Lightest Insulated Synthetic Jacket for Shoulder Season?

Thomas

are you looking for static or active use?

;)

Good point.  I didn’t even think of that.  It would be mostly for static use for camp after a day of hiking but perhaps a few rare times where I start off with it for a mile or two until I warm up.

Ull likely want something thicker and heavier …

with 100g/m of good insulation, perhaps even more …

Unless u run very warm one of the thinner ~60 g/m jackets wont likely cut it for static use

u can however combine a synth poofay with a thinner down onr under for prolongued stops that will take u to 20F … And have most of the moisture resistance … In thise case a thinner synth poofay is fine

;)

I have an older Thermawrap and I don’t think it will get you into the 20’s without a lot of help.

A big puffy vest would be better than a 60g jacket, provided you have other layers like a heavier base layer, fleece, wind/rain shell, etc. And you should in weather that cold.

The nice thing about sub freezing weather is that down is practical. Something like a Patagonia Down Sweater, Mont Bell Alpine Light or Rab Microlight might serve you better. If you aren’t going to use it much, check out Uniqlo for a bargain.

60g jackets are great around town, but fail for real warmth. What you get are two windshirts with a wisp of insulation between. They aren’t breathable, so essentially useless for active use. More fashion than function I fear.

Colder weather can kick your base weight a bit. Those height-of-summer SUL gear lists get weak come October.

The Rab Xenon is quite light and warmer than I thought it would be…and I run cold.

Thank you all for good feedback snd suggestions. I will take a look at some of those names.

I concur about the bargain of Uniqlo jackets. I have 2 of the UL down jackets and they get tons of use in my everyday life.

The Arc’Teryx Nuclei (now the Nuclei FL, I think) is another really nice lightweight synthetic jacket (if you decide you still want one).

I think there’s a place for one, but it seems best suited to only a narrow and specific range: temps in the low 40s, strong possibility of rain, on a day hike, when stopping for a break or needing insulation to get back to the car. I already have a Nuclei, so I use it, but really a decent fleece can do that job as well or better; the only benefit to the synthetic is reduced bulk and maybe weight in the pack. For anything else (different temps, longer trip, no rain, etc, etc.), I’d put my money towards a down jacket with 4-5 oz of down.