Jacket Selection

Hard to say, everybody's different (metabolism varies, mental tolerances, etc.). What are you going to be doing with these layers at 0 degrees? Just hanging out? With all those layers (and apprioriate head/ hand/ foot/ leg coverage) I would probably be close to comfortable at that temperature when stationary, but I'd really have to try it out. Which is what you should probably do. Figure out if you can try out your layers, find the breaking points and limits, and then adjust for your trip. Have fun!

del

Thanks for your input on the jackets.

I did just spend a weekend out with lows in the mid teens. I used the Mirage with only a navy base layer and was moderately warm.

I am looking to use this down to around zero. I can’t imagine I would be anywhere much colder! I also have a Montbell EX Light. I wonder if I layer this under the Mirage that would get me to the temp desired. I guess I would only know if I tried. Has anyone tried this before, or how low have you gone just depending on the Mirage for warmth?

I am hoping to use these layers to be comfortable at zero, and not get a full blown heavy weight down jacket that would only have a narrow window of use throughout the year.

Yes, you will be warm enough IF your keep moving (or take the Road Kill girl with you.;o)

Same jacket + puffy pants instead of new jacket?

"I am looking to use this down to around zero. I can’t imagine I would be anywhere much colder!"

I notice your location is Maine / NY. About 45 years back I spent quite a bit of time doing winter trips in your neck of the woods — the Adirondacks and the White Mountains NH). We used to consider the best (and fairly normal) winter conditions to be -10F to +10F (days) and -20F (nights).

Those daytime temperatures were ones where it was pretty easy to dress comfortably and not wet out from sweat. Much colder was decidedly chilly; much warmer and you were faced with choosing either sweat in your garments or else snow and chilly breezes on bare skin. -20F nights were fine; that is just what usually accompanied the days we liked, and everyone had sleeping bags rated to -20F. (FWIW: it can get quite a bit colder, such as the night we spent up near the top of Algonquin Peak at about -40F.)

Just commenting, because your 0F expected lower bound is pretty unrealistic if you want to get out in the eastern mountains in the winter. Of course, your plans are a lot more reasonable if they are only 3-season plans.

Thanks all for their input. Yes, I will be using this on the easy coast mountains. I do realize that it does get mighty cold in these places, and many tines well below 0.

I have been thinking it may be a better option to have a dedicated cold weather jacket rather than trying to meld to layers together in hopes of comfort. I have used the existing layers down to around 15-20 or so. I do have some minor reservations with depending on this combo for warmth and safety. Considering the FF Volant. Anyone own one of these, or comments on a similar jacket? Thx

del

in the single digits layered with a light weight synthetic base, power stretch hoddie and wind shirt and in the negative teens with no wind shirt or hoodie, but adding a 60 gm primaloft hooded jacket as a mid-layer. in both instances i was comfortable. you need to size-up if you want to layer underneath. with multiple layers i can't get the jacket to zip above the collar, but the the wide front cover on the hood keeps that from being an issue. for a wish list item, i'd wish for an internal mesh pocket for a pair of gloves or 1/2 liter water bottle.

Speaking from the west coast mountains, I go out with two layers of midweight wool baselayers, then an R1 hoody, a montbell alpine light down parka, and a windshell on top. That keeps me warm down to 0F while sitting around camp. Mind you I also have two layers of long johns under my pants too. I'm a 5-8%BF guy so I get cold easily. If I had less base layers or was going colder I would definitely top it off with a FF Icefall or some other big puffy.

I'd guess the mirage plus vest might be warm enough, if you add your windshell as well. Assuming sufficient clothes for the rest of your body.

The Mirage is fully baffled and has 900FP down right? So it is one of the warmer down jackets, much warmer than the alpine light.
I have used an older Montbell jacket of similar warmth just above zero.
You won't be able to sit outside for hours, but it should be enough to get dinner cooked and some snow melted with a fast stove.
If temps are forecast to be near zero or below, I'd swap the vest for the EX light jacket.

In his book, Andrew Skurka lists a midweight base layer, vbl shell and 7oz, 800FP down parka as his only torso layers for his winter gear list.

I have a mirage and by itself its good to about 20f, with a 100g synthetic hoody its good to to 10f, any colder I would be grabbing a big monster Parka.