Smallest, warmest jacket out there??

Small, packable warm jacket needed for non full on winter riding. Just something to throw on and off when stopping for food etc. I am a bit odd and like hoods as well. Not a deal breaker though.

Don’t mind spending a bit to get something good. Cheers all

PHD will likely do the smallest, warmest, lightest down jacket if money isn’t an issue.

Rab Microlight Alpine is a good option.

Both these are down jackets that traditionally won’t be great in rain ( although things have moved on a bit  these days with treated down options. see:: hydrophobic down).

Synthetic jackets which are traditionally better in rain will be a bit weightier and bulkier, but IMO better in UK conditions. Look for jackets that are of Primaloft Gold which I think is their lightest thermal material (Primaloft seem to be the benchmark in synthetic when cost isn’t a major issue).

Also consider that synthetic jackets are easier to launder than down (also on this subject I’d probably recommend buying plain black than a light colour)

Andy Kirkpatrick does some good blogs on stuff like this.

I’m also an advocate of these jackets with hoods, don’t see the point of them without a hood, adds another season to them IMO when a large amount of body heat is lost thru the head.

I have a Montane fireball smock which is very good, but would be much better with a hood. Looking on Montane site they have a few options just now.

decathlon do a ~£35 light down jacket – I bought one a couple of years ago and it’s perfect for Scottish autumn weather / sticking in your camelback for putting on when you stop .

There’s always the ultralight Uniqlo down jackets, not as cheap as some, but they don’t leak as much down either. They do pack very small.

Their Ultralight Seamless parka is the one to go for, shame they don’t do a smock style, but the zip does allow a degree (ha!) of temperature control.

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/men/outerwear/down-coats-jackets-vests/seamless-down

I’ve got a Decathlon down jacket, and it leaks down like a sieve, every fleece I’ve worn under it is covered with tiny bits of down. The Uniqlo ones don’t leak as much, I think the outer shell is a much finer weave, and is more resistant to down working through.

Of course, the Decathlon jacket is half the price: yer pays yer money, etc

For UK weather I find down very limiting and prefer synthetic tops. They can get wet no problem, and in our climate it’s often damp. I found I wasn’t wearing my down stuff anywhere near as much sonive sold most of it and use almost entirely synthetic gear

My vests and jackets range from 40g to 100g fill. Weight is usually aligned with warmth

my only down stuff is my sleeping gear (hydrophobic stuff and normal)

Haglofs Wind shirt (not sure of its official name). Has a lightly insulated front. Not sure if it’s still made though, weighs 110g

My go to is the Arcteryx nuclei SL.

amazingly warm and water resistant for such a small packable jacket.

I bought a Rab Xenon X last year, first time I’ve not gone for a fleece lined waterproof style coat and should have done it years ago!

Its synthetic primaloft so isn’t quite as warm as duck down, but doesn’t matter if it gets wet or damp from rain or sweat.  Its got a hood which I wanted as it doubles as a neck warmer and woolly hat.  And the hand pockets are insulated.  Its good for wearing under a thin waterproof.  Its also not covered in stitched seams to keep the down in place (or synthetic jackets that are stitched purely for aesthetic reasons) so doesn’t look as quilted as lots of other jackets, and obviously stitching compromises the insulation by squashing it.

I’ve spent countless days wrapped up in bulky fleece jackets and woolly hats at windswept desolate stables and horse events and for the first time I have a simple jacket that does the job of all my other gear.

I’m still using an original Rab Xenon for pretty much what you’re describing. Synthetic fill so it doesn’t matter if it gets wet or you put it on over damp, filthy riding kit. Very light and packable for a synthetic, so you don’t resent carrying it. Has a hood and is warmer than it ought to be for the weight/bulk.

I reckon something like the Rab Xenon, Berghaus Reversa, Alpkit Heiko, Montane Fireball or similar with a weight around 350g is the way to go. I carry mine all the time when riding in winter. It’s a potential lifesaver if you get stuck fixing a mechanical somewhere exposed in deep winter and you can even ride in it in an emergency.

Down is warmer per gramme, but less robust – even the hydrophobic stuff – and more of a chore to wash and dry. I prefer synthetic for UK winter conditions. If you’re not carrying the jacket, just get something big and synthetic would be my take.

Brilliant, i knew this place would have the answer. Lots of reading to get through. Much appreciated 🙂

If you want something seriously light and packable, with a bit of warmth, try a Berghaus vapourlite hypertherm.  There are versions with and without hoods.  Will pack down to less than half the size of a cheap decathlon ‘lightweight’ down jacket.  Not cheap though.

Id say the smallest warmest would be the Rab Zero G – 1000 fill goose down 7d pertex- £350 . .

Both these are down jackets that traditionally won’t be great in rain ( although things have moved on a bit  these days with treated down options. see:: hydrophobic down).

That does make a difference; I wore my Jottnar Fenrir down jacket for a long afternoon walk that turned wet half way round. I was out in pretty heavy rain for more than an hour, and the wet only penetrated through the seams across the shoulders. It’s not a jacket I’d choose to wear if the forecast was definitely showing rain, but on this occasion the rain wasn’t supposed to turn up until much later in the day. I was surprised how well the jacket performed under the circumstances.

Patagonia do some good ones, Nano Puff etc. Both down and synthetic. Pack away nicely into one of the pockets.

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Both these are down jackets that traditionally won’t be great in rain ( although things have moved on a bit  these days with treated down options. see:: hydrophobic down).

That does make a difference; I wore my Jottnar Fenrir down jacket for a long afternoon walk that turned wet half way round. I was out in pretty heavy rain for more than an hour, and the wet only penetrated through the seams across the shoulders. It’s not a jacket I’d choose to wear if the forecast was definitely showing rain, but on this occasion the rain wasn’t supposed to turn up until much later in the day. I was surprised how well the jacket performed under the circumstances.

What puts me off is the upkeep of, what I assume are, expense treated down jackets like that. It’s not just the pain in the arse of  properly laundering such a jacket (or the cost, if you choose not to DIY), but would it still perform after a few washes?. My experience of such treated products is their performance seems to go downhill ( ie Goretex,  DWR type stuff).

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I have been using a Montane Prism for about 7 or 8 years now and still holding up well. Currently on sale for £56 providing your size is in stock at your local store.

Synthetic insulation, hooded, packs away small and lightweight, not the warmest for general non-active standing about but good for hiking and biking for something to throw on when stopped for a bit.

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/montane-prism-2-0-mens-insulated-jacket-p102225

Montane Fireball is winging its way to me at the moment. Thanks for all the heads up everybody. Hopefully autumn and winter riding just got a bit more comfortable!!

I’ve had a Montane Fireball Smock for a few years now. It’s my standard, ‘stuff it in the bag just in case’ jacket. Small pack size and lightweight. It’s incredibly versatile.

It’s kept me comfortable more times than I can remember, and I reckon it’s made sure I didn’t get into more serious trouble twice, once on Helvellyn in minus 12 wind-chill, and once on Snowdon in similar.

My go to is the Arcteryx nuclei SL.

Not cheap though! Got a nuclei half price on SportsPursuit, but was still £200!

Edit mine is the AR, looks like the FL/SL has been discontinued.

What puts me off is the upkeep of, what I assume are, expense treated down jackets like that. It’s not just the pain in the arse of  properly laundering such a jacket (or the cost, if you choose not to DIY), but would it still perform after a few washes?. My experience of such treated products is their performance seems to go downhill ( ie Goretex,  DWR type stuff).

The best way of looking at water resistant down is as an insurance policy if you’re caught out by unexpected rain rather than something for regular use in the wet. It recovers after being soaked and dried much better than untreated down. And it retains more of its loft when it is wet. But if you want something that generally going to be kicked around and get damp regularly, I still think synthetic fill is the way to go.

wow, they must have worked really hard to make that Montane jacket that repulsive looking.  Looks like I’m a bit too late with my GoOutdoors recommendation.

Got one of these yesterday and think it should be the dogs nadgers;

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/rab-altus-jacket-p393359

The best way of looking at water resistant down is as an insurance policy if you’re caught out by unexpected rain rather than something for regular use in the wet. It recovers after being soaked and dried much better than untreated down. And it retains more of its loft when it is wet. But if you want something that generally going to be kicked around and get damp regularly, I still think synthetic fill is the way to go.

Basically, this ^^^

What I try to do is carry some sort of windproof and at least highly water-resistant outer shell that’ll go over the top of my down jacket, so any leakage will just dampen the down jacket’s outer layer. I have got a couple of NF down jackets, as well as my Decathlon, Uniqlo and Jottnar jackets, and none of them have been washed, they never get worn often enough to get more than minor soiling, which I wash off with a damp, soapy cloth.

Saw a review of some new Patagonia synthetic lightweight jkt that was warmer than down but better in rainy cl8mate like uk.

Micropuff hoody i think. Looks useful and packable if that what you’re after.

So the Montane Fireball arrived today……..

Great bit of kit. Packs up small, seems warm enough. 80’s retro styling 😀

What’s not to like. Cheers all👍👍

Burko I love Patagonia stuff but my wallet is a bit light at the moment.

Costco were selling the Micropuff hoody for £35 a few years ago. I used one for a few weeks but it was utter garbage.

Berghaus hypertherm is my favourite synthetic jacket at the moment. So small, so light, and incredible warmth for what you get. Not cheap, but the best of the bunch for me

I use a paramo Torres gilet for muddy mountain biking, don’t mind sticking it on in any conditions, a bit heavier with its 100g fill but it’s been very handy when I’ve needed it