What Fleece Jacket should I get?

QuestforBCM · Post by **QuestforBCM** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 9:54 pm

I'm having a hard time choosing which jacket i should get. The first is the mountain hardwear Bedlam (link below)

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 216786/N/0

The second is the Mammut Fleece jacket.

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 7244%20783

There is a $20 difference between the tow the Mammut being more expensive. I own a MH soft and hardshell, and gloves and am happy with them all but I hear mammut makes great alpine stuff. I'm pretty much divided equally. So be the tie breaker... Which jacket should i buy?

hvydrt · Post by **hvydrt** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 4:21 am

I dont own either, but the mountain hardware seems kind of heavy for a fleece...1lb 3oz? I don't see the weight on the mammut. You could get a patigonia r2 for about the same price http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/pat ... 5136-1-491

QuestforBCM · Post by **QuestforBCM** » Sun Feb 13, 2011 9:34 am

Thanks, I check out the patagonia jacket and it's now on the possibility list. Along with the Mammut jacket from before and i found it weights 1.1 lbs, and the Arcteryx Caliber Cardigan, or any one's recommendations. I want to use this jacket over a base layer around winter camp, and then throw a shell over it and use it as part of my layering system on summit climbs.

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 8853/N/787

and it know its a bit heavy but it's alot warmer the MH Windstopper tech jacket.

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produ ... 3070/N/787

simonov · Post by **simonov** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 7:31 am

I love my Monkey Man jacket:

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Monkey- ... lt,pd.html

Everyone has a different metabolism, but over the weekend I wore my Monkey Man with a shell while winter camping on snow and never had to break out the down jacket (I used the latter as a pillow; heavy pillow, too).

I always carry it on winter summit climbs.

TYeary · Post by **TYeary** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:46 am

For my money, in terms of bulk, warmth and price it's very hard to beat the Mountain Hardware Monkey Man jacket. I have worn this garmet to 7000 meters as my main insulation in cold, breezy conditions with great performance. My two cents....
TY

Burchey · Post by **Burchey** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:04 pm

MH Tech Jacket is great for what it is (worn the hell out of mine for several years), but it all depends on how hot you run. It doesn't provide a lot of insulation. That being said, if you're active and climbing in the local mountains during the day, you'd probably be sweating like a champ in anything heavier. On a typical winter day on Baldy or Jacinto, I'd probably climb in my base layer until close to the top, tech jacket goes on if needed. On a sunless/windy/major weather summit attempt, REI Taku over the tech jacket over base layer is actually pushing the too-hot limit, but works. If you're stopping the wind, that really goes a long way on keeping you warm. Keep in mind, this is while you are moving. Stopping to talk about Obama or knitting or car-repair for hours will require more fluff in your stuff.

New Tech Jacket has been improved on the vent zips, sleeve openings, neck gap, fabric, etc. I almost bought one this holiday season, but can't justify it - my old one is still rockin after I think 4-5 years of use, both on and off the hill.

Keep in mind, the way it fits you is important too, you don't want too much of your lower back popping out, wrong sleeve length, etc.

QuestforBCM · Post by **QuestforBCM** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:18 pm

Thanks Guys! I decided to go with the Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Jacket. I look forward to using it this weekend climbing the california matterhorn.