Warm breathable vest

[James]

Dont exclude the Primaloft gold.


I own the Ascendant Jacket which is a remarkable product. its warmer than the Patagonia Nano Air so it may be perfect for you if you want added warmth. The Patagonia Nano-air is still my go-to mid-layer though. I use a Rab Alpha 120 gram jacket for temps 10* and lower. The Nano-Air light is still another possibility as well.

so, it really comes down to warmth on these:

1- warmest- OR vests, with the Ascendent as a layer that is on the warm side but still breaths extremely well.
2- highly breathable nano Air and nano Air Light. I will wear the Nano Air and simply adjust my base layer from a Smartwool 150 base layer for temps down to 15 and will wear a Smartwool 250 down to single digits or the Rab jacket with a 250 for single digits (no sun) and below .

https://www.patagonia.com/product/m...ens-jackets-vests-vests#tile-3=&start=1&sz=24

https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/...nsulation/mens-ascendant-vest/p/2540110054007


https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/...ion/mens-deviator-hooded-vest/p/2539651285007

https://rab.equipment/us/alpha-direct-jacket


And, here's the Oyuki "the Pep". (as in Pep Fujas)

https://oyuki.com/list-products/mens-range/mens-gloves-mitts/the-pep.html

What's up with the "under the helmet" hood on the Rab?

 

[Analisa]

What's up with the "under the helmet" hood on the Rab?
View attachment 60974

Visibility. Over the head provides better protection, but climbing, it can really interfere with peripheral vision. Bike brands do the same thing to make it easier to keep tabs on your surroundings.

 

[JohnnyG]

Here's a timely review from Blister of an Alpha Direct insulation piece: https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/strafe-alpha-direct-insulator

Although, it's not a vest.

 

[moreoutdoorYuri]

'Polar Fleece' (any variant of Polyester fleece) vents well, needs a wind barrier.
I like multipurposing my cycling gear. A mid-weight ('light' for many...) fleece vest - usually one of my Pearl Izumis.
With a cycling vest which has a full mesh back panel, also usually a pearl izumi.
Depending on base layer and shirt, I may add DeFeet wool arm warmers, if cold enough.
All Under a Marmot shell with pit zips (one size up).
Cycling vests are intended to provide max back ventilation, while protecting the frontal/chest area from wind chill. Perfect as a cover for fleece.
Covers me down to about 20 deg. - below that I take off the cycling vest & arm warmers and replace with soft shell, over fleece under the marmot shell.

 

[Slim]

Thanks for the additional feedback guys. I’ll check out stuff with polartec alpha.

And several other proprietary materials that are similar.
Patagonia has the Nano-Air line of products, that are diesigned in a similar fashion. The Nano-Air Light Hybrid is the same concept as the OR piece mentioned above:
Active insulation front, thin, openweave grid fleece back.

I would NOT suggest the Atom LT for your request. They are great prices, but not designed to move air or moisture. Arc’teryx has active insulation prices out now thoug.

(PS, with he Patanote the Nano-Air is not the same as “regular” Nano product line.

 

[JohnnyG]

So what did the OP end up choosing?

 

[moreoutdoorYuri]

Here's a timely review from Blister of an Alpha Direct insulation piece: https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/strafe-alpha-direct-insulator...

read it - one thing which stands out -given I like stuff I can use across multiple activities - (Alpine ski, xc off-track, snowshoe and just plain cold weather hiking) - I'm surprised when I see outer layers/jackets without pitzips or 'some' active venting. I don;t buy anything anymore without pitzips - first place where I can really regulate heat, before the clammy feeling sets in.
I use the softshells I have, but everything else without pitzips is sitting in the closet...
I have an North Face 3 in 1 which has 'cross-flo' zips (upper chest down to side, under the pit), it sits in the closet, even as a shell, it's just not as good as real pitzips.
... just me?
would luv to find a nice shell with both pitzips and adjustable back vent... am I askin too much? LOL!
anyone know of any such thing?

 

[EricG]

So what did the OP end up choosing?

Nothing yet. I went to a few stores, tried a few items from Arcterrx, TNF and Patagonia. Just couldn’t find the right fit, XL was too big (or too long), L was snugger than I wanted. I’m going to keep trying things on as I find them. I’m back in my Spyder vest for now, till I find the right replacement.

 

[EricG]

Final update: After looking at & trying on lots of options I ended up with the Patagonia Nano Air Hybrid Jacket & Vest. I didn’t intend on buying both, but I just couldn’t pick one or the other.

For some reason a Patagonia Untracked shell found a way into my bag and I spent more than the $169 I planned on. Lol.

https://www.patagonia.com/product/m...=true#tile-8=&q=Nano&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=24

https://www.patagonia.com/product/m...true#tile-12=&q=Nano&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=36

https://www.patagonia.com/product/m...&isSearch=true#q=Untracked&lang=en_US&start=1

 

[EricG]

Well the Patagonia Nano Air Hybrid Vest got returned after I used the nano air hybrid jacket. The jacket is so light, I can’t imagine using the vest.

The nano air hybrid does exactly what it says, it provides light insulation and great breathability. The front, shoulders and top of the arms have 40g insulation. The remainder of the jacket is a waffle material (almost see thru).

I like the idea of the 40g insulation, but the waffle fabric on the back is just too light for all but the highest exertion or warm days. I think many will be better served by the regular nano air (60g insulation) or possibly the Crosstrek (have one on the way).

I’m just not 100% sold on this product, especially for the price. I’ll try to post pictures of the fabric when I get better WiFi.

 

[Harington]

Look at the brand of Port Authority Collective Insulated Vest Style #J903 it is 100% polyester woven shell and it is also breath well what you want So, I highly recommend that Vest to you because of I already use this Vest while I'm running and you know the main point is that Vest is a brand of Port Authority which is very popular brand in the world, If you're getting my point kindly appreciate me I'm happy for those peoples who appreciate others

 

[Harington]

Ohh sorry, I forgot to add the reference of this vest from where I get this for having a nice experience. apparelshopusa.com

 

[EricG]

@Harington - Thanks for the suggestion. I have used Port Authority for our work shirts (use for trade shows, etc). Tend to be good quality products.

I ended up with a few new vests. I picked up a Patagonia MicroPuff since I liked the warmth & how light weight it is. The fabric slides nice under a hardshell. I also picked up Spyder Glissade Hybrid Vest since it was very breathable, but not quite as warm as the Patagonia.

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M//GLISSADE//HYBRID INSULATOR VEST

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[VickiK]

Maybe someone can knit you a vest from a worsted or aran-weight wool. But until I make myself one, I like the Arcteryx Kyanite one. Warm and lightweight, comfortable to wear.

 

[Harington]

@EricG yes you are absolutely right I also try Patagonia before 3 months ago it is really a nice, you also give such a good suggestion

 

[EricG]

Maybe someone can knit you a vest from a worsted or aran-weight wool. But until I make myself one, I like the Arcteryx Kyanite one. Warm and lightweight, comfortable to wear.

its funny you say that. My wife just started knitting and I asked her for a wool vest & hat. She told me to let her figure out the scarf & hat first. Lol.