Active light jacket

I like fleece for a mid layer. I’ve been using a Patagonia R1 or R2. Sometimes a light down vest. Under the Patagonia DAS light hoody.
How cold is cold?

Forgot about the R series.

the R1 tech face does look nice.

the R2 is heavier than what I am looking for. I would like to keep it at 12oz or under.

I wonder if the R1 is just too breathable. Any wind would make me feel cold.

but this one would be used primary for around 60-70F light activity.

at that range the Sitka start feeling extra warm, so was wondering how the Kor or Vario compare to each other.

Cold for me I say 40 F and under

I have a Montbell Thermawrap UL that I like when everything else is too warm or drafty. For 60-70 I’d be in short sleeves, though. Everyone’s metabolism is different. In the middle of winter once I’ve gotten used to the cold for awhile, 40 degree weather is tshirt weather for me.

personally I would go the a 90gsm Alpha direct hoody.  with a wind shell should be good walking dog to 40F.

my current system is a light base,  shakedry shell, 90gsm AD hoody, down vest, and Patagonia micro puff hoody.  I can mix and match to cover from static to highly active from 0F and up.

If we wanted to design the ideal active insulation layer, we could do worse than to wrap an Alpha Direct layer with a light windshirt fabric. ECWCS L3A is like this, and it is extremely popular. I believe that Nunatuk suggested that he could make one as a custom job. No doubt Timmermade as well.

For that matter, Timmermade’s Climashield jacket uses a mesh liner and Argon 67 shell, so it might be a high-performance alternative for Flyer P.

Most inner lining fabrics between wearer and AD would be a compromise. We could improve on the design by removing the inner lining, and sewing the AD directly to the the outer shell.

The non-sewn version of this is to wear a windshirt over AD. It is also more flexible because the AD can be worn without the windshirt for even better breathing and a wider range of temperatures.

The biggest limitation to this approach is finding an AD layer with a zipper like a jacket. Most AD designs are pullover-style; presumably to save the weight of the zipper. That makes them kind of annoying to put on and take off; not as simple as a jacket.

Unless somebody makes a full-zip AD layer, you might have to make your own. I suspect that bias tape or interfacing would make it easier to get the zipper right.

(Or just wear a pullover like Mark.)

The R2 has an excess of zippers and pockets. It is a bit heavy with poor wind resistance. Under the DAS light, it adds a lot of loft. The R1 has much better wind resistance.  Melanzana, if you can get one.

https://melanzana.com/product/micro-grid-hoodie/

The OR ascendant, despite some weird design decisions has been my favorite casual cold weather layer for a few years now. Alpha 90 and pertex quantum air. It’s a just warm enough, durable, breathable combo.

The kor airshell warm is probably the jacket I would replace it with once it goes. Proton FL(lightweight) is another good option if the fit is right. Seems like most brands moved from AD to octaloft.

The biggest limitation to this approach is finding an AD layer with a zipper like a jacket. Most AD designs are pullover-style; presumably to save the weight of the zipper. That makes them kind of annoying to put on and take off; not as simple as a jacket.

Im pretty sure Rab makes such a thing , It may have a zippered chest pocket as well.

Personally I prefer no zippers on Alpha Direct though, aside from the  extra weight and bulk I would worry about the potential decrease in durability of Alpha Direct having to support a zipper.

Im pretty sure Rab makes such a thing , It may have a zippered chest pocket as well.

Personally I prefer no zippers on Alpha Direct though, aside from the extra weight and bulk I would worry about the potential decrease in durability of Alpha Direct having to support a zipper.

The Rab Alpha Flash Jacket. Unfortunately, it has fleece side panels rather than being 100% AD. However, after a lot of use, the zip has caused no durability problems.

I have a Marmot dri-clime hoody that is great for active winter or casual use. The old-timers will probably remember Marmot driclime wind shirts from back in the day. I still use them. They are bilayer garments, basically a wind shirt layer over a very thin fleece layer. Under $100 for sure.

“this one would be used primary for around 60-70F light activity.”

For me I just open the buttons on my shirt at those temps. With high wind under 60° then a windshirt might work. Now if I’m sitting in camp then I might throw on something light. Patagonia Houdinis are good and I have an older M.A.R.S. edition that is super breathable and I understand some Navy SEALS were using and I can see why. They use Alpha Green for these, sort of like OD Green. Some editions are not as breathable. These are usually around 4 oz. Put some light insulation under and you have a versatile unit that will certainly take you down in colder temperatures for dry weather. But at 60° I can’t even button my shirt with the t-shirt under it when walking over level ground and I’m slim so it’s hard to suggest anything more than a windshirt.

Lightheart gear has both Alpha Direct 90 and grid fleece (like Melanzana) pullover hoodies.   Many colors and sizes in stock.  I’m a big fan of the kangaroo pocket.  Recently picked up an AD version and am quite happy with it.

https://lightheartgear.com/collections/alpha-direct

https://lightheartgear.com/collections/womens-fleece-hoodies

https://lightheartgear.com/collections/mens-fleece

This Rab piece has an Alpha-like inner, wind shell face and full zip. 12 ounces.

https://rab.equipment/us/mens-vapour-rise-summit-jacket

An alpha direct hoodie and a windshirt like the EE Copperfield or something similar can handle just about anything above freezing. You can put a windshirt in your fanny pack it’s so small and that alone is enough into the 50s if you are active.

I’m so glad that this thread reminded me to dig out my Patagonia R2 from summer storage. That piece has been functioning for about twenty years. A go-to piece for backcountry skiing around Tahoe for many years, and more.

The OP wants something for walking the dog. It depends on where you are, but as Diane says, a shell over a fleece, with added layers ‘depending’ and even a down vest, covers a lot of scenarios. Geeze, my Western Mountaineering down vest is also going strong after thirty years.

You know that you’re getting old when you have everything you need, clothing wise, from decades ago.

So many options,

that Montbell UL Thermawrap does look very similar on paper to the
Vario jacket. I wonder if the STRETCH EXCELOFT is the same as
3DeFX.

It seem Alpha Direct is the most popular best performance
item to get, however I really dont like that style by itself.

The Outdoor Research Ascendant is what I need to bad
is not available, it does look very similar to the MH Kor
airshell warm but this one uses the Octa style.
You are right it seem they not using Alpha Direct that much now and going for Octaloft

The Rab Vapour Rise Summit look good except it have
the elevated pockets for the belt.

I think I would end up with the MH Kor Warm

thanks!