Light weight fleeces

SteG

SteG

Thru Hiker
Im looking at options of warm lightweight fleeces for winter. Im currently looking at montane allez hoodie and mountain equipment solar eclipse hoody. Does anybody use either one or have any other recommendations please?
 
WilliamC

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
How warm and how light. I haven't got a Montane Allez, but I have seen one and I don't think it would be very warm at all for winter, unless you mean as a base layer.
 
Clare

Clare

Thru Hiker
I’ve got a French brand equivalent of the montane allez which was great in the summer, warm but not too warm, as it breathes through those gaps but I wouldn’t use it in winter unless I had nothing else as a base layer. Id use a regular micro grid + something warmer.
 
SteG

SteG

Thru Hiker
@WilliamC @Clare Sorry, yes i would be using it as a base layer or i was thinking as a midlayer under a shell. I get warm quite quickly moving in the hills and have often use d just a heavy merino baselayer under a gortex performace shell jacket which is quite warm.ive now got a gortex pro shell and that is not as warm .so im just looking at options for lightweight warm layers. Perhaps i should take a drive and go and look at the materials and try some on.
 
NEEpps

NEEpps

Section Hiker
I have the Allez pull on. I find it fine down to about 8 degrees as a mid layer. Prefer something a bit warmer in the winter. Really like the fit and hood design of the Arcteryx Konseal but it is about double the weight of the Allez.
 
Lang pack

Lang pack

Trail Blazer
I use an allez as a base layer, it’s not a warm sit around fleece. Decathlon do surprisingly light traditional fleeces, worth a look and a bargain price.
 
JKM

JKM

Thru Hiker
Another Allez fan here, but only as a base layer, not an outer.

Topped off with the Rab Alpha flash Which is light and lovely and a windproof over the top makes a nice versatile combo.

In fact i am wearing it right now.
 
WilliamC

WilliamC

Thru Hiker
JKM said:
Another Allez fan here, but only as a base layer, not an outer.

Topped off with the Rab Alpha flash Which is light and lovely and a windproof over the top makes a nice versatile combo.

In fact i am wearing it right now.
Click to expand...
For winter, I like the MH Monkey Man series, though they're somewhat heavier or something else in Polartec High Loft. I have an Alpha Flash on the way, which I hope will be the same warmth at a lighter weight.
In summer I use a Rab AL, a grid like the Allez but heavier warmer material. The Rab Baseline is another step up in warmth and weight.
 
JKM

JKM

Thru Hiker
WilliamC said:
For winter, I like the MH Monkey Man series, though they're somewhat heavier or something else in Polartec High Loft. I have an Alpha Flash on the way, which I hope will be the same warmth at a lighter weight.
In summer I use a Rab AL, a grid like the Allez but heavier warmer material. The Rab Baseline is another step up in warmth and weight.
Click to expand...

I have a hooded monkeyman-2 and love it but I don't think it is much warmer that the alpha when under a windproof, except for the hood.
It is heavier though.
 
shetland_breeder

shetland_breeder

Ultralighter
I, my wife, and doughter are allez fans. As folk have said they are not 'sit around in the wind' fleeces, but as part of a layering system they are good. i nearly always wear a windshirt over mine if i'm not moving. The hood is a bit annoying sometimes - i also have the hoodless version which is quite a bit lighter.
 
snow

snow

Trail Blazer
I've got a solar eclipse and I like it a lot. Surprisingly warm with a windshirt on top. I run very warm when moving so it would be great for winter-ish conditions (8 degrees as mentioned above is tee+windshirt or just tee for me...). Good fit, long arms, nice snug hood.
 
craige

craige

Thru Hiker
I have the norrona Lofoten Alpha hoodie. Same material as the flash. It's unbelievably breathable, very warm under a shell, more so than the rab baseline but it works out less warm on its own because it's so breathable. I imagine the same as those knitted wool jumpers with holes.
 
SteG

SteG

Thru Hiker
(8 degrees as mentioned above is tee+windshirt or just tee for me...). Good fit, long arms, nice snug hood.
Yes me too! @snow did you size up at all or keep to your normal sizing?
 
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snow

snow

Trail Blazer
I sized up one, more or less (usually M, sometimes L, almost all my outdoor kit is M, got an L). It’s a perfect fit for what I want. An M would be baselayer-tight I think.
 
SteG

SteG

Thru Hiker
snow said:
I sized up one, more or less (usually M, sometimes L, almost all my outdoor kit is M, got an L). It’s a perfect fit for what I want. An M would be baselayer-tight I think.
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Thanks bud im inbetween sizes in ME sizing. Ive got a ME lhotse in small,and fits ok but a lot slimmer than i am used to,but bulky fleeces are not going to work.Having had a my last shell for 9 yrs i had a good layering system that i knew what worked in different temps. Probably makes sense to get the small!
 
Enzo

Enzo

Thru Hiker
Re Allez, agree with everyone else, polartec powerdry grid is designed to move moisture not as a thermal layer. under a windshirt or even a wpb layer they are imho fantastic at making you feel dry even when your outer layer is wet. as long as your producing the kwh. my goto winter base layer under synthetic insulation.
also very light for a hoody at 180g in L.
 
SteG

SteG

Thru Hiker
Enzo said:
Re Allez, agree with everyone else, polartec powerdry grid is designed to move moisture not as a thermal layer. under a windshirt or even a wpb layer they are imho fantastic at making you feel dry even when your outer layer is wet. as long as your producing the kwh. my goto winter base layer under synthetic insulation.
also very light for a hoody at 180g in L.
Click to expand...
Thanks enzo
 
FOX160

FOX160

Thru Hiker
I have the Burghaus Pravitale light 2.0 Fleece jacket.
Really rate it, also used as part of my sleep system.
With great wicking properties and a snug hood.
You might be able to pick them up in a sale for under £40:00.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/berghaus-pravitale-light-20/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=100511520&kpid=100511520&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping - All Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mckv|sgYzBc9Tm_dt|mcrid|295297463276|mkw||mmt||mrd|100511520uk|mslid||&mkwid=sgYzBc9Tm_dt&pcrid=295297463276&prd=100511520uk&pgrid=60973418042&ptaid=pla-523418410941

This is the heavier version,which is really nice too.
https://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Berghaus_Pravitale_2_0_Mens_Hooded_Fleece_Jacket/
 
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tom

tom

Thru Hiker
Tresspass do good quality mid-layer fleeces with good weight/warmth ratio. Otherwise I can recommend Saleva fleeces, high quality and good weight/warmth ratio, a bit more pricy than Tresspass, but still better value than the big outdoor fashion names...
 
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