Looking for a lightweight yet extremely warm jacket

cburgin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
statesville/boone NC
Im wanting something lightweight and not bulky but extremely warm, waterproof, windproof etc...Shoot me some ideas and some links on what you guys are using for winter wear. I hate wearing bulky clothing.
 
if you dont mind camo i have a 2 in 1 parka from dicks that is quite warm. i think its from their field and stream line. i usually wear just the liner and it is very warm and pretty well wind proof as well as water resistant. its not very bulky either.
 
I got a Columbia gor-tex jacket back when I started college in Boone, it's the "shell" style w/ a zip-out lining that could also double as a coat if wanted. It has lots of pockets and even zippers to open the armpits to breath, can even unxip from the bottom up for when you need to just open the bottom end to, er, "do some business" on a tree in the woods.

It was one of those "I can't believe I'm spending this much on a jacket" purchases.
But - that was, lets see - winter of 1995, I have used it heavily since then, guess I've literally worn it 1000 times now, still in great shape. Blocks wind very nicely.
 
I'm in the same dilemma right now. I used to just wear a Carhartt jacket or some of my camo hunting gear, but that appears to be frowned upon in an office environment...So I'm currently looking at things in the Columbia and North Face line. Hard part is finding anyone that carries a 3XL-T.
 
What temps/wind chill? Your best bet is to go to some good outdoor stores and try stuff on.

I've got a Burton coat that I've used on the slopes in 0-10 degree F temps out west. It's much warmer than it's thickness and weight would lead you to believe. I love it because it's a loose fit and I never feel constricted; even when I'm wearing a base layer, shirt, and sweater underneath it. Layering is still crucial though.

For a little more polished look I wear a Spyder coat. It's cut just right so that it doesn't seem binding, but it doesn't have the baggy look of the Burton coat. I'd say the Spyder is a better quality product as far as things like the stitching go. I've had a lot of loose stitches on the Burton which really shouldn't happen on a piece of clothing that costs that much.

If lightweight is your main thing then I'd look at something with a down filling and a waterpoof shell. Marmot and Mountain Hardware make some great ones.

Columbia has always impressed me for the prices that you can find. They're a big producer, so it's not uncommon for last year's coats to end up at TJ Maxx, Marshals, Burlington Coat Factory, etc. at heavily discounted prices.
 
I've had a North Face Apex Bionic Jacket for a couple of years and love it. Its warm enough for just about everything we get in NC and its water/windproof. When it gets really cold (sub 0 wind chills) I'll add a fleece pullover under it for added warmth.

adsp.imageg.net_graphics_product_images_pDSP1_7828889p275w.jpg
 
Hard to beat Columbia or North Face for what you have described. I bought a North Face Goose Down coat back in 1979, still have it. Zipper has been broke for sometime, just never got around to sending it back.
Bought it at FootSloggers in Boone, I guess they are still in business??
 
Honestly what's your budget?

Arc'teryx can run upwards of $500 for example...

If you want something that really functions I'd look at (2) jackets:

(1) being a Down (or similar) filled soft shell (I like the Patagonia Down Sweater) or Marmot, etc.

Then look at :

(2) a waterproof shell (Gore-Tex)... my Arc'teryx Alpha SV is going on 8 years old and w/ routine maintenance it still looks brand new... and is stand in the shower waterproof all day long!


Also upnover.. thats back when North Face was actually a good stand-up company/product... the new stuff really is crap IMO...
 
x whatever on the columbia..... i have one we bought for a trip to chicago a few years back. warm in the 0 degree temps with winds. wind proof, water proof.... i wear it to work now in raleigh when it's cold, it's almost too warm of a jacket for here, but i love it. it's warmer and a lot less bulky than my carhartt.
jcpenney usually has decent deals on them.
 
uncc civilengineer said:
Honestly what's your budget?
Arc'teryx can run upwards of $500 for example...
If you want something that really functions I'd look at (2) jackets:
(1) being a Down (or similar) filled soft shell (I like the Patagonia Down Sweater) or Marmot, etc.
Then look at :
(2) a waterproof shell (Gore-Tex)... my Arc'teryx Alpha SV is going on 8 years old and w/ routine maintenance it still looks brand new... and is stand in the shower waterproof all day long!
Also upnover.. thats back when North Face was actually a good stand-up company/product... the new stuff really is crap IMO...
Click to expand...
agreed on the Arc'terx stuff! i wear my soft shell most days and my shell for a rain jacket. unbelievably good stuff! But, its hard to justify the price at retail.
Check out the patagonia stuff too. a little cheaper and still pretty damn good.
columbia and Northface... not terrible, but not in the same league!
You get what you pay for in a lot of this stuff. Find the good stuff on sale for a little more than the "cheap" stuff.
I do have an OLD north face jacket that is really good quality. they've really let it slip!
 
upnover said:
I bought a North Face Goose Down coat back in 1979, still have it. Zipper has been broke for sometime, just never got around to sending it back
Click to expand...

I bought same coat (except in "fiber-fill") about the same time and while a bit ragged (tragic car hood sledding incident of '88 :lol: ), is still as warm! Has been back to the NF "mothership" for zipper replacement a few years back... even though VF Corp owns them (they nailed me for a $12 dry cleaning fee), the repairs were still free...

PS... Also bought a NF "Bigfoot XL" sleeping bag (-5*F) about the same time and still use it for winter camping

Quality gear that will last a lifetime!

My son got a jacket from Eddie Bauer... their "expedition" series filled/quilted model that's not much thicker than a good fleece, but is ridiculously warm for the weight! Wouldn't mind having one myself! :D
 
I don't really think you'll be able to find something that is waterproof, and extremely warm. **edit - unless you get a 2 part jacket** As far as lightweight and really warm, try a patagonia nano puff of outdoor research transcendent puff. They are a synthetic Primaloft insulation... similar to down, but because it's synthetic, it insulates even when it's wet. They are both made for compressing down into a stuff sack, really.

Both of those jackets have a DWR finish, but are nothing that I would stand in a rain storm with. The proper way to wear it would be another thin layer on top of that, that actually is waterproof. I tend to prefer gore-tex paclite for layering - and it's somewhat affordable (such as the mountain hardwear typhoon).

You'll probably be looking at sub $200 for the jacket, and sub $200 for the synthetic ultralight insulating layer. It may be pricey, but you don't have to wear them with one another (which is really handy in MOST situations). Come spring, you can just wear your gore-tex jacket, but when it gets cold again, throw on the insulating layer underneath.

I have personal experiences with all of the clothing I recommended, so if you have a more specific question just ask. By the way - how's the YJ coming along?
 
^^ agree, the 2-layer water/windproof "shell" and seperate insulating layer is teh way to go.
This is how I've been using that Columbia jacket for years. The best thing is that it makes it much more versatile depending on cold it is or what you'll be doing.
Many of the more expensive shell-style jackets have an inside zipper set for attaching the insulating layer. The zippers are made so they'll mate w/ just about any standard zipper, so you could buy just about whatever you want for that inner layer.
 
I've got a couple of jackets but here are my 2 main go-to jackets:

One is the 2 piece North Face jacket. It is expensive, but I've had it for over 10 years and its still kickin' ass. If its wet and cold outside, that is what I grab.

The other is a REI brand fleece. Simple, fairly lightweight, windbreaker and warm. They are cheap as well so that is what I'd recommend (won't do anything when it rains, but it handles all other requirements like a champ).
 
if your looking for deals go here ---> http://www.sacalerts.com/steepandcheap_tracker.php

It's through Backcountry.com and it's a time based sale. Keep your eye on there and you'll see Arcteryx and other nice jackets up there for amazing discounts! Usually through the "Steep and Cheap" store front. You can also sign up for alerts using keywords that are sent to your cellphone or email so you can just wait for the notice. It's a pretty awesome resource for gear.
 
Im not one to spend alot of money on clothes and such. but the best made and warmest jacket I've got came from either a jcpenny store or belks. its a brand called Free Country, may have the same product in a different brand tho. the jacket is not bulky, waterproof and very warm and I think I only paid like 50 bucks for it. I don't usually start wearing it until the weather starts gettin down to freezing for days at a time, usually if I wear it out in anything warmer than 30 degrees, Im sweating. have had it for 3 years now and only a little wear and tear on it, very good deal in my opinion.

edit: quick search and i found them online: http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/XGN.as...d=false&mscssid=&cmResetCat=true&hdnOnGo=true
 
Softshells:
http://www.rei.com/product/802440 (good deal Marmot)
http://www.rei.com/product/787177 (OR)
http://www.rei.com/product/801955 (Marmot the one I have)
Hard Shells:
http://www.rei.com/product/763782 (Arc'teryx Best Deal!)
http://www.rei.com/product/786182 (Marmot)
http://www.rei.com/product/801952 (Marmot)
http://www.rei.com/product/786836 (REI good for the money)
http://www.rei.com/product/794197 (Tall ver. of above)
http://www.rei.com/product/786181 (Marmot)
http://www.rei.com/product/755801 (OR)
http://www.rei.com/product/803171 (TNF Mountain Light)
http://www.rei.com/product/687096 (MHW)
Primaloft:
http://www.rei.com/product/771642 (OR)
http://www.rei.com/product/785192 (REI)
http://www.rei.com/product/787704 (Very nice Arc'teryx, My sis just picked this up)
http://www.rei.com/product/801826 (TNF Redpoint hooded vers)
http://www.rei.com/product/785457 (Mountain HW)
http://www.rei.com/product/803160 (MHW compare to TNF)
Not a shell or Midlayer but warm and wind proof, I have one:
http://www.rei.com/product/770815
TNF redpoint can be found pretty cheap in a non hooded version too, maybe jessie browns or GOP. You can check Trailspace for reviews too.
 
on this page right now I see a banner ad for aether apparel, so I clicked it to check out their stuff....... holy shizno. does anyone here own any of this stuff, cause I got to know if its actually worth the tag. for example: http://www.aetherapparel.com/index.cfm?fn=collections&o=1&a=65&p=79&c=3

when you buy it does it have a 400 dollar gift card in the pocket??? or does it come with a free blow up doll and celebrity sex tape??? wtf.
 
Been wearing outdoor, backpacking clothing for over 20 years and I will have to tell you the saying "you get what you pay for" is somewhat correct. However I will say I would basically I would not really go the other way and dump 400 on a coat either. Stay away from most of the W-Mart, Belks, Dillards, Old Navy stuff. They have lots of knock off looks but lacking on performance. . You can get some really nice house brand stuff from places like Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, LL Bean or Eddie Bauer . If you look for brand name fabrics like Goretex, Polartec, Primaloft etc, you can get a house brand made with the same stuff for alot less
Eddie Bauer and Columbia has alot of bang for the buck. Last season, I bought an Eddie coat with a Primaloft (synthetic down) liner with a house brand water proof shell for under 100.00 at their after Christmas sale. Their Ascend stuff is nice but again pricey unless you catch it on sale. If you ever get to Myrtle Beach, Columbia has a Factory store that always has excellent buys. I now have 3 of their coats. Be carefull with some Columbia Jackets, they have several different lines for different stores and price points. Generally if you want a Columbia, then go for the Titanium line. I have owned Northface, but I don't currently have a single piece of their clothing, too much money for what you get.
If you want a Name brand jacket for less money, you can go for the house brand fabrics as well. Goretex lost its exclusive patent rights some years ago and now most every big name in the business has their version of Goretex. You want to look for a waterproof and breathable laminated shell, (like Goretex), not just a spray on repellent that will wear off. North Face has Hyvent, Columbia has Omnitech, Mountain Hardwear has Conduit, LL Bean has Tek2.

Lots of options but pretty much:
-name brand fabrics with a major label=great jacket but lot of $
-name brand fabrics with a house brand label= Great jacket less $
-house brand fabrics with major label= same $ as above
-House brand fabrics with house brand label= good jacket at a good value (just be careful and research what exactly your buying)

links
www.campmor.com
www.rei.com
www.SierraTradingPost.com
www.altrec.com
www.llbean.com
www.basspro.com



JT
 
Back
Top