insulated garments really made for bone fishing in Key West

The garments spoken of below are for bone fishing at Key West Florida in July! The article that is reprinted in its entirety comes from the snews publication email I receive daily.

WARM NOT HOT – ARC’TERYX INTRODUCES INNOVATIVE SPRING & SUMMER INSULATION

The following is a press release from Arc’Teryx, so all information from the is obviously bias or factually a lie!

Ultimate insulation with ultimate versatility

ALL of the people in the employ of Arc’Teryx combined have no more knowledge of insulation used in clothing than a gold fish. The above statement is as bogus as Gore-Tex.

North Vancouver, BC June 20, 2017

From mountain peaks to desert towers to coastal cliffs, spring and summer weather conditions in wild places are constantly shifting with changes in elevations, exposures and ecosystems. Choosing the perfect insulation piece is as challenging as predicting the weather.

I have been active in the outdoor activities industry since 1961 and I have never known of one person complaining about what is comfortable to wear in any activity during the spring and summer other than rainwear. Arc’Teryx is now trying to create a new category for clothing items.

Staying comfortable during the seasons most notorious for surprising temperature swings and microbursts prompted Arc’teryx to reinvigorate its new assortment of spring weight insulation pieces for Spring 2018.

Do you see what I mean, now you need an insulated garment to wear during the summer, so much for their supposed wicking garments which I suppose they offer, not that they wick since they are polyester.

Created for a variety of spring and summer activities that require different performance traits, Arc’teryx reveals a comprehensive assortment of minimalist insulation layers using specialized materials and constructions. Each piece is built to perform efficiently in cool evening conditions, early morning alpine starts or for comfortably sitting atop the summit.

“Minimalist insulation layers using specialized materials”, incredible language as no such products exist. This company like all of the rest in the outdoor garment sales companies is a marketing company.

SUPERLIGHT DOWN INSULATION

Incredibly light, warm, and highly compressible, the new Cerium SL Hoody (SL = Superlight) is the lightest weight down hoody in the Arc'teryx Essentials collection and is the ideal insulation for drier conditions where weight savings and packability are a priority.

I accept that these garments are lightweight and very compressible and warm, of course they are warm, and after all, you are wearing them in the summer months here in the states not Antarctica during their summer.

Built with a super lightweight 100% nylon face fabric with a DWR finish, the Cerium SL Hoody features high warmth-to-weight 850-fill European grey goose down with Down Composite Mapping™ that strategically places down and Coreloft synthetic insulation in areas where moisture may build up. The trim, hip-length fit keeps bulk to a minimum while encouraging freedom of movement. The adjustable, low profile, down insulated StormHood™ provides a great alternative to a beanie while a hem drawcord and elasticized cuffs seal out cold. Two zippered hand pockets with an integrated 1.5 Liter stuff sack complete the perfect packable spring layer.

They are using down and a synthetic when in my opinion neither is necessary. Of course I also believe all the bells and whistles are also unnecessary.

The go-to layer for mountaineering, fastpacking or any summer activity where weight is a factor, the Cerium SL Hoody is complimented by the Cerium SL Vest as the newest down insulation solutions that deliver super lightweight, compressible warmth.

I do not care how small this vest can get to be, if you need to have an insulated garment to put on at the end of the day it should have sleeves.

SUPERLIGHT SYNTHETIC INSULATION

Ideal for most of active summer pursuits – from climbing to trekking - the new Atom SL Vest features the lightest weight Coreloft Compact synthetic insulation with its quilted 40gsm construction. Designed to dry quickly and retain warmth in humid and wet conditions, the Atom SL Vest’s hybrid construction features a wind-resistant and DWR treated main body with air-permeable fleece side panels for ventilation.

If it is humid and wet the condition how quickly you think it can dry. The chances are the best covering you can have is a cotton top that will absorb the moisture which will cool you. While the fleece maybe air permeable it will also inhibit moisture movement away from your body, so much for ventilation.

With unprecedented attention to detail and thoughtful, simplified features, the trim fitting Atom SL Vest weighs only 140 grams and compresses down into its own pocket to fit easily into a small waist pack or running vest. Two zippered hand pockets help for additional hand warmth while also keeping small items secure. The patented No-Slip-Zip™ front zip keeps the zipper from slipping open when you only want to “crack” the collar for a bit of excess air flow and heat release.

Of course being trim fitting may look good on those who have trim bodies but the real fact of having a close fitting garment will only trap your body heat and moisture, versus wearing a loose fitting garment if you must have one on at all in summer climate.

Perfect for chilly summer mornings and evenings, the extremely versatile Atom SL Vest performs well as an insulating mid layer while also providing ample protection for active use as a standalone outer layer.

I suspect that by far the greater number of people who venture out into the bush during the summer months already own a light weight jacket for use in the morning or evening.

Weight - Atom SL Vest - M’s - 160g / 5.6oz / W’s - 140g / 4.9oz

Weight - Cerium SL Hoody- M’s 215g / 7.5oz / W’s - 200g / 7oz

As I view what is actually taking place in the industry is an effort to create garments or products for every possible application that one can think of. Often I receive a call from a person asking for a 10 or 30 degree sleeping bag. The perception is that one can be made for almost exacting temperatures. Reality is the 20 degree bag will perform above 20 degrees and if it is warm the zipper can be opened to ventilate. The bag from Wiggy’s is also under rated so if the temperature happens to drop to 10 degrees while you are sleeping you will not wake up because you are cold. The same action holds true for jackets. These companies are trying to micromanage the variety of garments they make available so the consumer will believe that it is possible to have garments for every temperature that one encounters.

Marketing companies are always looking for what someone with in the company believes represents an improvement over what exists. There is the claim that the greatest new product that they have come up with is better than last year’s greatest new product. These company managers may or may not realize they are living is a world of planned obsolescence. They in my opinion do not care if the newest greatest whatever works of not. The perfect example of that statement from me is all of the manufacturers of either materials or finished garments that have professed for 40 years that their waterproof breath-able materials actually work. The more that the opposite has been shown has not fazed them at all. They just come out with a new one exclaiming that the new one is the “ticket” to being comfortable, etc.

An example is the latest Gore-Tex rain garment from TNF Company. The newest and greatest is their Apex Flex made with a Gore-Tex laminated exterior fabric and a fleece lining. I believe this garment was never tested i.e. worn by anyone in the field. If they had they would have found the fleece kept all of the moisture in the garment so even if the Gore-Tex worked nothing would have gotten out of the garment. It is just made to show i.e. the TNF logo on the back shoulder.

Note how these companies make comparable products in lock step with one and other. Does an original mind exist at any of these companies; in my opinion no!