Which insulated jacket?

Andrew Rushton

Summit Camper
Any thoughts on decent insulated jackets available? Must be lightweight, warm and if possible be slightly water repellent. I’ve considered the Patagonia micro puff but read that it’s not really very warm compared with other jackets.
 

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
My Berghaus VapourLight Hypertherm is very good, probably my best purchase of last year. Weighs very little, packs nicely and really keeps you much warmer than you'd think.

I also like my old Montane Fireball smock which is probably due for replacement soon.

I've kind of steered away from down clothing outside of winter now, I think having a synthetic warm layer is more useful if the weather does turn miserable and wet, I don't mind wearing synthetic to hike in if needed.
 

Andrew Rushton

Summit Camper
My Berghaus VapourLight Hypertherm is very good, probably my best purchase of last year. Weighs very little, packs nicely and really keeps you much warmer than you'd think.

I also like my old Montane Fireball smock which is probably due for replacement soon.

I've kind of steered away from down clothing outside of winter now, I think having a synthetic warm layer is more useful if the weather does turn miserable and wet, I don't mind wearing synthetic to hike if needed.
I’ll take a look at those thankyou. That’s why I’m considering the Patagonia micropuff as it’s synthetic fill but ridiculously lightweight. I’ve just read that it’s not as warm as some jackets albeit they are heavier
 

Enzo

Thru Hiker
How warm do you want? I love my hypertherm, if its really cold I rate my omm mountain raid ~400g so a step up in weight but much warmer than a ghost whisperer and you can actually walk in it as it moves sweat. Rab photon looks really good, but I got a good deal and wanted something a bit warmer.
 

Andrew Rushton

Summit Camper
How warm do you want? I love my hypertherm, if its really cold I rate my omm mountain raid ~400g so a step up in weight but much warmer than a ghost whisperer and you can actually walk in it as it moves sweat. Rab photon looks really good, but I got a good deal and wanted something a bit warmer.
I’ll check them both out thanks Enzo. The omm sounds ideal.
 

Enzo

Thru Hiker
FYI the fabric is very lightweight to get a hooded 100g/m primaloft jacket at 400g, the fill on mine is showing through the inner, doesn't bother me but thought you should know 15245166380401132892897.jpg
 

craige

Thru Hiker
I've been pretty impressed with the Berghaus Extrem Reversa jacket. 80gsm synthetic vs the usual 40gsm stuff but it's around 350g in large.
 

benp1

Trail Blazer
berghaus hyperthem here too, hoody version. sold my fireball smock once i'd acquired that. I love it, very light and warmer than you might imagine.

I tend to team it up a synthetic fill vest for versatility (e.g. rab strata vest)
 

andreostergard

Trail Blazer
I've had the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket for about 8 years and still going strong.
It's quite warm, not as their down-series but warmth to weight ratio - really good.
 

Charlie83

Thru Hiker
I've had the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket for about 8 years and still going strong.
It's quite warm, not as their down-series but warmth to weight ratio - really good.

Ive had one about the same length of time, have on occasion found it a bit warm, wore it a lot initially but not so much these days as I tend to favour their down jackets for varying reasons.

A site I've picked up a lot of bargains on is selling a S and L yellow one for 78 quid and free P&P just now, it was £44 at the weekend in a promotion but has gone back up yesterday, they also have some down shirts at the same price (YOOX in Italy if anyone wants, 100% sound site, they often do extra discount days)
 

Daymoth

Section Hiker
I have a nice down fluffy parka for winter camping and summer overnights at high altitudes but nothing for wet british 3 season weather.
Really tempted about the Montane prism. In what conditions do you use them? Is it more for active use instead of a fleece or for layering when in camp?
 

ColinHawke

Ultralighter
It’s active wear for me - some may think it’s a bit heavy for the insulation - but if that’s the only criteria they use then in my opinion they are missing the point. If I have a minimal base layer then the Prism just works for me in some quite cold conditions. It’s wind proof and has just enough insulation but thin enough that it can be used as a mid layer in cold conditions. Also it has a great hood and huge pockets. So not really a cold camp jacket but I’ll layer it will something else if I’m sitting around. I was wearing one today walking the SW coastal path with just a thin base layer and it was great. Mine are the older style - they look like they have changed the design a bit ..
 
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Henry

Section Hiker
Looking to buy a Berghaus hypertherm and it looks like they’ve stopped making them.

Anyone know anything about this or if there’s a close replacement?
 

el manana

Thru Hiker
They don't make them anymore. The Berghaus outlet at Dalton Park had a supply a while back which didn't seem to be shifting fast, I doubt they mail order though.
 
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