I'm looking for something to replace my fleeces. Currently I wear a featherlite smock when walking. When it gets a bit chilly I put a micro fleece on under it. If I'm camping or the weather looks really cold, my only other insulation is a 300wt fleece jacket. I'll usually sleep in both. 

I'm thinking of swapping the micro fleece for a Montane Prism, from what I've read it's similar insulation to 100wt, but more versatile as it has the hood, and would be easier to put on at rest stops.

 The 300 weight fleece is a bit trickier to replace, as I've little experience of other insulated gear. I'm thinking a Gilet might fit my needs, it'd be easier and more effective at rest stops if I'm putting it over the Prism, more comfy to sleep in.  The problem is I'm not sure how warm they are compared to the fleece jacket, I notice they don't have any sleeves . The ones I've been considering are the Rab Generator (looks a bit lightweight?) the Rab Neutrino (more expensive)  and the Alpkit Filet.

 The other things I'd wondered about were the Rab Photon Hoody though it may be more than I need if I get a Prism, and the Rab Generator smock, which also may be overkill.

My usage will be walking throughout the year, though none of this Ice axe and Crampon stuff for me just yet, and backpacking 3 seasons (the warmer 3 that is).

The reason I want to replace the fleeces is these alternatives seem more practical, and also they'll give me more space in my 35l pack when backpacking.

 Any thoughts on what Gilet to choose? Am I going about this the right way, what are the alternatives?  At the moment I struggle to see the purpose of softshell, other than they look nice? Don't you eventually get wet and end up having to put your waterproof on anyway?

 Cheers!

Thanks for the replies . Firstly, yes I'm wearing a baselayer, Tech T type thing, the featherlite agains the skin would be pretty creepy.

I usually put the micro fleece on under the smockif it gets chilly walking. If the Prism is considerably warmer than micro fleece then it may not be as much use as I thought, too hot to walk in and not loads of warmth when stopped.

This is actually a good thing, as I can do as Guy suggested, and just get another  micro fleece, or perhaps the Icebreaker JB mentioned, where did you get it from, does it replace a baselayer?

Then a synthetic jacket/smock to replace my 300wt, perhaps with a hood would be good for stops and camps. Does the Haglofs one have a hood?

 Cheers guys, you may have just saved me £60.

phew. a base layer. good.

if you go with say something like the prism then you wouldn't want the smock too. far too much pertex with three layers of the stuff.

the prism would replace the microfleece and smock. i reckon it's about the same as a 100-200 fleece.

I was just going to come on here and ask almost exactly the same question!

 I've read that the Rab Generator is explicitly not meant to be used directly under a rucksack owing to the lightweight outer fabric - is the Photon the same? And would either or both be appropriate as a midlayer for scottish winter walking, or would they be too hot for active use (especially if they both have to go under a further shell layer and, assuming that the Pertex Quantum is one of the icky-against-the-skin fabrics, over a baselayer)?

 And in general (sorry about the temporary thread hijak), what sort of weight of fleece would I be looking for for scotland in winter, assuming I'm walking fairly actively and running reasonably hot?

 Thanks!

I got my coronet half price in my local snow and rock,I wear a lightweight icabreaker as my baselayer and when it becomes cold add the coronet.Havn,t tried using it as a baselayer.Ive paid half price for all my icebreaker stuff,just keep an eye out in the sales.

My change to icebreaker came about last year after A multi-hut trip to the alps using coolmax etc tops,the smell was just sooo bad!