After 20+ years of action my faithful ME Ultrafleece may have to be replaced. It's still fine, but all the packs I now use have hipbelts and annoyingly the jacket's pockets are blocked by the belt. Also, I'm interested in somthing slightly more showerproof/windproof. *No* hood wanted, full zip, lightweight.

So, one option is an Ultrafleece/K2/Karisma jacket with belt-friendly handwarmer-style pockets. Anyone know of one?

Another is softshell. There, I've said it now, I've come clean. Phew. Read Chris Townsend's piece on softshell in TGO recently and Polartec Powershield (preferably Light) seems a good bet.

Using this fabric, the Rab Baltoro Light annoyingly has non-windproof inserts. Bum.

Another poss seems Mountain Equipment Velocity. 370g (good). Anyone got one? Any good? Cotswold are clearing them for 70 notes, Gear-Zone for 95.

Ideas welcome!

http://www.extremeoutdoorclothing.com/ should have one. or could make one, like Cioch.

I have a ME Velocity jacket. It is a great jacket. Short and close fitting. Haven't noticed my hip belt getting in the way of the pockets. You can certainly get stuff in and out with the hip belt on, not sure if the zips go down all the way with belt on though. I'm really pleased with it. Great cut and great fabric. It really is quite weatherproof and exceptionally breathable. I don't think you can go far wrong for the price. I run pretty hot, and a lot of the softshells seem to be quite thick so the weight of this fabric so this is much better for me.

Stewart: looks possible but rather expensive (and not tryable in a shop).

Ady Boy: Encouraging, tkd!

Anyone else?

I think the closest thing to Ultrafleece these days is, as you suggest, medium weight PowerShield. Same sort of windproofing, same sort of insulation, hopefully same life (although time will tell...)

Or see if you can dig out a Montane Dyno (the IBQ Thermaskin variety). A more open version of PowerShield, really, and probably even closer to UF in level of windproofing. The advantage here is that, being discounted, you may find one cheap. £55 here, for instance.

I'd also consider shelled micropile, such as Rab Vapour Rise. I'm not sure that it will last you 20 years, though.

Surely your Ultrafleece jacket has chest pockets? (or is it not the Mountain Jacket: no hood suggests it may not be).

You could, of course, buy some Karisma and make your own...

> A more open version of PowerShield

Well, not quite true, as it doesn't have the soft fleecy face. A bit more like a less windproof, more heavily insulated Schoeller Dryskin; i.e. it's a dual weave, with nylon face and insulating/winking inner weave.

WINKING inner weave? I want one!

From the "suggest you get a job with the Grauniad" poster?

Sorry, I expected the sub-editor to correct spelling, grammar, etc...

Thanks folks. ME Velocity looking good. Anyone else used one?

Durability is pretty important, which is why I'm unsure of shelled pile (plus I don't really like the feel of it).

My ultrafleece has the pockets very low down. Maybe they changed the design later.

Hoods: I prefer not to have a hood waggling around in the 95% of the time I don't need it -- can put a hat on if its cold!

"Durability is pretty important, which is why I'm unsure of shelled pile (plus I don't really like the feel of it)."

If Buffalo Pile/Pertex is typical of shelled pile, then it lasts practically forever!

Alex

Alex, I'm more thinking of getting snagged by barbed wire (suprisingly common), thorns, abrasion by rock, etc.

Just a quick update. Having found Cotswolds have the ME Velocity on special (£120 reduced to £70) popped to my local shop and they had two left, one of which fitted. Checked it with a couple of packs in the shop and pocket access with hipbelt is ok, so Cotswolds are now 70 notes richer!

Not used it in anger yet, but so far sop good. Not sure I'd pay full price, but at £70 good value. Get 'em while you can!