Clothing Choice

Bump….big question is will the WM Flash Vest along with MB UL Thermawrap be as warm as a WM flight Jacket?

any takers…going once…..going twice….

It's been a long time since I used the flight jacket… but I remember it being significantly warmer than a combination of a thermawrap jacket and vest. I have found that the flash seems about the same warmth as the thermawrap vest (or maybe a bit more). Looking at the reviews on BPL it would seem that the Flight has at more loft on the torso, and >2x the insulation for the arms.

Are you planning to use this for just warm-up / in camp, or are you planning to use this as part of your system while hiking? If you are going to use it hiking that then vest + thermawrap would be a much better option. Even people who run cold would overheat while being active in the Flight jacket.

For sitting around, it's really a question of what you need to stay warm. For example, if you mostly solo and don't spend time sitting around after dinner chatting, then you don't even need clothing to take you to the low… because when it's the coldest you can combine your clothing with your sleeping system.

I don't know how warm you run, so it's hard to make a good suggestion. For me… if the low was 20F I most likely would just take just the vest because for me base + vest + shell + neck gaitor + good hat keeps me comfortable sitting around to 25F just starting not notice the lack of insulation for my arms, and I could easily get the last 5F by being somewhat active or hiding under my quilt.

Other people talk about the flash or the thermawrap being good, separately to around 40F which sort of squares with the loft / temp comfort range developed by the US Army… so together, they should be adequate for average people to 20F.

–mark

Chuck,

You asked, "Will the WM Flash Vest along with MB UL Thermawrap be as warm as WM Flight Jacket?"
Answer: Not even close. The combination will only provide ~55% of the Flight Jacket's warmth. This value will be adjusted +- depending on the relative girth of the two insulation layers.

You asked, "Is there any benefit or disadvantage to either option?"
Answer: The disadvantage of the WM Flight Jacket is that you need to cover it with a shell in wet weather. Off setting that, you don't have to be as concerned with down garments as you do sleeping bags in high humidity. The bellows / chimney convection from movement plus the much higher metabolic rate when not sleeping largely negates down moisture degradation.

Thanks for response. I will only use this at camp and as part of sleep system under 20*. I may get or make a VB shirt because it is highly humid where I am. Where I hike it doesn't get down to 20's often in day so I don't wear insulation layers while moving.

I think I'll go with WM Flight jacket, partly because I just ordered it for $187 on sale:), and because I do like to go to bed late even if that means staying up and reading so having the extra loft will be good safe guard. I have no problem layering Precip over it in rainy weather.

Even if too hot in camp i can lower zip.

Chuck