Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: whoRya on February 23, 2011
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I'm sure you've covered this ground a few times before, but nothing like the layering debate to go round and round.
I generally will always have a base layer, micro-fleece and a waterproof shell. It is the other bit, the insulated layer that I am missing.
What I want is something for stops, around camp, possibly even to pull on in a sleeping bag if I was cold.
I think I have ruled out a 200-300 weight fleece since it is too warm to walk in and doesn't keep the wind out when you stop. I know some fleeces are a bit of a hybrid with a windstopper however they may not be the lightest option bearing in mind if the conditions are favourable I want this to be in my bag not on me.
A windbreaker/soft shell is a possibility. I don't need to wear it generally when walking. It has great properties for at the top, breaks etc, but probably less use when camping out of the wind but the temperature has dropped a little? It is going to be better to walk in instead of a micro-fleece if there is a little moisture about, but I am concentrating on the insulating side for the moment.
Down vests - I'm ruling out. Because of the rain. Besides to get it on/protect it from the rain you have to take off the waterproof shell.
Windshirts - in truth I'm not sure I entirely know what these are. If I am correct they are very light, windproof, possibly water resistant. Again they would be very good at breaks but may not add much in the way of warmth around camp. Not as breathable as a microfleece, but good for stops and light moisture.
So lastly, I think, I come to light insulated synthetic jackets.
Does anyone use a Primaloft insulated jacket out on the hills?
I have been looking at a few
Rab Generator - 100g fill on body and 60g on the arms
Berghaus Ignite - seems to be 60g all over, very hard to find detailed info on
North Face Red Point - I think it is 100g fill all over.
All have similar pockets (Generator's Napoleon is in the inside)
If anyone has the Ignite, is it warm enough, generally speaking?
Under/over. At first I thought I was looking for another layer to stick under a water/windproof but reading around it, common sense seems to dictate that the jacket is best thrown on over everything else. The point being that when you are cold you put a layer on but when you are ready to set-off take it off again.
Anyone use it like that? Did you get a size bigger than your shell jacket? Have you found it isn’t too big to still wear on its own without the shell under. Again this is as you would hope if the weather is fine but cold at stops.
Any contributions are welcome, particularly in reference to Primaloft.
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I have just bought a Berghaus Ignite jacket for taking to Kili, have been wearing it for the last couple of week and It has been plenty warm enough.
It is really light and packs down really small, Primaloft is the way ahead.
I was thinking about getting a new Berghaus Incinerator Duvet Jacket for next winter
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I have two primaloft jackets and highly recommend them. Both pack into their side pockets and are compact and light.
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Thanks for the replies.
Lenny to you find that the sizing is fairly spot on? In a jacket you'd expect that in your usual size you could fit a couple of smaller layers underneath. Did you go for your usual size?
Interesting that you have something else in mind for next winter. Do you see the Ignite as a down to 5+ degrees or something like that?
I'm trying to work out whether I'll buy online without trying on.
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I have just bought a Berghaus Ignite jacket for taking to Kili, have been wearing it for the last couple of week and It has been plenty warm enough.
It is really light and packs down really small, Primaloft is the way ahead.
I was thinking about getting a new Berghaus Incinerator Duvet Jacket for next winter
I can guarantee if you try to move while wearing it you will melt!
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Lenny to you find that the sizing is fairly spot on? In a jacket you'd expect that in your usual size you could fit a couple of smaller layers underneath. Did you go for your usual size?
Interesting that you have something else in mind for next winter. Do you see the Ignite as a down to 5+ degrees or something like that?
I'm trying to work out whether I'll buy online without trying on.
Go down to Blacks as they have the ignite in stock, try sizes on then buy online. I have bought a Large and it is abit of a snug fit but it does the job.
I want to get a warmer jacket than a Ignite but if what chris just said is true I might need to re look at that.
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Just bought the Ignite for £50 in the Cotswold half-price sale. They didn't have any in the stores (in a medium) so I bought the medium and large off the web to try it out.
Lenny that 'death by incineration' one you were talking about is in the sale also for £125!! You've got to buy now, what you want to wear next winter.
There are some good deals in the sale.
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I have just bought a Berghaus Ignite jacket for taking to Kili, have been wearing it for the last couple of week and It has been plenty warm enough.
It is really light and packs down really small, Primaloft is the way ahead.
I was thinking about getting a new Berghaus Incinerator Duvet Jacket for next winter
I can guarantee if you try to move while wearing it you will melt!
So unless I am planing on taking on Mt Asgard I should forget it?
What do you think of the Berghaus Furnace?
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Just bought the Ignite for £50 in the Cotswold half-price sale. They didn't have any in the stores (in a medium) so I bought the medium and large off the web to try it out.
Lenny that 'death by incineration' one you were talking about is in the sale also for £125!! You've got to buy now, what you want to wear next winter.
There are some good deals in the sale.
I hope you like it as much as I do. :)
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Probably a bit late, but I was on the look out for an insulated jacket recently. Had basically decided on the Rab Generator Jacket (sleeves, no hood) but came across the Lowe Alpine Thermo jacket in a recent TGO group test. As far as I can see its very similar to the Rab Generator, but instead of using Primaloft its utilises Lowe Alpines own Loweloft. Best thing (although its kinda sad as I like Lowe Alpine gear) is that because they are stopping making clothes after this season the prices have been slashed, so I got the jacket for £48 (http://www.fieldandtrek.com/lowe-alpine-thermo-jacket-mens-446126)! Sounds like you got a good deal on the Ignite however, and they all seem to be very similar.
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Thanks anyway, Suspect Monkey. Seems like a good deal.