Insulating options

What temperature range are you looking to be comfortable at? Moving or sitting (camp/stops/etc)?

Andy,

Christopher has asked some very good questions. If this piece is for wearing while on the move in the Adirondacks, you will produce a lot of prespiration moisture even if the weather is cold. Also, the New England area isn't known for its dryness, even in winter. I hike often in the White's of N.H. and I only use sythetic insulations on the trail (I find I only need this in frigid weather with a hefty wool baselayer).

I use a Patagonia Micro Puff hooded jacket which I'm happy with. If really cold weather is predicted for night time, I carry a down vest to were under the jacket, only in camp, to boost my torso warmth at rest. At that point, I'm not prespiring into the down vest and the jacket protects the down from exterior moisture.

The down vest is practically weightless compared to the insurance factor it provides. Of course, if its raining, I cover it all with a poncho.

I've used the fleece shirt and the gamut in cold conditions before, but I'm hoping to use either the down and the gamut to be warmer, or even all three together to be really warm. I'm a twig, so I need a good bit of insulation in cold temps. I've tried 200 weight fleeces, and that's the amount of insulation I would like, but I've never used down jackets, so I didn't know if this montbell would be equivalent to the fleece in terms of insulation. I think I read it's only 1.5oz of down, which seems little and maybe not enough.

I would generally use it around town, but I need the layering for my trips which might be 10 in a year. That's why I considered fleece even though it's heavy. But I'd like a 5oz jacket for the hiking trips.

Hey Andy,
I have the Montbell Half Sleeve. The large comes in at 6.5 oz. Wind cuts through it pretty easily, but it is definitely warmer then my arcteryx fleece. It doesn't feel as nice against the skin as a fleece, but it really is a warm piece of gear. I use it with a pair of arm warmers to sleep in with my Arc AT.
Steve

Andy,
I've tried many insulation layers. The Montbell inner jacket is warmer than 200wt fleece, and it blocks wind better. Richard can quote the objective numbers, but subjectively, it goes 100, 200, inner jacket, then of course the heavier MB Light Alpine Down Jacket which I settled on.
For me its a fleece when moving, the down when stationary.