|
|
Post by downriver on Dec 23, 2021 16:37:17 GMT -8
Lately, while hiking in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve been getting chilled due to dampness and rain. Getting older, my body gets chilled very easily in this climate. I’m really surprised how chilled I get. Years ago I use to love my LL Bean Mountain Pile fleece jacket (Polartec). I really loved the jacket; it was warm and breathable in the damp ‘n wet winter climate I live in. Unfortunately, the jacket has shrunk in length over time due to drying in out accidentally in the dryer (my fault). So due to being chilled I decided to get not one but two new fleece jackets for hiking in the weather here. i settled on the Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece Jacket (men’s); it soft, smooth, warm and breathable. Really nice shearling fleece. Looks great, too. Quality control looks great. The second jacket I got is the Patagonia Classic Retro-X Jacket (men's); it’s even warmer, has a wind stopper-like liner on the inside to stop wind but is still breathable. It has Sherpa fleece and looks great. Excellent quality control on my jacket. Warm, soft and breathable in this damp climate. Very happy I bought these fleece jackets for hiking and other winter activities (snowshoeing, birding). If you’re looking for fleece, I’d recommend both jackets. Regards, DR   |
|
|
|
Post by swmtnbackpacker on Jan 2, 2022 13:41:34 GMT -8
Basic polyester fleece can be found about anywhere, but Patagonia does it right. Even their thinnest real fleece, R1, is really best used around freezing point though. Been really looking at “Alpha Direct”, similar to Patagonia Thermal Weight Capilene.
|
|
|
|
Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 2, 2022 17:35:22 GMT -8
I like their R1 vest for its greater flexibility in layering.
|
|
cweston
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,278 
Member is Online
|
Post by cweston on Jan 3, 2022 5:05:57 GMT -8
FWIW, my wife and I grew up in Michigan, and moved to Seattle as newlyweds after college. The mantra of our first winter there was “I never knew 40 degrees could feel so cold!”
We loved it there, but having grown up in a place with “real winter,” we were surprised by how easily chilled one became on those drizzly winter days.
|
|
|
|
Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 3, 2022 8:16:02 GMT -8
FWIW, my wife and I grew up in Michigan, and moved to Seattle as newlyweds after college. The mantra of our first winter there was “I never knew 40 degrees could feel so cold!” We loved it there, but having grown up in a place with “real winter,” we were surprised by how easily chilled one became on those drizzly winter days. In some mountain rescue training lectures I attended they noted that in the PNW the average ambient air temperature during a hypothermia fatality was 55 degrees f. ETA: One case study in particular stuck with me. A fisherman’s remains were discovered, hypothermia, in his pack he had thermoses of coffee and soup: both still hot. The point was judgement goes early, a point also emphasized in one of the Mountaineers training films, The Mountains Don’t Care, iirc. |
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Jan 3, 2022 12:35:32 GMT -8
FWIW, my wife and I grew up in Michigan, and moved to Seattle as newlyweds after college. The mantra of our first winter there was “I never knew 40 degrees could feel so cold!” We loved it there, but having grown up in a place with “real winter,” we were surprised by how easily chilled one became on those drizzly winter days. In some mountain rescue training lectures I attended they noted that in the PNW the average ambient air temperature during a hypothermia fatality was 55 degrees f. ETA: One case study in particular stuck with me. A fisherman’s remains were discovered, hypothermia, in his pack he had thermoses of coffee and soup: both still hot. The point was judgement goes early, a point also emphasized in one of the Mountaineers training films, The Mountains Don’t Care, iirc. Yes, I’ve read that, too. Temperatures in the 50s are very deadly. I see in the Columbia River Gorge people coming unprepared, underdressed and no layers. One wrong turn and their day hike now turns out to be an overnighter, and without proper gear, they’re done for. DR |
|
|
|
Post by downriver on Jan 3, 2022 12:40:40 GMT -8
FWIW, my wife and I grew up in Michigan, and moved to Seattle as newlyweds after college. The mantra of our first winter there was “I never knew 40 degrees could feel so cold!” We loved it there, but having grown up in a place with “real winter,” we were surprised by how easily chilled one became on those drizzly winter days. Yes, you are correct about damp and drizzly days out here. The warmest winters for me were the cold and dry winters when I lived in Montana. No humidity, no moisture, no rain. Regards, DR |
|
BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
|
Post by BigLoad on Jan 3, 2022 15:03:10 GMT -8
In some mountain rescue training lectures I attended they noted that in the PNW the average ambient air temperature during a hypothermia fatality was 55 degrees f. That's not surprising. It's toward the lower end were most people can feel OK without outerwear. Add precipitation and there's trouble. Much colder, and most people would be too uncomfortable to step out unprotected. Of course I can tolerate lower temps in desert air, but significant humidity or moisture raises comfort threshold quickly. |
|
