Musto - **** quality/service :(

[Georgio]

Seems Musto can be a bit hit or miss when it comes to replacements or fixing problems.

I had a two year old set of HPX trousers that started leaking a wee bit and the material was delaminating, after a few calls I returned to Musto and have been sent a new set with minimal fuss. That said the HPX/MPX kit is at the top of their range and expect a longish service live. If you buy their cheaper (BR1??) kit I would not expect the same service life or warranty from the manufacturer. Unfortunately I get the impression that some people buy at the bottom end of a range and then expect the product to perform at the same level as the top kit which is perhaps a little unrealistic.

Musto do make good kit, I went back to useing the previous and very old set of HPX trousers and they were still waterproof (but very faded and tatty).

 

[Cardo]

If you buy their cheaper (BR1??) kit I would not expect the same service life or warranty from the manufacturer. Unfortunately I get the impression that some people buy at the bottom end of a range and then expect the product to perform at the same level as the top kit which is perhaps a little unrealistic.

I appreciate the BR1 kit as at the lower end of the range, however it was still £100+ for a jacket that had two seasons of light use. Not exactly unrealistic to expect a longer life span, is it?
Now, had it leaked during a particularly wet sail, then I wouldn't complain as that's not what it's designed for.
Unless we're saying these garments are designed to only be used for a couple of seasons, in which case I think Musto seriously need to reconsider their design policies.

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Yep, that's what I'll do and I'll investigate Henri Lloyd clothing.

Must confess I'm an Henri LLoyd fan-wore one inshore jkt for 10years-sailing, and daily commuting-the bottom of the zip finally went on Scilly last June.
I've got a HL offshore jkt, which I wear in winter and heavy rain.
However, I've been a fan of Buffalo tops and salopettes since our dinghy cruising days. warm, breathable and durable if you buy the mountaineering grade Super 6 kit, and it keeps out most levels of rain except stair rods if you are active.
HH skiing gear is ok too, shame about the colours, check out the factory outlets in MK, etc

You can then wear cheap water/wind proof layer from Milletts etc* over the top. Or look at Guy Cotten or HH fishermans kit- I'm still using a pair of pvc Hercules Fishermans chesthighs I bought in Orust in 1998 with the HL jkt in severe weather.
*Check out Trago Mills shops down West, or when going South, the Fishermans coops in St Malo or Granville, but don't forget 'Fishy' of this Parish- Gaelforce, too.
I've had good service/deals from all of those.,

Breathability of the outer layer is not that vital- it's wicking away from the body out to the mid layer surface that counts-I run hot and even HPX/MPX don't shift enough for me, and when the atmosphere's humidity climbs, eg heavy rain......

 

[wotayottie]

I think they treat their MPX customers a little better than their cheaper range customers. I don't think I'm a valuable enough customer!

Could it be that the cheap products are made cheaply with cheap materials that dont last as long as the expensive products and shouldnt be expected to do so?

 

[Cardo]

Could it be that the cheap products are made cheaply with cheap materials that dont last as long as the expensive products and shouldnt be expected to do so?

The jacket cost over £100. Surely we haven't lost our sense of monetary perspective that much just because we like boats?
I have a North Face ski jacket that's lasted near on 10 years of yearly use (I use it as a normal winter jacket) that cost about the same money and that's still as good as new.

Two seasons of light use is not an acceptable lifespan for such a product, even if it's the lower end of the range.

 

[Jamesuk]

I bought a HL Jacket for $25 (yes $25) Still going strong 4 years later.

 

[RobinBirch]

I'd recommend Gill Marine.

As previously noted in an earlier post Gill provide an extended warranty and in my recent experience have kept to it. I am a very satisfied customer.

 

[[70521]]

The jacket cost over £100. Surely we haven't lost our sense of monetary perspective that much just because we like boats?

Try the prices of some mountaineering kit! My jacket

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/clothing/waterproof/changabang_jacket_---596/

My trousers

http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/the_gear/clothing/waterproof/changabang_pant---560/

Musto are not much different on price considering the different uses for each bit of kit. I understand Gortex is not cheap.

 

[TimBennet]

Try the prices of some mountaineering kit! . . .

. . . . Musto are not much different on price considering the different uses for each bit of kit. I understand Gortex is not cheap.

Only the very cheapest end of any clothing (or equipment range) is dependent on the cost of manufacture. Everything else is priced entirely by what the market will stand and the customer's perception of where a particular item sits with in that price range. Manufacturer's price is then 25% of retail. The price is doubled by the agent to arrive at their 'trade price' and doubled again by the retailer.

Goretex price their licences to protect their image as the market leader. Clothing is only a tiny part of their market, but one they have cultivated to be highly profitable. They don't want the cheaper ranges made with Goretex - they want people to pay a premium. You used to be able buy Goretex cloth and any manufacturer could produce items as they saw fit. But now Goretex will only allow premium brands to make their more expensive ranges out of it. Market positioning.

So top end Goretex jackets in both mountaineering and sailing are now pushing £600 for 'expedition quality'.
The best quality 'everyday' Goretex jackets are around £400
And nothing that's "worth having" costs less than £100.
The marketing campaigns have then convinced people that anything less is micky mouse tat.

Only brands that design, make and retail their own brands (like Decathlon) can break this 'truism'. It's one reason Sports Direct has bought both the Karrimor and Field and Trek brands, so they control all the supply line.

If another independent retailer tried to discount heavily, then the premium brands would withdraw their agency.

 

[gregcope]

Ah... Wise choice I have just brought the same for mountain stuff, as been lusting after a changabang set for ages and then found some in the sales.

Lovely jacket/trousers but I will not use mine on the boat to try and make them last. I would prefer something heavier weight on the boat as there is a much higher chance of snagging it, and much more abrasion. I hence lust after some musto HPX.

I ware a cheaper musto coastal jacket as a daily hack and it is lasting ok. Some of the reflective parts are falling off and the Laytex cuffs are suffering, but this is after nearly 2 years of daily use.

 

[[70521]]

The Changabangs' are great and strictly for the hill. Love the Musto MPX, a well thought out bit of kit.

If you need any alterations, I have short legs, I've found http://www.tundra-repairs.co.uk/ give superb service. Had 10 cm taken off the changabang trousers and they even moved the internal snow gator up!

 

[markhomer]

I had similar experience too with br1s a while ago , once over 2 yrs old leaked like sieves , worse than anything else Ive ever had , spoke to musto who asked to send back , which I duly did , only to be told "what do you expect " ! , after a mexican stand off I asked them to refer higher up in company , whilst they werent the most exspensive oilies musto make they werent cheap compared to other waterproof gear ,and you expect a wee bit of degradation in performance over the years , not puddles under your legs when sitting , anyway , when chasing up again a couple of weeks later , similar response so I asked them to return them , only to find they had binned them , so demanded a replacement set , which they VERY grudgingly sent , they only lasted two yrs too and I give up .

Still I buy other musto products still to this day .

Tis a thing though in my experience , the more you pay for something the less you should expect , like my suunto yachtmasters , had 4 or 5 of them before an actually near waterproof one (which im scared to use for sailing now ) , Dubarrry boots , same again 3 prs before a watertight set , that then gave sterling service , wrist strap gpss by Garmin that fall overboard for sake of £1 watch strap pins .

Lucky white heather ?????

 

[oldgit]

"Only brands that design, make and retail their own brands (like Decathlon) can break this 'truism'. "



Another vote for Decathlon here.Would buy again.

 

[skyflyer]

Could it be that the cheap products are made cheaply with cheap materials that dont last as long as the expensive products and shouldnt be expected to do so?

Doesn't matter what it cost, it has to be of reasonable quality and fit for purpose. (see my earlier post). In essence it must "do what it says on the tin" or whatever the salesman says it will do, whichever is better.

from Musto site

Musto’s BR1 Channel range is ideal for entry level sailors who enjoy channel/coastal sailing and are unlikely to be subject to severe conditions for a prolonged time.

 

[AMCD300]

I'd recommend Gill Marine.

As previously noted in an earlier post Gill provide an extended warranty and in my recent experience have kept to it. I am a very satisfied customer.

+1

 

[AMCD300]

from Musto site

Musto’s BR1 Channel range is ideal for entry level sailors who enjoy channel/coastal sailing and are unlikely to be subject to severe conditions for a prolonged time.

So no good for experienced sailors who enjoy channel/coastal sailing then? Just greenhorns... What a patronising load of old ********

 

[rwilson]

I had 2 HPX dry suits that had some bubbling on the material which had a 10 year guarantee, Musto sent me back 2 brand new suits no issue with an rrp of £2k. I was very chuffed to say the least!

 

[Cardo]

I had 2 HPX dry suits that had some bubbling on the material which had a 10 year guarantee, Musto sent me back 2 brand new suits no issue with an rrp of £2k. I was very chuffed to say the least!

As someone else mentioned, it seems the guarantee is actually covered by GoreTex themselves, not Musto. That's why the stuff that doesn't contain GoreTex is pretty much ignored by them. Not the best way to treat customers.

 

[tim_ber]

As someone else mentioned, it seems the guarantee is actually covered by GoreTex themselves, not Musto. That's why the stuff that doesn't contain GoreTex is pretty much ignored by them. Not the best way to treat customers.

This is an interesting point. I had an expensive GORE-TEX handmade jacket that I loved; great fit, many features and benefits. It leaked after a few years. I contacted Gore-tex - very pleasant. They said they'd need to test the jacket before they could go with the lifetime promise. BUT if I submitted my jacket for them to test and they found it to be wear and tear or past its 'lifetime' they would destroy it. "What?" I said. Just give it back and I'll spray it.

"No" we have to destroy it because it has our logo on. Got the whole conversation recorded and all emails saved.

No way was I going to risk their "test", so they gave me some free bottles of spray on stuff and I have a jacket that may not breath so well, is reasonably waterproof but not really a Gore-tex jacket any more; fragile stuff that ol' membrane. The bottles were an excellent product and free, so I'm not complaining.

If you really want a laugh, check out the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9LoEMkl700
where they pull out an "old" jacket from a Gore-tex box. If that is an old jacket, then it hasn't been used.

I sent the video to the customer service people at Gore-tex but it didn;t help. Marketing, marketing, marketing. Function? Too old fashioned for most greedy companies.

 

[tim_ber]

Forgot to say... talk about profit margins.

I know the Chinese company that make Musto HPX Ocean range. RRP here £650 for jacket. China ship them out for 85 USD per 500 pieces. 85 dollars for a £650 jacket. Does not include customs, shipping and tax fees of course, but still...