What is the lightest insulated pullover?

Western Mountaineering Flash Vest (3.5 oz for XL), made of 800+ Down. Only downside is that it is a vest not with sleeves (sleves always weigh something) — if you want sleeves, Western Mountaineering has the Flight Jacket. BPL has reviewed these items. I have the Flash Vest and have used it for 3-4 years on the trail — my feeling if you want more warmth than it provides, buy 2 of them and wear 2 of them. It's very hard to find anything this light (even double this light).

The nunatak skaha is 8.5 oz stripped down. It probably has the highest warmth to weight ratio of any pullover in existence. The only downside is that it is a bloody fortune.

Interesting and expensive. I see the Flight Jacket is about $59 (I originally posted more but was looking wrongly at the XXL surcharged price) less but weighs 1.5 oz more. I'd be curious about warmth equivalence.

Still two Flash Vests is lighter than either pullovers — how important are the arms to be down-enclosed? For me, on the trail, I have my rain jacket (5 oz Rainshield) and my 3 oz Windshirt (Montaigne) plus my Tshirts keep my arms warm enough. But to each his/her own.

I've been debating for getting extra warmer what to get and I've come to conclusion to just get another Flash Vest (only 3.5 oz more).

Another vote for the Skaha. If we're talking about apples to apples we have to note that the Skaha is 800+ down and fully baffled at 3/4" (not sewn through). Also that it uses 5.0 oz of down fill in size medium. Compare that to the next lightest hooded pullover the Montbell UL Down Parka (a nice piece too) and you'll see why the Skaha is the lightest by ratio, not overall.

Also, to answer another poster's question about arms, some people use all their clothing as part of a sleep system, having arms on the piece is necessary for equal warmth while sleeping. Yes one can lay a vest over one's torso too.

The Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket, although 10.5 ounces (2 oz more) uses 850 down and has more fill of this more insulating down (850 v. 800):

"5.25 ounces of 850 plus fill power goose down"

http://www.e-omc.com/catalog/products/407/Western-Mountaineering-Flight-Jacket-Mens.html

I have no idea how much colder it keeps one warm, but it does cost about $59 less for the jacket, plus it is full zipper length which lets you cool off better.

Just like you see in sleeping bags and quilts, the very lightest offerings are almost always down. Witness the WM Flash Vest and the Nunatak Skaha. The downside (no pun intended) is that they are down. The upside is also that they are down.

Let me explain. Down is still the best insulator per ounce in common use. And it packs down to incredibly small sizes. But if it gets wet from perspiration or precipitation, it will lose a significant portion of its loft (i.e. insulation value) and it will be rather difficult to dry out. So the pro's are small and light, the con's are sensitive to moisture and use. If you are willing to use it correctly, down is the lightest choice.

If you want a little more insurance against wet weather, high exertion, or as a backup to a down bag, then you might consider synthetic. BPL makes the Cocoon line that scores well in lightness. Montbell and Patagonia also have light offerings. Most all of the synthetics you will see mentioned are able to be used comfortably in more diverse conditions, but you pay for that with extra weight. So the pro's are less moisture/weather sensitivity, and the con's are heavier and less compact.

Of course to make any comparison effectively, you need to define the terms a little more. How warm do you desire (loft, clo, degrees, etc)? A belay parka or a down sweater? Do you want sleeves? A hood?

Between the WM Flight and Nunatak Skaha, one need only look at the BPL comparison test and the measured loft: 4.1 for the Nunatak, 3.7 for the Flight. The baffled construction of the Nunatak allows for the down to loft more freely; the sewn-through WM construction restricts loft to a certain degree. This also explains the significant price differential.

The Nunatak's hood option and custom size options appeal to me, but it's a lot of money for a coat!

Thanks for the reminder of BPL's comparison review, I reread it and saw the info on the Feathered Friends pullover jacket and saw that you can get it with eVent shell !

http://www.featheredfriends.com/garmentproductdetails.aspx?productId=36&CatId=2&ProductName=Hyperion%20Jacket

I'm curious about the Hyperion Jacket (avg wt 11 oz ( shell fabric not mentioned — there are 3 shell fabric choices )) with the eVent shell fabric being a dual use jacket for hiking the JMT in late July / early August. Would it not be adequate for the very rare times it rains, as well as the evening/morning warmer jacket? It sure would save weight having only one jacket to server both purposes. With an eVent shell, the downside of down losing loft when wet would be solved, as the eVent would protect it.

Comments?

I think you would have to seal the seams; I'm doubting they are factory taped but I could be wrong. Don't know if you'd be able to be active in the hyperion; it's pretty warm for aerobic activity, and the eVent, while highly breathable, won't be as breathable as Quantum or the like.

Roleigh,
I think the link you have is old. Feathered Friends just updated their web site and apparently never redirected people to it from their old links. Anyway, I think this is the proper link:
http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Garments/Lt/Hyperion.html

The NanoSpere fabric is very light, waterproof and breathable. I got a sleeping bag made from it and I'm pleased. I'm not sure how it compares to Epic. I would think that in a jacket, the order of importance would be:

1) How breathable
2) How Waterproof (especially if you don't use a shell)
3) Weight

In a sleeping bag, the order might move around a bit. I would talk to them about both the seam sealing and how Epic compares to NanoSphere.

Interesting, Ross. You're right, I got to the link I did from Google. I do see thru the link you provided you can click on "custom fabrics" and there you have the choice for eVent still.

http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Subhead/ColsFabs.html