Active Insulation

I was watching Exo Mountain Gear’s latest YouTube video of their elk hunt. It looked like the guys were wearing an alpha active insulation piece with no to minimal branding (from what I could tell). Anyone have any idea what this was? I could see the insulation when they were unzipped and also when hoods were up.

Check out the 16 min mark.

 
I was watching Exo Mountain Gear’s latest YouTube video of their elk hunt. It looked like the guys were wearing an alpha active insulation piece with no to minimal branding (from what I could tell). Anyone have any idea what this was? I could see the insulation when they were unzipped and also when hoods were up.

Check out the 16 min mark.

This is a prototype piece by outdoor vitals that’s not on the market yet. (Sad that I know this.) it’s also mapped alpha/grid fleece: alpha in the chest/hood and grid fleece on arms/underarms and maybe back? Something like that.
 
I was watching Exo Mountain Gear’s latest YouTube video of their elk hunt. It looked like the guys were wearing an alpha active insulation piece with no to minimal branding (from what I could tell). Anyone have any idea what this was? I could see the insulation when they were unzipped and also when hoods were up.

Check out the 16 min mark.

It’s from Outdoor Vitals, they were prototyping/testing I believe.
 

I’m looking for a lighter replacement for my OG ambient and found this. I’m not wanting a hood and don’t care about weather resistance because I always wear it under my evo. I’m thinking this naked active evolve at 95gr might do the trick ! It’s crazy light compared to the OG ambient.
Wanted to provide an initial reaction to this piece. Size Large weighs in at 6.8 oz, is very comfortable, packs into a tiny internal pocket, and has kept me warm with temps in the 30s chasing around a crazy toddler haha.
 
Wanted to provide an initial reaction to this piece. Size Large weighs in at 6.8 oz, is very comfortable, packs into a tiny internal pocket, and has kept me warm with temps in the 30s chasing around a crazy toddler haha.
Thanks! I am going to grab one if/when they go on sale.
 
The Final Approach jacket is listed in the gear deal forum. This piece is a little heavier than some of the other ones mentioned and does not have a hood. It has Prima Loft Active Evolve insulation 150g. I have been looking at this thread for some time trying to decide on options. I bought a Final Approach one to try for $49. I think my next option to try is beyond clothing for $79.

 
The Final Approach jacket is listed in the gear deal forum. This piece is a little heavier than some of the other ones mentioned and does not have a hood. It has Prima Loft Active Evolve insulation 150g. I have been looking at this thread for some time trying to decide on options. I bought a Final Approach one to try for $49. I think my next option to try is beyond clothing for $79.


Can you speak to the feel/fit of the jacket yet?

I just bought a used ambient vest and have the arcteryx proton hoodie as a jacket synthetic option, which I really like. Just thinking about a solid brown for $60 as a great option to add to the quiver for active insulation. I mostly hunt elk WY Rocky Mountains archery and rifle seasons so Sep/Oct mainly day hunts with occasional overnighters. Hard for me to pass on a piece this nice for $60 but would love to hear about anyone’s feedback on function, fit and feel with it being so discounted. Is it just not selling a bunch due to it being a smaller brand?
 
Can you speak to the feel/fit of the jacket yet?

I just bought a used ambient vest and have the arcteryx proton hoodie as a jacket synthetic option, which I really like. Just thinking about a solid brown for $60 as a great option to add to the quiver for active insulation. I mostly hunt elk WY Rocky Mountains archery and rifle seasons so Sep/Oct mainly day hunts with occasional overnighters. Hard for me to pass on a piece this nice for $60 but would love to hear about anyone’s feedback on function, fit and feel with it being so discounted. Is it just not selling a bunch due to it being a smaller brand?
I have no current comparisons for fit on the FA Acuta, but I'm 5'6", 170 and need to lose about 10 lbs this summer. I have a 41" chest and don't like tight-fitting clothes. Like most things these days I like to try stuff on before buying because depending on the brand I'm a medium or large. I still have mediums that I can layer under and larges that I have to be careful about the under layer.

I bought the Large. and it's fine in the shoulders and a little roomy in the belly. I like it. I defintely wouldn't go smaller. The outer fabric is light, so we'll see how durable it is, but hopefully that means it'll breathe a little. No field time yet. I'd definitely buy it again.

A word of caution - since I bought it I'm on the Rogers mailing list. I got one the other day that says the clearance clothes prices are good until they sell out or 3/31 (today). Not sure if they'll raise them tomorrow, or drop them even further. If they drop them it won't be by much so if you're on the fence I'd probably snag one tonight. From the gear deals thread, someone said the return and/or upsize process was pretty quick and easy
 
Can you speak to the feel/fit of the jacket yet?

I just bought a used ambient vest and have the arcteryx proton hoodie as a jacket synthetic option, which I really like. Just thinking about a solid brown for $60 as a great option to add to the quiver for active insulation. I mostly hunt elk WY Rocky Mountains archery and rifle seasons so Sep/Oct mainly day hunts with occasional overnighters. Hard for me to pass on a piece this nice for $60 but would love to hear about anyone’s feedback on function, fit and feel with it being so discounted. Is it just not selling a bunch due to it being a smaller brand?
I think it's a great piece for $49. I usually wear a medium or large depending on the piece of gear. I bought the L and XL since most of the review said to go up 1 to 2 sizes. The large fits great except for it being just a little more restrictive around the shoulders. I don't think it is too small as I tried it on with the other beneath layers I will run. It fit well around the body and seemed to be the right length. I am 5'9" so length can be an issue at times. The XL fit in the shoulders but every other place seemed extremely lose and baggy. I am returning the XL and keeping the large. The only downside is I do like hoodies. I think the feel is close to the ambient piece. It is definitely warm. I can't speak to why it is discounted so much on Rogers. The Final Approach website still has the piece listed at $200.
 
I have no current comparisons for fit on the FA Acuta, but I'm 5'6", 170 and need to lose about 10 lbs this summer. I have a 41" chest and don't like tight-fitting clothes. Like most things these days I like to try stuff on before buying because depending on the brand I'm a medium or large. I still have mediums that I can layer under and larges that I have to be careful about the under layer.

I bought the Large. and it's fine in the shoulders and a little roomy in the belly. I like it. I defintely wouldn't go smaller. The outer fabric is light, so we'll see how durable it is, but hopefully that means it'll breathe a little. No field time yet. I'd definitely buy it again.

A word of caution - since I bought it I'm on the Rogers mailing list. I got one the other day that says the clearance clothes prices are good until they sell out or 3/31 (today). Not sure if they'll raise them tomorrow, or drop them even further. If they drop them it won't be by much so if you're on the fence I'd probably snag one tonight. From the gear deals thread, someone said the return and/or upsize process was pretty quick and easy
Looks like the list price is still at $49.99. It only took 3-4 days for delivery to Tx.
 
I think it's a great piece for $49. I usually wear a medium or large depending on the piece of gear. I bought the L and XL since most of the review said to go up 1 to 2 sizes. The large fits great except for it being just a little more restrictive around the shoulders. I don't think it is too small as I tried it on with the other beneath layers I will run. It fit well around the body and seemed to be the right length. I am 5'9" so length can be an issue at times. The XL fit in the shoulders but every other place seemed extremely lose and baggy. I am returning the XL and keeping the large. The only downside is I do like hoodies. I think the feel is close to the ambient piece. It is definitely warm. I can't speak to why it is discounted so much on Rogers. The Final Approach website still has the piece listed at $200.

That’s helpful to know. I ended up picking up a M & L last night based on @gfisch recs. I’m typically running L right now at 5’8 190 so sounds like the M won’t fit well. Good to know the return process is easy. Looking forward to checking this one out. Jay from Mindful Hunter speaks so highly of the ambient/primaloft evolve material so I have a feeling this is a sleeper piece of gear based on the price and it not being a huge brand from what I know
 
Went down an active insulation rabbit hole today. I was a fan of the Sitka Ambient and am looking for other companies with the same Primaloft Evolve fabric. Anyone have any recommendations?

I was also reading about Polartec Alpha and it seems similar. Anyone have any experience with it?

Thanks!
I have a polartect fleece by Peckham which weights 9.5 oz seems very warm for the weight. Picked it up at a yard sale for $4 will be testing it this season.
 
Can't comment on the DWR, but my brown large weighs 13.7 oz with the tags

Thanks,

That fall within the weight range that I like.
For the price is a great deal my only complaint no Hood version that I could find.

Would order the jacket anyway can’t beat that price.

The other ones I was considering were some from Montbell but no reviews on their usage out there that I could find.


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