Best climbing puffies?
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Alright all you gear guys and gals, let's hear your recommendations for the best puffy jackets for climbing purposes. I don't buy new stuff very often so it would be nice to get some advice. It's gotta be warm, fairly low profile, be nice if it packs into its own pocket, and has a hood. I've had the same puffy going on 20 years and it's time to upgrade. What do you like? |
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Patagonia Nano Puff fits the bill. |
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Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. |
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How warm are we talking? A mid layer or a belay puffy? Ice or rock? Down or synthetic? |
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The North Face Summit Series L3 Down Hoodie |
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Cerium LT. Only a couple of ounces heavier than the Ghost Whisperer and substantially warmer. Also has a hood cinch. Anything that doesn't will drive you even madder on a windy day. |
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Andrewww wrote: How warm are we talking? A mid layer or a belay puffy? Ice or rock? Down or synthetic? The only belay puffy that I know of that can stuff into it's own pocket is the Outdoor Research Perch Belay Parka. All other belay parkas have a separate sack https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/mens-perch-belay-parka/p/2448080001005 Ice climbers know a thing or two about staying warm in all those long, stationary stretches when their partner is leading a pitch. We made the Perch Belay Parka for them (and for anyone who wants water-resistant warmth while, say, grilling burgers in a ski resort parking lot in February). A Pertex® Endurance shell pumped full of down-like PrimaLoft® Gold, designed to fit over all your other layers. It also stuffs into the big interior pocket in the back so it can clip to your harness while you lead the next pitch—or be used as a pillow. |
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Paul Morrison wrote: Cerium LT. Only a couple of ounces heavier than the Ghost Whisperer and substantially warmer. Also has a hood cinch. Anything that doesn't will drive you even madder on a windy day. I don't think the Cerium LT can stuff into it's own pocket, and it requires a separate stuff sack, but I could be wrong. |
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If you’re not hanging it off a harness, packing a puffy into its hood is nicer on the materials and faster to do, I wouldn’t rule anything out because it doesn’t have a stuff pocket |
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patagonia nano air or nano puff is great |
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Whichever one from one of the competent brands that is on biggest sale. A BD Access I got for $110 has been serving me adequately this season. It’s pretty no frills, but it does the job and I don’t worry about trashing it. |
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Buy in July. |
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There is no "best". I have 6 jackets that meet my needs for belay jackets. Each has their merits, bit not one of them can do it all under all conditions. |
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Rab Xenon X |
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Really depends on what you want jacket/parka, insulation weight and body type. |
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Eddie Bauer First Ascent Microtherm 2.0 StormDown Hooded Jacket. I’ve climbed in the non-hooded previous version for at least 6 years. One small tear from years ago. It’s held up wonderfully. I think it fits all your feature requests and it’s budget friendly when on sale. |
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Same question, but for a woman? |
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Rab neutrino- warm, durable, hood fits a helmet really well. I like that there is insulation fully to the top of the zipper, keeps your neck warm. It's a coat that can handle legitimate cold, without being too bulky. |
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M.H stretch down RS hooded. I wear mine climbing camping skiing. It’s very warm and compressible. -6 a few weeks ago in Telluride riding the lift with a breeze, only a base layer and this jacket I was warm! It’s climbs well to not as small as the ghost but I think its much warmer. |
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Thanks for the suggestions! Gives me a good place to start. Looks like I still have a fair amount of research to do on specific jackets not to mention trying to find a good deal. |
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I’ve been really really happy with my BD cold forge puffy. The top of the collar has soft fleece and also in the pockets. 70% down 30% primaloft i think. Jacket is going on 4 years now. Only gripe i have is that it doesn’t have 2 main zippers to make belaying easier. |