I'm doing a few hills in Scotland,late October and need a general purpose insulated jacket. I've heard that down will be no good as it can't cope with the wet.

Do I go for synthetic filling which isn't as warm? What about the waterproof outer/down filled combination.
Anyone out there recommend a good compromise or at least steer me in the right direction?

Hi Patrick I use my Paramo Alta jacket for those type of conditions. It is waterproof and quite warm and I never get condensation inside it. I like my Paramo as I do not require many layers underneath. Just my opinion hope it helps!

Ditto

Another ditto here.

I use a buffalo, windproof,warm, showerproof and still toasty when wet. Can ventilate with side zips. With a light weight waterproof that'd be fine. I tend to use a heavier waterproof in full winter (Jan / Feb).

Depends if you want to carry it as an extra jacket to sling on at stops or for emergencies etc.
If thats the case then I'd suggest looking at a Primaloft insulated jacket - TNF redpoint or similar.
I've got an ME one that I picked up cheap a couple of years ago, and its great.

I also use a Rab Neutrino Endurance down jacket for when its REALLY cold.

If its for all day use - then you're not going to want something that warm, you'll simply get soaked by sweat. If so then go with the Paramo suggestions as one of the often quoted compaints is that they can be too warm for mild weather.

HTH
Si

Patrick

You didn't say what activity you'd be doing, but if it's walking/scrambling then a decent fleece and a good waterproof is all you need - any more and you'll end up wet with sweat. I do lots of winter walking in Scotland and I've only once tried a down jacket under a waterproof - it was FAR too warm.

Yup, I'd agree that for late October, down seems overkill. My profile picture is taken in March in Scotland, and all I'm wearing is a North Cape Rhovyl base layer and a Montane Krypton microfibre/micropile smock. I've worn the same skiing at 3500m and -8C, too. There's a Montane Solo in the bag for stops.

Of course, you may run colder than me.

I use the base layer plus microfleece plus windproof option at the moment but have a rab photn hoodie that goes on when I stop or when I get higher up. I've found it very good for an awful lot of things though it's not got as much insulation as the redpoint that Si mentions. Mammut also do a similar jacket and I also spotted this: http://www.rockrun.com/shop/prod.html?d=5&t=292&p=2739&sid=2522c51f682cf3e974bfc960e589a9a0

Worth a look at the hike-lite site too (see shopping partners) as they have a couple of decent jackets from Montane and Golite at very reasonable prices.