Ambient 75 vs intercept hoodie for September elk

[Erussell01]

Hey gang, tinkering on my mid layer option for elk season.

Been trying to run the ambient 100 or a heavyweight hoodie for a while as a mid layer and finding its too warm for much activity during typical elk season temps for me.

Looking at using my intercept hoodie, or potentially picking up the ambient 75. I have a peloton 97 which I like but I'm on my 3rd one as they just aren't durable enough for working through blow down.

I havent had a chance to hunt in the intercept hoodie, but am strongly considering the ambient 75.

Would be layered over a core lightweight hoodie or a sitka 120 merino

Anybody got experience with both hands on?

@mtnwarden have you played with both?

 

[Bump79]

I'd also consider the Kuiu Peloton 200. Much more durable than the 97 at a small add for weight.

 

[700MtnMan]

I ran the Ambient 75 all through spring bear and really liked it. I have a Ambient 100 hoody also but think I will be going for the 75 during archery elk season.

 

[Erussell01]

I ran the Ambient 75 all through spring bear and really liked it. I have a Ambient 100 hoody also but think I will be going for the 75 during archery elk season.

What kind of temps did you have? And did you have to take the 75 off or did you find that you could just leave it on and keep going without over heating?

 

[cuerro viejo]

I ran 75 from Sept to Feb last year.

I would layer my original 100 hoodie over it starting in Dec and if I was still cold I’d run Exo mountain over both

If I going high activity I’d bring 100 hoodie, if low I’d leave it in truck and I’d grab SG cirque heavy, regardless I almost always had 75 on every morning

 

[Erussell01]

In my brain the 75 should be 3/4 as warm as the 100, but it sounds like it might be useful over a bigger range of temps. Anybody got a rough operating temp with it under normal hiking and hunting conditions

 

[patagonialuke]

Anybody got a rough operating temp with it under normal hiking and hunting conditions

With a lightweight (~120 gsm) baselayer underneath and Ambient 75 over it, I'm usually content hiking in it up to about 40-50°F (depending on sun, wind, & exertion level). And that combo can keep me happy down to about 0°F if I'm hiking uphill at a decent clip and it isn't particularly windy.

I seem to run fairly hot and prefer being cold rather than sweaty. With that in mind, during CO archery season, the Ambient 75 sees most of its use during dawn and dusk hikes, as well as stationary periods in the shade / wind. Once temps start staying around 50° or below, then it becomes much more of a 'leave it on all day' layer for me. Overall, the Ambient 75 is probably my favorite active insulator out of the dozen+ I've tested over the years.

I've only borrowed my roommate's Ambient 100 a few times, but I'd say the Ambient 75 is closer to 2/3 or maybe even half the warmth of the 100, mostly because the 75 doesn't use the lofty Evolve insulation + wind-resistant face fabric throughout the entire piece.

Haven't used the Intercept, but my hunch is that it would breathe better / be more versatile in warmer weather, whereas the Ambient 75 would be warmer overall and likely block wind a tad better.

 

[P Carter]

With a lightweight (~120 gsm) baselayer underneath and Ambient 75 over it, I'm usually content hiking in it up to about 40-50°F (depending on sun, wind, & exertion level). And that combo can keep me happy down to about 0°F if I'm hiking uphill at a decent clip and it isn't particularly windy.

I seem to run fairly hot and prefer being cold rather than sweaty. With that in mind, during CO archery season, the Ambient 75 sees most of its use during dawn and dusk hikes, as well as stationary periods in the shade / wind. Once temps start staying around 50° or below, then it becomes much more of a 'leave it on all day' layer for me. Overall, the Ambient 75 is probably my favorite active insulator out of the dozen+ I've tested over the years.

I've only borrowed my roommate's Ambient 100 a few times, but I'd say the Ambient 75 is closer to 2/3 or maybe even half the warmth of the 100, mostly because the 75 doesn't use the lofty Evolve insulation + wind-resistant face fabric throughout the entire piece.

Haven't used the Intercept, but my hunch is that it would breathe better / be more versatile in warmer weather, whereas the Ambient 75 would be warmer overall and likely block wind a tad better.

My response is almost exactly the same as this, but I'm using the Kelvin Active, which is 80 gsm but shortsleeved.

 

[cuerro viejo]

In my brain the 75 should be 3/4 as warm as the 100, but it sounds like it might be useful over a bigger range of temps. Anybody got a rough operating temp with it under normal hiking and hunting conditions

It’s about 1/2, it’s body mapped with fleece panel.

Think of it as slightly warmer then a grid fleece but 5x better moisturize
Management and breath ability then grid fleece

 

[K_pem]

Totally agree the Ambient 100 is way too warm for September and honestly for me, most of October even. I ended up snagging a Ambient UL 60 (similar to the 75 but even less insulation and more body mapped) and it's a good weight for a Sept midlayer when i find myself needing one, so I don't see why the Ambient 75 would be much different. I took a liking to the Ambient 100 vest most of the time in September though with the option to layer it on top of the UL 60 as needed. Now my Ambient 100 rarely gets used.

Idk that I would even consider the Intercept to take place of an active insulation fleece piece. In my mind its more of a heavier weight base or maybe over just a Merino 120 Tee. I've never understood the idea of heavier weight Merino pieces layered over another layer with the same coverage.

If I were you given those options, I would go Ambient 75; or get an Ambient 100 vest. Another thing to consider is that new OV active midlayer. I will be ordering one of those to compare to the Sitka UL60.

 

[Erussell01]

Totally agree the Ambient 100 is way too warm for September and honestly for me, most of October even. I ended up snagging a Ambient UL 60 (similar to the 75 but even less insulation and more body mapped) and it's a good weight for a Sept midlayer when i find myself needing one, so I don't see why the Ambient 75 would be much different. I took a liking to the Ambient 100 vest most of the time in September though with the option to layer it on top of the UL 60 as needed. Now my Ambient 100 rarely gets used.

Idk that I would even consider the Intercept to take place of an active insulation fleece piece. In my mind its more of a heavier weight base or maybe over just a Merino 120 Tee. I've never understood the idea of heavier weight Merino pieces layered over another layer with the same coverage.

If I were you given those options, I would go Ambient 75; or get an Ambient 100 vest. Another thing to consider is that new OV active midlayer. I will be ordering one of those to compare to the Sitka UL60.

I've been using the intercept a ton the past year and it's super breathable which is ultimately why I am considering it a decent mid layer option. It doesn't dry that fast, so my only hangup there is being damp all day after high exertion. My only complaint with it is the facemask is very much in the way of the hood if you arent using the it.


I haven't seen the OV midlayer yet, what is it?

Mtnwarden has me convinced I need an ambient vest. But that didn't take much, I'm a vest guy and he has given me reason to spend my money multiple times lol

 

[K_pem]

Its like an improved version of the Sitka Ambient 75.

 

[Erussell01]

Its like an improved version of the Sitka Ambient 75.

Is it this one?

Ventus Active Hoodie - Men's

Ultralight Insulated Outdoor Hoodie: at just 7 oz, the Ventus Active Hoodie is half the weight of other comparable insulated hoodies! With active body-mapped breathability, stay the perfect temperature regardless of your activity levels. The Ventus packs down to the size of a softball & is great...

outdoorvitals.com

 

[fatlander]

Is it this one?

Ventus Active Hoodie - Men's

Ultralight Insulated Outdoor Hoodie: at just 7 oz, the Ventus Active Hoodie is half the weight of other comparable insulated hoodies! With active body-mapped breathability, stay the perfect temperature regardless of your activity levels. The Ventus packs down to the size of a softball & is great...

outdoorvitals.com

No.

They haven’t released them yet. EXO did a podcast about the three new pieces (mid layer, pants, and puffy) that OV is releasing last week. They should be available to pre order soon, shipping late August to early September.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Swamppirate]

Hey gang, tinkering on my mid layer option for elk season.

Been trying to run the ambient 100 or a heavyweight hoodie for a while as a mid layer and finding its too warm for much activity during typical elk season temps for me.

Looking at using my intercept hoodie, or potentially picking up the ambient 75. I have a peloton 97 which I like but I'm on my 3rd one as they just aren't durable enough for working through blow down.

I havent had a chance to hunt in the intercept hoodie, but am strongly considering the ambient 75.

Would be layered over a core lightweight hoodie or a sitka 120 merino

Anybody got experience with both hands on?

@mtnwarden have you played with both?

While traversing the mountains in Virginia, a good combo during early morning/late evening bow season is the Sitka core lightweight hoodie and Kelvin Aerolite vest. Easy to ventilate and it leaves the arms free with no restrictions…..

 

[Erussell01]

While traversing the mountains in Virginia, a good combo during early morning/late evening bow season is the Sitka core lightweight hoodie and Kelvin Aerolite vest. Easy to ventilate and it leaves the arms free with no restrictions…..

Don't you tempt me to buy another vest lol

 

[camelcluch]

I have an ambient and I like it a lot for the second layer. However, I find the GoHunt Atmosphere better for fit and function. Basically the same but a different cut.

 

[Erussell01]

I have an ambient and I like it a lot for the second layer. However, I find the GoHunt Atmosphere better for fit and function. Basically the same but a different cut.

Do you know if the gohunt version is 100gram?

 

[camelcluch]

I do believe it is but I’m not 100% on that.

 

[700MtnMan]

I would say temps ranges from low to mid 30s in the mornings up to mid 60s-70 during the day. I usually wore the Ambient 75 during the mornings until temps warmed up to around 50 or so.