In summary my requirements evolved to:
(a) the need for an insulating layer during non-active periods which for me was primarily on long alpine descents having probably got sweaty on the way up and feeling the chill badly on the way down!
(b) and secondly (but definitely subsidiary to the first), a warm garment to ward off the chill evenings around the tent
(c) something not too bulky or heavy to go in with my other camping luggage
I considered synthetic material versus down, and following various comments up thread, three garment types – gilet, jacket, and jacket with hood.
Down was pricey but appeared to offer better warmth to weight, good lofting and compressibility. Synthetic was less pricey and offered better resistance to damp conditions, although the hydrophobic treatment available for down mitigated this problem to some degree.
The gilet was obviously the most minimal in terms of packed size but the jacket with hood appealed in respect of overall warmth when using on chill evenings (and I do suffer from getting cold easily).
Over a few days I tried on most of the combinations above and settled on a RAB microlight Alpine jacket with hood. Why – well, the fit (XL) was good for me and the jacket arms and back were a good length and did not feel bulky when worn underneath my waterproof out layer (so even less worries about getting the down wet). The hood gave a great snug feeling when up and when not up it didn’t feel as though it would be uncomfortable if worn with a helmet. Further, the collar was still a good fit around the neck with or without the hood up.
On top of the I felt most comfortable in the RAB and Mrs bikes4two liked it the best too
This jacket is a down jacket using 750 loft goose down and the Cotswold Outdoor RRP of £180 was rather off-putting – so £156 after club discount. Interestingly Cotswold Outdoor have a price match policy whereby if the same garment/size/colour is available in the UK elsewhere (including Web stores), then they’d match the price.
Out came the smartphone for a web search whereupon Taunton Leisure had the product in my size but a different colour and on ‘clearance’ for £120 – SOLD to the man with a big smile.
I will update this thread when I return from my Alps descent later in the year to let you know how the garment was.
