Vests:Fleece or Down

[shane cavitt]

A new vest (not fishing/gear vest) is on my Christmas list and I was wondering what people recommend. It seems that it is boiling down to a decision between fleece (most likely some form of windstopper) or down (most likely primaloft).  I tend to like the looks of the fleece vests over down. However, the down vests seem to be much more compressible and that is a plus in that it can be easily packed in a day pack on the river. The windstopper fleece vests seem to be heavier. Are there any lightweight windstopper fleece vests? What are members here using and what are you experiences/recommendations?

[adam taylor]

Shane…I have both.

[anonymous]

carhartt.

[dusty montgomery]

Shane,
I am currently using this: http://www.simmsfishing.com/site/windstopper_dl_jacket_2007.html# and I love it. I do not own any primaloft products, but I would think the heavier fleeces might be more punishment resistant. The Simm’s fleece is warm and thick, and I have no issues bushwhacking or doing anything else in it. If you decide to go with the Simms, give Joel Thompson a shout…He sold me mine, along with many other things as well!

D.

[Phil Brna]

I have both and I use the fleece windstopper about 99.9% of the time.

[Rick Marcum]

Primaloft for the coldest weather applications.

[Tim Pommer]

For Texas, why not just wear a cut-off t-shirt?

Seriously – I only bust out the down when the temps really start dropping.

[Rob Snowhite]

I have a north face nuptse down vest when fishing -instead of fleece. The reasons I purchased this vest:

• it zips into my marmot shell
  when worn under shell or kayak dry top, it keeps my torso warm but allows my arms freedom of movement (any vest will do that)
  it compresses
  its very warm (700 fill?)
  i got a great price on it
  the waist cinches to keep out a draft (my fleece vest(s) don’t
  it is very lightweight
  fleece gets stinky

there are much better ones out there now that are much warmer and less puffy (think george from seinfeld)

[Adam McDowell]

I bought the patagonia puffball vest two years ago and havent looked back. It blocks the wind fine here in north GA. they are on sale right now on their website http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/mens-micro-puff-vest-alpine?p=83996-1-155

[dannyo]

I use both.

[shane cavitt]

I should have been more specific with my initial post. When I say down, I mean primaloft most likely. I really have no need for a true down vest here in Texas. Yes, I do plan on fishing in it. The Patagonia Micro Puff vest is the first one that I saw that got me started on wanting one of these type vests. Orvis also has one that looks good for pretty much the same price point. So primaloft does maintain its insulating properties when wet, correct?

[dannyo]

Shane, I believe Primaloft is a synthetic material that retains it’s insulating properties when wet.

[dan cone]

Shane,

There is a solution to this: use the proceeds from your current Garage Sale items to buy one of each!     Once you decide on the one you want, I would be more than happy to consider buying the other one from you, so long as it isn’t in burnt orange.

[shane cavitt]

Unfortunately, it has been my track record that when I can’t make a decision between 2 items I will end up with both of them. I am hoping to break the cycle on this one, but have almost reached the conclusion that I will get both.

Dan, there is a good chance there will be some burnt orange in there somewhere. It is a beautiful color!

dannyo, you are correct. I am fishing the Guad.

[dannyo]

Dan, I’m with you on the burnt orange.

[jamesw]

I really like the Patagonia Micro Puff.

[mike b.]

You might also take a look at wool.

[dan cone]

Filson is always a good choice for gear.

[M. Wood]

I second the Filson option- I scored one on e-bay for 40 bucks- you can’t go wrong. Warm, windproof, durable.

[Grant Wright]

I’ve got the micro puff vest and the nano puff pullover from Patagonia.

[Author]

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