Gitets and Down Jackets

Two questions:

Windproof running Gilet(such as the Sprayway Microlite Vest), any suggestions?

I think this has been discussed before. But here we go anyway.
Down jackets, when out in the hills my body temperature runs very warm (even in winter I can be in a T-shirt). But once stopped cool down rapidly, so I'm looking for something warm, light and with a small pack size. And I don't want to pay the earth, don't care what it looks like. Any suggestions?
Thanks

Careful, don't care what it looks like, Careful sounds like you're talking yourself into a buffalo. I've no experience of them so I'll add no more.

Windproof gilet though sounds like a grand idea. My body temparature is usually cooler, but I often can get too warm if go out running in a windproof top. Any1 got any experience?

Buffalo stuff is too bulky - doesn't pack small enough. Reckon what you need is one of the new synthetic filled tops, Helly do one using Primaloft, Patagonia do/did the Puffball thing and there are a few other options. Montane Bivvy Lite - see www.montane.co.uk - nice thing from TNF as well, but none of it is cheap. Tends to be around 80-90 quid, so with a ten percenter, that's still around 70 squid. Then again it's warmer than fleece and packs smaller.

On the gilet front, I've found them superb for mountain biking, not so much for running. People tend to either love em or loathe em, which isn't much help. I find they don't keep me warm enough, on bikes I like them for the downhill sections. Confused? I think it's partly that you still lose mucho heat from your head. Also, I tend to use windproofs when running only when it rains, so gilet leaves me with wet arms.

I'll get my coat...

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OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

I'm totally lost congratulations Mr Doran!
would you like to start explaining to someone who is not fluent in "gear" language!

Lloyd, My chat-up lines were never any good, so I'd never be able to talk my way into a Buffalo!

Jon, 70 quid is still a bit high, but by some weird coincidence, directly to the right of your post is an ad for a:
"D2B Uranium Ski & Snowboarding down jacket MRP £75.00, Wild Price £50.00"
from WildDay. Any thoughts?
The gilet is a xmass pressie for someone, and if that's what they want...

Mike, Golite do something called the Vapor vest. Is that the kind of thing you're looking for?

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Trouble no one about their religion;

respect others in their view and demand that they respect yours.

~Chief Tecumseh~

Mike, down's great when it's cold and dry - alps, Himalaya, Andes, my kitchen - not so hot in UK damp-cold conditions, unless you're in pub/tent/house/hut etc. Water turns it into a soggy mess. Don't know about the specific one you mention.

A duvet-type jacket using synthetic fill is going to be better in the UK. GoLite do a couple, I think Snugpak do one, tho I've not used it.

Dave, sorry mate, I guess it is kind of geek talk. I'd summarise it all by saying: Britain - synthetic filled insulated garments good, down, not so good cos of the wetness.

Sigh. Anyway, I'm on holiday now! Hurrah. See you all in ten days time.

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OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

I have a karrimr tour fleece gillte with windproof front. It dont pack very small but is great for running and mtb ing. Go into your local halfords and ask about them and there reduced to around 25 quid. iF THEY CANT BE OF MUCH HELP ASK THEM TO PHONE 566 CHELMSFORD AND ASK FOR JON FARO cos I'll soon put them straight .

Jon

Thanks all (just too late Jon F). I ended up getting the Sprayway at £25 from WildDay (outdoorgarage emailed me a quote just too late as well, which was a couple of quid cheaper). Still haven't made my mind up about the down jacket yet though.

Hmm now this sounds like my dilema buffalo type shirty thing or down jacket or synthetic equivalent