Torso Layers
1. Columbia OutDry Ex Eco (Insulated) Shell – USD 230, 1 lb 8 oz
The idea is to combine Columbia’s OutDry Ex Eco Shell with around 60g of Omni heat insulation. Effectively combining a light insualtion mid layer with your hard shell, which in theory can help save room and weight. It’s fairly heavy at 1 lb 8 oz, but when you think of it as a 2-in-1 jacket (hard shell + midlayer) it’s generally lighter than the 2 separate garments would be.
Pros: Price, PFC-Free, never needs DWR treatment, fabric dye-free, eco friendly production, doesn’t skimp on features (vents, etc.), saves room/weight (in theory)
Cons: You can effectively never don a Base Layer + Hard Shell combo as you are always going to have some insulation under your shell but using lighter than typical Base Layers can help mitigate this. Columbia also offers the same shell without insulation ($199, 17 oz)
2. Vaude Freney III – EUR 175, 305 g
The idea here was to find a midlayer slightly less insulated than I’d typically cary. I don’t think this is quite as warm as the Patagonia NanoPuff Pullover Bivy I am attempting to replace with this, but my previous Arc’Teryx Alpha AR wasn’t insulated like my new shell (the OutDry Ex Eco), so I wanted something that isn’t going to be too hot when wearing it with the Insulated OutDry.
Pros: PFC-Free, eco friendly production, good set of features, very light
Cons: Price, not extremely warm by itself
3. Patagonia R1 Fleece Hoody USD 159, 12.85 oz
Everyone knows this one :P
4. Montbell Tachyon Jacket USD 99, 1.6 oz
Very light at under 2 oz but adds a bit more versatility the integration of hardshell + insulation lost me.
Pros: Light, available in undyed
Cons: Price, durability
5. Insert Light weight Merino Wool Base Layer here
Experimenting with several
Possible Layer Combinations:
OutDry + Freney and/or R1 Fleece and/or Light Base Layer
Tachyon + Freney and/or R1 Fleece and/or Light Base Layer
Freney and/or R1 Fleece and/or Light Base Layer
Tachyon or OutDry + Light Base Layer
