[Closed] Which jacket? Rab Valiance vs Alpine Microlight

I have a jacket similar to the Alpine Microlight but made by Berghaus. Hooded, hydro down, lightweight. I can wear it with a t-shirt to a few degrees below freezing. I tend not to wear it when it’s raining, because it’s generally too warm if rain is falling. If it’s raining I’ll tend to just wear a synthetic layer instead.

I've not worn a Valiance, but I have tried a Neutrino Pro, which judging by the spec is a little bit warmer - more down - and it's pretty warm in a way that lighter, micro-baffled jackets like the Microlight aren't. My take would be that the Valiance would be ace for standing around in cold and potentially damp conditions, but a bit hot for active use unless it's sub-zero and/or you run quite cool.

It's kind of hard to generalise though - British 'winter' conditions are insanely variable and people 'run' at different temperatures. The thing about the Valiance is that it has a waterproof outer, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet, but in most situations, if it's cold enough to wear the jacket, it'll probably be snowing rather than raining anyway.

The Summit is an order of magnitude less warm and was originally conceived as a sort of 'three-season' down top you could wear from autumn through to spring. It's nothing like as cosy for hanging about in - if I was going to, say, stand on the touchline for a football / rugby match in freezing conditions, the Valiance would be way nicer. For mostly active use, the Summit's better, but a lot less warm.

Personally I run warm enough that I don't really wear down on the move at all. I just get too sweaty. Bear in mind you've got two layers of windproof material between you and the outside.

What is the warmest weather you could wear it with just a t-shirt underneath?

How long is a piece of string, but for me, moving about, I suspect it would be around zero or so. For you it might be different. If you've not sunk money into it though, I'd maybe try it and see what you think. You could always save it for proper, bitterly cold weather and wear normal clothing for more 'normal' UK conditions, especially as you like it.

Thanks very much for the advice - very useful ans apprecited. And good point about it usuallt being warmer if raining.

Any thoughts on the Microlight Alpine jacket? I am thinking thats the one to go for - and no suprise it seems to be Rab’s most popular jacket.

Not 100% sure but I think I have what would be the Mountain Equipment equivalent of these two jackets. The Lightline and Arete.

Yesterday I wore the Lightline in 4 degrees, but with no wind, whilst walking the dog and with a merino baselayer it was plenty warm enough. I've worn it at footie matches with a baselayer and a mid layer when it's been around 0 to 5 degrees and it was warm enough for 2 hours of standing around. There is no way the Arete would've been warm enough however. It is simply too thin.

I use the Arete for 5 to 10 degree temps with or without a baselayer when I know I'll be moving rather than standing around. Coupled with a rain jacket as a shell it would be ok for dog walking, in 5 degrees, but definitely not watching sport outdoors in less than 5 degrees, maybe more.

Perception of cold is obviously a personal thing but I think you'd be pushing things when it gets really cold if you had the lighter jacket.

I really like both of my jackets, but they are for different uses, sure there is a crossover, but if I only had one I'd go with the thicker one.

I've tried the Valiance on a few times in shops, very tempted, but it would be a deep winter jacket for me, and can't justify the cost for something I'd rarely use. It is a lovely jacket though. For everyday cold weather wear I tend to prefer synthetic as it's easier to wash. Down doesn't like being washed and I generally get my jackets covered in crap doing things, so they get washed a lot.

Any thoughts on the Microlight Alpine jacket? I am thinking thats the one to go for – and no suprise it seems to be Rab’s most popular jacket.

I've not used the tweaked version they launched this year, but as mercuryrev says above, lightweight, skinny-baffled jackets like the Microlight don't have that proper, full-on warmth you get from a bigger down jacket. It means they have a wider temperature range, but aren't anything like as effective for standing about in really cold conditions, which is where down traditionally scores. I'd try one on if you can, it'll give you an idea of the difference in warmth, even just standing in s shop.

My solution is a lightweight synthetic jacket for milder weather and packing on rides when space is limited - I have an original Rab Xenon, which is slightly lighter than the latest Xenon X, and is more knock-about than down, particularly if it gets wet.

It doesn't look as cool as a Microlight, if that bothers you, but it does the job. Also, although the Microlight has water-resistant down, I'd look at that more as an insurance policy than an invitation to get it repeatedly wet.

Big down jacket comes out when it gets properly cold - like around zero and below for me.

If you like the down look with the baffled construction, it might be worth looking at one of the new-fangled 'down-like' synthetics. Rab has a few of them and warmth to weight performance is catching up with mid-range down.

I'm liking the Marmot Featherless stuff - some of that on Sport Pursuit - also Montane has a bunch of down-like synthetics.

i bought one yesterday (microlight alpine) to replace a 25 year old Rab that was stitch through but bigger michelin man bulges so over the years the down moved about more (it was also lower fill power duck down) i think the microlight is as warm but way less bulk and you could wear it with a layer over the top.

no idea how well the water resistant down performs and don't intend giving it a soaking. very impressed with it over a weekend spent walking around in 4-7º plus wind-chill. quite impressed with it so far.

i have a Canada goose parka if i want to stand around in freezing temps.