Non-fleecy windproof fleeces - lightweight, pack down small etc

Peewiglet said:

Has anyone tried the non-fleecy windproof fleeces?

I'm not really a fan. Compared to a "normal" fleece they're quite a bit
heavier and more expensive, and they have a slightly "cardy" feel to
them (bit stiffer to wear). Though they will keep out drizzle and
driech for longer than most non-waterproofs (often all you need in a
light shower), if they /do/ soak through then they're freezing cold and
take forever and a day and then some to dry, as the windproof laminate
doesn't let the water out. I find them a bit over-hot a lot of the
time, but then I tend to run hot and if you run cold that might be a
good thing.
In cold and dry conditions they're great. But this is the UK!

Quoted message said:

I need a new fleece/fleece replacement - my favourites appear to have
been worn to death. I was wondering about getting one of these, but
would be curious to know what others may think of them.

I like Karisma fleece (what ME call Ultrafleece, but the ME u-fleece
jackets have been discontinued now). Relatively hard to come by these
days, but small manufacturers like Mardale (http://www.mardale.co.uk)
still use it, and I think Montane do as well (they call it something
else just to be awkward). It's a fine, dense weave and though it isn't
windproof it's a lot /more/ windproof than conventional fleece, and
lighter, tougher, more breathable, smaller packing, cheaper and faster
drying than windproof sandwich fleeces.

Another way to go is a "soft shell", which translates as a microfleece
with a ripstop outer. Pretty much windproof and lighter and more
breathable than the sandwich fleeces, should pack down smaller too, and
they dry out much quicker. Downside is that if you're climbing or doing
lots of rough scrambling the outer isn't really the sort of thing that
will last being scraped over sharp edges on a regular basis. But if
you're not doing body james much, not an issue.

I use an ME Microtherm jacket, which has zip-off sleeves to convert it
into a vest which I find quite handy. It packs down smaller than most
fleeces, and is at least as light.
http://www.magic-mountain.co.uk/index_files/page0002.htm shows ME's
factory shop has a few at $40 at the mo: call up and see what sizes.
The pull on (a few at £30) is a bit lighter but doesn't have the zip-off
sleeves.

The "soft shells" are just everyone finally catching onto what Buffalo
have been making for years, though with much thinner fleece rather than
the much warmer pile in a typical Buffalo. But if you want to be Mucho
Toasty[1] then a Buffalo (or similar) is worth a look. They've been
warm and windproof for years and years!

Pete.

[1] I don't like Buffalos as I practically melt in them, but folk that
feel cold a lot would get on with them much better
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Wed, 04 Aug 2004 08:37:23 +0100, Steve Orrell wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

doopeedoopeedoopadoopdoop:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/windstopper_W0QQsalocatedincountryZ3

Wow! Thanks v. much! It hadn't occurred to me to look there. I'm not
sure why...

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Peter Clinch said:

Peewiglet said:

Has anyone tried the non-fleecy windproof fleeces?

I'm not really a fan. Compared to a "normal" fleece they're quite a bit
heavier and more expensive, and they have a slightly "cardy" feel to
them (bit stiffer to wear). Though they will keep out drizzle and
driech for longer than most non-waterproofs (often all you need in a
light shower), if they /do/ soak through then they're freezing cold and
take forever and a day and then some to dry, as the windproof laminate
doesn't let the water out. I find them a bit over-hot a lot of the
time, but then I tend to run hot and if you run cold that might be a
good thing.
In cold and dry conditions they're great. But this is the UK!

That was extremely useful - thank you v. much. I think on that basis
I've crossed them off my list of desirable items - heavy, slightly
uncomfy and slow to dry are qualities at the opposite end of the
spectrum from those I'm looking for. Just in the nick of time, too:
I'm planning an assault on Cotswold tomorrow :-)

[...]

Quoted message said:

Another way to go is a "soft shell", which translates as a microfleece
with a ripstop outer. Pretty much windproof and lighter and more
breathable than the sandwich fleeces, should pack down smaller too, and
they dry out much quicker.

I think I've got one of those, or perhaps a forerunner, by Climbing 4.
I bought it some years ago, and it's really nice. The fleece layer is
very thin, and I've not used it much for walking, but it sounds like
the same sort of thing.

Quoted message said:

Downside is that if you're climbing or doing
lots of rough scrambling the outer isn't really the sort of thing that
will last being scraped over sharp edges on a regular basis. But if
you're not doing body james much, not an issue.

No problem - I'm not likely to be doing much of that. Not on this
trip, anyway.

Quoted message said:

I use an ME Microtherm jacket, which has zip-off sleeves to convert it
into a vest which I find quite handy. It packs down smaller than most
fleeces, and is at least as light.
http://www.magic-mountain.co.uk/index_files/page0002.htm shows ME's
factory shop has a few at $40 at the mo: call up and see what sizes.
The pull on (a few at £30) is a bit lighter but doesn't have the zip-off
sleeves.

Great link - thanks v. much: I'll ring them tomorrow :-) I
particularly like the idea of being able to unzip the sleeves.

Quoted message said:

The "soft shells" are just everyone finally catching onto what Buffalo
have been making for years, though with much thinner fleece rather than
the much warmer pile in a typical Buffalo. But if you want to be Mucho
Toasty[1] then a Buffalo (or similar) is worth a look. They've been
warm and windproof for years and years!

I've often gazed at them in the shops, but it seems to have been such
a different sort of system that I've never been brave enough to take
the plunge 🙂

Just out of interest, what d'you think of Paramo?

Quoted message said:

Pete.

[1] I don't like Buffalos as I practically melt in them, but folk that
feel cold a lot would get on with them much better

I tend to be hot rather than cold when I'm actually moving, so sounds
as though they'd be too hot for me.

Thanks again - it's much appreciated :-)

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Peewiglet said:

Just out of interest, what d'you think of Paramo?

Quoted message said:

I tend to be hot rather than cold when I'm actually moving, so sounds
as though they'd be too hot for me.

I had one of the very fist Paramo waterproofs, but though it really does
do pretty much what it says on the tin I eventually gave it to a pal
because I found I got far too hot in it in all but very cold conditions,
and even then I'd cook a bit on the move.
I tried their "3rd Element" jacket a couple of years ago on a "try
before you buy" scheme which Paramo say is fine in temperatures up to
25C, but wandering up the wee Buchaille on a cool (about 10C) but humid
day I just /had/ to take it off before I melted.
Friends who don't "run hot" have and really like them, but I just don't
get on with them. Shame really, as they're very breathable and you
don't have to worry about the seam taping going ('cause they don't use
or need seam tape) or small punctures.

Having said that, I like their directional shirts a great deal and
probably use them more than any other shirt now, cycling, ski touring
and paddling as well as walking. They're warm one way around, and
cooler if you turn them inside out. Works quite well.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

On Wed, 04 Aug 2004 09:45:05 +0100, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

I use an ME Microtherm jacket, which has zip-off sleeves to convert it
into a vest which I find quite handy. It packs down smaller than most
fleeces, and is at least as light.
http://www.magic-mountain.co.uk/index_files/page0002.htm shows ME's
factory shop has a few at $40 at the mo: call up and see what sizes.
The pull on (a few at £30) is a bit lighter but doesn't have the zip-off
sleeves.

I've just ordered one in black - thanks again v. much for the tip.

The customer service was outstanding too. When I rang, the woman who
took my order thought there was only last year's model available. That
wasn't a problem and I ordered it. However, she rang minutes later to
say that she'd been to the rack to take it down (for delivery to me
tomorrow!) and found that there was also one in this year's model,
which apparently has elasticated panels under the arms for enhanced
ease of movement. She likes it better, so rang to offer it to me. Most
impressive, I thought :-)

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Peewiglet said:

I've just ordered one in black - thanks again v. much for the tip.

Mine's a black one. One negative aspect of it is that since I'm a
reasonably solidly built slaphead with a #0 haircut I do look rather
like a nightclub bouncer in it if the sleeves are on. People meeting me
on summits expect to get told they're not allowed up to the cairn...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Mine's a black one. One negative aspect of it is that since I'm a
reasonably solidly built slaphead with a #0 haircut I do look rather
like a nightclub bouncer in it if the sleeves are on. People meeting me
on summits expect to get told they're not allowed up to the cairn...

However, the Tevas do spoil the effect a bit 😉

Roos

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 13:53:03 +0100, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Mine's a black one. One negative aspect of it is that since I'm a
reasonably solidly built slaphead with a #0 haircut I do look rather
like a nightclub bouncer in it if the sleeves are on. People meeting me
on summits expect to get told they're not allowed up to the cairn...

Lol! :-) I'll have to practise my hard stare :-)

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 13:53:03 +0100, Peter Clinch
<[email hidden]> wrote:

[...]

Quoted message said:

Mine's a black one. One negative aspect of it is that since I'm a
reasonably solidly built slaphead with a #0 haircut I do look rather
like a nightclub bouncer in it if the sleeves are on. People meeting me
on summits expect to get told they're not allowed up to the cairn...

Lol! :-) I'll have to practise my hard stare :-)

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

In article <[email hidden]>, Peewiglet
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

need a new fleece/fleece replacement - my favourites appear to have
been worn to death. I was wondering about getting one of these, but
would be curious to know what others may think of them.

Thanks for any help :-)

Vry late joining this thread, but I have a TENSON windproof "fleece" -
Anyone know about this firm. The fleece is excellent BTW.
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk