 Recomendations for an alternative to a down jacket.... want something warm but packs down well and can be used to add some extra insulation to sleeping bag as and when needed
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 BtDW, Have a look around for synthetic insulated jackets using the following fill fibres: Primaloft One - industry standard for synthetic fill mountain jackets (or Primaloft Sport as used by Rab and Integral Designs amongst others). I have good experiences of the Keela Belay Jacket and Berghaus Infinity Light Gilet using this PL One. Polarguard Delta (probably even better than Primaloft One but very few manufacturers use it : I think the Patagonia's MicroPuff jackets & body warmers do; also Bozeman but these are even rarer... ) The higher quality thinsulate jackets are also worth considering; currently some are on sale at PHD. The Haglofs Barrier jackets & hoodies are also a first rate option (can't remember the fill on these). Decide whether you need a gilet, smock or jacket and whether you need a hood. This will narrow your choices down. Then start trying them on as the cuts and sizings vary enormously between manufacturers. Happy hunting, John
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Cheers for that John, had been looking at the snugpak jackets, thats given me a few more options to look into.
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Something with primaloft I reckon - only heard good things about the Rab Belay jacket but if you want something cheaper then Montane do good primaloft Fitzroy jacket.
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The Snugpak Sleeka has a good reputation but I've never tried one. Most of the mountain manufacturers make a synthetic fill belay jacket these days; and those from Lowe Alpine & Montane are popular too. As I say, there are plenty of choices...
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 I have a Sleeka. Now, let me think of words to describe it, simple (naff, uninspired look) design, then after that there is only one word, superb.
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The Sleeka is very effective, but if anything too warm -- certainly for actually walking and probably in a sleeping bag too, although I've never tried this. It's also quite heavy and a bit bulky to pack. Rab jackets are supposed to be good, but never fit me very well -- too tight across the chest and shoulders. The Montane Flux jacket is excellent, especially since it has a good hood, which is a big plus in any belay jacket.
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Rab Photon Hoodieis a lovely piece of kit. If ur wanting more hardwearing the Belay jacket as mentioned above is a better option
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 Hi DW. I have a Rab Generator jacket. Insulation is Primaloft One, 100g in body and 60g in sleeves. As far as warmth goes, I find it excellent. Probably a bit too warm for walking most of the time, other than short walks, but perfect for lunch stops, around camp, etc. It's very light and packs down quite small too (you could sqash it down a bit smaller than in this picture): It doesn't have a hood, which some people like. Personally I prefer no hood and just wear a beanie or balaclava if it really cold. The only negative I'd say is the sleeves. It uses just a plain elastic band around the wrist, which is probably good to keep weight down but it's fairly tight. I'd prefer a half-elasticated adjustable sleeve, with the few extra grams that would add. Fit-wise, it's fairly standard, not like the Vapour Rise which is fairly tight across shoulders and chest. I have a VR jacket too and the Generator is much roomier. HTH
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www.outdoormegastore.co.uk Lowe alpine outer limits jacket reduced from £100 to £50 I've had one of these for about 3 years now and i'ts excellent
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The sleeka is not that bulky for a synthetic jacket, the large (which is pretty roomy) fits into a small Alpkit Airlock XT and mine weighs 700 gms. Yes, it is very warm but not anywhere near as warm as the Filo. It's a great supplement to a 3 season sleeping bag in winter together with fleece trousers and down bothy boots.
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 Hi there DW! Good to see the new name change, as I am myself but a simple minded soul at heart, so was getting most confused on here of late at all the name changes going on down! My vote goes to your original thought of a good Snugpak jacket! Or if weight to warmth ratio is not so much of an issue then a good Buffalo style of Double P pile and pertex combination top, from either Buffalo or even from Arktis who too do a great one! Just not maybe though necessarily so available from the last place in your normal usual choices of brighter outdoors hill fashion colours!
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| Edited: 17/02/08 17:48 |
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Already have a montane extreme smock Trevor was after something a little more packable but warm for those stops and wild camps sitting out watching the sun go down ect. sounds like there are a few options out there just got to find some where local to try them on for size.
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any one had any experience of the montane toasty jacket and if so how well does it pack down?
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 Haglofs Barrier Jkt, the best ever, think they also do the Hood version too. £49 on offer. Haglofs Barrier Jkt Nuff said.
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 BtDW, why are you ruling out down, by the way? I've got a Rohan primaloft jacket which is pretty good, and came out of their bargain bin for a song, but for the uses you're suggesting I use a downie: lighter, packs smaller, and much warmer. Often not too hard to ind them in bargain bins too... Pete.
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 I picked up a Rab Generator smock from Cotswold for £69 on Saturday. It's really very light and after a short 40 min walk yesterday was on the verge of being too warm, but the long zip helps with ventiliation. They also do a Generator jacket and I believe the Photon is basically the Generator with a hood. The Generator is quite long so shouldn't ride up an leave a cold spot sitting round camp in the evening...
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Not ruling out down just looking into other viable options. have been wondering how small the alpkit filo packs down. plus the synthetic ones i'd have to worry less about damp wet conditions than i would down. at the end of the day want to try find the most versatile jacket possible, have the montane extreme smock which is good in cold weather when worn all the time but not so good if you want to pack it down and only use it occasionally or when the tempature drops.
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