BMW PRO Parka thoughts?

I think any synthetic insulation piece will lose loft over time and the Pro Parka will not be any better or worse concerning loft degradation. If the Pro Parka fits your needs better than other parkas on the market then go for it. If or when the Pro Parka starts to lose loft you could carry it and an ultralight insulating vest and still be lighter than most anything else on the market.

Thanks, but that actually is not my concern, sorry I should have been more explicit.

I've heard that the insulation is minimally quilted to the inner shell on the Coccoon garments – I was wondering if I would need to worry about ripping the insulation packing it roughly, if its as loosely quilted as BPL seemed to suggest?

I know, this stuff will louse loft over time, I'm wondering if the way its constructed means that it needs to be babied or if I can use it like my Micro Puff garments.

I was hoping someone who has actually used it could comment on the long-term durability?

Sorry, havn't used this jacket. I always try to fold the sleeves in and roll up my synthetic jackets tightly before stuffing them into the bag. Forcing the whole thing in together, rather than bit by bit, and using a slightly bigger stuff sack should be enough to keep from tearing the insulation.

thanks for trying to answer my question Ryan, but I'm looking for the reasurance that care like that is not needed for the parka.

I want to be able to stuff it in the top when I leave camp, pull it out when I stop and then stuff it in again.
I'm thinking that the whole rolling it up is going to take a little longer then I want, especially when you consider that the parka's going to be in and out of the pack all day.

I think it comes down to slightly different end uses, for backpacking rolling it up carefully is fine but I don't want to spend any more time then I have to at belays when I'm climbing.

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts who have used the Parka (or even the hoody!)

I purchased one last year and returned it. Great garment, cut like a belay parka without being too oversized like the DAS. Pockets in a great position for use with a waistbelt or harness, good size also just like the older style Cloudveil Serendipity jackets. The fabric appeared pretty tough along the lines of the Epic that Wild Things uses in there EP jackets.

The reason I returned was that it seemed like a mid range jacket. For use in temps from maybe 30 to 10 degrees. It did not seem warm enough to sit around in a colder temp. I am usually in temps that are either summer or winter. We don't have a shoulder season in TX and I don't have the time to get up to CO or NM during that season.

I think it would take some abuse just don't jam it in a mini stuff sack.

IMO great jacket for that temp range.

Thanks Christopher, thats a huge help! Does the Parka stuff into its own pocket? THAT would be cool!

I'm sorta torn between just using my Micro Puff pullover and getting the Parka – would you have any thoughts on the warmth of the two? I like the idea of the weight of the Parka and its warmth if I get stuck out in a early/late season snow squall (-7C, plus wind), but I'm thinking that I should be able to survive it/sit it out in my Micro Puff, light fleece and shell.

I also have a DAS parka for winter, so I'm sorta looking for an in between piece, but do I even really need one?

I sold my Patagonia Micro Puff (no hood) to get the Pro Parka and I have not regretted it. It is warmer (could be due to the hood) and lighter. I have used it in temps down to 5F with 2-3 other layers. I also have the DAS Parka but it really is very bulky and I do not like taking it on Backpacking trips. The Pro Parka will not protect your butt though!
S.

The outer fabric on the PRO Parka is durable but not bomber. The front pockets are large and may allow for stuffing within themselves but cannot comment positively on this. The warmth of the piece should not be considered to be stand alone in very cold climates in my opinion. However, when I pair my base layers, the PRO Parka and my Thermawrap I'm comfortable into nearly all temps.

I thought I would revise this thread to ask how warm compared to the patagoina micropuff pullover or hoody the PRO Parka is?
Looking for more of a benchmark then anything else really.