Travel gear advice needed

If you're looking for stuff that looks more urban, look at Nau.com. They try to make outdoor clothing that doesn't look as much like outdoor clothing. I have a few pieces from them, including a soft shell blazer. Based on your needs, you might try the down shirt and urbane jacket.

Minus33 makes good base layer in merino wool at good prices.

Why go away from the Nano Puff?

For lighter, smaller, and warmer, there's the Ultralight Down Shirt. In the right color it doesn't look too bad around town. But a nice lofty vest is more commonplace, I would think. WM's Flight is super lofty; Rab's Microlight will be much less lofter (i.e. more town wear fitting) and probably within the same warmth ballpark.

Most shells in black would probably look alright around town. I love colors for my shells, but they look quite goofy around town because of this.

PS – Ibex's hooded Indie is on sale for less than $50 on REI if you use their 30% off sale items coupon.

Thanks for the suggestions, Stephan. I may replace the Nano Puff with itself like you suggest, as I haven't read about anything that trumps it.

Which shell(s) do you recommend?

For shells, if you were okay with the weight of the Westcomb, I’d go with it again. My Westcomb pieces aren’t the lightest gear in my closet, but they are among my favorite and most stylish.

I was on the Westcomb site earlier today and they have some great looking pieces in the pipeline, in addition to what is already out. I’m also partial to the eVent that they use in a lot of their gear; still better than anything else on the market, AFAIK. Their Spectre LT Hoody is 11 oz, eVent, and stylish, which might make it perfect for you.

You can always look at Arc’teryx, but I find them overpriced for the quality, and I always feel like Arc’teryx wearers are showing off how much they spent on their gear. Westcomb is better quality, similar style, without the pretentious logo.

Other options: I love the cut and fit of my Montane shell. UK company, but their gear is made in China. I just really like the cut of their stuff — very slim, athletic, stylish, but Westcomb is still better stuff.

Nice tip on the Spectre! And thanks for your insights on Westcomb vs Arcteryx.

I'm headed to London from Asia in a week or two, so I may wait until I can check out that Montane shell in person.

Some other BPL threads recommended the Uniqlo down jacket. It sounds like a great bargain, and can become a nice gift if it doesn't live up to expectations.

How warm will I be with one of the outers Tim recommends when compared to my previous combination?

I have the Westcomb Specter LT Hoody and I love it. It's an excellent rain jacket. But since it's a rain jacket, you'll have to find something else to layer in for the warmth/insulation.

One thing I'd be concerned about during travel is having to track multiple layers.

I toured Nevada and the West Coast for a few months back in 08 and lost a vest, then a jacket while preoccupied in rearranging some travel plans. What about a waterproof breathable jacket with a zip-out lining or a hardface fleece?

Look at Eddie Bauer First Ascent WPB BC-200 parka and their 8oo fill Downlite Sweater (really a light jacket). Will Rietveld gave it a good rating in his BPL rundown of light down jackets. I love the Downlite sweater but you may want another synthetic jacket like the Eddie Bauer Serrano. It's minimalist W/ no outside pockets. Many EB products are on sale now in their internet catalog.

REI sells a good, light eVent parka, the Kimtah. It may still be on sale for $159,99, down from $229.99 Get one size larger than normal for you for wearing over an insulated jacket so you don't have binding in the sleeves.

That's an excellent point, HK. Can you recommend any specific products in those categories? Thanks!

are doing a neoshell primaloft jacket if you want the latest breathable technology

http://www.westcomb.com/product/neoshell/85/chrome-jacket.html