High Sierra Topix

Western Mountaineering and Montbell's version of down sweaters get higher marks in the reviews I've read. Having said that, I've got the Patagonia down sweater. Mine's a hoodie which I find makes a big difference. I often will go out with my 32F rated bag into temps in the high 20's. Normally, I sleep a little on the cold side, but if I wear my down sweater to bed with the hood up, I stay pretty toasty. The hood on the down sweater + the hood on my bag makes for a really warm combo.



HJ

I have three down jackets - from thin to fat and puffy. Living in a state where it's freezing almost longer than it's above 32F, you can justify going a little over the top with the warm layers.

for the not so cold days I have a really light 800 fill north face Diez ($110 on Steep and cheap)
http://www.backcountry.com/the-north-fa ... ns-tnf5768" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For possibly wet and overall not so friendly weather I have a Mammut Stratus synthetic fill belay jacket with hood (also a Steep and cheap steal)
http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=849" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


and the really warm jacket is a Mountain Hardware sub zero with hood, but still thin enough to fit below my hardshell. It's warmer than the Mammut, not much heavier, and has a conduit fabric layer to help keep things dry.
http://www.backcountry.com/mountain-har ... acket-mens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

the MHW Sub Zero was on Whitney in April - definitely the right amount of insulation for the temps then. I was looking at the Western Mountaineering jacket, but it seemed rather expensive for not a lot of features. Even the Marmot Greenland or the Patagonia Fitzroy seemed like a better choice at the time. when the MHW went on sale, I grabbed it. Like it a lot.

here with the last cup of hot coffee at the kilns before heading up to Telescope Peak in March


Funny that all jackets I have are black. I really don't like black, but when on sale, that seems to be the only color I can score.

Flux wrote:After shivering my butt off trying to stargaze at night, I finally bought a down sweater, best thing ever really. If you are concerned about wet, then get a synthetic fill. Just about every company is making their version now with 800 fill. Very versatile piece of gear and weighs about half a pound.

Patagonia Down Sweater is what I own, but there are many others.

I totally agree. I currently use MontBell's UL Thermawrap (synthetic fill), which weighs about 9 ounces. It's warm enough, but doesn't ever overly impress me either. I recently scored a MontBell Alpine Light Jacket (800 FP down) for $90 and it's much, much warmer. It weights about 13 ounces and should be nice when expecting temps near and below freezing.