Active insulation layer

[goathunter]

I have the original Sitka ambient hoody and really like it but it is very warm, almost too warm for me to hike in most of the time. I really like the alpha kind of insulation, what lighter options are out there? I know there's the ambient 75 but what else?

 

[Shane802]

I would check out Outdoor Vitals hybrid fleece, I got mine last week and have not tried it yet. I think it should be great, there is a long thread about it that is worth checking out. Some people loved it and some thought it was not durable enough but worth a look either way.

 

[roosiebull]

I would check out Outdoor Vitals hybrid fleece, I got mine last week and have not tried it yet. I think it should be great, there is a long thread about it that is worth checking out. Some people loved it and some thought it was not durable enough but worth a look either way.

I love it, it’s about perfect for me, I have been wearing it a lot and has become my favorite hoodie. I will say, that style of insulation is worthless wet, when it gets wet it mats down and has no insulation qualities, but in any dry weather, it’s a great piece

 

[goathunter]

I would check out Outdoor Vitals hybrid fleece, I got mine last week and have not tried it yet. I think it should be great, there is a long thread about it that is worth checking out. Some people loved it and some thought it was not durable enough but worth a look either way.

Is it lightweight? I want to say the original Sitka ambient is a 150 weight so looking for something much lighter

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

I have the original Sitka ambient hoody and really like it but it is very warm, almost too warm for me to hike in most of the time. I really like the alpha kind of insulation, what lighter options are out there? I know there's the ambient 75 but what else?

Try a naked alpha direct hoody. Unless its very windy or cold, I cannot hike in an alpha direct garment that has a face fabric. I've used a Farpointe Alpha 60 and just ordered a Burgeon alpha direct 90 hoody. The Farpointe has been great for hiking, layering and sleeping in. They are also ridiculously light.

 

[jd1006]

I think the outdoor vitals hoody is worth looking at. It’s body-mapped and much lighter. Or if you can find a Sitka UL60 - which is the same thing as the outdoor vitals hoody just lighter weight and no alpha direct in the hood.

 

[K_pem]

The OV hoody or the Ambient UL60 is likely what you're looking for. I too have the Ambient 100 hooded jacket and quickly figured out that it is too warm to hike hard in with layers underneath unless it is REAL cold.

I have both the OV and the UL60, as @jd1006 mentioned the UL60 is very similar with slightly less Alpha insulation and more grid fleece (I actually would consider selling the UL60). I also have the Ambient 100 Vest and that way I can do just the vest, just the OV or both together for about the same weight as my Ambient hooded jacket alone but with way more versatility.

 

[goathunter]

I don't think they make the UL60 any more

 

[bojangles808]

I don't think they make the UL60 any more

yea the ul75 took its place but the UL60 is my preference too between the ambient 100 and ul60

 

[Hoodie]

Alpha direct and other insulation like it work best for active use without a shell layer on top. The Ambient has a shell fabric integrated. I'd recommend getting something like the Zpacks Octa hoodie or a plain alpha direct fleece from a cottage manufacturer, then putting a separate dedicated wind shell over it if you need to. Hunting companies don't always nail it with these sorts of things.

Alpha direct without a shell can be fragile, so if that's a concern I'd go with Octa.

 

[mtnbound]

I've given up on the active insulation hype; it might work for some, especially if you just wear it around town, but for me, I have yet to find one that actually works as advertised and doesn't get ripped or snagged on brush.

 

[mgmicky]

I recently bought the Beyond clothing version—for $50 I thought it was worth a try. I wore it on a hunt for the first time yesterday and really like it. I’m tall and skinny and the medium tall fits like it was custom made for me (I wish more companies would make a m/tall). I had a wind layer and a wool layer over that and was comfortable hiking in the Appalachian mountains. Temps in the low 40s with 20-30 mph winds. The material seem very fragile so I wouldn’t wear with without a layer over it.

 

[justinspicher]

I don’t hike very fast so I can usually wear a baselayer and a puffy jacket for most of the morning and not get very sweaty at all. If I have to get somewhere that requires effort, I’ll just have on a baselayer.

I’ve learned that for me to have specific pieces of clothing to wear causes the pack to get heavy.


I’ve also learned to just suffer so I do t have to carry as much.

 

[JoeK]

I've got a Rab alpha direct (no face fabric) might be called "flash" or something like that. If you want lightweight and able to handle high exertion there are LOTS of alpha direct hoodies out there for the ultralight hiker market. Some as light as 4-5oz. others twice that. Fragile is the main downside to these, and obviously wind but a separate wind layer and alpha direct with no face fabric is a good solution if the ambient is too warm for you during activity.

Have you thought about just adding a second "baselayer" like a 100series merino? I picked up some fishnets on ebay for an high activity baselayer and think for above freezing but cool temps with exertion either the alpha direct or a simple merino second layer should work pretty well.

 

[goathunter]

Ya I usually don't wear much than a base layer when hiking. It's when it gets really cold and you need another layer - I sweat it up bad and the alpha seemed like the answer. But the 100 or whatever I have is too heavy. Tough to beat the old fleece I guess. While on the subject, I'd like a "pack mapped" fleece with ultralight material on the pack and grid fleece everywhere else. Thanks for all the suggestions

 

[fngTony]

Ya I usually don't wear much than a base layer when hiking. It's when it gets really cold and you need another layer - I sweat it up bad and the alpha seemed like the answer. But the 100 or whatever I have is too heavy. Tough to beat the old fleece I guess. While on the subject, I'd like a "pack mapped" fleece with ultralight material on the pack and grid fleece everywhere else. Thanks for all the suggestions

I’ve been a huge fan of the OR deviator hoodie which is mapped alpha-ish insulation and grid fleece. Since I managed to ruin it I just bought a Rab Evaluate hoodie. The Evalute is primaloft evolve ( similar to Alpha as it doesn’t need an interior lining) with a breathable jersey face fabric. It is not mapped insulation however I found it to regulate body temperature as well as my old outdoor research hoodie did but it breathed better and it’s also a slimmer fit for layering. I actually did 7 miles with it under a hard shell today granted it was in the mid 30s with a high wind, but it never wet out and didn’t even feel damp once I took it off. Compared to say your average fleece It is definitely warmer and has better temperature regulation.

 

[goathunter]

I’ve been a huge fan of the OR deviator hoodie which is mapped alpha-ish insulation and grid fleece. Since I managed to ruin it I just bought a Rab Evaluate hoodie. The Evalute is primaloft evolve ( similar to Alpha as it doesn’t need an interior lining) with a breathable jersey face fabric. It is not mapped insulation however I found it to regulate body temperature as well as my old outdoor research hoodie did but it breathed better and it’s also a slimmer fit for layering. I actually did 7 miles with it under a hard shell today granted it was in the mid 30s with a high wind, but it never wet out and didn’t even feel damp once I took it off. Compared to say your average fleece It is definitely warmer and has better temperature regulation.

Those look pretty cool

 

[fngTony]

Those look pretty cool

Let me know if you have any other questions about sizing or anything between the two

 

[goathunter]

Let me know if you have any other questions about sizing or anything between the two

Thank you sir will do I appreciate it! I may be able to get my hands on one at REI locally. Sounds like you like the RAB better?

 

[fngTony]

Thank you sir will do I appreciate it! I may be able to get my hands on one at REI locally. Sounds like you like the RAB better?

For some applications, yes. For a higher output activity like sheep or goat hunting or mountaineering, peak bagging I like the Rab. Today’s hike was 7 miles rt with 1700ft of gain 35° with 30-60mph winds (a common thing I find myself in) and it was the most comfortable I’ve been, “comfortably cool”. Under the Rab was a cheap thin synthetic long sleeve and over it was a Goretex rain jacket, I left the pitzips open. I wouldn’t expect this combo to be ideal if stopped for long periods in nasty weather but that’s what a puffy is for.

The OR has a better weather resistant material and a little warmer. A couple weeks ago I wore it in almost identical conditions to the above and got a little sweaty. Still much better than a light insulation or fleece would have done, the Rab was just a touch better. Deer & elk hunting where I’m not moving as hard for as long I would lean towards the OR. They’re close in most aspects. Rab for breathability and pack size, they both weigh 13 point something ounces in size XL.