Comparison review: We compared the insulation wear (cold wear) that is popular this winter

I want to know the forefront of insulation that cannot be understood by specs alone

One of the most important items for comfortable winter outdoor activities is warm clothing. When it comes to outdoor wear that is based on layering, it is particularly important to choose clothing that specializes in insulation, called "insulation," which is worn between the base layer and the outerwear. As we continue to advance, a variety of new materials and technologies are being introduced here, and as a result, an incredible number of new products are released every year. That's a joy, but it's true that there's little information for that, making it difficult to choose. So this time, we've compared the most popular insulation wear selected by our editorial department using our own criteria under various conditions, and decided on recommendations for insulation wear, not only for the material but also for shape and feel, so we'd like to take a look right away!

* , please refer to this article

* , please refer to this article

About the insulation wear compared this time

The following six items were the test items this time. The following are the prerequisites for choosing these, as well as the performance and functions required.

• It can be used all-round in Japan (Honshu) climate. In other words, it is not thick cold weather gear that can only be used in the middle of winter, but rather a lightweight, compact, highly functional model.
• Although it is not intended to be hard snow or rocks in the Alps during the harsh winter, it is assumed that it can be used for skiing, snow hiking, and traversing snow mountains.
• Considering the cold protection performance, I generally choose a hooded one.
• Since it is not used as an outerwear, windproofing and waterproofing are not essential, but it would be even more desirable if it was.
• Items that cannot be purchased unless imported from Japan are personal to personal import, or are priced at 50,000 yen or more (price versa).
• We select all kinds of down, synthetic fibers, and hybrids.

Comparative test items

• Mountain Hardwear Hooded Ghost Whisperer (Reference price: 39,960 yen)

• Arc'teryx Cerium LT (Reference price: 48,600 yen)

• mont-bell EX light down jacket (reference price: 20,304 yen)

• Patagonia Nano Air Hoody (Reference price: 36,720 yen)

• MONTANE FIREBALL JACKET (Reference price: 22,680 yen)

• mont-bell UL Thermallap Parka (reference price: 11,664 yen)

*Prices are based on the prices of each online store as of December 2014

Test environment

Basically, from December to January, each item is used and compared on actual mountain hiking. In addition, I wore them on cycling to test wind resistance, exposed in rain to check water resistance, and I wore them all over the house, all over town, and I ended up wearing them all over the place, so much so that I forgot that it was a test. Of course, we have washed it using the specified method to verify its usability.

I tried on in a variety of situations, both in the mountains and in the city from autumn to winter.

Detailed evaluation using field tests

Thermal insulation...Arc'teryx Cerium LT

Cerium LT > Ghost Whisperer > EX Light Down > FIREBALL = Nano Air > Thermal Wrap

This was a clear prediction that the down strength would be noticeable to some extent, but among them, the Cerium LT was strong! There are a number of factors to this. Before explaining this, let me first review the basic logic that determines warmth. The warmth of insulation cannot be determined by the quality of the filling alone. For example, in the case of down, the overall warmth is determined by multiplying the down ingredients (duck, goose, etc.), quality (fill power), amount, and baffle (divider) structure. Therefore, to put it in extreme terms, it is possible that a low quality down with a large amount of padding (heavy) can be warmer than a thin down that simply has a high fill power.

For this reason, it is often not clear how warm it is when you simply look at the specs, but after actually wearing it, the Cerium LT's heat retention power is just as good as it is, with an incredible fluffy look in terms of visuals. On the other hand, considering its weight and compactness, the Ghost Whisperer's heat retention is not to be overlooked in terms of overall strength as a cold weather gear.

Comfort: Arc'teryx Cerium LT, Patagonia Nano Air Hoody

Cerium LT = Nano Air > Ghost Whisperer > FIREBALL > EX Light Down > Thermal Wrap

Comfort here means not just the comfort when you sweat or get hit by the wind and rain (in the sections below), but rather the simple comfort and ease of movement. What is the most comfortable and easy to move in? Cerium LT is the most comfortable insulation. First of all, the plump padding and smooth nylon feel are comfortable as if you are always wrapped in a sleeping bag. It also fits comfortably on the body and is impressive in terms of mobility, which removes unnecessary tension and space even when you move.

Another product that I would like to note about its comfort is the Nano Air's performance. This comfort and feel is really new in a good way. It's not like down, it's a strange feeling, like wearing extremely fine and fluffy gauze. It also has excellent elasticity and is extremely easy to move around in.

Weight: mont-bell EX light down jacket

EX Light Down > Ghost Whisperer > Cerium LT = Thermal Wrap > FIREBALL > Nano Air

As for weight, the lighter the better the better, but that goes without saying that if the function is more sluggish than necessary it is counterproductive. In that sense, the key point of this item is taken into consideration by the relative evaluation that it is "although it achieves sufficient quality, it is still so light." In that sense, the lightness of the EX light down (although there is a handicap of lack of hood) is abnormal. And yet, it has a certain degree of heat retention, so even if you keep it hidden in your winter backpack, there is no pain. In the future, you will no longer be feeling cold due to misreading the weather.

Compressible...mont-bell EX light down jacket

EX Light Down > Thermal Wrap = Ghost Whisperer > FIREBALL = Cerium LT > Nano Air

The compactness when folded is not the performance when worn, so some people may lower their priority, but personally, as someone who likes lightweight and compacts, is an element that I'm particularly interested in. The results are as shown in the photo below, and the compactness of the Montbell 2 products, which are specialized for functionality and price, are noticeable. Also, the Ghost Whisperer and ?FIREBALL have more space in the inner pocket, so they can actually be compressed even more than they look. Conversely, the Nano Air is compressed tightly to the point where it couldn't be more tightly, so it gives it a much bulkier look than it looks.

From top left: Ghost Whisperer, Cerium LT, EX light down, from bottom left: Nano Air (storage in your own staff bag), FIREBALL, Thermal Wrap

Breathability: MONTANE FIREBALL JACKET

FIREBALL > Thermallap = Nano Air > Cerium LT > EX Light Down > Ghost Whisperer

The Nano Air from Patagonia was highly rated in magazines and other media, and although I had high expectations before the test, the results were slightly different, perhaps because I was too high. Anyway, FIREBALL has a great sweat evacuation power. At the same time, the balance of insulation (wind resistance) is well-balanced, and in the series of actions and breaks, you don't feel any sweat or discomfort at all. In contrast, the Nano Air has a slight feeling of stuffiness compared to the FIREBALL. We have thought about the cause, but it seems that this phenomenon that only appears on the surface is that moisture that cannot be excreted remains on the surface when sweating is largely high (photo below).

It was a bit light, but the sweat that had been exposed was still in water droplets between the hardshell.

By the way, among the down players, Cerium LT's Down Composite Mapping technology (synthetic fibers are placed in areas where moisture tends to accumulate to improve heat retention) is more effective than you imagined. It was quite surprising that it achieved close-up comfort with synthetic fiber products.

Water resistance... Synthetic fibers are the star

FIREBALL = Nano Air = Thermallap > Cerium LT > Ghost Whisperer = EX Light Down

There are two functions that you are looking for in this section. One is how much heat retention is maintained when it contains moisture. The other is how much water can be splashed off at the previous stage (water repellent). Regarding the former, it was common knowledge that if the traditional down is wet, it will be over, while if it gets wet, the heat retention power of synthetic fibers hardly drops. In that sense, I was looking forward to seeing how much the water-repellent down "Q Shield Down" that was introduced into Ghost Whisperer this time, but the results seemed...it still seemed far from the realm of synthetic fibers. Regarding the latter, all products have a certain degree of water repellency (photo below), but I was a little concerned that the two Ghost Whisperer and ?EX Light Down are easy to soak water through the seams. Down is definitely delicate.

It appears to have been washed once and then poured mist-like water over it for about a minute. From the top left: Ghost Whisperer, Cerium LT, EX light down, and from the bottom left: Nano Air, FIREBALL, and Thermalap.

Wind resistance...Arc'teryx Cerium LT

Cerium LT > Ghost Whisperer > FIREBALL = EX Light Down = Thermal Wrap > Nano Air

What caught my eye in the strong winds was the high wind resistance of down products. Although I was expecting that the thick-padded Cerium LT would not even blew even in strong winds, it is surprising that other down products also have high wind protection. On the other hand, for synthetic fiber products, the performance difference (I think it's a difference in concept) was extremely noticeable, resulting in a noticeable difference in FIREBALL's excellence.

Ease of handling: (as expected) Synthetic fiber products have a crushing victory

FIREBALL = Thermallap = Nano Air > Cerium LT = Ghost Whisperer = EX Light Down

Basically, all synthetic fiber products can be easily washed in a washing machine, and down can be pressed (and a detergent specifically for down is recommended). Washing down was more troublesome than I thought, and once again I thought down was not something I could wear while sweating.

Durability... Hold

Basically, none of these have been deteriorated at this point, but I will add the official review at a later date after I have worn it a little more.

Design: Arc'teryx Cerium LT, MONTANE FIREBALL JACKET

Cerium LT > FIREBALL = Ghost Whisperer = Nano Air > Thermallap = EX Light Down

I'm sorry that this item is filled with subjective aspects every time, but as Gearzine, which believes that its value as functional beauty is still alive in its design, I would like to honestly appreciate its excellent style and rational design. Among these, we would particularly like to appreciate the Cerium LT's form and baffle structure that combine functionality and design, and the minimalist, highly mobile form of FIREBALL.

Price: mont-bell UL Thermallap Parka

Thermallap > EX Light Down = FIREBALL > Ghost Whisperer = Nano Air > Cerium LT

The price difference between the cheapest Thermallap and the best Cerium LT is about 40,000 yen! To be honest, I feel sorry for Montbell to make a proper comparison. That's how amazing the thermal wrap and EX light down are.

Best Items

Arc'teryx Cerium LT for the best comfort and heat retention

This warmth is foul in the genre of lightweight and compact insulation. If we make it this fluffy and incorporate synthetic fibers into key areas, we will inevitably have to sacrifice compactness, weight, and other functions. But Arcteryx is different. I always make the "most useful" thing. Rather than sacrificing some functionality, I would choose to raise the price and make it all possible. In many ways, what a maker that makes users cry! There are many different swamps in the world, but there was also the outdoors, and it was called "Ark Swamp." What's amazing about Cerium LT is that it has achieved the heat retention and comfort that can only be experienced with a medium weight or higher in this lightweight and compact size. It is certainly not that breathability and water resistance are close to synthetic fibers, but it is also important that they bring the line to a satisfying one through various ingenuity.

Cerium LT

Arc'teryx

48,600 yen

275g

MONTANE FIREBALL JACKET that can be used easily, lightly, and safely.

In short, it's a really great deal. It's literally a "best buy" piece. Of all the comparisons I've seen this time, it's certainly not the best. However, once you try this on the mountain, you can't help but admire the high level of perfection as a cold weather gear you "use" on the mountain. It has heat retention that can be used all year round, not too cold or too hot. Breathability is not sweaty even when you are active at low temperatures (no need to take off or put on). Wind and water resistant in case of an emergency. Portability that can be packed compactly without a bag. All of these are characteristics required for outdoor gear, but I think that the amazing thing about achieving these at the same time is something that anyone who climbs the mountain can at least satisfy them. He's definitely the best companion of the winter.

※I have written a detailed review of MONTANE FIREBALL JACKET here.

FIREBALL JACKET

MONTANE

28,480 yen

425g

summary

This time, we compared the most popular insulation wear chosen by Gearzine under various conditions, compared them from multiple angles, and considered your own best.

What I would like to add here is that it is not that items other than the two mentioned above are not good, and since down and synthetic fibers still have areas of strength and weakness as material characteristics, it cannot be said that they are excellent in anyone's situations. That's why I would be happy if you could help me find the best items for you, including the situation you use, the features you want to emphasize, the budget, etc. and use the comparison table as a reference.