Fleece or Insulated jacket

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taxboy

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My old Lowe Alpine Attu is finally looking tatty and I need a replacement. The question is do I go for another Polatec 300 weight Fleece or look at a synthetic insulated jacket. if I go for the latter what weight would I need to give equivalent warmth

All advice appreciated
 
Sounds like you were happy with the jacket that has just gone 'tatty' (and I can understand that), so why not buy another one?

Dave
 
Tatty = comfortable!
 
My experience might be relevant...

For many many years until recently, my standard outdoor jacket has been a Sprayway fleece. I think it was Polartec 300 but I can't be 100% positive about that.

In the last couple of years I'd been concerned that it was getting a bit worn and wasn't as wind resistant as it used to be. I go up to the Lake District several times a year so I made a point of checking out the gear shops up there for a replacement. But it seems that outdoor gear is a fair bit more high tech than it was say 10 years ago, and the impression I formed was that the idea of using a heavyweight fleece as an outdoor jacket is a bit outdated.

What I ended up with is a Rab "Generator" jacket. It has a Pertex shell and Primaloft filling, which means it is windproof, reasonably water resistant, still warm when wet, and very light (380g compared with about 600g for my old fleece) . The whole jacket scrunches up into one of its pockets which then zips up, to form a convenient and small package which can be stuffed into the corner of a bag. There's no excuse not to take it somewhere, just in case it's needed. I love it.

http://rab.uk.com/products/mens-clothing/synthetic-fill/-generator-jacket.html

generator_jacket_black_copy10_copy1.jpg
 
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It depends on what you want it for. Belay jackets like the Generator are warm and windproof but possibly too warm if you are on the move but good if you are pretty static or it's very cold (I own one too). Fleece has come quite a long way since Polartec 300 and now you will find a plethora of other materials. There is a wide range of "soft shells" which is pretty much a generic term for anything that isn't a waterproof. Most offer quite a high degree of wind resistance and varying degrees of insulation. Another style of jacket by Rab that may be of interest is their Vapour Rise coats. Basically a breathable but wind resistant outer with a light fleece inner. Go to a large outdoor retailer like Cotswolds or Go Outdoors and have a look. Then search for the same on the internet. Go price match plus discount if you find it cheaper.
 
Sorry, but I have to take issue with the previous post. It's customers like you, Wayne, who are driving small retailers (and bigger ones - remember Jessops a year ago?) out of business. Bricks'n'mortar shops are NOT showrooms for the internet - if you want to pay internet prices, get internet trials rather than wasting shop assistants'' time. Sure, go to a decent shop but BUY from them as well, or soon they may not be there.
 
Nod actually my comment might help a small shop IF the OP has a decent local indie. I bought mine in Kountry Kit in Tavistock but not knowing where the OP is, I guess probably not West Devon, I suggested the 2 largest outdoor retailers in the UK, both of whom have a massive internet presence. The fact is unless you're in a climbing area like the Lakes most towns and cities have a pretty crap selection of quality outdoor clothing. If you're flush enough to pay full asking price then crack on. Retailers need to up their game and be realistic in their pricing, that's simply the way of the world. Why not have a pop at the site Admins about non-UK traders getting their own threads?
 
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IF the OP can get to a bricks'n'mortar branch, I would still suggest that he buys in store (asking nicely if they'll match their internet price) since even big retailers' high street shops are under threat from their internet shops. If a store isn't turning over enough through the tills, they'll end up closing. The way I often put it is buying on line is fine but if you're shopping (by which I mean trying on and asking advice etc.), do the whole thing in store.

It would be helpful if the OP had said where he is, he could be either of our neighbours! If we knew where he was, chances are that a fellow member here could point him in the right direction.

I'm sorry if my post seemed a bit of a dig, it wasn't intended to be. I get some of my kit from the Alladin's cave in Chagford and a visit there is always a good excuse for lunch at the Church House!
 
I've got a north ridge down jacket from go outdoors (£89) - nice and warm and stands up to some rough handling ( I use it for work in the winter), prior to that I had a synthetic fill mountain equipment jacket (£69) from Cotswold Outdoors - that was fine for years until I ripped it.

I'm with Nod on this btw, buy rom a bricks and motor shop because you need to try these things on, not just go by sizing
 
Primaloft is amazing.

I have a Patagonia Nano jacket that weighs less than a bag of crisps but is amazingly warm but somehow never too hot.

Nobody sells these within at least 65 miles of here - buy online from a firm that pays for return postage and use DSR until you get one to fit. 4 outdoor shops in town - none of them any good for stuff like this but they do fine out of tourists.
 
Nod said:
IF the OP can get to a bricks'n'mortar branch, I would still suggest that he buys in store (asking nicely if they'll match their internet price) since even big retailers' high street shops are under threat from their internet shops. If a store isn't turning over enough through the tills, they'll end up closing. The way I often put it is buying on line is fine but if you're shopping (by which I mean trying on and asking advice etc.), do the whole thing in store.

It would be helpful if the OP had said where he is, he could be either of our neighbours! If we knew where he was, chances are that a fellow member here could point him in the right direction.

I'm sorry if my post seemed a bit of a dig, it wasn't intended to be. I get some of my kit from the Alladin's cave in Chagford and a visit there is always a good excuse for lunch at the Church House!
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yes agree with you I do buy from the net but if its something like clothing that you need to try on its wrong to try it on in the shop and then buy it on amazon
 
Sorry I haven't been able to post for a few days. Thanks for all the input - the review by Stewart R was especially helpful

It confirmed my thinking that technology had moved on a bit. I also came across some positive reviews for a Snugpak Sleeka http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/sleeka-elite . Idon't know if anyone on here has any experience

You are certainly correct about the need to try on stuff - the sizing / fit on outdoor clothing is all over the place. I'm not that far from Norwich so presume that I have reasonable choice of retailers
 
taxboy said:
I also came across some positive reviews for a Snugpak Sleeka http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/sleeka-elite . Idon't know if anyone on here has any experience
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Well, that's quite a heavy jacket. Their website says 880g in my size, which is 50% heavier than my old fleece. Whereas my new jacket is 30% lighter than the fleece.

I'm not saying that makes it a wrong decision for you, but it is apparent that there are now an awful lot of different types of garment out there in the marketplace. Before I bought my new jacket I had to do some hard thinking about what exactly I wanted it for, and I suspect you might need to do so too.
 
Agreed. Outgear gear is generally lighter than it used to be, but there are a few variables. Will you be very active, or mainly sedentary? What will you be wearing under it? How hot do you run? Are you going to carry a pack when you're wearing the jacket? How heavy will it be?

Rab works well for me but Paramo, which is excellent, is far too hot if I'm active. My wife seems to have been born with her personal thermostat set high though!
 
Nod said:
Sorry, but I have to take issue with the previous post. It's customers like you, Wayne, who are driving small retailers (and bigger ones - remember Jessops a year ago?) out of business. Bricks'n'mortar shops are NOT showrooms for the internet - if you want to pay internet prices, get internet trials rather than wasting shop assistants'' time. Sure, go to a decent shop but BUY from them as well, or soon they may not be there.
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This is called "showrooming" apparently. A new word in the OED fairly recently I think.
 
Just thought I'd update this thread. I went and tried on the RAB generator and was amazed by how light it was. Unfortunately I couldn't find one in a sale and didn't really want to splash that much cash so after more research I settled for a Keela Belay which I obtained for a good price on eBay. I couldn't finad any local stockists but thought i take a gamble on buying one unseenas the price I paid meant I could probaly offload it back on eBay if I didn't like it.

My early thoughts are - Not quite as light as the RAB - but much cheaper & my in my limited test (it's been pretty mild as of late) is certainly as warm as my old Polartec (but lighter). It won't win any fashion prizes but then I'd rather have outdoor gear that does the job than looks flash. Overall so far great value for money
 
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