Outdoor clothing

You might want to try Filson first. They are more expensive, but they are American made, extremely well made, and have they been in the outfitting business a very long time. Personally If it was warmth over any extended period of time I was looking for, I'd consider going with layers, and ones that are fast drying. Cabellas is a good source for that kind of serious stuff, as is Fislson too. good luck
 
I did synthetics, fleece etc.. for years. I got tired of the cheapness and wear, pilling mostly. Now, I'm mostly wool, my Filson and Ibex coats are still new looking 10+ years into their lives. I can't see going with fleece, it's lightweight, but that's where it's advantage stops. Merino wool long underwear feels like butter, and the Filson stuff is a bit scratchy, but tough as can be.
Woolrich will also have some options, look around.
 
foxx said:
I did synthetics, fleece etc.. for years. I got tired of the cheapness and wear, pilling mostly. Now, I'm mostly wool, my Filson and Ibex coats are still new looking 10+ years into their lives. I can't see going with fleece, it's lightweight, but that's where it's advantage stops. Merino wool long underwear feels like butter, and the Filson stuff is a bit scratchy, but tough as can be.
Woolrich will also have some options, look around.
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I'm in the market for an insulating layer that I can put in my pack for the "what if" scenario or to laze about around camp. When hiking an insulating layer isn't necessary and the other top reason for down other then weight is it's foot print in the pack. A down jacket can be squeezed really small. MTwarden has posted about his gear in the past and has a really nice down jacket that he uses for exactly what I describe above. Hopefully he'll chime in with the brand as I forget what it was at the moment.
 
Oh yeah, nothing wrong with down, and a synthetic shell. I have an older Sierra Designs down jacket, very lightweight. Yet, in the context of the OP and fleece, I just feel that wool is better. Even a cheaper wool sweater that actually fits the torso will be warmer, and outlast fleece, in my experience.
I love the insulation (Climashield) of my Kifaru Woobie, and wouldn't mind a jacket made with that either.
 
foxx said:
Oh yeah, nothing wrong with down, and a synthetic shell. I have an older Sierra Designs down jacket, very lightweight. Yet, in the context of the OP and fleece, I just feel that wool is better. Even a cheaper wool sweater that actually fits the torso will be warmer, and outlast fleece, in my experience.
I love the insulation (Climashield) of my Kifaru Woobie, and wouldn't mind a jacket made with that either.
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Wowsa. I reread the OP and he said fleece not down. Ha! Yeah fleece is okay but I would opt for wool too if for no other reason then to keep the clothes from melting near the fire.
 
Waldganger said:
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61245?feat=65687-ppxs&dds=y
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Depends on what you're going to use it for out in the bush. You don't list a location, activities, or the conditions you expect to use it in.
I'm torn about softshell jackets. I have three jackets, and three pair of pants, and absolutely love the pants(all the Marmot Scree-no fleece lining). One of the jackets is a Carharrt, and great for work outside in cold and windy conditions. The other two are both the Marmot Gravity, which looks very similar to that LL Bean jacket.
In a nutshell, assuming they also perform similarly...
Pro: great for active pursuits in very cold weather when you want to stay dry in spite of working up a sweat.
Con: the thin fleece lining doesn't offer enough warmth to be a good insulating layer when inactive.
Whether it works for you will probably depend on which purpose you have for it.
 
OwenM said:
Pro: great for active pursuits in very cold weather when you want to stay dry in spite of working up a sweat.
Con: the thin fleece lining doesn't offer enough warmth to be a good insulating layer when inactive.
Whether it works for you will probably depend on which purpose you have for it.
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That's what I was thinking. Those fleece soft-shells are great for active sports, but not for less active stuff; it's what I would consider active insulation. Most fleece does dry pretty quick which is a bonus, but most are not waterproof. The LLbean soft-shell looks well built, but I would really consider my intended activities before selecting technical outerwear.

ROCK6
 
Hi guys.

This is the area I'm most concerned about, next trip is the last weekend in November.
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009637.shtml

Activities will include making shelter, beds, collecting firewood, trapping and foraging. Fairly active except for meal times and after dark once the fire is going and the scotch is out.

I basically want something for later hours when we stop, during the day it will be too warm. by that time I will have a Drizabone for the rain or when its really cold. I guess I don't need the fleece, I just wanted something that had a nice soft warm feel against my neck and arms whilst huddled in the cold. I could get a jumper but I like pockets :D

weather conditions will not be very windy, but possibly wet. I would like it to stand up to a light shower, if I'm away from camp it will be fairly sheltered by trees and wouldn't get a downpour on me, or if I had to quickly jump out into the rain to grab something.

Behind us is the type of growth we have to make our way through to get to our campsite, its like that for about 140m then we hit a clearing. The whole property is like that, except for where my neighbors shed is and the firebreak around the edges, so there will be a fair bit of scrub bashing.
intrepidadventurers.jpg

makingourway.jpg


thanks for the input, I'll look into the other brands.

Cheers
 
Personally I'm a HUGE Patagonia fan. I have many pieces of Pata clothing that has been through a lot w/me. It last a long time as well. The Guide jacket is a personal favorite. I also use a pull over called the Nano. It's primaloft which is super warm and lt weight. anyway, I've been very pleased w/ all my Patagonia stuff and they stand behind there gear too.....>
 
It's quite a bit more expensive than the one you showed, but I'm a big fan of triple aught designs ranger hoodie. They have a thick version and a thinner version, have tons of pockets, are about as comfortable as you can get, and are made in the united states. They're going to have a new run of the thicker version later this week in some nice subdued colors :)
 
TAD Gear is nice, but I refuse to buy from them for reasons I won't go into because this ain't GB&U
 
Waldganger said:
I basically want something for later hours when we stop, during the day it will be too warm. by that time I will have a Drizabone for the rain or when its really cold. I guess I don't need the fleece, I just wanted something that had a nice soft warm feel against my neck and arms whilst huddled in the cold. I could get a jumper but I like pockets :D

weather conditions will not be very windy, but possibly wet. I would like it to stand up to a light shower,
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Since it's for down time, you might consider a packable down or Climashield "puffy" jacket. I bought a light 800 fill down jacket from Merrell similar to Patagonia's Down Sweater, but have yet to try it. I probably should have got a synthetic, but it was an impulse buy from a 70% off rack in a Merrell store. Several of the big outdoor clothing brands have something similar that should provide more warmth, with less bulk and weight, than a fleece, wool, or softshell layer. They just aren't designed for heavy use, and I have no firsthand experience with their ability to shed water.
 
Holly sheeet my grandma got me that llbean one for x-mas last year, I had no idea it cost that much! I bout a fleece jacket at bass pro shop for $10.00 and its my favorite woods bummin jacket. The llbean is very nice though but I won't be woods bummin in it.
 
Most of the high end gear, by the big brand names, perform very well. Being in Florida though, I just don't need that level of performance. Frankly, a fleece vest from Cabelas performs probably 99% as good as one from say North Face, Patagonia or anyone else.

I have some issues with the views and goals of some high end marketers. I won't subsidize their agenda.
 
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