Comparison Review: Perfect for Spring and Summer Ridge Walking. We Compare the Latest Lightweight Fleece Jackets

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Mid-layer , Mont-Bell , Norrona , Millet , Houdini , comparison , recommendations , Patagonia

Written by TAC

On the previous page, we introduced the rankings of the compared models, a list of their ratings and specifications, and our recommendations based on that. From here, we will provide additional information about the ratings, the criteria used, and why we came to those ratings

table of contents

Detailed review of each item
summary
We are looking for reviewers

Detailed review of each item

Comfort and mobility

Comfort is evaluated from the perspective of how it feels to the touch, how well the cuffs fit, and how comfortable it is to wear, etc. Mobility is evaluated mainly from the perspective of ease of movement due to the quality of the cut and stretch

Basically, each model is designed to improve mobility, and they all have good stretchability, and none of the models felt tight or stressful while I was moving around

As a result, the model that best combined comfort and mobility the HOUDINI Outright Houdi . As mentioned above, once you experience the magical comfort of wearing it, you will never forget it. In addition, because it is highly stretchable, it was almost completely stress-free.

Furthermore, even when I fastened the front zipper, it didn't touch my chin, and the soft fabric wrapped around my neck and chin was extremely comfortable. It's an item I'll want to wear forever. Also, in terms of feel, the Patagonia R1 is also recommended, as its pile-like fabric is very comfortable.

Heat retention

Thinner fabrics make the garment lighter, but they also tend to have less heat retention. This is true for all outdoor gear, but it's a very difficult balance to strike

I was already surprised that all of the items weighing less than 500g each still had a certain level of warmth, but the one that stood out above all others the NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket . While fleece material is used to improve heat retention, stretch fabric is used throughout, providing an excellent balance of warmth and mobility. Though thin and light, the warmth of the original brushed fleece material is still intact. Also, although it is quite heavy, the Mont-Bell Trail Action Parka is also a model with top-class warmth retention among these. I think it will be useful in early spring and autumn/winter.

Quick drying performance

Although I sweat a lot, I have neglected to choose the right items and have caught a cold from sweat on several occasions. Sweat chills while on the move can weaken your physical strength and sometimes increase your risk of danger. It is extremely important to choose items with excellent moisture absorption and quick-drying properties, not only for the base layer, but also for the mid-layer and outer layer, as this will also improve comfort

The item that I felt had the best moisture absorption and quick-drying properties this time the MILLET Rocca Hoodie . The 3D honeycomb structure of the inner fabric quickly absorbs sweat. At the same time, it ensures breathability and dries the fastest, allowing even me, a sweaty person, to move around comfortably. The fabric itself is very thin, so it makes sense that it dries quickly. However, this tends to be inversely proportional to heat retention, so it's up to the user to decide which to prioritize.

On the other hand, the Patagonia R1 not only retains heat to a certain extent, but also has excellent moisture absorption and quick-drying properties. This shows that the Polartec® Power Grid™ fabric used in the jacket has very high specifications.

weight

Considering the high specs of these models, it's already surprising that all of them weigh less than 500g, but what's even more surprising the MILLET Rocca Hoodie . The catalog weight is 390g, but the actual weight is a surprising 298g, less than 300g. Naturally, it also packs down to the smallest size, eliminating any stress when packing.

The NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket is also attractive for its light weight of just 319g considering its warmth. It's certainly lighter because it doesn't have a hood, but when you consider the balance of warmth, durability, and weight, it still has very high specs.

Ease of use

the NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket are equipped with a hood, which can be zipped up and tightened to the mouth, making it suitable for use as a balaclava. It's a good idea to have a hood, as it can be used to deal with sudden changes in weather. The HOUDINI Outright Houdi , which features adjustable drawcords for the hood and hem, is particularly highly rated for its ease of use.

the Millet Rocca Hoodie and the Mont-bell Trail Action Parka for those who prefer "left and right hand pockets only < left and right hand pockets + chest pocket" and also prefer zippers the Patagonia R1 which have no zippers , are more for warming your hands than for storing things.

When opening and closing the zipper the NORRONA falketind warm1 Jacket , I felt it was a little stiff, but this is only in comparison to other models, so if that doesn't bother you, it probably won't be a problem at all.

So, while each model has its own merits and demerits in terms of details, overall I found the Patagonia R1 to be the easiest to use. Aside from storage capacity, I personally find the combination of hand warmer pockets and a chest pocket that doubles as ventilation to be sufficient. Other than that, it has a smooth zipper and a hood that doubles as a balaclava. As I mentioned at the beginning, what captivated me this time was not only the comfort of the jacket, but also its ease of use.

summary

So, we've taken a look at some lightweight fleeces that are perfect for this time of year. Each model offers at least some of the key points we evaluate: comfort and mobility, warmth, moisture absorption and quick drying, weight, and ease of use. However, each model specializes in different areas, so by choosing the right item for your purpose, you'll be able to perform to your full potential in the field. We hope this article will be helpful in your selection of items

We also recommend this article about fleece jackets

TAC

I live in Hokkaido. On my days off, I can't stay still at home and am always doing some kind of activity. In the summer, I enjoy mountain climbing, fishing, and camping, and in the winter, I enjoy snowboarding and smelt fishing. I'm a fan of this site, and I joined because I was excited to share the appeal of the gear. I hope to review not only mountain climbing, but also a variety of other activities

We are looking for reviewers

Outdoor Gearzine is always looking for members who love the outdoors and want to write reviews about outdoor gear. For more information, please visit the REVIEWERS page here !