OR Uberlayer or Cathode Jacket?!

Anyone have experience with either jacket? Wondering which to purchase for New England winters ice/alpine pursuits/belay...
Thanks,
Aaron

No experience with Cathode but the Uberlayer is going to be similar to the Rab Strata and Pata Nano Air. Definitely not a belay layer. I wore the Nano Air over an R1 on an alpine ice/mixed route this past weekend. High winds, low 30's, and got pounded by spindrift. I stayed warm and dry while moving. Heavier parka was needed of course while belaying. New England winter is a different beast than the Rockies though so YMMV.

If you wear a small or a large, DAS parkas are on sale on the patagonia website right now for the same price.

I don't own either, but I work in a shop that sells both and am familiar with both pieces. The cathode is a light synthetically insulated piece designed to maximize breathability and keep you warm without getting wet. It's a great second layer to wear over a base layer. On cold days, there is absolutely the potential to need another layer along with the cathode and a shell. The super-layer is a fantastic piece. It's designed to be your third layer. Typically worn over a base layer and fleece, but under a shell. It's an awesome, light, breathable and warm layer that any ice climber would benefit from. The super layer may be too warm for some days. Hopefully that helps clear things up. In theory, you could wear both of these at once. I have tried them on in this way and they do layer well

thanks for the replies, I appreciate any help.

I have the Cathode but not the Uberlayer. (The Superlayer seems similar but not the same as the Uberlayer).

The Cathode is basically a Nano-Puff with light softshell panels under the sleeves and on the sides. So it breathes better but isn't as warm. Same light insulation where it is insulated. The stretch panels give it great mobility, but the wind can cut through them when it is blowing. It is a really well done light synthetic jacket. Stuffs into a pocket with a clip loop as well, and has drop in pockets inside which is a nice touch. Not all that warm though - for New England Winters I imagine you would want something warmer.

The Uberlayer seems to be OR's answer to the Nano-Air, although it has 98g/m2 polartec Alpha while the Nano Air has 60 g/m2 fullrange. So the Uberlayer is probably about 1/3 warmer and about 1/3 heavier than the Nano-Air, and probably doesn't breath quite as well - but would be more appropriate in colder weather. None of them are really ideal for belaying, they are more geared towards active use as the wind will cut through all of them without a shell on top.