looking for a WARM light weight jacket

here is a windstopper, i'd rather not dump that much cash on a jacket but if...what do you have? what do you suggest


http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/p...+Tech+Jacket+-+Men's/Store/MG/item/204570/N/0

I have a Patagonia R3 jacket which I just love. I posted a review thread on it. However, Patagonia no longer makes the R3 version that I have. Mine isn't a windstopper fleece, which I like. I like to be able to decide whether I want the windstopping (and thus not the breathability) or not by adding an outer layer, or deciding not to. Layering is a really nice concept for outdoor gear.

However, if you're just going from your house to your car to your work to your car and back to your house, then you don't need to get into the whole layering thing.

Even so, I highly recommend the Patagonia Regulator fleece garments. It's significantly better than your run of the mill fleece. Worth every penny. I pretty much live in my R2 vest and R3 jacket during the late fall, winter, and early spring months.

L.L. Bean has this for about $70:
http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/st...oreId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr



and Eddie Bauer has the WindCutter for about the same price:
http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Outerwear/Mens-Outerwear/365-AllClimate-System/index.cat#ppl={type%3A%22hide%22}

Hope this helps!
Paul

i got this one last year
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...e=8IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601805

Its not bad. but to add to the one i linked to at the top the description says it has armpit zippers to "dump some heat"

In what conditions will you be using this jacket? The windstopper is, in my opinion far more limited in it's range of usage than the combination of a simple lightweight fleece layer covered by a lightweight windbreaker. The pit zips will extend a garments versatility slightly, however, a multi layer system is far more versatile and often far less expensive than the highest tech one-for-all garments.

Whatever you choose, you might find a bargain at sierratradingpost.com:
Here is something similar to the Mountain Hardware piece http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...leece-Pullover-Shirt-Long-Sleeve-For-Men.html

I've had good luck with microfleece/lightweight garments - vest and pullover base layers like these for instance
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/195,1453C_Patagonia-Synchilla-Fleece-Vest-For-Men.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/...leece-Pullover-Shirt-Long-Sleeve-For-Men.html

Covered by a light weight shell such as these http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/195,98739_Lowe-Alpine-Airspeed-Hoodie-Jacket-For-Men.html
http://www.sierratradingpost.com/d/206_Men's-Lightweight-Performance-Jackets-and-Vests.html?page=3
you have a versatile layering system suitable for a wide range of conditions. For extreme cold, add a simple fleece or insulated jacket and you'll meet most conditions imaginable.

This is the best packweight rainjacket you can buy. That means it is REALLY waterproof. double layered, but packable and lightweight, with all the bells you want: pit zips, waterpoof zipper, hood, waiststring.. (read the review, I second it) It lists at $159. but 'Patamoneya' (Patagonia) has it now for $90..and if you check froogle theres a place that has it (in small : http://www.geartrade.com/item/63768 ) for $62. .

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/pro...lor=84470&ws=TRUE&slc=en_US&sct=US&src=perfdf

so that would be my first choice outer shell layer for a "light jacket" that had to really perform in an extreme situation..
second choice outer shell would any sort of rain resistant wind shedding nylon type jacket

then for insulation, again it's pretty much what you are comfortable with;
I like the Patagonia "Puffball" insulated vest, pricey but warm, very light,
and very compactable..or something like it..

Go the multi-layer way, ultralight wind/waterproof outer layer over a fleece or merino insulation layer. I do this with a TAD Gear Scout hoodie (fleece) or Flux hoodie (merino) under a Stealth hoodie ('sharkskin' material version).
When temperatures drop, the Stealth hoodie gets replaced by a North Face Amplitude hardshell, which has a zip-in insulation layer for when temperatures drop even further.

But I guess this exact setup might be a bit out of your budget. $260 for the stealth, $60 for the scout, $150 for the flux and $300 for the TNF Amplitude. (and you were being reluctant over spending $125 on a jacket )

Since you mentioned price my first suggestion would be getting down to Value Village or whatever other used clothing store you have in your area.

There's always lots of good winter clothing available and you stand a good chance of coming away with something you like and still have enough to buy another light in the marketplace!

I have had my Mountain Hardware jacket for going on 10 years now and it still looks new. Worth every penny.

If price is a big concern I would suggest you keep an eye on http://www.steepandcheap.com They are an outlet for backcountry.com. They pick an item, put it on their site for a ridiculous discount, until that lot is gone. Then they throw something else up there at random. You can get on their mailing list and they will send you an e-mail every day with some of the items they will be selling. They also have an alert tool for various web browsers that show what the current deal is. I'm freaking addicted to the site. I have bought a ton of clothes from them.

another good discounter of name-brands -- they even pay return postage if you get something you don't like.

http://www.altrec.com/

Good ideas here.

:thumbsup:
_

I have to repeat the TAD GEAR Stealth Hoodie. Winner design, winner ergos, light pack (in relation to others of that caliber), lots of pockets, great for layering, good lookin', warm, great for light/medium rain, wind and breathable all at the same time.

I have the GEN 1 and it just rocks. I can just imagine what the newer ones are like.