Me and Mrs B ride in all weathers and are looking for an insulated jacket.

Yesterday it was super wet and we had a decent amount of wind here in Snowdonia. We have good waterproof shells that we are happy with. We use a Galibier gilet which has some sythetic inaulation. Ideally it need to be a little warmwr and have arms.
It will be worn after riding when we bikepack and maybe during when we ride in challenging weather. We have down gilets but its always a challenge keeping them dry in UK cold and wet.
Some Montane jackets look good with some hi-tech synthetic down analogue type insulation.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks
Ian

Montane Prism has long been my go-to. My oldest is now 10 years old and has just about lost its best insulating properties now.

I recently bought an Endura double-sided jacket that seems like it'll do the trick but also has a high-viz inner/outer and a bit more reflectivity than the Prism.

60gsm Primaloft of similar, on its own or under a waterproof when it's really bad. Over a waterproof, even - when it's so bad you can't bear taking the waterproof off, still works. Std or full hooded jacket, both of value.

I have a Montane Fireball jacket that I really like, a number of gilets also, tbh the Decathlon Forclaz synthetic jackets are pretty much as good and trashable sort of vfm. The reversible Endura jackets Scotroutes mentioned are good, got the gilet version here.

Also Alpkit's new fully recycling Primaloft jacket deserves a look.

jameso wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:48 pm Decathlon Forclaz synthetic jackets

Was going to recommend this too.

Points to Alpkit for the recycled insulation one, but I think the insulation (but not the shell?) in the Decathlon one is too, iirc.

thenorthwind wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 3:23 pm

jameso wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:48 pm Decathlon Forclaz synthetic jackets

Was going to recommend this too.

Points to Alpkit for the recycled insulation one, but I think the insulation (but not the shell?) in the Decathlon one is too, iirc.

I think so, would need to check the gilet I have. They do use raw-grey material liner to avoid adding dye and seem to have an eye on sustainability in general.

Patagonia nano-puff works well for me in that kind of manner.

All Primaloft stuff is 100% recycled
Most other synthetic is at least partially recycled - plastic bottles

Decathalon is 70% recycled according to their website and undyed as Jameso notes

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-mou ... R-p-312531

the jacket in small is cheaper though [ reduced might get that and chop the arms off and use them as sleep socks !

I have an OMM Rotor smock which is primaloft gold, my favourite piece of riding gear, windproof, warm when wet if not pleasant and packs up small.
I also have a decathlon down jacket was about £40, I am a very sweaty rider so I take both jackets , omm for riding when its cold and down for when I stop and put my dry clothes on.
Its a small weight penalty but being cold is not fun for me.

It doesn't fulfil your need for sleeves, but I'm very happy with my Decathlon gilet. Suspect the sleeved jackets would be equally good.

All Primaloft stuff is 100% recycled

I didn't know that but it does make sense. Has it always been made that way, do you know?

Ah sorry i got it wrong its generally 50% but there is an primaloft bio which is 100%

My finistere is over a decade old and was 100% recycled plastic bottles so the process is not new or that recent.

+1 for the Decathlon Firclaz. I have a gilet and long sleeved. They're great.

R.pha do a primaloft insulated brevet LS jersey which has insulation where you need it. It packs small enough to (just) go in a jersey pocket.

Snug enough to wear under a waterproof when riding.

I think I have 3 now. :)

I can echo all of the above about the Decathlon jacket, absolute bargain.

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sun Oct 04, 2020 2:01 pm Montane Prism has long been my go-to.

I’m going into my second winter with the Prism and I’ve used it for everything from mountaineering to bikepacking to shivering in, post winter swim and it’s not shown any hints of wear and packs down acceptably small to always be in my bar bag/pack

Another Montane Prism fan here, I'm on my second one and use it for all kinds of activities and for a general wear around town jacket when it's cold and wet (and I don't want to risk my down jacket).

I have used my Montane Hydrogen Direct jacket to death over the last few years. The exposed Polartec Alpha fibres inside give an instant warmth when you put it on and it can shrug off a fair bit of rain too in a similar manner to a lightweight Buffalo jacket. I never take my Rab Microlight down jacket with me any more as the Montane packs down just as small and never feels like it lacks in insulation.

Polartec Alpha is a different insulator than Primaloft (and other similar products, lots of manufacturers use their own stuff e.g. Berghaus and Arcteryx)

Alpha is 'active' insulation. It's not as warm as primaloft but it breathes much better. The latest alpha doesn't even need a face fabric, it's very clever stuff. I have a few items with this in (sandwiched and naked), including the bike specific Crikey, how much brevet gilet. It's great for riding, but not as warm for sitting around

I only have four down clothing items, but many more synthetic fill items. Personally, I think synthetic is way more versatile, particularly in this country. I reckon I could get to over 10 if I could all my synthetic fill tops. I only really use my down stuff in camp where it's not going to get wet

My favourite items are sadly no longer made, Berghaus Hypertherm being my absolute fave. As James says 60g fill is a good sweet spot, though I like 40g too. 100g fill is quite warm, and quite bulky.

It's really about the cut of the jacket, so you need to try a few on. Montane Prism has recently been redesigned so worth a look. It's a bit more climber focussed with wired brim etc, I prefer one without, but it also means nice long arms.

If I was buying now I'd be looking at/trying on the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody. Expensive, and it's a boxy american cut. But it's amazing warmth and versatility for the weight

Re recyling, yes the ECO moniker used to be placed after the more eco friendly versions of primaloft. But recent synthetic fill developments have been putting a much higher weight on it green credentials

I have both the Crikey, how much Brevet insulated jersey and the Crikey, how much Down Jacket.

The former is brilliant, and really great at regulating through a huge range of temperatures. The latter, annoyingly, I probably wouldn't buy again. Don't get me wrong, it's a good looking, well cut down jacket that seems to defy gravity. But it's never warm enough to keep out temps below 5 degrees with many other layers and gets sweaty too quickly - YMMV.

Thanks all! Im going to hunt down some Montane jackets to try!
Ian

Just got my montane verso fireball arrive looks and feels nice on first impressions

Just got a Forclaz from Decathalon and finally sitting comfortable in the garage loft / my WFH workspace. It's had no use in any real situation or anything but I'm impressed how toasty it is just sitting here compared to the other variations of hoodies and baselayers I've been using.

Sadly (although well done to Decathalon) their sizing advisor is absolutely spot on and with a (what did they diplomatically call it) a "small tummy" I am most definitely an XL. I got a gillet as well and down-sized to see if could be a better fit under hardshells / waterproofs etc than the old Paramo vest I have. By crikey, I am not a Large