[Closed] Lightweight insulation

[i]Am I going OTT spending £100+ for something that's going to get taken out on the hills less than 10 times a year, and only actually worn for a 5 or 10 minute break within those 10 outings?[/i]

No

[url= http://www.outdoor33.com/en/buy/salewa-lagazuoi-down-jacket-232403/wg_id-1618 ]One of these?[/url]

Alternatively Sportspursuit have Haglofs equivalents heavily discounted at the moment.

Or - Craghoppers so one for around £60

you need this 😉

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fs-finisterre-incus-gilet-large

As long as your core is warm, the rest will manage.

Have you considered something sleevless to keep thr weight down?

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/rab-mens-microlight-vest-1b210049?id_colour=4433

Am I going OTT spending £100+ for something that's going to get taken out on the hills less than 10 times a year

Definitely not. I've an emergency shelter and or bivy bag I take along on some proper mountain days that have never been touched.

EDIT: Yeah, what ^ he said

rab generator here. does what you want. perfect bit of kit.

[url= http://www.startfitness.co.uk/omm-rotor-half-zip-long-sleeve-mens-smock-oc007-k1.html?gclid=CI6O9ZCCh8MCFdTLtAodpgIALA ]These OMM Rotors[/url] come up slightly on the small size, so if you're large, or a smallish XL then they've got some XLs left in stock.

theotherjonv/slugwash. 36" chest here, so both of those offers I could live in!

Gilet/vest? I think if I'm going to do it, I'd rather have the sleeves. Can't remember many times I've been too warm on the top of a mountain!

Rab Generator every time, warm even if wetted out! Packs down to tiny package too.

Montane Prism works for me. That or whatever other packable primaloft has the right cut for you.

If it's big hill/cold days on the bike or multiday stuff I'd combine it with a light waterproof rather then having an all-in-one jacket that would be too warm to ride in on its own.

I'm still astonished you can cram so much cosy into such a small and light jacket. Primaloft is ace.

Rab Generator or Xenon, which I think is a little lighter? Definitely worth carrying in winter and useful as a walking jacket year round in the mountains.

Rock and run have got some deals on Rab and Arcteryx atm.

one of my bestest bits of technical gear, but not used very often, and also one of the most expensive. But ace for the job - takes up less than 1 litre of space:

http://klattermusen.se/produktsida.php?lang=en&ID=1015&sex=2&curr=EUR
[img] https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-752XpvzSlFY/VAN5KOaoWmI/AAAAAAAAKgo/BgNj8SxcPyg/s640/%255BUNSET%255D.jp g" target="_blank">https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-752XpvzSlFY/VAN5KOaoWmI/AAAAAAAAKgo/BgNj8SxcPyg/s640/%255BUNSET%255D.jp g"/> [/img]
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they also do a "T" version which a mate has. Very good idea. I use mine as a mid layer under a rain jacket shell as well as evening keep warm wear.

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sandwicheater. I'm getting rid of my Finisterre but want to replace with something else. That Rab looks good apart from it's not primaloft, and I thought down didn't hold heat well when wet. But the Rab is hydrophobic down. Any experience with that or is primaloft still what i should be after?

I just brought a new Rab Hydrophobic down jacket, (Rab infinity I think) and it weighs nothing, but packs down to a pint pot size.

Its replaced another big Rab which although warm was far too bulky for anything more active than walking the dog in mid winter with a t-shirt underneath.

The new one is smaller, lighter, less bulky more weather proof and even warmer (But it was like £250)

Its my general jacket of choice now and will get packed for big days too.

have you got it wet yet?

I don't have one jon, just used for illustration.

I've got a prism ( http://www.gaynors.co.uk/mens/clothing/insulation-jackets-vests/dp-76861/montane-mens-prism-vest ) which has been faultless. If it's not windy it's perfect. I've too many jackets for my own good at the moment.

theotherjonv - Member

have you got it wet yet?

Was that aimed at me ?

If So Yes I have, out for 45 minutes in the rain with the dog the other day, water beaded up really well.

Although if its going to be a full on torrential down pour, then I`ll put a shell on anyway.

Cheers. I'm still favouring synthetic but I'm wondering if that's sensible - as you say if it was proper hosing I wouldn't have a pertex vest as an outer layer anyway!!

I use an original Rab Xenon hoody - the current ones are a little heavier - it's about 330g and deceptively warm given its weight and pack size - it fits in a 12-liter or so Osprey Raptor without issues. It's also useable when riding, though only for me when it was down to -15? or so back in 2010/11 I think.

Personally I'd go for Primaloft or similar synthetics over even hydrophobic down for damp UK use. A mate's just bought an OMM Rotor for the Spine Race (up the Pennine Way in winter). The Haglofs Barrier Pro does a similar job, good price on Sport Pursuit atm.

I've got a Montane Fireball smock. Packs tiny and really light. Primaloft insulation.

was looking at Haglofs, thanks for the tip.

Montane Prism works for me. To get around feeling guilty, wear if for taking the dog out for long ballgames this time of year too (or other similar activities)

Also, depending on size and if you aren't too picky about colour they can be had from about £65 via the magic of Google...

I'm currently using a Montane Alpine Stretch as my main mountain biking jacket. Went a size up as normal for alpine cuts and it's great. I can zip it all the way up and regulate temp with the pocket zips and the hood goes over my Giro Feature when stopped for refreshment and deciding where next. Worn with a base layer and normal cycle top I am perfectly comfortable for all day rides in exposed locations and don't have any of the boil in the bag sensation so many 'proper bike' jackets have.

just ordered one of these - £95 - £99 on sale from £160 at cotswold

http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/rab-mens-inferno-hoodie-1b120122?id_colour=124

^ +1 for the Montane Prism gilet or jacket or the Rab Generator. The Prism gilet is a brilliant bit of kit for long wet road rides, particularly any involving long cold descents.
Based on how good the Prism gilet is I got a Rab Generator jacket recently, very similar with 100g of primaloft in the body and 40g in the arms (Prism is 40g in the body), would be a good jacket for stops during rides.

The crag hoppers one can be had for about 30-40 quid now. It's really nice, not too hot, but packs up small and totally wind proof. Even when wet. It does soak through pretty badly when wet though. But as an emergency spare layer it's worth it. Had mine for a while now and worn it all through the winter so far up on the hills