If anyone is curious about Polartec Alpha, but choking on the price tags, there are half price sales on the Marmot Isotherm jacket and Isotherm Hoody. This is Marmot’s version of the Patagonia Nano Air. It’s a Pertex Quantum 20 denier shell, Polertec Alpha insulation, and an inner lining of wicking “Dri Clime mesh”. One way to think of this: it’s a DriClime windshirt with Polartec Alpha insulation.
Has light stretchy softshell fabric patches on the top of the shoulders for pack strap protection. The men’s hoody weighs 14.4 ounces. The non-hooded jacket weighs 12.2 ounces.
Here’s a video:
REI has the hoodies in various sizes colors for half price:
Backcountry has the jacket for $99.95
I ordered one of the jackets to see if this is a useful piece. I do know that the Primaloft synthetic puffies soak up sweat like a sponge. Overheat in one of those and I’m literally dripping wet. They also don’t pack down very small in the pack. If this stuff is thinner and really breathes, then it might be a useful alternative — maybe a cross between a synthetic puffy and a fleece as far as function?
But, it appears from the discount pricing that the $200 to $250 price points are a bit rich.
