Registered: 03/23/10
Posts: 45
Loc: Birmingham, AL
So I've been looking a fleece jackets. I'm wondering what is an exceptable weight for a "midweight" fleece.
My current base layer is is a icebreaker tech T. I think it's 100? Then a long sleeve icebreaker 200. I find its warm once you're moving but not great sitting still unless covered by a rain jacket.
I've looked at the R1 by Patagonia. It's around 12oz. Wanting a hood on this layer.
What do you guys prefer? I'm trying to be more weight conscious with my apparel.
Registered: 02/07/07
Posts: 3917
Loc: Ozark Mountains in SW Missouri
I don't strain too much over the weight of my clothes and even less over brands, but I have learned that a light wool sweater is a great mid layer. I like fleece too, but I think the wool packs smaller for about the same warmth.
But both wool and fleece benefit a lot from a light windproof layer over them, so I always bring one of those too.
So, I almost always use a $3 thrift store cashmere sweater and a $6 Wal-Mart rain jacket as two of my layers. Aside from the those it varies upon conditions.
Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
A synthetic fill puffy jacket is definitely lighter and warmer for its weight than fleece. Fleece, of course, has the advantage of not absorbing water. Fleece is also less expensive and does not have to be bought in the expensive backpacking versions. In fact, it can be found in thrift stores.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey
I really like that hoody! (I did a quick search on MooseJaw for it.) Meh, personally, I have a really lightweight all fleece pullover from Columbia. I take it with me only in real cold weather to wear when lounging in camp underneath my insulated jacket by Marmot. Wind loves to zip through fleece, so a windbreak be ideal over it as someone pointed out. Before I bought the Marmot jacket, I would wear a thick fleece jacket and whip my rain jacket on over if it was real windy.
Edit: Forgot to mention, that Columbia pullover I have is really freaking lightweight. I don't know the actual weight.
Edited by ETSU Pride (04/14/1403:16 PM)
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It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need in order to be perfectly happy.-- Horace Kephart
I like the primaloft or down sweater type ultralight jacket over fleece when I'm not hanging in a hammock..
I notice you're a hanger - I prefer wool sweater or fleece in hammock, as if it's a cold hang, these suffer a little bit less from compression and are warmer when lying in the hammock in them than the former, although yes, they're usually a bit heavier.
I normally take a light primaloft or down thing when ground dwelling, and I take fleece (100 or 200) when hanging.
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