cashmere vs patagonia micropuff

[Eve Baker]

Any opinions on how Patagonia’s micropuff pullover (sweater) performs vs. a medium weight cashmere sweater with a rainjacket?
I’ve only used cashmere before, it’s kept me pretty warm but I’m considering the Patagonia because so many are using them and, actually, I own one already (that I’ve never used–it’s pretty but I keep going for the cashmere, esp. in VT winters).
The patagonia is 2 oz heavier and not quite as compressible–what advantages have people seen compared to wool? I’m willing to take the leap if there’s been good luck with it so far.

[Mark Verber]

My first answer is that the micro puff will be significantly warmer for the weight. I can’t compare our cashmere sweaters. Mine sweater is 10.5oz for size L (only 1 oz lighter than my micro puff). I would characterize it as a light sweater. My really warm sweaters are more like 15oz with a slightly more “open” knit (Icelandic).. and a lot more scratchy :-(

Anyway… My 10.5oz sweater packs to around 2/3s the size of the micropuff when fully compressed (1/2 the size compared to how much I am willing to compress the micropuff). But it no where near as warm. The sweater + jacket + hat + gloves adds around 30F of comfort for me. So if I am wearing something that I would be comfortable just sitting around in at 65F, then adding a sweater and shell is good down to around 35F. If I am active, then that combo takes me down to around 20F.

The Micropuff + hat + gloves (assuming some leg protection) adds 50F (conservative) of comfort for me… e.g. I am toasty just sitting around 15F, and comfort when active down to below zero.

Of course this isn’t really an apples to apples comparision. If I factor in the weight of the rainshell, the micropuff is hugely more warm / weight.

[Eve Baker]

Thanks Mark,
you just made packing a whole lot easier–I was worried about the micropuff warmth when wet factor, but sounds like that’s not a problem then–I’d trade sentimentality for more warmth anyday!

[Mark Verber]

If the cashmere or the micro puff is wet then the lowest comfortable temp goes up. But I wouldn’t expect that to be a big issue. If you are in conditions that might have real rain, I expect you would bring a hardshell which could be layered over the micro puff. When I use the micro puff I don’t have to worry about rain.. just snow :-)

The micropuff does a reasonable job when it’s wet (not absorbing huge amounts of water and drying out with body heat)… but it’s total insulation value is compromised… better than many materials, but it would be impacted.

–Mark

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