GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATION - Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket
The rain and snow continued today but it was colder and much windier than yesterday. No big deal for me because I have a clothing system made up of components that have proven over and over again to protect me in all but the most extreme conditions. However, I need to replace my Marmot TR6 Jacket because they don't make it any longer. Too bad, it was the only insulation liner jacket I know of that had pit zips.
I was trained to use the traditional mountaineers clothing layering system and it has served me very well over the years. Base, insulation, and shell. With a very few exceptions, that's it. Of course the sum success of the layering system depends entirely on it's parts and they have to compliment each other to work properly.
I recommend the REI Polartec Power Dry Zip-Ts in their various weights for my base although I am seriously thinking of going back to the good old polypropylene, it's softer and more comfortable over long periods. I recommend a number of different shells but my top three at the moment are the Marmot Precip, Kuiu Chugach and Arcteryx Theta AR Jackets. As for insulation layers there are two flavors; goose down and synthetic.
My favorite synthetic insulations are Climashield and Primaloft. Climashield jackets are still pretty scarce but there are a bunch of Primaloft tops to choose from. In fact, I have tested a half dozen over the past year and a half. The one I prefer, by a significant margin, is the Micro Puff Jacket made by Patagonia.
A good insulation layer is critical to an effective protective clothing system. It should fit easily and comfortably between the base and shell layers. It keeps you warm by insulating your body from the cold but because of it's construction, it is fragile and has to be protected by the outer shell layer. Here I am wearing an Arcteryx Theta AR over the Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket.
The Micro Puff is a medium thickness insulation piece made for movement and moderate to cold temps. It is not made for bivouac or extreme cold, that requires a heavier, thicker layer made of premium goose down.
Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket is made of a very light, windproof polyester exterior fabric treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellant) and stuffed with Primaloft One synthetic insulation. It has two hand warmer and two internal chest pockets, stuffs down to the size of a roll of toilet paper and my size extra large weighs just 19 ounces.
As I said earlier, there are numerous synthetic insulations and many more examples of light insulation layer jackets out there. I scoured the market and tested what I believe to be the best available. My choice is the Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket. It is sized properly throughout, made well, efficiently designed and has an exceptional warmth to weight ratio. It is an integral part of my system and I depend on it to help keep me performing at a high level and in the field longer. Check it out.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd. Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
I was trained to use the traditional mountaineers clothing layering system and it has served me very well over the years. Base, insulation, and shell. With a very few exceptions, that's it. Of course the sum success of the layering system depends entirely on it's parts and they have to compliment each other to work properly.
I recommend the REI Polartec Power Dry Zip-Ts in their various weights for my base although I am seriously thinking of going back to the good old polypropylene, it's softer and more comfortable over long periods. I recommend a number of different shells but my top three at the moment are the Marmot Precip, Kuiu Chugach and Arcteryx Theta AR Jackets. As for insulation layers there are two flavors; goose down and synthetic.
My favorite synthetic insulations are Climashield and Primaloft. Climashield jackets are still pretty scarce but there are a bunch of Primaloft tops to choose from. In fact, I have tested a half dozen over the past year and a half. The one I prefer, by a significant margin, is the Micro Puff Jacket made by Patagonia.
A good insulation layer is critical to an effective protective clothing system. It should fit easily and comfortably between the base and shell layers. It keeps you warm by insulating your body from the cold but because of it's construction, it is fragile and has to be protected by the outer shell layer. Here I am wearing an Arcteryx Theta AR over the Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket.
The Micro Puff is a medium thickness insulation piece made for movement and moderate to cold temps. It is not made for bivouac or extreme cold, that requires a heavier, thicker layer made of premium goose down.
Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket is made of a very light, windproof polyester exterior fabric treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellant) and stuffed with Primaloft One synthetic insulation. It has two hand warmer and two internal chest pockets, stuffs down to the size of a roll of toilet paper and my size extra large weighs just 19 ounces.
As I said earlier, there are numerous synthetic insulations and many more examples of light insulation layer jackets out there. I scoured the market and tested what I believe to be the best available. My choice is the Patagonia Micro Puff Jacket. It is sized properly throughout, made well, efficiently designed and has an exceptional warmth to weight ratio. It is an integral part of my system and I depend on it to help keep me performing at a high level and in the field longer. Check it out.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
We can be educated and persuaded but not bought, bullied or bs'd. Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
Posted by Wade Nelson at Monday, December 05. 2011 
Categories: Insulation Layer, GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
Tags: insulation layer primaloft liner jacket primaloft insulation jacket cold weather liner jacket
Categories: Insulation Layer, GREAT GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS
Tags: insulation layer primaloft liner jacket primaloft insulation jacket cold weather liner jacket
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