Bushwalk Australia

I've been using the Macpac uber light down jacket for the past few years and its done me well. Now I'm wanting to make the switch to synthetic as I really like the Climashield Apex insulation.

I've been looking at EE Torrid jacket which costs around 300 with shipping.

Is it worth forking out that much on a jacket? Or should I pick up another Macpac say the Pulsar Primaloft?

All advice welcome.

Thanks
Rumble

Only you can decide if there is value in the purchase.
I have looked at the Pulsar and the Pulsar plus but as they are not cut large enough to fit me I can't give an opinion of how warm they are compared to the EE Torrid but they should be much warmer given the stated insulation weights and when on sale [ as they usually are and 50% off] they are better value.
You do have to try them on tho as Macpac sizing is all over the place and IME often mislabled, I tried on a mens XXL last year that felt more like a womens medium.
I'd never pay full price for Macpac these days but at $180 on sale they are reasonable value.
What size is the Uberlite you currently have and what size do you normally wear?

The Uber lite is an XL hooded version. This is what i normally wear.

Do you ever plan on going someplace really cold?
Wearing a synthetic over a down has some advantages if you wanted to go oversized on the Apex or Climashield layer.

I have an uberlite and a torrid apex. I'd say that the torrid is definitely warmer than an uberlite. Nice jacket. I usually take a medium and the medium is a good fit.

Petew wrote:I have an uberlite and a torrid apex. I'd say that the torrid is definitely warmer than an uberlite. Nice jacket. I usually take a medium and the medium is a good fit.

Why do you think that is Pete?
The lack of all those stitch through lines or is the fabric in the EE APEX garment more wind resistant/ windproof?
60GSM APEX is only about 6mm thick after a few weeks use so not really a lot of insulation; it's interesting as so many reviews say it is a very warm garment.

Do you ever plan on going someplace really cold?

Heading to Tassie in a couple of months. The plan for super cold weather is a Thermal baselayer, Macpac Nitro Pullover, EE Torrid Apex and finally a rain shell if needed.

When I said really cold I was thinking of Antarctica, Everest or Alaska in winter. I'd probably use a similar system in a Tassie summer and add a warm vest and thicker underwear in winter.
Don't forget how much heat you lose from the legs and the extremities, I love my Patagonia LW insulated trousers for winter, they are my comfort and lifesaver layer.

Moondog55 wrote:

Petew wrote:I have an uberlite and a torrid apex. I'd say that the torrid is definitely warmer than an uberlite. Nice jacket. I usually take a medium and the medium is a good fit.

Why do you think that is Pete?
The lack of all those stitch through lines or is the fabric in the EE APEX garment more wind resistant/ windproof?
60GSM APEX is only about 6mm thick after a few weeks use so not really a lot of insulation; it's interesting as so many reviews say it is a very warm garment.

I think that has a lot to do with it. Minimal stitching makes it warmer for sure. It's definitely no macpac arrowsmith pullover substitute but reasonably warm for it's weight. Good enough for the Blueys or Budawangs in winter for me but not for much colder

So not quite warm enough for a Tassie winter, I didn't think so.
If I had to look at another synthetic for a Tassie winter I'd be thinking of the Macpac Pulsar plus or a good S/H Patagonia DAS parka.
Not that this helps the OP much but when the mercury drops below freezing better too much insulation than not enough

Macpac keep sending the Pulsar+ to clearance.
https://www.macpac.com.au/macpac-mens-p ... RANCE.html
The trouble is that the Macpac Large is more like a small Medium or I'd have bought one myself rather than the new down hoodie.

Moondog55 wrote:So not quite warm enough for a Tassie winter, I didn't think so.
If I had to look at another synthetic for a Tassie winter I'd be thinking of the Macpac Pulsar plus or a good S/H Patagonia DAS parka.
Not that this helps the OP much but when the mercury drops below freezing better too much insulation than not enough

Exactly. Last time I was in Tassie winter my getup was an Arrowsmith, nitro hoodie, set of prothermals and thermawrap pants for night time.

rumblepants wrote:

Do you ever plan on going someplace really cold?

Heading to Tassie in a couple of months. The plan for super cold weather is a Thermal baselayer, Macpac Nitro Pullover, EE Torrid Apex and finally a rain shell if needed.

IMO and IME that is no where near enough; at a minimum you need a windshirt over the Nitro and that vest I mentioned before, the Macpac Arrowsmith mentioned by PeteW is a really warm static layer with an average loft of about 50mm

rumblepants wrote:

Do you ever plan on going someplace really cold?

The plan for super cold weather is a Thermal baselayer, Macpac Nitro Pullover, EE Torrid Apex and finally a rain shell if needed.

Are you talking about walking in this ensemble? Or static?

Lamont wrote:

rumblepants wrote:

Do you ever plan on going someplace really cold?

The plan for super cold weather is a Thermal baselayer, Macpac Nitro Pullover, EE Torrid Apex and finally a rain shell if needed.

Are you talking about walking in this ensemble? Or static?

That is a good question. I had assumed a static layer as the Torrid might be a tad fragile for Tassie,
If it's for active use then it is similar to what I would ski in when it was cold, those days when the sun wasn't shining and a wet wind was blowing. I keep a warmer layer in my pack for when I stop on those days

For walking in a Tassie winter when it's bad weather I wear prothermals, nitro and full waterproofs with pit zips.

Are you talking about walking in this ensemble? Or static?

Static. Walking would probably lose the Apex layer

That wouldn't be warm enough for me static, but I do feel the cold when I stop moving