Odd question I suppose. My friend and I are headed to Kili in July. Neither of us run cold and we're both used to very cold temps with high wind. Seems we're looking for an "inbetween" type jacket. For when it gets cold and nasty out - I have my FF Icefall parka, and when I'm not in that, I'm with my r1/r2 + hardshells. For Kili though, the FF is way too overkill, I'll melt away in that. We've been trying to narrow down to some sort of insulated jacket to wear while sittin around and "maybe" wear on top.

Thinking the DAS parka is overkill as well but need something more then the Nano puff pullover. The Rab Microlight Alpine jacket has caught my eye. What do you guys have that fills the void between the shell/fleece to the heavy duty puffer?

Brand isn't important but I want something light and compressible.

My experience has been that with thinner insulated jackets, the type of fill is less important, because it's a very small percentage of the total material. So, I like the Patagonia Micropuff, Montbell Thermawrap, MH Compressor, and other similar synthetic jackets for lightweight belay use.

If you're really looking for ultralight and want to stick with down, the WM Flash jacket or Rab Microlight Alpine would be the ticket. The Down Sweater is nice, but the Flash jacket is so light...

Aye, the fill is of less importance. I do want a hood though, it doesn't have to be built for a helmet, just to keep me warm when I'm being lazy around camp.

I have the FF hooded Helios, which is very light and super warm. Maybe it's still too warm for you though?

The Patagonia Micropuff /downsweater w/hood seems to be along the same lines of what I may need, the FF Helios would definetly be overkill though.

The MH compressor might work as well, those are the pants that I have and they do the job.

I have a Marmot Ama Dablam 650 fill jacket that I got as a gift a few years ago. I run pretty hot, so I was surprised how comfortable I was in evenings around camps in the Sierra and Cascades. It has a hood, packs small and is pretty durable for being lightweight with what I consider a thin outer shell.

How about a Wild Things synthetic belay parka?

http://www.wildthingsgear.com/legacy/?p=1356

I've worn something similar on Aco three times as well as up Mt. Washington. It's a workhorse of a jacket.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/ ... 0019M.html

This one looks lice to me, wanna get it for summer time evenings.

F_Rhoderick wrote:I would think the Down Sweater by Patagonia fits between the nano and the DAS. They make one with a hood now as well. Hope that helps.
-fred

I currently covet this jacket with the hood.

FF hooded helios

Montbell U.L. down Hoody

http://www.gearzone.com/ProductDetails. ... click=5096


Did a few snow-camping trips with this last year and almost a month in the sierra this past summer. never got cold (paired with an R1 hoody)

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product ... wAll=False

mountain hardwear nitrous hooded down jacket or patagonia down sweater.

Mountain Hardwear Compressor Jacket with Hood...

If you shop around the net, you can get one for around $150 in last years colors (as if any of that really matters, well, unless that actually matters to you )



Here is one for under $150

I have a DAS for winter use and a TNF Redpoint Optimus for everything else.

I got this jacket and it is realy good
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.ph ... id=2301133