That wind shirt ad light fleece combo thing

del

http://www.rei.com/item/846487/westcomb-crest-hoodie-jacket-mens

$80, they have xxl in black at the moment.

a superlative windshirt.

Not sure if it's any good, but it's only $63 on backcountry, extra 5% back with eBates.

http://www.backcountry.com/la-sportiva-oxygen-windbreaker-pullover-mens?ti=UExQIEJyYW5kOk1lblwncyBXaW5kIFNoZWxsczoxOjI6MTIwX2Jjc0NhdDExMTEwMTA&skid=LSP001F-MID-L

3.3oz (in medium, I assume) pullover style. They have XL available in Blue for that price.

Cap 4 is good, so is Marmot Thermo jacket or hoody (I have the hoody and it is great).

http://www.6pm.com/patagonia-houdini-jacket-feather-grey

For one the Squamish is really, really good. I don't care what the metrics say, the Squamish has been time and time again the one layer I grab most frequently when I get to pick from several years of Houdini (yes including the holy grail permeable one), Westcomb Crest, OR Ferrosi and a handful of others. Yes, the rest are very very good but the Squamish is a bit better in every aspect that I care about: it's a little more breathable, a little more durable, a little more abrasion-resistant, has the best hood and the cuffs are excellent.

Second, if you are trying to mimic the Vapor Rise, note that the Marmot DriClime and Ether windshirts are extremely similar. The DriClime remains a favorite when the mercury drops! It wicks extraordinarily well and most importantly, quickly passes moisture to the outside shell where it can dissipate. Separate layers don't do this quite as well since there are usually greater air gaps. It cuts the wind brilliantly too. However, in changing conditions where you might put on and off many combinations of layers, the DriClime becomes more weight and bulk and less versatile. If you can wear the DriClime all day, it truly shines.

You're thinking too hard Brett. The Vapour-rise liner is 60 g/meter, lighter than the lightest baselayer fabric by half. You will not get comparable performance from a non-denier gradient shell and a 160-200+ g/meter fleece shirt. Sizing issues might preclude a Vapour-rise, but there's a reason the Rab stuff is expensive and sought-after.

I get that and thanks. It is just that I don’t see anywhere in the US where you can buy that in an XXL. I will probably try out the Marmot Ether in XXL as you can get that. Now is this something that is supposed to be worn over a baselayer or on its own or both?

I find the Marmot DriClime works best worn next-to-skin, and reasonably well over a trim-fitting t-shirt. Nothing else seems to wick sweat away better than the DriClime.

The Dri Clime is heavy for what it is as you're always stuck with the combo. It's either too warm or not warm enough. Using a separate wicking base layer/fleece plus a windshirt allows several combinations and the fleece can be used with a rain shell or sleep and you can dial in in to suit the season. Like soft shells, the Driclime can be great in just the right conditions, but not for a versatile UL clothing system. The open "shirt-tail" hem is a fail for me too.

Yeah, I will agree in that separates would probably be better for me as it can range in temps here from about 100-0F in a given year.

I was surprised with how slim fit the Patagonia Houdini was, as the one I bought a couple months ago was my first one.

I ended up exchanging my Medium for a Large so I can still layer it over a puffy without compression. Normally I wear a small (Medium if I want to layer under).

There's always so much XXL stuff on Sierra Trading Post, not sure if they have the jackets you want, but would be worth taking a look. Also on GearTrade if you don't mind used items.