I've been wanting a lightweight fleece vest to act as a little extra core insulation while hiking in colder and/or really wet weather (but less warm and not as bulky as the Montbell UL Thermawrap vest). I just received the Montbell "Chameece" women's vest that I ordered last Friday. Montbell website. I got it in blue.

The vest is just what I wanted. It's about 100 weight fleece, but extra soft! The fabric is so soft and cuddly that I will probably buy more for wearing around the house (I keep my thermostat quite low) and around town. Montbell also makes men's and women's pullovers, jackets, pants and caps in this fabric.

The women's large weighs 5.9 oz. Removal of the tags and the fabric ties on the zippered handwarmer pockets might get another 0.1 oz. off. I might even remove the pockets, which aren't really needed. I use trekking poles while hiking. If it's cold, when I stop I get out the Thermawrap jacket, which has pockets, and generally my fleece gloves as well.

As many of you know, Montbell sizes have always run quite small, usually a size smaller than "standard" US sizes. Judging from this vest, though, Montbell has evidently increased their American sizes a bit. (Watch out, though, the pullover is noted as "Japanese sizes" which are smaller!) While I'm keeping the large size, it is rather generous compared to my 2-year-old UL Thermawrap jacket, which is quite snug in a large. If I can lose 10 lbs, the vest would be better in a medium, while my Thermawrap jacket will fit comfortably instead of being a little too snug. In other words, the medium Chameece vest will fit better under the Thermawrap jacket, if I can lose the weight. If this happens, I'll get a medium and use the large at home.

Nice to get a gear mini review from someone you trust.

Not too sure about the trusting bit; remember that I was giving semi-favorable reviews to the !@#$%*! NeoAir earlier this year! Remember that I haven't had the vest out for its intended purpose (over a baselayer and maybe under a wind shirt while I'm actively moving when the temps are in the 30's F) yet! It's just that I fell in love with the soft and cuddly fabric--enough to want to spend more $$ to get more Chameece for in-town wear. The fabric is quite closely woven, so it might turn out to be too warm!

I will report back. One question I have is how many washings it can take before the fabric starts pilling. I hope quite a few, considering the cost! Pilling is not a big deal for hiking/backpacking, but it is for something I also want to wear around town!