My crazy ultralight insulated jacket idea

Adidas makes a LW insulated front only vest :
http://www.zappos.com/adidas-outdoor-terrex-skyclimb-insulation-vest-2

Macpac and Marmot have insulated front only jackets but much heavier at around 10-13 oz.

I'd probably just make the back out of a wicking stretch material of something like this…

http://www.questoutfitters.com/wicking_fabrics.htm#Wicking Fabrics

Not sure where you can get a free vest pattern. I got mine from the Thru-hiker kit. It was a very simple pattern without pockets, which are minimal use with some packs.

Thanks William! I just ordered some argon and apex 2.5 plus some thread from dutchware. Will post up the results once I get going!

Nobul1 is much softer for a liner.

Aaron, thanks again for the feedback. I ordered 1 yard of Argon 67 "Tafetta" for the lining, as the website said that is softer than the Argon 67 Ripstop. I could go and order some Nobul1 as well, but I think I'll wait to see what the tafetta feels like. If the Tafetta feels good I may just go with that. That way if I ever decide to replace the apex with down I can do that.

Just stick with the Argon then.

Argon compared to most of the other down proof fabrics is very soft.
I don't consider Nobul1 down proof but it does breath like crazy and is a little softer than Argon.
More of a silk like feeling where Argon just has a nice soft feel to it.

Just wanted to post that I finished this project and it actually came out pretty well for my first attempt at sewing anything…Used it on my trip last week and it worked well although I only needed it on one cold morning. Finished weight is 2.68 oz.

Sub 3 AND straight seams!!!!!!

Great job, Allen

Thanks Todd! It was a lot more work than I realized! still I'm quite pleased with the result…

Bravo, Allen!

It must feel awesome to use something like that you made yourself for your specific requirements!

Hi Allen,

I want to apologize for not responding sooner, i didn't see your reply on my old myog thread until now. Glad to see you make your own vest, especially since i'm not making any more most likely.

Looks nice, and great weight.

I went with a super breathable fabric for the lining and the shell since it, in my case, would most often be combined with a windshirt anyways.

If i was to make another one, based some on Dave Chenault's feedback after testing one of my designs, i would probably use a more wicking fabric for the lining, though it would most likely up the weight some.