Synthetic Puffy insulation vs Ambient insulation

[Buckhorn 70]

How do think an Ambient style (100-150 wt) of insulation compares to a puffy/synthetic (80g Prima-loft Gold)insulation?

Interested in opinions.

 

[elsb0048]

I don't have specific experience with the sitka but have some with similar pieces.

I would expect the 80g of primaloft gold to be much warmer and more of a static piece for moderate weather (30F) while I'd expect the ambient in 100/150 to be more of an active piece for cold-to-cool (20F-30F).

The ambient will be more breathable since you essentially only have an outer face fabric with no inner, with the 'alpha fleece' touching your skin while the primaloft gold has the puff sandwiched between two layers of nylon.


I own the outdoor vitals pursuit hybrid (75gsm alpha fleece, hybrid with grid fleece) as well as vario (40gsm primaloft), rab generator alpine (100gsm primaloft), and Mammut rime light (40gsm primaloft, hybrid fleece, no insulation in forearms or hood).

The 75gsm alpha piece is most similar in feel to the mammut hybrid puff with 40gsm primaloft gold. The mammut feels noticably more breathable than the OV Vario despite same weight of primaloft because it doesn't have insulation in the hood, elbows down, or in the side panels from armpit to belt, just pertex in those regions. I use both of those pieces as active layers for high output activities (ski touring, biking, steep uphill hiking) that are colder than 30F. warmer than that and I'm in a sun hoodie. I also use them as active layers in moderate output activities (still hunting, walking or skiing downhill) in moderate temps (40-50F) especially with wind where they shine over a grid fleece.

The OV vario with 40gsm primaloft everywhere is more of a static piece for mild temps (40-50F) or active piece in low output (still hunting) cool-cold temps (20-30F). It's my most commonly worn around town jacket in 35-50F temps.


my 100gsm primaloft jacket is much more of a static insulation piece, too warm for any even moderate activity. I put in on for glassing, lunches, etc for temps from ~40-15F. I might be able to still hunt in it below 10F....

 

[MorelMan]

The puffy will be a bit warmer with less breathability. They're intended for different uses. I personally wouldn't use an ambient style layer since I prefer having the alpha fleece and wind shell as separate layers, but a puffy is no replacement for an active midlayer.

 

[cuerro viejo]

It depends on how old and used the Prima loft gold is.

I have cirque(133) and cirque lite(60), that seems to have lost a large portion of their insulation properties. New they both win, but it’s coin toss on the light now.

With that said I have the old Sitka 100? hoody that when paired with SG X1 or Evo mtn jacket seems warmer then both cirques now

 

[Jake Larsen]

Two totally different types of products.

Ambient is designed as active insulation. Think a replacement for grid waffle fleece. Designed to move moisture while active in cold weather. Breathability is the focus here.

Primaloft gold is designed as a static insulation. Sitting, glassing, ect. It can handle some moisture since it’s synthetic, but it’s not designed primarily to be a high activity piece.

If you try to use either in place of the other, it’s not going to work very well

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KoolBreeze]

I’ve got a Sitka Kelvin Aerolite, a 100g Ambient, and First Lite Source (80g Primaloft Gold). Between the 3, the Aerolite is a good bit warmer, with Source being a bit warmer than the Ambient.

That said, I like the Ambient the most due to its great versatility. It’s so comfy, has a lot of stretch, is light, thin, and I can throw it on in 30 - 65 degrees as a casual jacket and be just right. Obviously, that’s not sitting static for extended periods. It goes everywhere with me when I need a jacket. Really my only complaint is that it is grabby when putting on over some clothing.

I bought the Source to use underneath a Stratus but haven’t used it but a couple times. Probably sell it and replace it with an Ambient in Elevated. Then just jump to a Fanatic jacket when hunting in frigid temps.

I use the Aerolite when the temps dip below 30 or I’m going to be static for an extended period.

 

[jd1006]

I have both the Sitka 150 ambient jacket and the first lite source jacket (80g primaloft), the ambient feels warmer in all applications as a layering piece.

 

[Maverick1]

How do think an Ambient style (100-150 wt) of insulation compares to a puffy/synthetic (80g Prima-loft Gold)insulation?

Interested in opinions.

PrimaLoft® Active Evolveand Gold serve different purposes: Evolve is a breathable, knitted "active insulation" designed for high-output, stop-and-go activities by allowing air permeability. Conversely, PrimaLoft® Gold is a high-performance, sheet-based synthetic insulation focused on maximum warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility for cold, static conditions.
Key Differences:

• Structure & Function: Active Evolve is a knitted fabric with varied fiber lengths that mimics loose loft, allowing moisture to escape during intense movement. Gold is a dense, "synthetic down" padding designed to trap maximum warmth.
• Breathability: Evolve is highly breathable, preventing overheating during activity. Gold is less breathable but superior at blocking wind and retaining heat when sedentary.
• Activity Level: Evolve excels in high-output activities (ski touring, fast hiking). Gold is superior for static or low-output, very cold conditions (belaying, resort skiing).
• Layering: Evolve is often used as a mid-layer or lightweight outer layer that does not require quilting. Gold is typically sandwiched between an inner and outer shell fabric (quilted).
• Durability: Gold provides exceptional durability and retains loft over time.

Summary:
Choose Active Evolve if you are moving fast, sweating, and need a garment that breaths. Choose Gold if you need maximum warmth and protection while standing still or moving slowly in freezing temperatures.

 

[Buckhorn 70]

PrimaLoft® Active Evolveand Gold serve different purposes: Evolve is a breathable, knitted "active insulation" designed for high-output, stop-and-go activities by allowing air permeability. Conversely, PrimaLoft® Gold is a high-performance, sheet-based synthetic insulation focused on maximum warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility for cold, static conditions.
Key Differences:

• Structure & Function: Active Evolve is a knitted fabric with varied fiber lengths that mimics loose loft, allowing moisture to escape during intense movement. Gold is a dense, "synthetic down" padding designed to trap maximum warmth.
• Breathability: Evolve is highly breathable, preventing overheating during activity. Gold is less breathable but superior at blocking wind and retaining heat when sedentary.
• Activity Level: Evolve excels in high-output activities (ski touring, fast hiking). Gold is superior for static or low-output, very cold conditions (belaying, resort skiing).
• Layering: Evolve is often used as a mid-layer or lightweight outer layer that does not require quilting. Gold is typically sandwiched between an inner and outer shell fabric (quilted).
• Durability: Gold provides exceptional durability and retains loft over time.

Summary:
Choose Active Evolve if you are moving fast, sweating, and need a garment that breaths. Choose Gold if you need maximum warmth and protection while standing still or moving slowly in freezing temperatures.

Very informative…. thanks

 

[wyosteve]

I have several Ambient pieces and Sitka and Kuiu puffy pieces. I guess I'm an outlier, but to me, the Ambient is noticeably warmer, although not as wind resistant. This was surprising, but my best guess is that the Ambient, being sort of like a long fleece, has more areas/pockets to trap body heat versus the puffies which typically have what I'll call 'panels' for insulation. So, my belief is the Ambient material conforms better to the body shape/angles. Just my experience fwiw.