I'm in the market for a new jacket in the light, synthetic category. In my limited searching I've found a couple including:

Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket - 60g of Thermo Micro fill (whatever that is) at 9.5 oz

Patagonia Nano Puff - 60g of Primaloft at 12.5 oz

Anything similar out there I should check out? Preference for no hood and full zip but quarter zip might work.

Mike,

I really like the Mont-Bell Thermawrap Parka, but it does have a hood. I believe the hood-less version of the Thermawrap isn't as warm.
Nano Puff is a good choice and I have really been liking my Nano Puff Hybrid:

http://www.zappos.com/patagonia-nano-puff-hybrid-jacket-black?ef_id=DGVP-6VHJ8gAAB8@:20130213023009:s

You need a shell if its windy, but I always have a shell anyways.

I really like the nano puff vest. Don't have the jacket. I like my Kuiu spindrift as well.

After quite a few years of using various light primaloft-type jackets I've come to the firm conclusion they're basically junk.

Better to get a light down sweater... warmer, wider temp range, longer lasting.

I have three Integral Design (originals) Pl jackets, one Mont-Bell U/L synthetic, due to Ed's recommendation and a Kifaru synthetic, actually, a British Snugpac.

I also have an outstanding Richard Egge doublr duvet and had other very highend down jackets.

I disagree, my Mont-Bell is into it's fifth year, worn a lot, just today in moderate BC rain-read a downpour for most other places- and I find these superior to down except in colder than 20*F temps.

For synthetics or shells and down, I now recommend,based on ownership and use WildThings and Westcomb over anything else I know of. Google these sites and see what you think.

What temps, moisture level, and exertion level do you plan to use it in?

Not totally sure about the "junk" part. But I think this is actually quite correct and IMO, I agree.

Wool will give you a much bigger temp range- and certainly lasts longer, looks nicer in the long run and does not give that stink factor. Light wool with a shell is a great combo.

*** and to the OP's ?- if I had to do the synthetic- it would probably be the nano stuff, or a Montbell, or the Kuiu one. ( I have the Patagonia Nano and the Kuiu one)

Temps - down to 0C
Moisture - varying, but I don't want to have to worry about it
Exertion - high (but this is tricky since I wouldn't likely hike with it on unless needed)

I want it to be my warm up layer for sheep hunting. Last year I drug a Patagonia DAS parka up the mountain. Mistake. It weighs 23 oz with 120g of Primaloft and I can wear it down to -40 in YK. After my hunt I realized a snow dump isn't likely in my sheep spot and can get away with a smaller, lighter piece. It did make a great pillow though.

I always take a hard shell with hood and beanie along so I can get away without a hood on this piece.

Great thoughts everyone! Thanks.

Yeah, "junk" may be a little strong

Currently have a Patagonia micro puff and REI Revelcloud. Fine for summer highcountry, but really not enough warmth for sudden temp swings in the fall. At least not for me.

Well, I first went into that country in April, 1966, was last there in 2006 and the several visits I have made there were for extended periods from 2 weeks to 3 months, often alone in the mountains for extended periods.

Based on that, I started with down and wool, it was what I had, but, the better synthetic sweaters, "Wildthings" under a "Westcomb" shell, is my choice. This is costly gear and Wildthings WILL do "multicam", while WC won't; last time I was there and asked.

Still, also look at Integral Design Tactical as Evan still has some of his outstanding clohting available.....I just don't bother with any but these three makers now as the stuff is SO good, I have worn an ID Rundle 20* jacket over an Icebreaker light merino T at 0*F in comfort.......

I just checked Wildthing's site, they have their Primaloft sweaters on special as low as $77.00 for a servicable green one.

However, I would go to their tactical side and build my own Insulite Jacket, costly, but, a longterm investment in exactly what YOU want/need...all Primaloft filled.

If, these had been available when I bought mine, they would be in my closet now.

Thanks, Kute. I was on their site and didn't even notice that page. That price even blows away my discounts with the bigger name companies. I'm just trying to decide on size, and dang that hood looks tempting!

The sweater should fill the gap for now, until I look into those Insulites.

Strange I don't see a final weight on the sweaters listed...

Edit: just dug up on another site - "I just weighed the Hooded Sweater in a Medium it comes in at 1 lb 6.2 oz."

Kute,

I agree about the Rundle. I have the Barney's Supercub which is a ID Rundle with a mulitcam shell. I prefer atleast a 100 gram/m2 of primaloft in my jackets. They seem to work well and even when I got mine wet.

Places like Kodiak I won't take my down gear as I know my insulation layer always seems to get damp no matter how careful I am. Down is nice for a lot of my summer trips where the weather seems to be a bit better. But for flyouts in coastal regions Primaloft seems to be the way to go for me.

Brad, I prefer down when I can swing it, but the synthetic does still keep me warm even when I get it soaked by a slipping in the water during a creek crossing...don't ask me how I know.

I would GO with the hood on any jacket I am going to carry/wear on a mountain top, learned this long ago. I may actually buy one of WT's Insulite jackets in due course, if, some things I am hoping for come to pass.

A Lands End primaloft jacket served me well for several years in my layering requirements. Recently purchased Cabela's primaloft Passage Jacket that also, has the WindShear fabric. Better.

I've seen too many people freeze their ass in down to make me interested. It is great when it is dry, but not any fun when you get it wet. Same goes for sleeping bags.

Obviously there are areas/climates where it works, but I'll pass.

I've been pleased with the Kuiu Spindrift.

Keeping an eye on the super down from KUIU...

Apparently many of the super down coatings offered have just a marginal improvement. The Patagonia version may be better. Just rumors until there is a lot of field testing.

With down, it's mostly about the shell. I've been out all day in a snow storm with a down vest on that was fine and it was my outer layer because it had orange on it. Higher quality down is more susceptible to clumping and loosing a lot of loft than lower quality. Synthetics loose as well, just not as much and dry faster.

Me too... in fact I have one arriving tomorrow.

Like Kevin T, I'm not completely sold on the Quix Down from Toray or the other similar products recently put on the market. Too many questions remain on effectiveness, durability, etc. The Patagonia stuff is a silicone coating placed at the molecular level and may be a game changer.

I mainly picked up the Super Down Hoody because I wanted a lightweight down jacket with a hood. If the water resistant down turns out to be everything they say it is then so much the better. The hood, baffled construction, Polish down and stretch fabric were selling points for me on the Kuiu jacket. Personally, I've never had a problem keeping my down jackets, gloves and bags dry.

Russ keep us posted. That hooded jacket looks awesome. Just haven't pulled the trigger.

I use and really like my REI Revelcloud.

Essentially the same as the Patagonia at a much cheaper price.

I find the north Face Redpoint jacket to be the warmest of the Primaloft jackets by a fair bit... of course it's heavier too using 100+ gram Primaloft rather than the lighter 60-ish gram stuff.

I just don't find the micro primaloft jackets to be of much value in the fall.

Based on the other layers I use (Arctic Shield outer layer and Smart Wool base layers), my GSX Core Jacket w/ScentLok (and pants) from Gander Mountain works best for me. For the way I hunt (actively stalking) for deer and elk, the GSX Adaptive Layering System just works well. The jacket and pants repel wind and rain. I don't know much about the ScentLok but it is part of the system and certainly doesn't detract from the package. While I can't say it is the best, the pants and jacket are very comfortable and are quiet and are reasonably priced.

Always interesting how things that work for one person don't for others. I seldom need anything warmer than a Mont-Bell Thermawrap unless its well below zero. When I do, I go for my Feathered Friends Helios jacket if I don't want a hood or my Rab Neutrino if I want a hood. Usually at those temperatures, keeping dry isn't as much of an issue (unless you fall into the creek like AL

True, in cold conditions, around 0*F and below, I much prefer a layer of 140-150 Merino, then, maybe a second layer of Merino and then a good down jacket, such as my Egge, a Swiss "expedition parka" that has kept me warm at -41*.

My current picks for down are the Chilco Sweater and Kokanee Parka from Westcomb and the Valandre jacket which is sold only in a "Kelly Green" shade and has some exciting features.

But, for most hunting in BC, PL is it and I layer mine to suit the weather.

Ed, when hunting I never wear an insulated jacket unless I stop to glass, so perhaps that's our difference.

The most I ever wear hunting (down to -30F) is a midweight zip Turtleneck, 100 Wt zip Turtleneck and light stretch jacket. Insulated jacket ONLY comes out for sitting and glassing, a mug-up, or in camp. Generally I'm just in the midweight t-neck or sometimes the stretch jacket.

When it's time to pull out quilted insulation, I typically want something far warmer than the usual micro-quilted jacket.

Here I am a -24*F in just those layers I described:

Montbell Thermawrap. IMHO, there's nothing not to like. Warm, light, packable. You can get with hood or without. And can often be found on sale or lightly used for well under $100.

Brad,

I go very similar to you, except I opt for a Micro or Lightweight Merino base layer followed by either a softshell or an ancient Moonstone Moonlite fleece. The Thermawrap comes out, like you only when inactive.

At 24F below, I'd probably be packing down, however.

Brad, pretty "nippy" temps., don't your ears get a mite friz with no covering?

I have both Montbell Thermawrap and Kuiu Spindrift. I like the Thermawrap better if worn as a midlayer, like the Spindrift better if I am wearing as an outer layer.

Ed,
I know it's different strokes, but for outright warmth, do you prefer the Helios or the Neutrino. (hoods aside) IIRC, they have the same fill.

JFK:
In my opinion, you just described the Integral Designs javket. Out of Calgary, no less. Last I knew, you could get it with or without a hood. Made from primaloft, this thing is light, warm, very compactable and will keep you warm if wet.. We take both the jacket & the pants on our sheep hunts into the Brooks Range in Aug. and siwash in them. They are also the emergency gear I carry in my car in winter should we have a breakdown. Expensive? Somewhat but well worth it IMHO. If you can't get it from ID, then I'm certain that Barney's in Anchorage has them. Good luck
Bear in Fairbanks

I'd say they are pretty close loft wist with the Neutrino having a slight edge.

On my search for the perfect insulation piece, I came across this. Since we all tout merino and I could drown in the amount I have, it caught my eye with 70 g of "merino wool insulation." Final weight of 15 oz.

http://shop.ibex.com/Apparel/Mens-Vests-Jackets/M-Wool-Aire-Sweater

Anyone have any experience?

Edit: In the video it claims to have 90% merino and 10% Ingeo fill. They have a heavier hooded version on a decent sale too.

I haven't tried the Ibex Aire yet but an curious. Ortovox has a similar product that I was suppose to have received a sample of, but haven't as of yet.

Great, thanks Ed!