Ambient / Active insulation w pit zips?

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Hi All,

Does anyone know of a jacket like this?

As soon as I get moving, I run very hot, so would love to have the option of pit zips in an ambient style jacket. It’s always a game changer when I open them in my rain jacket if I’m using it as a windbreaker.

Thanks

S

 

[MT_Wyatt]

I do not - but would consider the styles using mapped breathable fleece under the arms if you don’t find one, they still dump heat well.

 

[croben]

Are you using the actual Ambient jacket? That jacket has 150 grams of primaloft insulation, which would be way too much for me to be doing any hiking in. Even the Ambient 100 would be too much for me. I generally wear the Stone Glacier Cirque Lite as my mid or outer layer depending on the temps. It’s 60 grams, but is great both when moving and static. I can’t think of any jackets like this that have pit zips though.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

Are you using the actual Ambient jacket? That jacket has 150 grams of primaloft insulation, which would be way too much for me to be doing any hiking in. Even the Ambient 100 would be too much for me. I generally wear the Stone Glacier Cirque Lite as my mid or outer layer depending on the temps. It’s 60 grams, but is great both when moving and static. I can’t think of any jackets like this that have pit zips though.

I have just had the FL Klamath grid fleece up until now but so rarely wear it under my bino harness if moving at all, as I get too hot.

Considering one of the active jackets that allows front and pit zips ideally as I’ve found those most helpful for dumping heat during mild hiking then can zip up if super windy or stand to glass a short bit.

I’ve worn my chugach rain jacket as a windbreaker when cold and breezy and those zips wide open make it doable on non strenuous hiking.

 

[Wheels]

Kuiu Kenai has pit zips.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I run hot too. Someone can come along that maybe knows the technology better than me, but I would say the moisture movement is good enough that I didn’t need it. I have 2x Sitka arrowhead jackets, one with hood and one without and just picked up a vest.

I am actually quite surprised how dry I have stayed wearing them in a variety of temps. Everything from 50* hiking to 5* high output bushwhacking. I have opened up the front zip once or twice but generally stayed dryer and warmer without having to do as much layer management as I would have expected.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

I have 2x Sitka arrowhead jackets, one with hood and one without and just picked up a vest.

Thanks. Looks like the Arrowhead is 90g insulation (vs Ambient 100) with a slightly thicker shell than the Ambient of 30denier v 20d.

How durable does the arrowhead shell seem as it sounds like you e done some bushwhacking in it?

Thx

 

[SDArcher7]

As mentioned above by "Wheels", the Kenai has pit zips and has body mapping insulation w/ 90g/m2 for body and 60g/m2 for sides and arms.

 

[Bump79]

@mtwarden

 

[bojangles808]

You want the ambient ul60 or ul75 OP

 

[Desk Jockey]

Thanks. Looks like the Arrowhead is 90g insulation (vs Ambient 100) with a slightly thicker shell than the Ambient of 30denier v 20d.

How durable does the arrowhead shell seem as it sounds like you e done some bushwhacking in it?

Thx

Fairly durable. I went with the arrowhead because it was the only option for a hood and pockets at the time and @mtwarden did a good write up on the piece. I found a shop that was liquidating them and bought another because I liked it and it was dirt cheap. 30d face fabric was a bit of a bonus. I would say durability is on par with a soft shell with more warmth. A little pilling but no tears or rips. Far better durability and warmth than a grid fleece for about the same weight and I get wind resistance, but have to trade off some flexibly / comfort.

 

[P Carter]

I doubt you’ll see a true active insulation (read: Polartec alpha or Primaloft evolve equivalent) with pit zips. Their whole reason for existing is being lightweight and highly breathable. Pit zips would increase weight and isn’t needed (or at least can’t be perceived to be needed) due to the inherent breathability of the garment. I’d bet the ambient is breathable enough for you without the pit zips. If not, try a “naked” alpha with a wind jacket and use the wind jacket as the pit zips. That’s the most versatile of all.

More “solid” active insulation, which is warmer and less breathable, like the kenai (foray 3defx), stone glacier piece, or equivalent could need pit zips.

 

[Bump79]

I don't really see the benefit of it as an active insulation piece is designed to be breathable when moving to dump heat. At some point if it's heavy enough like a Kenai to need pit zips I wouldn't describe it as active insulation as it really doesn't breath that great when moving and is too insulated.

 

[P Carter]

I don't really see the benefit of it as an active insulation piece is designed to be breathable when moving to dump heat. At some point if it's heavy enough like a Kenai to need pit zips I wouldn't describe it as active insulation as it really doesn't breath that great when moving and is too insulated.

Agree - to me, the “solid” active insulation (kenai, stone glacier piece, Patagonia nano-air, north face ventrix) isn’t true active insulation. It’s more breathable than down but nowhere near as breathable as the Polartec alpha/Primaloft evolve/equivalent.

 

[lifeisgoodsteve]

I hear you guys and listening to so many other people I’m always amazed at how much they can hike with a mid layer on, whether fleece or other.

Personally, from years of experience I know my body just gets way too hot and sweats. Even the naked polartech alpha 60 I sweat easily in when no wind and 40 degrees on very mild hike.

For manufacturers though, sounds like I’m the anomaly so for them maybe too small a market to make pit zips for these lighter jackets.

I decided to get the Arrowhead MDWi hooded jacket.

Will try it out then look into getting pit zips added if needed, as I know I would use them a ton to dump heat and allow me to keep it on longer. It would be nice to lessen how much I need to swap on or off layers.

Thx

 

[mtwarden]

@mtwarden

As a few guys have said the Sitka 75 hoodies (60 is discontinued) are "mapped" with a very light grid fleece along the entire length of the arm pits; it's an easier and lighter solution than zips

The other option, already mentioned as well, is a light "naked" Alpha/Evolve with a light windshirt handy when needed. Alpha/Evolve on their own block NO wind, very (very) open weave, but nothing will breathe better.

 

[hoosierhunter11]

As a few guys have said the Sitka 75 hoodies (60 is discontinued) are "mapped" with a very light grid fleece along the entire length of the arm pits; it's an easier and lighter solution than zips

The other option, already mentioned as well, is a light "naked" Alpha/Evolve with a light windshirt handy when needed. Alpha/Evolve on their own block NO wind, very (very) open weave, but nothing will breathe better.

Does the 75 hoody have a kangaroo pocket or any front pockets in general? I know this was a complaint on the 60. Thanks

 

[mtwarden]

I haven’t handled one, but looking at the pics I don’t think so

 

[hoosierhunter11]

I haven’t handled one, but looking at the pics I don’t think so

Same thought about the photos, I was not sure if they were super low profile or not. I'm sure a kanga pocket could be added pretty easily though. Might have a project for momma!