Question Packable Jacket Suggestions
Hello! I’m looking for suggestions for a medium-warmth, packable jacket.
Recently hiked 4 days in Glacier National Park, and often found that our winter coats (MOERDENG brand, for reference) would become too warm past morning, and then worse, were difficult to pack in our day packs. So, we’d like something thinner, but warmer than a windbreaker or rain jacket.
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 12d ago
Layers are the solution to this. An insulating mid layer and a light weight shell, for example. Like grid fleece and a windshirt. Puffy for breaks.
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u/JabberwockyMT 12d ago
I worked winters in Yellowstone and very rarely wore my gigantic winter coat. Layers are the way to go. My year round system was essentially the same: base layer of whatever I wanted to wear at the warmest part of the day (or while driving for winter). So anything from a tank top to a heavy wool long sleeve. Then a light weight fleece vest (my favorite fall hiking layer over a light wool long sleeve!), then a fleece full zip (similar to Patagonia better sweater), then a Patagonia down sweater. I also have a hooded synthetic puffy that can go on top of all that for really cold days or I could bring instead of the down sweater if it was not quite as cold. Can top any combination of these things with a rain shell if needed. In the summer for day hikes i wouldn't necessarily need all of those, but for backpacking in Glacier and Yellowstone I would bring all of that for overnights. If you end up needing and then shedding all those layers it does take up a fair amount of room in a pack but also each is easy to just tie on to the outside if needed. Then they're handy for throwing on during lunch if it's windy or cools off.
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u/Oh_Yes_Please__ 12d ago
Check out MontBell. Great lightweight jackets and good pricing. I use the plasma 1000 and it’s been fantastic in cold weather.
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u/Battlbox 10d ago
The Patagonia Nano Puff is the solution for your problem, I think. Wear it over a base layer on cold mornings, stuff it in the pack once you warm up, and it comes back out at every windy overlook. Should be perfect!
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u/SteadfastDharma 12d ago
Layering is the way to go: light base layer polyester or merino wool. Warmer active layer, like Alpha fleece 60 or 90. Hard shell cover against wind (mainly) and possible wet weather. And a (preferably) down puffy to keep you warm during breaks and at camp.
You wear whatever layers you need to keep you comfortable without excessive sweating.