For adventures in the colder climes, I have a very basic and shockingly cheap Quechua fleece (actually I have two of them) and a decently nice 700 fill down jacket from Marmot. While one is just about adequate as a base layer of sorts in the mountains, the other is for seriously cold temperatures. There is nothing in between and I have often felt the need for one. I am hoping this Sierra Designs Tuolumne will fill that gap now. My nephew brought this for me from the US. I paid the rupee equivalent of $75, which is Rs 5400.
It's a synthetic insulation jacket. A concept that is just about beginning to, or at least it is supposed to, emerge as a serious threat to the supremacy of down as an insulation material for adventure wear. Marmot calls it "featherless". I have an ethical problem with using down. But then I am helpless to use it because they really work and they are really light and packable. Their only problem is they are affected by rain and the whole question of how down is gathered is rather sad. So I will be too happy to switch over to synthetic down. But I wonder how long it will take for down to be entirely replaced by such synthetic products.
Let me write down the product details from the REI page. The jacket is already unavailable.
- Hypoallergenic FireBall synthetic down insulates even if it gets damp
- Stows into zippered pocket
- Droptail design provides extended coverage
- Soft bound interior seams
- 5 zippered hand pockets
- Interior kangaroo pockets
- Closeout
- Imported.
And the technical specs are as follows (from the REI website). The fancy name for the green colour is Pesto/alloy and I bought it in size L.
Now, my impressions about the jacket. It feels very, very light. I don't know how much insulation it will provide. It does not provide any rating or comparison with down insulation. Right now in 12 degree Calcutta winter it feels very nice. I am hoping that I can walk in snow fall and/or light drizzle in the mountains, with this being the outer shell. I will have to see that. It does not have a hood, which is a disadvantage.
The exterior feels really smooth and soft. So does the interior, like inside the pockets. I am not sure if it is strong enough to take the abrasions of a back pack. There are two zippered pockets outside to warm up one's hands. The end of the arms are elasticated. That gives it somewhat of an el cheapo feel but then if it gets warmer you can pull up your sleeves. The zipper is really thin, light and non-YKK and it shows. You have to struggle a bit to pull it up. But then at $75 you don't expect butter smooth operations.
The fit is a little baggyish. But then there is a draw cord around the hem line. So it should not be a problem if it is windy.
I am yet to pack it into its pocket. The jacket came folded. I don't have the heart to squeeze it inside its pocket just as yet.
Last night (today is 18th December 2018) I packed it in its own pocket. It is like a cushion that is 8 inches square or so. It does not pack down too small relative to its weight or thickness when worn. (I am comparing against a down jacket of similar thickness) But this is fine for my backpack. I also wore it to office today - a particularly chilly day with wind and rain. It's warm. But I missed the hood for sure.
