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Recommendation: durable outer layer

Original Post
M Bageant · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 70

This fall I wore a Nanopuff and a Marmot puffy a few times to climb in (I'm always cold!!!), and ended up with a bunch of snags on the jackets which required patching.

I'm looking for recommendations for a durable and abrasion-resistant but stretchy outer layer that could be worn over a Nanopuff.

I have a super durable Adidas Outdoor "Women's Hiking Fleece" from when they first started making their outdoor line, but it has the freedom of movement of a straitjacket. It got me thinking that a different burly but stretchy fleece might be a good place to start. I was looking at the Patagonia Adze (on sale) after I tried a Piton Hybrid Hoody and wasn't enamored with it.

I'm also not above wearing a cheapo offbrand something if it gets the job done.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks guys! Some super great recommendations here. Compiling a short list here for anyone who references this thread for similar info in the future:
OR Ferrosi Softshell
Patagonia Piton
Black Diamond BDV (wish they made this for women! :P)
Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody

Kyle Tarry · · Portland, OR · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 448

OR Ferrosi softshell! Thin, light, stretchy, adds a bit of warmth, takes a pretty good beating on the rocks.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,702
Kyle Tarry wrote:OR Ferrosi softshell! Thin, light, stretchy, adds a bit of warmth, takes a pretty good beating on the rocks.

Second vote for Ferrosi. Pricey but incredibly tough for its weight. And good DWR as well.

Matt Carroll · · Van · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 271

I've been wearing a Patagonia piton quite a bit and really like it. It's a little bit of added warmth, and it has stood up to pretty consistent abuse.

Gavin W · · NW WA · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 181

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/b.d.v.-hoody-APBL6T_cfg.html#start=1
Mine becomes my second skin when it gets windy, and I can fit my Access LT (similar to Arcteryx Atom LT) underneath it no problem.

T340 · · Idaho · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 5

Patagonia's Piton is good. Even better, IMO is Pats. Knifeblade or Northwall. Both really abrasion resistant. The rub is that the knot heads at Patagonia discontinued both jackets... Might be worth looking online for a used one!

Tobin Story · · Woodinville, WA · Joined Feb 2010 · Points: 35

Another vote for OR Ferrosi. They are often on sale on Steep and Cheap or Sierra Trading post for 40% off or more. I wear mine for basically everything in the mountains, and it can take a beating. Note that it is not insulated at all, but does block wind, which will help keep you warmer.

On a related note, I can't imagine climbing in both a Nanopuff and a down puff in anything other than sub-zero conditions.... are you wearing too much insulation and sweating out one of your layers, which is then contributing to you being cold?

Max Forbes · · Colorado · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 108

Check out stuff made with the fabric schoeller, like the BD alpine start hoody. Stretchy but very abrasion resistant.

Luc Ried · · Batesville, AR · Joined Mar 2014 · Points: 440

Another vote for BD BDV

AlpineIce · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 255

+1 for the Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody. Check out the B.V.D. Jacket as well. Schoeller material is wicked durable and super stretchy.

M Bageant · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Apr 2014 · Points: 70
Tobin Story wrote:On a related note, I can't imagine climbing in both a Nanopuff and a down puff in anything other than sub-zero conditions.... are you wearing too much insulation and sweating out one of your layers, which is then contributing to you being cold?

I tend to run cold, but it was a few days of mostly belaying/waiting for other parties in ~40°F cloudy shade and wind at the (rarely uncrowded) Gunks that froze me. I definitely got warm after my leads but I didn't even sweat out my baselayers. I was wearing a long sleeve poly shirt, a thin baselayer fleece, a Nanopuff, and a Marmot with 4oz of down fill at the time.

I'm thinking one of these burly softshells, like the Alpine Start Hoody or OR Ferrosi, would be a good choice to wear over my Nanopuff or equivalent; and I don't yet own a breathable softshell. I wish there was a women's equivalent of the BDV...I'm just too small to wear the men's.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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