Insulated Smock Advice Please!

[sharpshooter25]

I am looking to get a insulated smock for lazing around camp or general wear in colder weather.
Some i have considered are:

Keela belay smock
Snugpak softie elite shirt

The keela is apealing to me more at the moment because of the Primaloft insulation and the zips that run from the wait up untill under the arms, for me good ventilation is key as i walk on the warm side.
I am looking mostly at synthetic insulation because of the lighter weight and function when wet.

Thanks for reading,
Dan

[Limaed]

I doubt there's much between them warmth wise so chose the one with the features you like. I've used both Keela & Snugpak both are good brands although Snugpak would be my preference. I got a Snugpak Sasquatch for very cold conditions as I like to have the hood but the Softie is good too.

Don't forget some of the Buffalo gear also, you'll be likely still using it in twenty years: http://www.buffalosystems.co.uk/DP_System_thumbs.htm

[mrcharly]

If I were after something that I wanted to wear in damp, cold weather, when it was muddy, when it was snowy, around the fire afterwards - buffalo all the way.

I have a buffalo bag and a Montane pertex and pile jacket. The warmth is incredible and they stand up to really hard wear. If the pertex gets burn holes or ripped - it really doesn't matter, roughly patch it up and carry on.

[rik_uk3]

Army softie jacket, great mid layer, ideal for UK winters, perfect under a waterproof outer shell and won't break the bank.

[Shewie]

Another vote for a Buffalo or Montane Extreme

[The Lord Poncho]

Army softie jacket, great mid layer, ideal for UK winters, perfect under a waterproof outer shell and won't break the bank.

I was going to suggest that, but stopped myself as I (perhaps wrongly) inferred that the OP was planning also to use it to also walk with. In anything other than absolute arctic weather the softie jackets are too warm for moveing in and can't be ventilated in such as practical manner as can the buffalo type. Smashing bit of kit for static wear though!

[swotty]

+1 for the Buffalo

[kiltedpict]

Another vote for a Buffalo or Montane Extreme

Having tried on the xxl Montane Extreme it was just the smallest bit too tight so can't wait till autumn and get one to fit my (hopefully) reduced torso! (although would be happy with the Buffalo too)

[garethw]

Sorry double post

[garethw]

Trakker Pertex sweat shirt... decent quality, a Montane clone.. (some say quality is as good)..
Only £45 too at : http://www.climaxtackle.com/mm5/merc...w=&range_high=

I've been very satisfied with mine...Oh you probably need a size bigger than normal as these are designed to be worn either next to the skin or over T shirt... If you want as a smock over say a micro fleece, a size bigger is required.
cheers
Gareth

[pauljm116]

I've got a Snugpak softie elite shirt and used it most days last winter (I wore it under a sweidish army parka on the very cold days or a goretex jacket) and found it very comfortable and warm. Warm enough for most days but nice and comfortable enough to use as a layer under a jacket too.

[quietone]

I have a montane extreme smock, and cant fault it really. I tend to use it with a wicking base layer underneath, although it is designed to be worn next to skin. Either way is fine I think. It is a quality smock, very well made, and toasty warm. The hood is worth a mention as its possibly the best one I've ever come across on a smock or jacket. I have used it on its own as a hat too. The montane is also cheaper than the other alternatives.

[sharpshooter25]

After alot of reasearch i have narrowed it down to
Keela belay over the head smock - light wieght and packable=BIG plus for me-MAIN CHOICE at this moment in time

Montane extreme smock - loved by basicly everyone, but the weight is putting me of a bit as will be in pack about 70% of the time
Montane resolute smock - seems tougher than the extreme, and i am tough on gear so tough = big plus, but also rather heavy

but for me the pile jackets just seem to heavy for me because they will not be worn all the time and spend most of the time in a pack or put on in camp.
Another use for this jacket would be when i am bivvying with issue bivi bag and tarp on dartmoor, when i do this i am hoping to simply take a lightweight synthetic sleeping bag and a warm jacket to see me though the nights (i will be sleeping on a thermarest z lite so i dont need to worry about contact on the groud)
Thanks for reading
Dan.

[The Lord Poncho]

Another use for this jacket would be when i am bivvying with issue bivi bag and tarp on dartmoor, when i do this i am hoping to simply take a lightweight synthetic sleeping bag and a warm jacket to see me though the nights (i will be sleeping on a thermarest z lite so i dont need to worry about contact on the groud)
Thanks for reading
Dan.

That's what I do with my issue softie jacket- I use a slightly cooler (and lighter) bag, and throw the jacket on mainly for evenings and sleeping in. I might be wrong here, but for warmth to weight ratio I'm pretty sure a good quuality synthetic insulation like that used in snugpak products etc is a touch better than fibre pile. Where the latter excels is on durability and warmth (and comfort) when wet.

[udamiano]

just as a point, about using it around the fire, I've seen loads of really expensive and excellent jackets used around the fire, and the fire gods greeted these with a stray spark, and now they are still excellent jacket with the inclusion of a hole... I tend to use a jacket that has a fireproof outer or wrap myself in a canvas poncho... just thought it was worth a mention, as I would hate to see another proud owner of a descent jacket, not happy because it got holed over a weekend.

[Medicineman4040]

Is this thread still active? Anyway this is another 'anorak' as we call them on this side of the pond on the market:
http://brooks-range.com/cirro-anorak-hoody.html
Probably still too warm to hike/tramp much in. An American company but they took the great idea of using Pertex on the outside from you guys! I'd still keep it under a shell I think. I found it looking for synthetic insulation layer to wear under a Hilltrek Smock (another great idea from your side of the pond). Looking at the BrooksRange Cirro it looks to have baffling similar to a Patagonia nano-puff which isn't a whole lot. Just wanted to make you aware.

[para106]

+1 for the Trakker. Excellent piece of kit for the money. Warm & well made. I've a medium & I reckon it's about a 42" chest at least.