SummitPost.org

Did a brief test on the new Thermoball insulation by TNF. A third of the loft of my 800 fill Down parka but almost as warm in -15 wind chill. Didn't test their claim of maintaining insulation while wet and the shell fabric seems sparse....but if you're wanting a really lightweight and compressible insulated jacket it' be hard to beat. Price is $175-$250 depending on whether you get a hood. Packs down to nothing and weighs nothing....

thanks for the info!

Yury wrote:

WyomingSummits wrote:A third of the loft of my 800 fill Down parka but almost as warm in -15 wind chill...

It's impossible according to my knowledge of physics.
It should be 30% as worm in case it has 30% the loft of down parka.

"It's impossible according to my knowledge of physics."

Good thing the rest of us know more than you. We would still be in the stone age with your knowledge base.

Yury wrote:

WyomingSummits wrote:A third of the loft of my 800 fill Down parka but almost as warm in -15 wind chill...

It's impossible according to my knowledge of physics.
It should be 30% as worm in case it has 30% the loft of down parka.

Thermoball is not natural down....it's a down synthetic if my memory serves me. It has tiny balls bonded to the fibers that trap and store heat. This allows more insulation with less bulk. It also is supposed to maintain it's insulating properties when wet....which down does not do at all.

bottom line do i buy one or not?
im looking for a lightweight ice climbing/alpine climbing hoodie and this seems really goot at it.

I purchased the hooded thermo ball a little over a month ago and love it. Replaced my older 500 down mid layer.
Last weekend hiked up towards Kelso Mtn in -5 temps and wind. When I got back to the car my hard-shell had ice on the inside of it but the base layer and thermo ball were basically dry. Stayed warm in it also. Doubt I'll go back to down.