For those that own a Cocoon Pro 60 Parka or UL Thermwrap

Montbell Thermawrap Parka. Great piece. Has the hood and handwarmer pockets and its warmer than the UL thermawrap.

My wife couldn't go without the handwarmer pockets. Cocoon for me, Montbell for her.

Ha..Thanks Chris! Good recommendation! I started thinking I could just put my hands in my pants pockets…seems effective enough. Not quite as warm, but warm enough for around town..

Also, a hood for the rain? If it's cold enough to wear it it should be cold enough to snow! Alright, I guess I can wear it in the 30's too…

> I'm wondering what temperatures you guys wear this down to?
Sub-freezing so far.

> I will generally be wearing a cotton t-shirt under a cotton long sleeve shirt.
???? Cotton ????
May I politely recommend you GET RID OF THE COTTON!

Hi Andrew,

Have you considered the thermwrap parka? That way you could get the hood and the pockets, plus additional insulation. While Montbell does advertise that it is warmer than the standard thermawrap, it is not clear how much warmer, so you will have to get someone else to answer the warmth question as to if the Cocoon is warmer. I also think that the Cocoon shell is waterproof, though the seams aren't sealed, while the montbell's fabric is only water resistant. I own a UL Down Inner and a MB Alpine Light and both resist light moisture.

Yo Roger. Read his post again. I think he's talking about cotton around town, not out in the woods.

Roger,

Aye, cotton is terrible, but this is only for around town. :) I wish I could afford some nice base layers to wear around consistently, but as it stands now I would have to wear the same 2 shirts all the time. So cotton it is for my normal wear!

On the trail I ofcourse leave the cotton at home, unless it's charred..

Christopher,

I have a question for you. The Montbell parka looks great, but with the sale going on I can get the Cocoon Parka for practically the same price. Hand warming pockets aside, which would you say is a better piece of gear? Materials, construction, versatility…

The hood add a lot of warmth as an integrated setup and any of the jackets should resist light moisture, frozen or otherwise. I'd have to check the insulation values to be sure but I'm 90% positive that the montbell parka has thicker insulation in it than their regular thermawrap jacket. Weights are accurate too.

How nice are handwarmer pockets? Well my Nunatak Skaha plus has their front pocket. You'll have to pry that jacket from my cold dead hands :)

To me it would come down to if I wanted the pockets or not.

I like the Cocoon insulation type better but it could be thicker for a parka. Both shell fabrics are nice and construction should be similar. You get a stuff sack with the montbell. Weight may be a slight edge to the cocoon. You get color choice with the montbell.

The MB parka has gone on sale for as little as $115 but I don't know of anywhere with that price now.

I don't think you can go wrong with either but if it will get a lot of around town use, the handwarmer pockets sure are nice.

A front pocket like a sweater? That's sweet! That would be a great addition!

Hmm…So the Cocoon, having less loft, will pack down smaller, weighs less, is on sale and from what I've read, it's at least just as warm or warmer than the Thermawrap…

I'm trying to decide if all of this justifies sacrificing hand warmers.. Around town is nice, but functionality in the woods is also very important..

I will have to think it over..

I would not wear my expensive backpacking gear for around town. I can just anticipate it getting caught on something getting in and out of the car, or on a brad sticking out from a restaurant booth (had that happen with normal clothes before), or something of that nature and getting ripped.

Not to mention just the normal wear and tear.

There are much cheaper solutions for everyday wear. I can understand wanting to save some $$$ while it is on sale, but if you are disciplined enough, you might just be better off to keep saving to get the other gear you need and then purchase your backpacking jacket.

Pamela,

Yeaaaaaaaaah, you're right. I thought about that fact. The thing is, I think I can get this jacket as a gift for the holidays…

This makes it SO tempting, but seeing as I won't be backpacking this winter, I may be better off waiting till the summer when winter gear goes on sale. I do need a winter jacket though…

I was kind of just waiting for someone to tell me it would be a waste to wear it around town…Maybe I'll get a Contrail for the holidays! :)

Hi Andrew

> Aye, cotton is terrible, but this is only for around town.
Even so, 25 F is 25 F, in town or out back.
The cotton will not give you much warmth, but even a cheapish thermal top will.

> I wish I could afford some nice base layers to wear around consistently,
You might find the cost very worth while, imho.

Cheers

Recently, Nau put their Base 1 Ts on sale for $15 ea… I picked up a second one (their quite nice… PLA… quite sharp looking as well).

Point is, keep your eyes out and you can score some nice base layers for pretty cheap.

I've seen Pata Base layers for nearly as cheap.

Lands End Primaloft Jacket. $29