What’s your favorite warm season insulating layer for western mountains?

“What’s your favorite warm season insulating layer for western mountains?”

Montbell fleece or synthetic insulation. Sorry I can’t help with womens hoodies. Check out Melanzana made in Colorado maybe.

The Patagonia R1Hoody is a solid mid layer tho’ likely heavier than the expedition weight capilene.

I have seen a bunch of people here talk about the Kuiu lightweight fleece hoodie..Peleton 97?

I have never used it, just saw some posts about it.

@pula58, it appears that’s a large men’s only brand and I am neither…

I guess it depends on your def. of warm. I the sierras during the summer my hiking shirt is something featherweight (2020 it was a Vroomi River Run Shirt).  I bring a Patagonia thermal weight hoody. I have found the thermal weight + windshirt keeps me comfortable as I am setting up camp to a below 40F at the end of day hiking provided I ate enough.  I am typically under my quilt before it drops below 40F.  The one time it did I use the quilt as a shawl.

When I expect it to go dip freezing in the middle of the night I have been happy with a cheap uniqlo vest, though my current insulation piece is a Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody.

I haven’t found any other quarter power grid I like as much as the thermal weight. I used to love the R1, but I just didn’t find it works as well as the the Thermal Weight version of PowerGrid. Of items approx the same weight and volume as the thermal weight: I have found that the Montbell chameece Fleece is approx the same warmth as the thermal weight (if you add a hat to make us for the lack of a hood) when I am static but no where near as good when active. I have also tried using a cashmere sweater which seems to be a bit warmer than the thermal weight but not as general versatile… and no were near as durable as the thermal weight.

I still like the Patagonia Cap 4/Thermal weight hoodies, but I also have a Macpac Nitro (Polartec Alpha) and though it’s hard to get, it’s worth a look.   It’s unlike anything I’ve ever used before.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/fs-the-macpac-nitro-is-back/

My standard torso layers here in the Montana summer backcountry are:

OR Echo 1/4 Zip T-neck.

Whatever Brand 1/4 zip 100 Wt T-neck.

Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody.

In the Cascades and Rockies, I’ve encountered sub freezing temps in all 12 months.  On one of my trips to Seven Devils, I think it got down to 15*f.

This may be where different approaches to insulation may vary.

If I’m hiking at 15*f, a silk weight base layer, a button down shirt, and a hard shell would be more than enough to keep me warm, possibly overheat.  The only time I would need more would be on breaks and camp where I’d throw on a down jacket, or to boost the warmth of my sleeping bag at night.  While I’d never wear it hiking, ounce for ounce they’re hard to beat.

If I understand that you’re looking for something to potentially wear while hiking, and the hood is absolutely required, then I’d probably look at the R1 pull over.  For a non-hooded option, I find 1/4 fleeces to be a dime a dozen and am still rocking a 7+ year old one from Cabellas that I bought for $25.  I only bring a fleece on trips where I think I’d wear it while moving.

You should look at the Patagonia R1 Hoody.

For fall, winter and early spring, it is my go to mid layer for the Sierra Nevada, worn over a light wool baselayer (Ibex Indy). It is very breathable. When it gets windy, I pull on a windshirt.

Cheers

It looks like the women’s thermal weight hoody is 3.8 0z Power Grid according to the Patagonia website. The Marmot Neothermo Hoody is also 3.8 oz Power Grid, but full zip.

I purchased an App Gear Co. Alpaca Hoodie, I am looking forward to using it as an outer layer on mild/cool days while hiking (I live on central coast Cali), and under my down puffy when in camp or resting on trail.

Currently I use a generic marmot full-zip fleece. It was inexpensive, and keeps me reasonably warm (sometimes too much) when in mild days (high 50s – low 60s). My current layers are: 100 weight merino LS tee (Forclaz brand from Decathlon), fleece, Cordillera 700FP down sweater. Most women I know run colder, so this may not be sufficient insulation for you. But it keeps me cozy, and it is inexpensive.

I’ve become quite fond of Patagonia Air Capilene as a mid-layer.  Made from  wool/synthetic combo. Much more breathable than Cap thermal weight so best to pair with wind jacket.  Same goes for anything made with Polartec Alpha.  The Air Cap has super snuggly feel and works great as sleep wear.  Available with or without hoody.

@ewh100, I have a Air cap hoodie and love it, but the durability will be a major concern since most of my trips involve a decent bit of off trail travel. If I knew I’d always have something on top of it, it would be a good option, but this layer often is my outer layer in cool, but not cold, conditions. I also prefer having at least a partial zip so I can regulate my temp a bit.

I’ll check out some of these other ideas…

If the durability of Cap Air is a concern, raw Polarguard Alpha wouldn’t cut it either.  It seems like the Thermal Cap Hoodie is what you want – too bad it’s out of stock.  Can your current one hold out one more season until fall while you look?

*Polartec Alpha not Polarguard

Really informative thread. That Macpac nitro looks like a nice piece.

I appreciate the idea of getting dual duty out of one piece still  I haven’t been able to find something warm enough for ‘rest’ that’s not too warm when moving/working.

I think I’d go as light as possible on the working/moving piece and get something easy to put on/off like a nice little vest for resting. Montbell makes some really nice and really light down layers. When it’s going to be freezing I love the down anorak.

Maybe something with a really open grid but also thicker and fluffy and covered with a shell for low intensity rest would work. Is that the idea with the nitro?

I appreciate the idea of getting dual duty out of one piece still  I haven’t been able to find something warm enough for ‘rest’ that’s not too warm when moving/working.

That’s why I carry the puffy in the top of my bag. I just pull it out quick when I stop. No big deal. The fleece and merino base are plenty warm enough while moving.

My system is-

Medium to high exertion, temps below 45F with some wind/breeze

Patagonia Sun Hoody

Kuiu Peloton 97 or Pat. R1 quarter zip.

Pat. Houdini depending on output/wind.

This combo can take me into 20s without decent output.

R1 breathes better but is more bulky and feels a bit more restrictive.

I sleep in the same clothes I hike in. I use a 20* quilt and if it’s going to be too cold for me to sleep warm with it (which is almost always) I will either bring a second quilt (45*) or I bring my homemade down baby-blanket which I made by reducing the size of a costco down quilt but keeping all the down in it. I also have a down hood to wear. The second quilts are both in the 10 oz range, which equals more warmth per ounce than bringing a down jacket or sleeping clothes or both.

Check the Patagonia website again, Piper.  I  just did, and the Capilene thermal weight hoody is in stock in sizes M-XL.  I’ve been using the mens version for years now for strenuous hiking in cool-cold conditions, in combo with a wind resistant layer if its very windy.  It is one of the most useful pieces of mountain clothing I have ever come across.  I do not use it up in the Sierra, however.  There I prefer a combo of a Montbell down shirt and a WM Flight vest, which has seen me through temperatures from the 40s down to the low 20s and occasional teens.

For summer backpacks here in Nevada and the Rockies I take my Eddie Bauer down jacket. It’s good by itself over a long sleeved shirt or layered under my eVent parka. If I’m hiking in shoulder seasons, especially fall, I also take an EB down vest that can be layered under the jacket.

A light fleece balaclava and soft-shell gloves complete my cold nights/cold mornings clothing. If it should colder than, say, 15 F. I think wearing all that under my parka (one size larger than normal) I am sure I’d easily survive as long as I am moving or in my TT Notch  tent and in my 20 F. WM mummy bag on my R 3.5 air mattress. I’ve listed specifics of my bag and mattress here to show I’ve planned to be comfortable in  unexpected cold weather.

It’s happened. Ex. 8,000 ft. valley south of Olancha Peak, PCT, late August. It was 26 F. one night and my WM mummy then was good to only 30 F. (This was before I had it factory overfilled.) So I put on all my clothes and cinched the hood down to a blowhole. I was just warm enough and that was with a 200 weight fleece vest, NOT my EB jacket. Aaaaarrrgggghh! After that I never forgot to take that down jacket in summer. And BTW, it got done to 16 F. that morning as we hiked out! Temperature verified by two thermometers.

Good news! On a whim I ordered the capilene thermal hoodie in XS and it fits! I’m very small so I usually have to default to the smallest size offered (in this case, they make it in XXS) but for this layer I don’t want it to be skin tight and the XS seems about right. So I think I’m good.

For kicks, I also ordered the R1 hoodie. It’s sort of tempting to keep that as well for shoulder season trips where I might want a little more insulation than the capilene, but it feels kind of bulky and the zipper is annoying at the neck (how could they overlook a chin protector??). So I might keep an eye out for an alternative to that, ideally something with a less exorbitant price tag. Was also considering getting the R1 crew, which could possibly be paired with the capilene for added insulation. I’m thinking those two layers combined might end up at about the same weight as the hoodie, but ease of layering is a concern. First world problems…

The R1 bothered the front of my neck also (mens version).