Hello!
I'm looking for a mid layer jacket. I'm torn between these two sale items:
MH Compressor Classic
MH Monkey Man


I'll be using one of them for weekend camping trips to the crag for climbing. I'll also be sporting a Mountain Hardware epic shell over my mid layer.

What would you suggest for the basic camping/climbing/backpacking trip between these two jackets? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, I have no experience on these 2 jackets. But I do have preferences. Looking at these, I would not take the Mountain Man quarter zip because:
1. Fleece. It takes up too much room when packed.
2. It think it’s slightly heavier than the Compressor Classic. The Compressor Classic uses Primaloft. This is warmer, lighter, and stuffs smaller than fleece.
3. I personally, like full zip coats for easy on off w/o disturbing my great hair or stylish hat. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> And it won’t pull up/off my undershirt when removing said coat.


The one uncertainty is breathability. If this is your number one most critical aspect, the fleece might work best. However, this needs to be tested.

-Barry

I've not used the two you suggest, but on general principle, here's what I do.

I use a very light primaloft pullover for this when I'm not hammocking in cold weather. it's as warm or warmer than a fleece and a lot lighter.

If I'm hammocking in cold weather, I carry a fleece instead. The fleece is the worth the weight
to wear at night as it does not compress to nothing when worn to bed like the primaloft jacket will - leaving me much warmer wearing it at night.

YMMV

Thanks guys. After visiting my local outdoor store I think I'm going to go with the compressor.

The quarter zip fleece doesn't really fit like I want it to for my uses and I think the compressor will do much better in dry weather with wind versus having to pull a shell over my fleece because the gust is cutting in. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />