Intended use: Insulation mid-layer for spring and fall camping when it gets chilly to cold at night and want more than just an underarmour layer, but I don't want or need my super warm down poofy jacket, and it's likely to be wet sometimes so I don't want down anyway. Will probably double as a while-hiking insulation midlayer for winter hiking, when I'm being too active to need the down.
Target price range, $100-$150
Target weight range, <8 oz (size Medium), the lower the better
The Montbell Thermawrap UL vest looks just about perfect, but appears to be discontinued and they only have size XL left
The Fratagonia Nano Puff, Deadbird Atom LT, and sNob Face ThermoBall are also open to consideration, but at full price for those I bet I could save some weight for the same price and likely higher quality with a cottage manufacturer. Any of them making synthetic?
PS--Everything I've read says that the new water resistant down still isn't as good as synthetic when wet. That's why it's not in consideration. I'd be interested to hear personal experiences, though.
Hard to beat Patagonia nano puff. Light, warm, and pretty durable. And yes water resistant down is too new to tell how well it works. I have a new dridown quilt and should be able to give a better opinion in a year.
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The wind wont howl if the wind don't break.
Have a Micropuff vest, perhaps six or so years old, that works quite well, especially as a midlayer. Also have a couple down vests that are warmer but not as good for layering.
Have not gone from Micro to Nano but have no reason to, either.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
My light midlayer is a microfleece vest from Montbell. i cut the nylon lining out to make it lighter, since I mostly wear it under either my windshirt or my rain jacket.
Fleece may be a little heavier, but you can shake out any water that gets in it, it's extremely breathable and no redundancy with vest shell plus windshirt or rain jacket. One shell is enough!
Your Mileage May Vary, of course!
Edited by OregonMouse (02/08/1408:29 PM)
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
Registered: 02/26/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Washington State, King County
Quote:
"The Montbell Thermawrap UL vest looks just about perfect, but appears to be discontinued and they only have size XL left"
My Montbell thermawrap vest is my go-to piece for all sorts of trips --- it layers well, under and even over other things. Just that plus a windshirt or very light shell are good for me for a surprising range of conditions when I stay active. I'm a big fan.
PS--Everything I've read says that the new water resistant down still isn't as good as synthetic when wet. That's why it's not in consideration. I'd be interested to hear personal experiences, though.
You're reading the wrong things. I have non water resistant down and have used it repeatedly for seven years - as well as synthetic. Never gotten any of it wet, and don't intend to. I wish the myth that wet synthetic is warm would just die, already, because it's just not so - it's wet, and wet is cold.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6800
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
+1 for Lori's comment.
I've been in a situation (flooded campsite) with a soggy synthetic sleeping bag, and there was no warmth whatever! The important thing is to keep your insulation dry, no matter what kind it is.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
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