Synthetic Parka

These are the others I was looking at recently, decently priced:

The Wild Things Belay Parka 40% off = $177
http://www.wildthingsgear.com/belay.html
6 oz/yd Primaloft with Epic shell ~ 2 lbs

They also have a 3 oz/yd model

The MontBell Flatiron Parka MSRP = $179
3.5 oz/yd body, 2.35 oz arms. Exceloft with DWR ~ 24 oz
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=73&p_id=2301324

I ordered a DAS Parka. Sale 150$ ~ 2 lbs.
6 oz/yd body, 4 oz arms. Polarguard 3D?
http://www.diamondbacktactical.com/MARS-Products-Blowout-Sale-C324.aspx
Way generous sizing – I chose small when my usual size is medium ( 5'10" 170# 40" chest ). Supposedly the interior circumference at the chest is 49" for small and 52" for medium. Warmth/lb is good; the downside is it's not too packable compared to other insulations like Primaloft.

I liked the Chaos quite a bit, but too expensive for me, and borderline not warm enuf. 4 oz/yd body 3 oz sleeves. Also around 24 oz like the MontBell but more insulation by weight – this is different insulation though Primaloft Sport, not sure how they compare.

I picked up a Chaos at the Seattle store at about 35% off. Made it a pretty good deal.

I don't think this is in the warmth category of the DAS, but it's about a third lighter. It's sized as a true belay jacket, so my medium fits comfortably over the top of my merino, softshell and hardshell, and over a helmet. The hood stil snugs down pretty well over a bare head too.

Happy to help out if you have specific requests for info, but it hasn't done a lot of work yet. A week in BC over summer and a couple of days here in the snow.

Overall though, very happy with it.

Rod

I got the Rab belay, which is probably in the same category as the Chaos jacket warmth wise (same insulation.)
You can see a review here.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/3699/v/1/sp/
It probably keeps me warm above 20 degrees Farenheit. Below that, I need to wear my micropuff vest when stationary. It looks very cool, and has a good, wired hood. The zipper is annoying though.
Unlike other belay jackets, you need to size up.

I had an Integral Designs Dolomitti for some time. Great jacket. These days I pair a Cocoon Hoody with a North Face Puffball hooded jacket.

Don't forget to check out the great reviews on belay parkas on this site. They are in depth and comprehensive.

Enjoy!
D

Hi Guys,

I cannot seem to open the wildthings website with my browser. I have a mac and run safari on it.

The wild things jacket looks like the warmest of the jackets I was looking at. Does anyone own one of these or have any experience? I like the choice of epic for a shell fabric. Doug I will check out the reviews on BPL for belay jackets that should be quite helpful. How is the breathability on pertex endurance? Thanks for the help,

– Kyle

Yeah,
there is a problem with non-IE browsers for that website. I have to use IE to get the page to load.
S.

Here's a pic at least, they do look great, should pack better than the DAS

Kyle – I've had a WT belay jacket for about 4 years. I've used it on snowshoe trips in windy, very cold situations, and even as an actual belay jacket on a climb, and was very happy with it. It weighs 26 oz for size small. The outer fabric and style may have changed, so I don't know what the new ones are like. But this one is great. I have since bought a Patagonia Micropuff jacket with a hood that has extended the range of temperatures when I don't need the belay jacket, but I still use the belay jacket for the coldest weather I'm in.

Paul,

Thanks for the photo that jacket looks great. It appears they changed the color styles. Are these ones on sale or is that the older style?

Does anyone have their phone number by chance so I could possibly call to speak with wildthings?

Kathleen,

Its good to hear from someone who has used this jacket. I always appreciate hearing other peoples imput before I make a decision. I have a micropuff vest to use for warmer temps, and I will layer it with a synthetic belay jacket (when I decide on one) for extreme cold.

I am a little concerned that it may be to warm, how warm is it? And I am not sure what size to get, I need it to fit over a smartwool microweight crew baselayer, a Golite Ether wind jacket, a light insulation layer (OR Specter pullover and/or Patagonia micro puff vest), and a Golite Xirtam jacket. I am 5' 8'' and weigh 155 pounds. I usually wear a size medium but some stuff I wear a small such as the patagonia micro puff vest. Does anyone have any sizing suggestions?

– Kyle

Kyle – I don't know what the temperatures are that I've used the jacket in comfort, but my guess is in the high teens and twenties in gusting wind. If you're concerned about being too warm, you might try not adding the vest. Of course, fiddling with clothing layers when it's cold can be cumbersome. With your layering plans, I wouldn't get anything smaller than a medium. The website says their phone number is 603-356-9453.

I ain't a little guy but have been comfy down to zero in mild winds wearing the Wild Things EP jacket, R2 Fleece, Windshirt, silkweight long sleeve, and OR Windstopper Balaclava.

The Epic shell of the Wild Things is super wind proof and super durable for its weight. The Primaloft seems to pack smaller than the Polarguard in my DAS.

To add more confusion to the data, I bought the WT EP jacket for cold but not freezing weather when I got the belay jacket, but wore it out beyond repair. That's when I got the Patagucci micropuff, which feels warmer than the EP to me. I notice WT now has a Nevado jacket which is inbetween the EP and the Belay jacket for warmth. The primaloft does compress very nicely like Christopher says. And then there are other excellent brands out there to make sure this is not an easy decision!

Thanks for everyones input, this has been very helpful.

– Kyle

Dolomitti Jacket is on sale at Prolite for $180. 5 oz Primaloft – they specify loft thats awesome – 1″ Also around 24 oz.

WWhoops missed your post their # as noted above is 603-356-9453.

On the front page it says the sale is on “’06-’07 solid red, orange, or slate blue models ( sale does not apply to black jackets”

by my calculations at least. Check it out, and thanks to Sam. An e-tailer is born.

Med. weighs 22.5 oz Around 10 oz lighter than the DAS.

Is a medium DAS really 32 oz? I'd be surprised considering what they're claimed to weigh in this years winter Patagucci catalogue.

Hi Paul,
This Parka is in a different category. It probably has 60% of the insulation of a Das parka. Also, the Das is listed at 29oz for a, I believe, size medium, compared to the Flatiron at 22.5oz. I remember someone mentioning that the Das was even lighter, after weighting it.
You should probably compare this to a Rab belay (about 24.6oz) or a Chaos jacket (about 24.4oz). Both seem to have a bit more insulation than the Mont Bell parka, with 133 grams of PrimaLoft@ Sport in torso and 100 grams in sleeves.

Yeah I must have got the weight for XL or and old model. Actually. that way when it weighs 28 oz, I'll think wow that's great instead of being bummed. :)

Now that I see all those posts for the Epic on the WT Belay, I have to pipe up and say that the Chaos has a Gore Windstopper shell.

I know you don't all love it like you do Epic, but it's not thaaat bad. ;<)

Rod