Best warmth to weight ratio

By don bowie Ranked #618 - Men's Fleece Jackets December 21, 2009

The way insulation works is to trap warmth in something manufacturers call "Dead Air Space" or DAS. In essence, the more trapped dead air, the warmer the garment. The Monkey Man fleece construction traps air very well, especially under a shell jacket, and is VERY light for the warmth it offers. But where I think this jacket really excels is its ability to vent heat and sweat during activity. I often use the Monkey Man as an outer layer (see image)- even in light snow and wind- due to the breathability of the fleece, and I can therefore better regulate my body temperature. The new generation of Monkey Man fleece is more subject to "pilling" than the older version, and subsequently compresses down in the elbows and under the pack straps after a few weeks of use- but this decrease in durability is still very worth it due to the jacket's overall performance, and I end up buying at least 1 new one every year. The Monkey Man jacket is definitely a MUST HAVE item for all seasons in the outdoors- but especially as an insulating layer during cold weather activities. 5 stars.

View Details: Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Fleece Jacket - Men's

Helpful Votes: 4 Yes