Mid weight synthetic : advice or comparison Rab Xenair, Montane Fireball, Patagonia Micropuff

[Gneiss Boots]

Hello, Mrs G-B may be getting a light synthetic hooded jacket. A warm synthetic layer for high level camps, multi-day trip sort of thing. I thought the Patagonia Micropuff was the ideal but now see new offerings from Rab and Montane. I can’t get to see these Xenair Alpine or Fireball jackets nor can I really compare them in warmth terms to one another as I don’t recognise the terms and relative insulation values. Anyone out there have these, other insights from trips to shops?

Synthetic and hooded not down is our plan. up to about 400g ideal and a layer that can warm you in the evening or may be used as part of others in winter. Grateful for any advice on these or similar I should be considering. She has other layers in Rab and Montane so they are my safer options for fit if buying online.

 

[Shewie]

I really rated my old (2010?) Fireball, it's a bit limp and past it these days though. I bought a Prism Ultra to replace it but it's not as impressive for weight/warmth

The OMM Rotor is worth a look, really like mine

 

[Gneiss Boots]

Thanks Shewie. I had not seen the Rotor Hood jacket before but the helpful ‘inside out’ photos show nice plump insulation in body with polartec sleeves so at only 300g it could be good but still a bit of an outsider as more like an insulated vest with fleece sleeves compared to others.

 

[Shewie]

Sorry, completely missed the requirement for a hood, even though you mentioned it twice

I'd not seen the hooded Rotor either I have the Mountain Raid jacket but it's a bit of a monster

 

[Foxster]

Love my OMM Barrage. Best jacket I ever bought.

Very warm and, surprisingly, its waterproof, so can be used on its own in wet conditions, making in useful in a broader range of settings than many mid-layer jackets.

 

[Charlie83]

Wife has the Montane Phoenix Lite and a nano puff amongst her multitude of warm jackets, she takes the montane everywhere, but she's weird, and hates the cold, so it must be decent. The montane is a lot more form fitting than the Patagonia offerings

I have 3 nano puffs ( I like jackets) and did have a micropuff, I prefer the nanos, I swear they are a lot warmer but since I've never worn both in the same environment at the same time I cant prove that. (better colours to) my fishing nano puff has been absolutely battered (excuse pun) and still does it.

Arcteryx atom LT is as good, if not better than the nano puff imo, they are my preferred synthetic layer for hikes if not carrying a down jkt

 

[Gneiss Boots]

Charlie thanks. I have a nanopuff and like it but Mrs GB is probably looking for something a bit warmer. Other reviews have also said the micropuff is not that warm. Thanks for tip about Arcteryx as it seems that Montane and Arcteryx are notably warmer than the Patagonia.

 

[Phlip86]

My favourite options for synthetic jackets:
- Cheap but good: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women...00-hooded-5-c/_/R-p-312532?mc=8573844&c=BLACK
- More expensive, (a lot?) warmer & for something lighter: https://enlightenedequipment.com/womens-torrid-apex-jacket-custom/
(you can buy it also in EU stores: e.G. https://www.outdoorline.sk/en/clothing/enlightened-equipment-torrid-apex-jacket-womens

 

[Enzo]

I got an OMM mountain raid for similar needs. It's good, but I couldn't recommend it as the shell is just not tough enough. Mine has a fair bit of tape on it now and it doesn't have that much use.

 

[TinTin]

I have Arcteryx Atom LT and Cumulus Climalite Pullover. The Climalite pullover is significantly warmer than the Atom LT maybe 150g lighter (no hood version) and a good bit less expensive. They do a full zip hooded version and a female specific one. I reckon you'd be hard pushed to get a better warmth to weight to cost option than this. Quality is top notch.

Note the prices quoted are plus UK VAT and carriage.

CLIMALITE FULL ZIP

The jacket of choice for those who’d like to enjoy a good workout regardless of the temperature. The outer fabric Pertex® Quantum breathes perfectly and a top Climashield® Apex insulation maintains its thermal properties even when completely wet.

cumulus.equipment

CLIMALITE FULL ZIP LADY

The jacket of choice for those who’d like to enjoy a good workout regardless of the temperature. The outer fabric Pertex® Quantum breathes perfectly and a top Climashield® Apex insulation maintains its thermal properties even when completely wet.

cumulus.equipment

 

[Gneiss Boots]

Plenty of options it seems, including some new ones from Rab too as they re-do their Xenon model.

 

[maddogs]

There were a couple of good discussions on another channel including some thermal imagery which was quite interesting (if you're into that kind of thing )

Evaluation of Thermal Performance of Five Synthetically Insulated Jackets - Backpacking Light

This is the next installment of evaluations of thermal performance of insulating materials. This was undertaken because I want to purchase a synthetic insulation jacket and wanted to make an...

backpackinglight.com

Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report - Backpacking Light

This comprehensive State of the Market Report presents more than a dozen synthetic insulated jacket reviews and performance comparison to evaluate their durability, warmth, weather resistance, breathability, and features.

backpackinglight.com

The data in this post suggests degradation of synthetic insulation with use (in this e.g. a Rab Xenon hoodie) loosing 40% performance in 2 weeks of use....

Microfleece 100 - Backpacking Light

I'm looking for the lightest full zip fleece jacket out there - preferably with a hood, but not necessary. When I look online, it's not always clear what "weight" the...

backpackinglight.com

 

[TinTin]

There were a couple of good discussions on another channel including some thermal imagery which was quite interesting (if you're into that kind of thing )

Evaluation of Thermal Performance of Five Synthetically Insulated Jackets - Backpacking Light

This is the next installment of evaluations of thermal performance of insulating materials. This was undertaken because I want to purchase a synthetic insulation jacket and wanted to make an...

backpackinglight.com

Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report - Backpacking Light

This comprehensive State of the Market Report presents more than a dozen synthetic insulated jacket reviews and performance comparison to evaluate their durability, warmth, weather resistance, breathability, and features.

backpackinglight.com

The data in this post suggests degradation of synthetic insulation with use (in this e.g. a Rab Xenon hoodie) loosing 40% performance in 2 weeks of use....

Microfleece 100 - Backpacking Light

I'm looking for the lightest full zip fleece jacket out there - preferably with a hood, but not necessary. When I look online, it's not always clear what "weight" the...

backpackinglight.com

No EE Torrid!

 

[Gneiss Boots]

There were a couple of good discussions on another channel including some thermal imagery which was quite interesting (if you're into that kind of thing )

Evaluation of Thermal Performance of Five Synthetically Insulated Jackets - Backpacking Light

This is the next installment of evaluations of thermal performance of insulating materials. This was undertaken because I want to purchase a synthetic insulation jacket and wanted to make an...

backpackinglight.com

Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report - Backpacking Light

This comprehensive State of the Market Report presents more than a dozen synthetic insulated jacket reviews and performance comparison to evaluate their durability, warmth, weather resistance, breathability, and features.

backpackinglight.com

The data in this post suggests degradation of synthetic insulation with use (in this e.g. a Rab Xenon hoodie) loosing 40% performance in 2 weeks of use....

Microfleece 100 - Backpacking Light

I'm looking for the lightest full zip fleece jacket out there - preferably with a hood, but not necessary. When I look online, it's not always clear what "weight" the...

backpackinglight.com

Thanks Maddogs, an interesting read. When you consider how much abuse jackets suffer just in putting in rucksack, and how much synthetic insulation reduces performance so quickly it really makes you wonder. Interesting that is the plumafill continuous insulation types that last so much better. I had experienced some of this I guess so had in my mind to deliberately try a different type this time than normal primaloft types.