UL coat or Jacket

[Chaco Taco]

Im researching the possibility of getting a new winter coat or Jacket for my thru. I know there is alot out there, but I think it may be time to replace my Northface Jacket

[mrburns]

Check out the REI Spruce Run jacket... 16 oz... The sleeves zip off too so you can use it as a vest during the day when it's warmer. The jacket's warm by itself, and combined with the right base/mid layers can be used into single digit whether comfortably... haven't tried colder than that, but I don't expect many days below freezing either.

I bought it a month or two ago in preparation for my upcoming thru and am very happy with it so far... Was an excellent replacement for my Northface fleece jacket that weighed 32oz and didn't pack very small.

[mrburns]

Oh, I should mention too on the Spruce Run... If you're not picky about color, the shade navy and the beige color are about $50 cheaper than the other colors for some reason (at least, was the case when I bought mine).

[ScottP]

do you mean a shell or insulation

if you're talking about a shell, wait as long as possible--they get lighter and cheaper all the time.

Insulation? Western Mountaineering flight series.

[JAK]

I don't wear a winter coat, just a heavier wool sweater and/or vest. I make my main wool layers no thicker than I can wear alone when I am hiking in the typical weather for that month, with no skin layers underneath and wind layers over top and no hats or mitts unless its nippy. This can be quite heavy and still be comfortable, and if I sweat a little on hills or deep snow it will quickly dry out with sun and wind and body heat. This allows all the other layers to be very light and cheap and packable. Skin layers that can be reserved for sleeping or extreme cold. Perhaps an extra overlayer of 100wt fleece which can be put on if needed. Same cheap light nylon wind layer I use all year round. Wool mitts, wool hat, fleece balaclava, and rain poncho/tarp with hood. What I put on over the wool when needed depends on the circumstances and what is convenient at the time.

I am fairly sure the total weight adds up about the same, but this way I keep my main wool on which keeps it dry, and my other layers take up less space in or on the pack or in pockets. I don't think down really starts to pay off weight wise when you consider your entire system until you get down to 0F or lower in dry conditions. Usually the stuff you need around 30F in wet conditions will take you to -0F or lower in dry conditions. Another consideration is how much easier wool is to dry out if it does get wet, assuming you can make fires when neccessary. It is also more flameproof. Again, wool is more of a woodland than an alpine solution. YMMV.

[Chaco Taco]

I guess I am loking for something, light, compressable, water resistant. My jacket now is just so bulky and does not fit well in my pack on warmer days. I want to make sure that it has a hood too.

[OhioNative]

Try the Montbell Thermawrap UL jacket.