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leadbelly2550 
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 15 2013, 5:38 pm |
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so back in November, i was searching for a middle weight puffy jacket. i ended up with a beast mode down parka that has been a nice addition this winter, a price i couldn't turn down, but i never filled that gap between crazy cold (well below zero) and 30 degrees or so, down sweater territory. maybe that's a gap i don't need to fill.
anyway, i saw a mountain hardwear hooded phantom jacket for almost 50% off. weighs 17-20 oz, 6.3-7 oz of down (850). seems like a great deal.
i know i'm asking the wrong group to talk me out of buying gear, but is there any sense in waiting, saving, and looking at the higher end down jackets i have thought about - RAB infinity, feathered friends hooded helios, western mountaineering meltdown? or just not filling what may be an imagined gap, and just layering more and saving my pennies altogether?
thanks.
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| Post Number: 2
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39589
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Feb. 15 2013, 5:47 pm |
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Two words: Down vest. The Helios is a nice one and more flexible than a sleeved jacket, IMHO. Cheaper as well and about half the weight.
http://featheredfriends.com/index.php/helios-vest-4535.html
They occasionally have sales too.
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| Post Number: 3
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leadbelly2550
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 15 2013, 5:58 pm |
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why i love this site, exposing my narrow-minded thinking. i already have their hyperion vest. why i didn't think of layering under the down sweater, i'll never know. will have to try it at home, but i think a very close-fitting vest will work great with a kind of roomy down sweater.
i suspect i won't be making that purchase.
thanks!
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| Post Number: 4
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39589
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Feb. 15 2013, 6:05 pm |
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Great! And that pairing would give you activity options which can be useful in some shoulder temps that a one-piece parka couldn't provide.
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| Post Number: 5
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leadbelly2550
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 15 2013, 7:58 pm |
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but....not enough room under the down sweater, and no hood is a pretty significant issue. i can and do layer the vest with base layers and a shell, but it won't work with the vest.
food for thought.
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| Post Number: 6
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no_granola
minor deity
Group: Members
Posts: 12569
Joined: Dec. 2004
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Posted on: Feb. 16 2013, 6:28 pm |
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You really should get one of these:
http://featheredfriends.com/index.php/daybreak-hooded-jacket-4453.html
Mine is awesome.
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The difference between people who think for themselves and those that follow the herd is that thinking people aren't afraid of reality.
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| Post Number: 7
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peeb
Let's see who's been naughty, and who's been naughty!
Group: Members
Posts: 4673
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Feb. 18 2013, 11:40 am |
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Are you talking about while active, or just hanging around someplace?
Between zero and thirty, active, I'm usually layering baselayers : lightweight wool under midweight wool, maybe a fleece vest on top the colder it is - I like fleece vests but in winter I'm only out dayhiking and not carrying them out for overnights or anything. I hear powerstretch is also very nice (I covet my DH's) but I don't have one of my own at this point.
At 30 I'm probably not layering much while I'm moving. I hike warm.
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It's all so simple when you break it down scientifically - Nick Bakay
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| Post Number: 8
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leadbelly2550
Group: Members
Posts: 1042
Joined: Apr. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 3:33 pm |
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definitely talking about sitting still. i would overheat hiking in a down sweater, forget about a warmer jacket.
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| Post Number: 9
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peeb
Let's see who's been naughty, and who's been naughty!
Group: Members
Posts: 4673
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: Feb. 20 2013, 10:43 am |
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Oh, me too 
My down jacket for those temps is a little oversized, just so that I can layer up underneath. I have a couple of different weight fleeces and synthetic puffy sweaters, in addition to baselayers, that I can fit underneath the down jacket.
Now, when I'm picking up the carpool after school, standing around waiting for all of them (what it is that they do between the bell and coming out to see me is beyond comprehension!) and the wind chill is well below zero like this week, nothing beats my shin-length down coat and fluffy hat with the warm ear flaps LOL! 
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It's all so simple when you break it down scientifically - Nick Bakay
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| Post Number: 10
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okmtbr
Group: Members
Posts: 147
Joined: Oct. 2007
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Posted on: Feb. 20 2013, 12:45 pm |
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You can pick up a First Ascent 800-fill Downlight jacket right now for about $80 if you can dig on the plum color.
I bought one a few months ago & have been pretty impressed with the quality, especially for the price. It's about the perfect warmth for low-exertion activities or just hanging out in the cold: balanced between the uber-light/barely warm down jackets and the arctic-mode mega-puffies. Weighs about 13 - 14 oz.
And they're one of the only companies that make Tall sizes. I'm a lanky 6'5", and their Large Tall fits me perfectly.
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