Upgrading Fall and Winter Jackets

Just wanted to say don't dismiss fleece. It's well worth the weight in cold/wet conditions.

For a synthetic jacket, also check out the Rab Xenon. At 5'10 and 180 lbs, the large fits me perfectly.

For the down jacket, also check out the Montbell Mirage. Lighter/warmer than the Alpine Light (though more $$$). Again a size large fits me well, though since it's a winter layer they kept it roomy to allow layering underneath.

Another fall synthetic jacket to look at is the ArcTeryx Nuclei; a little lighter and more torso insulation (80g). If you can wait, they do go on sale occasionally.

I have some experience with Montbell and their sizing differs upon which "line" we are discussing.

The UL/Ex Light/Plasma line is a snugger fit meant to be worn as a mid layer (although it works quite well as an outer in appropriate temperatures. This line tends to have very lightweight fabric, less down and weigh very little. I have not seen the Mirage in person, but based on the 12.8 oz weight, 7-denier fabric and 5.3oz of down, I would bet on it also being slim-fit.

The Frost Smoke/Frost Line lines use heavier fabric, have more "features" and generally have a looser fit.
I have noticed a correlation between listed "center back length" and fit…27"-28" are usually slimmer fit, the 30+" are looser. This is just my observation.

At 6'1", 215 lbs, 35" waist, 42" chest, my large UL Down Parka is a great close-fitting mid layer…the sleeves are a great length and it does not ride up in back. Given your height/weight I suspect you'd be fine with a Medium in any of Montbell's jackets/parkas.

The Mirage isn't that slim fitting actually. It is bigger then my UL Down Jacket (2008-9 vintage) and Alpine Down Parka (2009-2010 vintage).

From what I gather reading recent reviews, MontBell has relaxed their sizing a bit in the last year or so.
I'm 5'7", 192lb, 46" chest, and a new Alpine Light Down Parka in size L just landed on my porch today.
It fits me very well with enough room for an extra layer I'll likely never need. Sleeve length is fine the elastic at the cuffs, and it comes down just far enough to cover my butt.

Got it for $159.20 at Montbell's outlet:
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=2001&p_id=2301176&gen_cd=1&fo_flg=1

It seems that I will try a medium as from most everything I have read both people bigger than myself fit into a large and Montbell has relaxed their sizing a bit.

I hope this thread can be an outlet for others seeking updated montbell sizing!

I received the jacket in the mail and I am totally satisfied with the fit and craftsmanship. If anyone is a similar build to me I would suggest a medium.

Hey Isaac, I just got my Alpine Light Parka, too (Monday)! I ordered directly from Montbell, they had it on sale for 159.

As you said, sizes are relaxed and I ordered a small and it fits perfectly with enough room for baselayer + Marmot Thermo (Polartec power dry grid fleece) if I need it underneath. The small came in at only 360g/12.7oz on my 2000×0.1g scale!

I used to have the jacket version, the 2012, I believe, in a medium that I bought used and even back then it was quite relaxed and I ended up selling it.

Be sure to check out sierratradingpost and use their coupons, they've got lots of synthetic jackets over there. Their search function isn't the best, as a couple items won't be included in your search, even when you browse for it.

I have the Alpine Light from last year, fit is a little boxy but serves as a puffy in mild winter activities. I wish I saw that Mirage earlier… a lightweight box construction puffy would have been perfect except for the 7-denier fabric… I think that would just be a bit too fragile as a belay jacket. In and out of a pack can be quite rough. 7-denier for the Tachyon Anorak is fine, any holes can be patched with duct tape, but 7d on a down jacket is likely to bleed feathers.

Maybe wearing a windshirt over would be helpful in the Mirage's durability? I pretty much always use a windshirt with my puffies. Either way, if I can ever catch a Mirage on sale I'm pulling the trigger.

Ryan

I have used an Alpine light for a while and now use a Mirage.

The Mirage is far warmer due to the
Box wall baffles. Sometimes I wear a wind shirt over it and sometimes a rain shell. To me its plenty durable.

Take a look at The North Face synthetic jacket that has the "puff ball" type insulation.

Supposed to be very lofty and also retain that loft with use.

I think the issue so far with Thermoball is that its needs to be stitched through to keep the insulation in place. I read that it is not as controllable as down, down has barbs which keeps it in place inside baffles.

It will be interesting to see how this works out.

Isaac, you can also check out the new Nano-Air. The stretchy fabric makes the slimmer fit more forgiving. A bit heavier and less compressible than a Nano Puff, but much more breathable.

I guess in my haste to write a follow up about getting a jacket I forgot to mention that I got a Montbell Thermawrap Pro. The fit is perfect and the features are exactly what I wanted. The hood itself is the best I've ever had. I also have bee. Lucky enough to have a coworker who has a montbell alpine light and I was able to try on his, size medium, and it is also an excellent fit. I will probably be ordering one in the near future.

I have been tempted by the Montbell Frost Line Parka because it should be warmer than the alpine light with more down fill but I think that for my uses I won't need anything more than the alpine light and if I do well then I will need more than the Frost Line.