't sell outs. There are tons of other cool brands we can promote more now instead.
  • 1 0
 nice , can I order it with the components inside?







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