Timmermade Sweater

I just looked at that

His theory is that with sewn through baffles, wider spacing (6 inches) has fewer cold spots.  It’s fashionable these days to have very narrow spacing, like 1 inch – 6 times as many cold spots.

He claims that with the 6 inch spacing, the down does not shift to the bottom leaving a space with no down, which would be a justification for narrower spacing.

That sounds reasonable to me.  It would be interesting to see feedback from any user.

No direct experience but his design decisions have always struck me as very rational.

I have two of timmermade’s sweaters

My first one was a SUL 0.75 prototype with full length k-snap closure instead of the sweater style he primarily sells.

And the second is an SDUL in his usual pull over sweater style that I purchased used off another hiker.

I must say I REALLY like them. Both are significantly warmer than my Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 and Ghost whisperer UL (1,000 fill power version) that I used to have before them. They are also around half the weight which is nice. The SDUL definitely feels more fragile and I baby it quite a lot, but I like that it doesn’t have a zipper; I can repair a snag or tear, but I dont have the skills to rip out a zipper and sew on a new one. So I really like that aspect of these jackets.

I opted to go for longer sleeves just to try his claim that longer sleeves are warmer than pockets. And I’d have to agree with that assessment. Both of mine are lacking pockets, I thought I was going to regret this decision, but I’m quite content with it now. I don’t miss the pockets, and light fleece gloves paired with the longer sleeves keep my hands and body warmer than having pockets would I think.

The SUL 1.5 is very attractive to me.

Ordering closed until sometime in July.

They look awesome. I’ve been tempted a few times.

I have the SDUL 1.5, their warmest one with the lightest fabric, with a hood. 6oz on my scale without removing anything. I customized the hip opening because I’m a woman, made it larger, for which I am glad because otherwise it probably would not fit. I brought it on the Arizona Trail this spring, starting March 19 and I kept it and used it all the way to the end.

It is really very warm. When I put it on, it feels as warm as getting into my sleeping bag. I really think the super light fabric allows for instant warmth.

I did not wear it very much as an item of clothing. I was afraid of cat claw sneaking up and tearing it. I was always finding myself tangled in cat claw. Plus I was never that cold once I was moving.

What I primarily did with it was use it to stay warm in my sleeping bag. I have a warm sleeping bag but I always get cold in the early morning hours. I had a few very cold nights on the AZT, including nights where my water froze and I woke up covered in frost.

Because there is no zipper so you can’t open it flat I found the following ways to use it:

1. Cuddle with it inside my sleeping bag, or drape it on top of me inside my sleeping bag. This was often enough to add significant warmth.
2. Put the hood opening on my head and let the rest of it dangle around me. The hood stayed on surprisingly well like this.
3. Put the jacket on over my head and let the rest sit on my shoulders, maybe drape the sleeves over my torso. This kept any drafts coming in around my neck and added a lot of warmth.
4. Put the jacket on normal. This was the warmest option.

I could do similar things with it to sit around, too. Just hold it in my lap to stay warm, put it on over my head (looks dumb but it’s really warm), etc.

It is hard to put it on and take it off if you are wearing glasses.

If I had it to do over again I would buy one without a hood and purchase the Timmermade Waterbear hood thing separately. I ended up making a face covering with Apex and netting to sort of simulate the function of the Waterbear and it made all the difference on those frosty late winter nights cowboy camping in the desert.

Damn I miss the desert just thinking about this…

Because it’s so light and warm, my plan is to save it for backpacking and not use it in daily life, but I might wear it as a fashion item to impress my hiking friends from time-to-time.

I’m hoping Ryan Jordan when he has time will provide input / review on his new SUL .7 Sweater he planned to use during the Summer months.

AND…….. if there others out in the BPL Community that have or had a Timmermade Sweater, we would love to hear what you have to say about that product!!

Thanks to all who have responded as  Timmermade products are new to many of us.

I have the SDUL 1.5 in a vest with a hood.  I only use it when I’m stationary at camp and at 4.4 oz it replaced a Ghost Whisperer UL.  The Ghost is a joke next to this vest.  The Timmermade is so puffy and amazingly thick.

For SUL and SDUL owners re: sizing…

I recently purchased the Timmermade Alpha Direct 4004 hoody and after looking at the measurements ordered a Medium.  I was hesitant because the medium lists a chest of 50″ and mine is 45″ but Dan said the M was the best choice and it does fit nearly perfectly. For the SUL there will be no stretch so it seems getting the sizing right will be more critical. I’d like to have to option to add 2 insulation layers (AD and Airmesh) beneath the SUL.

How did you approach sizing?  Take actual body measurements and add some amount?

The sizing I’m going by body and past jacket actual measurements. Yes added some inches and I’m planning to ask Dan Timmerman for his input prior to final ordering.

Also I have emailed Ryan Jordan as he got a SUL 1.1 that he was trying for the first time this year for summer usage and was mentioned in the LIVE: The Gear Q&A (Spring ’23 Edition).  My previous knowledge I remember Ryan had a Ben at Goosefeet Custom Down Sweater that he thought was “the warmest sub-6 oz (170) insulated garment I’ve ever worn.”  I’m wondering how these two sweaters NOW compare, and why he went to a Timbermade Sweater?

To date after three sends and four weeks of no reply as I know he has be busy and probably doing a little hiking I hope this week he will answer my emails for me to finalize an order.

I’m wondering if any of you many BPL members have  and have used any of the SUL Down Sweaters (https://timmermade.com/product-category/clothing/) that could review your thoughts and feeling towards this down sweater as I’m surprised at the small numbers of replies have been made on this thread to date.

Timmermade ordering is currently closed.
Due to the volume of orders on our list and some staffing changes Timmermade ordering will be shut down for a period so that we can catch up.  We are looking towards a July re-opening so folks can gear up for winter and spring trips.</p>
If you have any questions please email timmermade@gmail.com

I like this in that there is not a zipper or hand warmer pockets. The increased baffle spacing makes sense.  Does anyone have the d for the SUL fabric?

I really don’t see a price for the arm extensions nor the hood but being long in the torso and arms in an XL or XXL I would need a body and arm extension in addition to the hood.  I think that might put the price of an SUL to about $350+.  It is something that is out of my price range.

Are there any other suggestions for decently priced wide baffled down jackets out there where most of the things can be chopped off?

Thank you.

Goosefeet Gear, but pricing might be comparable. I have a Goosefeet Gear jacket with a tall, thick collar, no hood, no pockets weighs 7oz with 4oz of 900 fill down. 8d shell and lining. It is a snug XL.  Baffle spacing looks similar to the vedt in this link: https://goosefeetgear.com/project/vest-removable-sleeves/

Ben’s baffles run in size from 3.5 – 4.5 in. from my measurement on two of his jackets.