Affordable mid-weight fleece jacket

Polyester fleece. Not cotton fleece.

First Ascent's stuff goes on sale big time several times throughout the year. That's the first thing that really comes to my head.

If you're going to soak the layer up with water, wool or fleece is the best answer. Fleece will dry much faster, and for probably 98% of folks is the better answer (and wool is pricey). It'll maintain its insulative properties reasonably well when wet, which any puffy insulation will not. Also happens to be one of the cheapest forms of insulation around, although it is heavy and doesn't pack down very well.

I may get huge amounts of scorn poured on me by everyone, but at this stage with your budget requirements, I would consider a trawl thru the local supermarkets (whatever) or thrift stores …

Cheers

+1 to Roger. Also frequent the Gear Swap section.

Most 200w fleece jackets are around 16-19oz. Hoodies are hard to find and your 22oz example is pretty typical I think. I would save pennies until you can get a better option.

I use a Power Stretch hoodie that is 13.9oz/395g, but they will cost more like $100. http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3646559

I see REI has a 14oz PrimaLoft jacket for $86— that's about as good as it gets for new insulation: http://www.rei.com/product/808221/cordillera-thermalpeak-insulated-jacket-mens-special-buy

I have an REI fleece vest I wear sometimes, from Goodwill, maybe $5

Don't wear fleece though, when ultra-lightweight backpacking – too heavy for the warmth

As suggested above, don't discount the thrift stores or even the dreaded big-box stores. It's a little late in the season for winter sales but keep an eye out. Earlier this year I picked up an amazingly light (but actually warm) fleece at Target. It's made very well, seems to have a water proof/resistant zipper and after several washings has yet to show any signs of wear: $7.00 (Had I known, I would have bought a few!)

Regaring:
"Don't wear fleece though, when ultra-lightweight backpacking – too heavy for the warmth"

Sort of true, especially in drier climates, but fleece is warmer in very wet conditions than lighter options.
Also check out grid fleece products. They are lighter and even more hydrophobic than your standard fleece.

Another way to shed weight is to get rid of zippers and other unnecessary stuff.

Also, rather than a midweight fleece, maybe a lightweight fleece?
A lightweight, zipper-less hooded grid-fleece compares in weight to other options and I find takes me down to freezing when under a windshirt or other shell.

"but fleece is warmer in very wet conditions"

If you're in moderate weather and you don't need a lot of warmth then maybe it doesn't matter that much – the lightest weight fleece weighs about the same as the lightest weight synthetic

But that lightest weight synthetic will be three times warmer

And I think they perform about the same in wet conditions

Jerry, there is an interesting discussion about this very subject going on right here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=46365&skip_to_post=396281#396281

In wet conditions, they don't perform equivalently when you're hiking with a hardshell on. You'll be suffering with a synthetic layer under even the most breathable hardshell. In drier weather, I wholeheartedly agree with you that a synthetic layer is more valuable than fleece. When you're dealing with freezing rain/sleet, you're going to need something under that hardshell to keep the warmth…and a fleece performs better than a synthetic layer.

Ken, if you ever decide to up your budget to 80 dollars, nwalpine.com makes some great hooded fleeces. They are a cottage manufacturer which changes their products constantly. Right now they are offering a lighterweight fleece hoodie (called the Black Spider Light, but before that they were selling a Gridded polartec powerdry hoodie (Called the Black Spider Hoodie). It's like a Patagonia R1, but with a better fitting hood, and its made in Oregon.
It looks like this:

If you are firm on your budge, the eddie bauer/first ascent cloud layers are on sale for 30 dollars right now. They are only 100wt and don't have a hood. Also, I think the clymb.com has cloudveil on sale right now…they are selling a powerstretch quarter zip fleece (model is called "run don't walk") that is in your price range. Let me know if you need an invite to theclymb.

I also agree with Steven, if you can, go with a gridded fleece.

The Melanzana hoodie is almost in your price range. Not as close-fitting as the NWAlpine
http://melanzana.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/22/products_id/34?osCsid=3291ab70d6d3d2c1962601b01b0ae699

Regarding the Melanzana Hooded Grid fleece:
It only weighs 8oz, less than most hooded synthetic jackets.

It is not as warm, but I find it adequate under a shell for most 3 season hiking.
I find a jacket too warm and not breathable enough in most cases.

I originally thought the shape of the Melanzana hood a bit weird, until I really cinched it up and realized that it acts as a balaklava when used this way. This works great inside a quilt or hoodless sleeping bag and in fact works great anytime you want most of your neck and face covered.

I just wear a light Merino wool shirt, the Melanzana and wind shirt on most hikes down to freezing. I only supplement a light vest when it gets close to or below freezing.

I have used this combination in below 40's rain storms. The Melanzana and Merino were wet, but not clammy or cold. I can't say the same when I used to use a jacket with rain shell.

is the hoodie from nwalpine as warm as the R1? it is lighter by 1.5 ounces…

Roberto, the one they have on their website right now is the lighter version. They are all sold out of the original heavier weight version I have on in my picture. The one I have on is exactly like a patagonia R1 (same material, same pocket layout, better fit), so yes the warmth is the same. Again, I find the hood better fitting. If you're really interested, Bill at NWAlpine may be able to do a special run for you (10 dollars more), which is what he did for me after the original black spider sold out.

same weight?

I dont have my R1 hoodie anymore, so i can't compare. But my Black Spider Hoodie in size small weighs 11.6 ounces. Patagonia generally lists theirs as 11.5. This is probably because they use lightweight Cap 3 fabric for the cuffs and waist, whereas the black spider uses the same polartec powerdry grid fleece throughout the whole garment.

I dont want to derail this thread any more, so please PM me if you have any further questions regarding the hoodie. Thanks

Thanks for the advice, folks!

It looks like the fabrics I need to be keeping an eye out for are either synthetic jacket with Primaloft fill or a 200wt gridded poly fleece. It sounds like either of these will work well layered with the down vest and long johns to keep me warm when lazing around in camp in the shoulder seasons (down to 20 degrees).

I'm still set on a hooded full-zip setup. I warm up and cool down quickly, and want the full venting option.

As for those "athletic fit" options… When you're a tub like me, that's referred to as "sausage fit". Something that doesn't hug so much is perfectly fine.

Next question… I've never worn a down vest. When the temps dip that cold, would you wear it over or under the jacket?

Thanks again,
Ken

Re:
"200wt gridded poly fleece"

I don't know if such a beast exists and I don't think anyone on the forum would recommend a 200 weight fleece. If you need something that thick, like for winter camping, you probably want to look for something fluffy like a light jacket.

By the way, the Melanzano light grid fleece is a very loose fit. So if your looking for something that isn't "athletic" fit, that is probably a good choice, but be aware that it is a light fleece, maybe 100wt or less. Great for layering