If not PossumDown Beanie, then what?

I have both the hat and gloves. I'd suggest you reconsider the gloves – they don't hold up, especially if they get wet. The hat, however, is a definite keeper and well worth the $$!

You might look at the ID Primalid. It is 2 ounces and on sale at Prolite Gear.

http://www.prolitegear.com/integral_designs_primalid.html

And I need to get some eVent gaiters from prolitegear.com, too. I'll check that out. Not wool, but it does have some DWR.

Do you find it too warm for when you're on the go? Or does it regulate temperature OK when you're on the move?

I don't own the primalid, but would expect it would be too much for hiking. I see it as more of a base camp type item similar to other primaloft insulated garments. I just got back from a three day trip in the Smokies with lows in the 20's, I used a OR Novo watch cap during the day, and a Lands End 100 weight fleece hat at night. That seemed to do OK, but any colder and I would have needed more. I actually ran across the primalid while looking for warmer hats, and may end up purchasing soon. Hopefully someone else here will have direct experience and can shed some further light on the primalid. I would be interested as well.

I do own the ID eVent gaiters though and have been happy with them. I am always amazed at how well eVent breathes compared to Gore Tex. I have had to replace the elastic cord on the bottom three times though. It seems to last eight to ten trips.

I like Peruvian style fleece hats. Why? They keep the ears covered. They do not slide up. The will stay on at night when sleeping because they have a tie that goes under the chin. They also come in windblock models and in wool, too. They can be colorful and, of course, are very fashionable!
http://www.e4hats.com/_e/dept/46-010/Fleece_Lined_Acrylic_Peruvian_Hat.htm

I agree, and so does Ed Viesturs, FWIW, but for Goodness sakes cut off those prissy braided chin cords and replace them with plain, old, masculine nylon cord! (Unless you like a feminine look, to each, his or her own.)

The Primalid is a nice warm piece of headwear for the weight. Great for sleeping and around camp, but definitely too warm for hiking under most conditions. I have one and it took me about 10 minutes of wearing it to come to the above conclusions. I've found the Mountain Hardwear Transition Featherweight Dome(1 oz.) to be great for hiking and as an outer layer over a MH Powerstretch balaclava(1.75 oz.) for around camp and sleeping in 3 season use in the Cascades and Sierra. The Dome has a Windstopper membrane in it and is also quite breathable, which makes it great for hiking in cold windy conditions. Total weight = 2.75 oz.

RE: possum down, I agree wholeheartedly with Bob. My hat gets a lot more use than my gloves, particularly since I started to sleep under the JRB quilt.
I happen to have the jumper as well, very nice too but I have found an even softer and warmer Pashmina (cashmere) version. Only 1 0z more but slightly bigger.
The Peruvian hat looks like my Tibetan hat, except that mine is made from yak wool and is likely much heavier at 4 oz (including the dangly bits)
Very warm……….
Franco

Does anyone have any experience with the headsweat warm cap? Skurka used it for his western loop. I'm also looking at getting a lighter hat. This hat is 1.6 oz, how warm is it? to warm for hiking? How does it compare to the other hats that were mentioned?

I'm going to to try both the beanie and gloves. I read about the durability of the gloves, but will see how they wear with my use of poles. The beanie should be ok.

Question: how do they get the Possum hair? Wondering if the little creatures are harmed in the process.

Thought: if the gloves do wear out in spots, then could roadkill (preferably possum) be used as a DIY repair – maybe a Jay Ham article.
: )

Well sourcing the possum half of PossumDown does have unfortunate and lethal side effects for the possum. However, they are an invasive species in New Zealand so on the whole it's a plus.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/05/organic_wool_an.php

I have just remembered that I was deeply offended by this comment from Robert : "for Goodness sakes cut off those prissy braided chin cords".
In my case I think that they prove to be a welcome distraction from the rest of me and possibly will help keeping the flies away. At least you should admire my new external frame pack.
Franco

And BTW, the possum was a gift from Australia to the people of New Zealand, but those ungrateful sods never thanked us for that. All they do is send more of their citizens to collect the dole here.
Come to think of it, after 30 years here,it's about time for the Australian Government to increase my fortnightly payments.

As Rodney Dangerfield said in "Caddyshack" after he had verbally trashed a hat, then turned and saw someone actually wearing it: "Well, it looks good on you!"

My balaclava works even better, but as soon as I put it on I feel like going to the bank.
Franco

I think Possums are an invasive species everywhere

Is that a HEAD STRAP??

Yes it is. All those "suspension systems" are just a gimmick. Note the easy gear access , no need for pockets. You can see that even the local porter was impressed, in fact he insisted in carrying it for me afterwards.
Franco
(the strap does detract from the look of the hat, but I did not want to get the local girls too excited)

The hat, the strap, the pack – not to mention the fantastic location should get you nominated for Innovative Backpacker of the Year or maybe a fashion magazine contract at least.

I see a TV series in the future maybe.

Ahem. Back to recycled possums. I'm wearing my beanie that was in today's mail as I type, and I might get to wear it to work tomorrow right here in the big city. The weather people are promising snow. I plan to use the gloves as liners under waterproof mitts that I'm almost finished sewing. I have three done and one to go. No, I'm not a quadriped, but Mr. B wants a pair, too. However, he doesn't qualify for the possumdown liners because he is very rude and ridicules my interest in lightweight gear. Thank goodness I can mingle with True Believers on my own laptop.

Nah just kidding mate.

I think that those hats look cool…but you have to pull off the whole package. And it doesnt work if you are wearing a whole swag of technical clothing, and a technical pack.

Nice work franco ;)
Ive heard Peruvian ladies like Australian men

Thank you Kathleen for bringing the thread back to the theme. Too many people here just waffle on about nothing.
Those gloves under the mitts should keep you toasty. I managed to get a really cheap pair of Gore-Tex mitts shells (putrid green,no lining) and after seam sealing the stitches ( I like the smell of the turp) they now work really well with the possum down gloves.
One day Mr B will see the light. Check out the new 3w headlamps.

That shot was from Nepal but I would like to visit Peru .
Gone Mild sounds like a good title for my TV show….
or maybe Light Grey Matters…
Franco

Also received my beanie and gloves yesterday. Wore them this morning to work. The beanie fits well. I usually have trouble with gloves because I have big hands but narrow wrists. The XL gloves are comfortably snug on my wrists and all the fingers are long enough for a pleasant change. I was surprised that the thumb and pinky finger both have about 1/2 in. more length. The three middle fingers fit perfectly. At the base of the thumb, if I fully extend my thumb and index finger wide, there is a bit of tightness.

Overall, looks like a great product from New Zealand.

I can tell I'm going to like the possumdown beanie in just the short time I've worn it, because it feels warmer than my fleece hats and weighs less. I even like calling it a beanie, even though it doesn't have a propeller on top.

I sized up on the gloves and bought mediums for some reason, and could probably have done fine with the smalls. They, too, feel warm and will get their inaugural trip on Saturday with the waterproof mitts.

As much as Mr. B, aptly self-dubbed the cascade curmudgeon, scoffs at my gear, he gladly follows my lead when I can show with data(!) the stuff actually works. My latest success is convincing him to buy Rocky goretex socks.