“Active insulation” midlayer

[satchamo]

I got a lot of midlayers that do one thing good and about 10 things not good and I’m trying to consolidate and simplify my setup. I always wear a wool top next to skin to keep the funk away tho I don’t love it and usually have a combo of a grid fleece and/or a soft shell then pull the puffy when I stop.

Basically I want something that I can hike in without getting burnt out of but also something significant enough to act as a solid insulating layer. I realize this is a tall order and nothing will do it perfectly.

I’m looking for something to replace that grid fleece/soft shell and I’m seeing a lot about the Sitka ambient, first lite navigator, and the OV grid fleece. I’m currently leaning towards the navigator simply because I get a discount on FL but not sure I love that it’s not full zip.

Between these 3 what does everyone like? And is there something else I should consider?

 

[BigAl!]

Sitka Ambient out of the three you listed. I love the Duckworth Powder Hoody too.

 

[ChrisAU]

Sitka Arrowhead is having a 30% off sale for the 4th of July, my MDWi is still my favorite active insulation piece because it is full zip and has hand pockets.

 

[Laelkhunter]

BigAl! beat me to it. Sitka Ambient is the most versatile piece of hunting clothing I own. It could actually be used as a base layer in extreme cold, a mid layer in kinda cold weather, or an outer layer in cool weather. Breathes really well, and water repellent if it starts raining.

 

[satchamo]

Sitka Arrowhead is having a 30% off sale for the 4th of July, my MDWi is still my favorite active insulation piece because it is full zip and has hand pockets.

How is the sleeve/torso length? I’m 6’4” and usually run tall sizes.

 

[nubraskan]

The gohunt atmosphere seems like it may check the boxes. It's very similar to the ambient, just a different shell material that's a little more resilient and less stretchy. Still very lightweight and breathable

 

[jonnyviceroy]

I’ve only used the OV, and the ambient (the original, 60 UL and the newer 75) Sitka was noticeably better in quality and durability for me. I was pretty unimpressed with the OV and found it was less breathable. The Sitka can be found on sale pretty easily at comparable to the discount FL offers through various programs etc. I’d wait for one of the ambients that meets your preference on the zippers and such. Cheers!

 

[ChrisAU]

How is the sleeve/torso length? I’m 6’4” and usually run tall sizes.

Hard for me to speculate there as I am 5'11". Plenty long for me, but yeah you may need a tall size.

 

[BigAl!]

Hard for me to speculate there as I am 5'11". Plenty long for me, but yeah you may need a tall size.

What size do you run in the Arrowhead?

 

[Drenalin]

Sitka Ambient out of the three you listed. I love the Duckworth Powder Hoody too.

Second this, though I haven’t tried the Navigator. It needs to be at least below freezing for me to hike in the powder hoodie though. OP, if you get a discount on First Lite, you should reach out to Sitka as well.

 

[ChrisAU]

What size do you run in the Arrowhead?

Large

 

[elsb0048]

How is the sleeve/torso length? I’m 6’4” and usually run tall sizes.

No experience with the sitka but for tall guys I can't recommend the OV enough. I'm 6'5" with an athletic build: 230-240# with 44" chest, 36/37" sleeves and 34-36" waist. The XL tall in both OV pursuit and vario are the best fitting layers I've ever owned. I do find the pursuit a hair annoying with the 1/2 zip instead of full zip but the fit is just so good I'm choosing it over other pieces anyway.

I'm still working out which conditions I wear the pursuit versus a grid fleece and soft shell