Skarper72 wrote:Hi there, I'm looking for a package lightweight down jacket for roaming the hills. I've recently been looking at north face thermoball and rab cirrus flex. Any other recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.
sorry, I just realised that no-one commented on the two jackets you have been looking at
I like both jackets, however you need to realise that neither are down, they are both synthetic, but that is not a bad thing.
I like the look of the thermoball, it is compact and an nice easy to wear jacket. I didn't get one as I have the Patagonia nano jacket, which is very similar, but pricier so I was lucky to get mine in the sales.
You need to think about what you need it for though as its not a full on winter coat. It will help fulfill that role as part of a layering system, but its more of a cold evenings around camp, or when moving in the cold, but its not a belay jacket for example, and in a full on winter you might want more warmth.
the Rab is similar, well made, by a reputable company. It has all the same pros and cons as the thermoball except.... the fleece panel sides, whilst they increase breathability, also vent our warm air, especially if its windy (in my view). I have a similar hybrid jacket, the marmot variant, which is good in some ways but it has a limited window of use. If I'm working hard then yes, I like the fact that the fleece beathes well and cools my back and sides down, but when I stop being active, I can quickly become cold on the back and sides. Also, the front (on the variant at least) is not as breathable, so the sweat tends to build up there. So really the variant is only of use if its not too cold and I'm moving but not moving too fast... I'm not sure if the cirrus has similar issues on the sides, but its worth thinking about.
If you want a thin piece that is warm and breathes well then look at the nano air (not the hybrid for the reasons mentioned above) or something with polartec alpha which have been developed specifically for active insulation.