Prima loft insulation?

[RedShaft]

Any of you use prima loft type insulation under your outerwear as layer for warmth?
I just recently read about it. Seems very package n light but high in heat retention.
Any recommendations on brands to get?

[Sockrsblur]

I have some stuff, mid-layer jackets, I think a sleeping bad, gear from EMS. It's a synthetic insulation so it still performs if wet. I had no complaints with any of the gear that utilized it. It compressed well to for backpacking trips. Overall a thumbs up!

[RedShaft]

Thanks. I figured I could even find it in hiking type gear? It don't have to be camo  as it will be used as a layer under Kuiu or wool. They stuff Kuiu has is nice but just a tad salty for an under layer.

[Wandering Archer]

You'll probably have better luck finding it in hiking gear stores, as it's an attempt to make synthetic insulation light like down. Obviously, like all synthetics, it falls short of that goal, but still a decent insulator. I used to have a jacket, but for backpacking purposes, switching to down instead, was an easy lb. to lose. It kept me as warm as I expected it to as part of my layering system.

[Rob W.]

I only have limited experience with the prima loft but I did buy an Eddie Bauer down vest with similar specs to the Kuiu at an outlet store. I have put together almost my whole backpacking/hunting kit with sales and clearance.

[Sockrsblur]

Redshift... your intended use and the availability of replacement gear is key to the choice.

Consider this...
  Pro Down - Ounce for ounce, down is warmer than synthetic insulation. No manmade fiber matches down’s warmth-to-weight ratio.

  Pro Synthetics- Down loses its insulating power when it becomes wet and takes a long time to dry out, especially in a humid climates, synthetics do not loose their insulation power if wet!

Unlike a few decades ago, synthetic insulation technology has become much more sophisticated. There are now numerous types of high-performance synthetic insulations available, and several come close to down in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio.

Lookup 3 good outdoor stores and read on their sites...
EMS
REI
MSR

[RedShaft]

Hiking in, sometimes long walk. Mountainous terrains, want a non bulky, light pack able layer to wear under my outerwear. That's warm but is not bulky. I will be using wool as undergarment and also as combining it with this layer to use in stand hunting during cold climates. And to be able to remove, compress to thin layers for a drag or walk out with gear.

[Herdbull]

Some of Sitka gear uses Prima Loft as insulation(Kelvin). The incinerator line use a combination of Prima Loft and Down.

[stalkin4elk]

I really like down and primaloft but both generally have some noisey nylon shell fabric that is not really tradbow quiet. Yes, it is also a bit noisy even under wool outer layers. The good part is the shell fabrics are very packable and wind resistant thus enhancing warmth. Look for 100gram or more for warmth and 60ish gram for hiking or mid layer in prmaloft. PL also easily machine washes and dries fast.

[Steve O]

I never go into the mountains without my Sitka Melvin vest in my pack. Best insurance in the world. I know if I get stuck out over night I can make it thru in comfort. Light, warm and not affected by weather. Scrunches down to the size of my water bottle.

[Hoyt]

I got a Cabela's PrimaLoft I carry in my backpack when cool weather starts. Lots of times I get cold up in a tree right before dark or right after daylight and it comes in handy.

It did cost me a shot at a buck last season right before dark. I heard it come out of a cornfield behind me and even though I knew better and told myself not to I turned to my right to look behind me without leaning forward enough to get the back of vest off tree trunk. It will swish, but is avoidable.

He heard it and was gone.

[Herdbull]

I view it as packable insulation and wear it under, not as outerwear.

[RedShaft]

Originally posted by Herdbull:
I view it as packable insulation and wear it under, not as outerwear.

Yes that's how I plan on using it.

How thick is that stuff? If you have a normal fitting outer garment for cool to cold weather n wear this under, is it thin enough to not create bulkiness around your arms and armpits?

[Steve O]

Originally posted by Hoyt:
I got a Cabela's PrimaLoft I carry in my backpack when cool weather starts. Lots of times I get cold up in a tree right before dark or right after daylight and it comes in handy.

It did cost me a shot at a buck last season right before dark. I heard it come out of a cornfield behind me and even though I knew better and told myself not to I turned to my right to look behind me without leaning forward enough to get the back of vest off tree trunk. It will swish, but is avoidable.

He heard it and was gone.

So, the Sitka Kelvin is made to be worn UNDER an outer layer.  It is noisy if you rub it with your fingernails.  That same frabic that makes noise when you dont use it properly is silent and glides like hot snot on a cold platter on any other fabric.

I also have a Sitka Fanatic vest which is made to be an outer layer.  It IS silent when worn on the outside.  It has some excellent design features including a built in insulated handwarmer pocket.  Love that vest!

[TubbsTru]

I've had the Sitka Fanatic series...didn't perform that well in my opinion here in the deep cold of Wisconsin. BUT...it uses a lower grade Primaloft (Primaloft Sport). Find something using Primaloft One. The Cabelas Passage series jacket and vest are GREAT pieces at a reasonable price. In my opinion the outer fabric on these are quieter than a lot of similar garments. No worries when worn as a mid-layer.

[FoCoBlackWidow]

I'm a big fan of the Kuiu Super Down Hooded Jacket. It's a bit noisy but I haven't had the chance to wear it completely covered with a sweater or anything yet. I'm going to give that a whirl for whitetails this year if it's quiet enough.

[babs]

I bought a north face vest with primaloft and I love it thats why im gonna get me a set of the sitka fanatic for late season archery I should be set for a long time.

[Steve O]

Originally posted by TubbsTru:
I've had the Sitka Fanatic series...didn't perform that well in my opinion here in the deep cold of Wisconsin. BUT...it uses a lower grade Primaloft (Primaloft Sport). Find something using Primaloft One. The Cabelas Passage series jacket and vest are GREAT pieces at a reasonable price. In my opinion the outer fabric on these are quieter than a lot of similar garments. No worries when worn as a mid-layer.

I guess that shows everyone is different.  My young son and I spent Christmas week a couple years ago in Buffalo Co. Wisconsin bowhunting.  He killed his first turkey at -4F comfortably in his Fanatic bibs and jacket.

   Warm Happy Primaloft Story  


 

[FoCoBlackWidow]

Cool shot, Steve O

[screamin]

I have a Sitka Kelvin jacket and a vest and love the stuff. But our bow seasons out west are in August and Sept. I don't think these two jackets would we warm enough for back east, would definitely have to use it as a midlayer. Noise hasn't been an issue but mine are broke in real well, they get quieter with age.