Active insulation layer

[USMC2378]

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

How is this outdoors vitals hybrid fleece compared to something like the Peckham USMC Polartec 1/2 zip in terms of comparable warmth does anyone have any experience with both? They weight about the same I believe my Peckham is about 10 oz in a small size and got it for under $10 at a yard sale.

 

[Bearsears]

If you can find the old Kelvin active hoody (the short sleeve one) Its not quite as warm and I can hike in it.

 

[wnelson14]

Anyone tried on of these out? looks decent, I have some Kuhl peices and love them all.

Reactiv™ Grid Full Zip Hoody in Men's Fleece | KÜHL Clothing

M's Reactiv Grid FZ Hoody

www.kuhl.com

 

[cuerro viejo]

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?

Go w/ 75 hoodie or outdoor vitals. The outdoor vitals pursuit hoodie hybrid is essentially the same thing with more color options. Nothing in that insulation range that breathes as well

 

[USMC2378]

How is this outdoors vitals hybrid fleece compared to something like the Peckham USMC Polartec 1/2 zip in terms of comparable warmth does anyone have any experience with both? They weight about the same I believe my Peckham is about 10 oz in a small size and got it for under $10 at a yard sale.

Polartec Classic 100material, which is a lightweight polyester fleece

 

[bonepoint]

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.

I tend to agree with this. I am going back to a tightly woven, button up wool shirt, which I have used for active cold weather chukar hunting for 20+ years in temps from 35-0F. I have just found it to provide the best combination of warmth and breathability when I am grinding up a mountain and moving. The loose knit sweater type wools don't protect well enough against wind or rain, but fine otherwise. Fleece just doesn't breath enough - same with a lot of the other options.

I will pull out the Kuiu Guide jacket, a puffy, or a rain jacket when conditions require, but I think a good wool shirt is best for active wear in moderate to colder weather. Other options best if raining or not moving fast enough to sweat, or if there is a real cold wind.

 

[Shane802]

I tend to agree with this. I am going back to a tightly woven, button up wool shirt, which I have used for active cold weather chukar hunting for 20+ years in temps from 35-0F. I have just found it to provide the best combination of warmth and breathability when I am grinding up a mountain and moving. The loose knit sweater type wools don't protect well enough against wind or rain, but fine otherwise. Fleece just doesn't breath enough - same with a lot of the other options.

I will pull out the Kuiu Guide jacket, a puffy, or a rain jacket when conditions require, but I think a good wool shirt is best for active wear in moderate to colder weather. Other options best if raining or not moving fast enough to sweat, or if there is a real cold wind.

What wool shirt do you use?

 

[thegrouse]

I have a Senchi Polartech Alpha direct and a Patagonia R1. If I am really getting after it I wear the Senchi, but it is so delicate I worry about ripping it. The R1 is one of my favorite pieces of gear, but it can get warm if I am climbing too much and there isn't much wind

 

[walnutbottomout]

What temps are you hiking in? Mid September western hunts the kuiu peloton 240 has worked perfect for me. Not much as far as insulation goes but works well while hiking and doesn’t snag bad at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[greyghostnw]

Ive been digging the Mountain Hardware kore air shell warm hoody, its 11 oz… also as others have suggested the OV pursuit hybrid fleece has become a favorite.

 

[mtnbound]

I tend to agree with this. I am going back to a tightly woven, button up wool shirt, which I have used for active cold weather chukar hunting for 20+ years in temps from 35-0F. I have just found it to provide the best combination of warmth and breathability when I am grinding up a mountain and moving. The loose knit sweater type wools don't protect well enough against wind or rain, but fine otherwise. Fleece just doesn't breath enough - same with a lot of the other options.

I will pull out the Kuiu Guide jacket, a puffy, or a rain jacket when conditions require, but I think a good wool shirt is best for active wear in moderate to colder weather. Other options best if raining or not moving fast enough to sweat, or if there is a real cold wind.

I agree, I also use button up wool shirts over my base layer. For me this is the best option for below 50 degrees that I have found.

 

[mtnbound]

What wool shirt do you use?

I use the Cabelas branded ones.

 

[AK_cowboy]

like others have said, a naked alpha direct layer is a great active insulation layer and if you stop for a break or if it’s to windy you can throw a rain jacket over to trap your built up heat.
One of my favorite layers is my duckworth powder hoodie. It is a medium weight wool hoodie but it breaths very well. I feel like I have had many multi day hunts where I haven’t taken that layer off for the whole trip.

 

[Oregonhuntrboi]

like others have said, a naked alpha direct layer is a great active insulation layer and if you stop for a break or if it’s to windy you can throw a rain jacket over to trap your built up heat.
One of my favorite layers is my duckworth powder hoodie. It is a medium weight wool hoodie but it breaths very well. I feel like I have had many multi day hunts where I haven’t taken that layer off for the whole trip.

I’ve tried the naked insulator before, I’ve found it’s just too fragile to wear alone and anytime I threw a wind shell or pack on over the top it would pull the threads…I’ll have to look into the wool hoodie you recommended. I’ve struggled to find a good mid layer that doesn’t over heat me.

 

[camelcluch]

I have the sitka ambient and GoHunt. I like both but the GoHunt fit is more enjoyable.

 

[MThuntrrr]

I have the ambient 100 and Rab evolute. Agree with the above poster mentioning being disappointed with the hype. Both of these pieces were a slight improvement over numerous other fleece hoodies I’ve had in the past. I’ve only had them a couple years, but durability doesn’t seem great and than they’re much more expensive than other fleece options. I only typically wear them in open country due to the snagging/durability issues, but that also typically means windy conditions here in MT and they provide almost zero wind resistance. I’ll give the OV a shot when these wear out