Marmot Zeus VS. ExOfficio Storm Logic

[xcmountain80]

Expo,

I'm considering a lofty jacket as it is the only thing I don't have and they look warm. I've been shopping the Marmot Zeus 800 fill jacket and happened upon the ExOfficio in an add on Expo. They look similar other than the Marmot Zeus looks a bit more insulated. Anyone have any input?

Thank You

[amocaT]

I've looked at both jackets myself. I ended with the Zeus. It's actually a 800 fill down. I'm very happy with it. The ExO is a primaloft. I wanted a down jacket. You can't beat down for weight to insulation factor. It's super lightweight and warm.

[Flounder]

Easy call in my book. Marmot is the go-to for Exum Mountain guides. Marmot has been to every major peak from Everest to Nanga Parbat. Exofficio is great, but they can't hold a candle to Marmot's reputation for technical gear for cold environments.

Marmot.

That said, I'd also put the Arc'teryx Solo Jacket on that list. I have one and love it. As synthetic filled jackets go, it's awesome: http://arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?EN/...nsulated_Shell

Or, you could just go with the best down jacket ever made: http://westernmountaineering.com/ind...s&ContentId=55

Or, to muddy the waters even more, First Ascent makes some fantastic down jackets. It was Eddie Bauer himself (FA is their top tier line) who built the first down jacket in the US.

[ckkone]

I had a Zues and returned it for a North Face Nuptse 2 for two reasons... I think the Marmot 800 fill power might be a little inflated becuse the North Face IMO is warmer even though its rated at 700. The exterior of the Marmot seems very thin and I was worried it would tear everytime I brushed up against something. Only real advantage the Marmot had was the weight, but warmth and strength of material were more important for me.

[endo]

Expo,

I'm considering a lofty jacket as it is the only thing I don't have and they look warm. I've been shopping the Marmot Zeus 800 fill jacket and happened upon the ExOfficio in an add on Expo. They look similar other than the Marmot Zeus looks a bit more insulated. Anyone have any input?

Thank You

Since your based in Florida, I don't think you will get a ton of use from it. But I will tell you I have both, they both have their place. I REALLY like the ExOfficio. For all the wrong reasons. It turns into a neck pillow for travel. It is just right insulation wise (not a mountaineering jacket) Great for everyday use. The pockets and cut of the jacket make it the perfect year round travel companion. I have had mine since early on and cannot say enough good about it.

[Overlandexpeditionspecial]

I have a Zeus vest, and it's nice and warm, but the jacket that I wear on a near daily basis is my North Face Redpoint with Primaloft. It was referred to me by a friend that guides in Antarctic, he used it as a mid layer, but I have found it good down to the negative teens as an outer layer and then still good to the positive 40's. I think the Primaloft does a better job of regulating core temperature than down. I think down is great for non-active events, but doesnt shed heat well during exercise. Also in wet winter weather Primaloft is great in gloves or mitts as it really does maintain warmth even when soaked.

[Flounder]

I think the Marmot 800 fill power might be a little inflated becuse the North Face IMO is warmer even though its rated at 700. .

Fill power is not relative to warmth. Fill power is a measure of the quality of the down. In a nutshell, it's a measure of how light and fluffy the down is BY WEIGHT. That number is a measure of lofted volume. This is why a 20 degree 800 fill bag and a 20 degree 600 fill bag can both be 20 degree bags. 800 fill power is really just lighter and generally higher quality down. So, the Marmot jacket in 800 is filled with better feathers than the Nupste. There's just more fill in the Nupste which makes it...warmer. That Marmot jacket is really more of a down "sweater." Down sweaters are full-zip layers typically used as mid layers. That Marmot jacket is not really the same animal as the Nupste jacket. Apple and orange.

[Sirocco]

shame the shops and manufacturers dont list fill weighs all that often. It makes things difficult to compare.

I have a Rab down jacket here in the UK and it is awesome.

G

[Flounder]

shame the shops and manufacturers dont list fill weighs all that often. It makes things difficult to compare.

I have a Rab down jacket here in the UK and it is awesome.

G

I don't think fill weights are much of an indicator of warmth. Not as it relates to labeling. This is why sleeping bags are no longer rated in physical weight. A crappy five pound bag can be less efficient than a light two pound bag. Same for down-filled jackets.

Until jackets are lab tested and universally rated, common sense will drive your selection. A svelte jacket like the Zeuss, even at 800 fill, will clearly be less insulation than an uber thick down jacket. What's warmer, a t-shirt or a sweatshirt? Same logic applies to down jackets. Thicker will usually be warmer.

[Sirocco]

You must have mis-read my point

Fill weight not overall weight. Some manufacturers are listing fill weights of down so say you comparing a pair of 650 bags and one is filled with 400g down the other 600g you know the 600 will loft more and provide more insulation. This is usually shown in the EN13537 rating for sleeping bags (European standard) when you compare like for like fill powers and the given temp range.

Primaloft is a good example. I wanted a light packable jacket so I went for 60g of PL all over. You can get 100g body/60g arms, 100 all over, 120 all over etc. going for the lowest fill weight I knew I was getting only a modest amount of insulation but still packing smaller than a polartec 300 weight fleece.

When I was looking for a good down jacket I was trying to compare but it was difficult because most only list the 'fill power' 650, 750, 850 etc. then there are issues with US and EU goose down being different! then there are 95/5, 90/10, 80/20 etc ratio's the list goes on.

In the end I went for the Rab Neutrino Endurance plus as I got it for a good price and rab fill the jackets with down in the UK to prevent them being squashed during transport etc.

Anyway, this is going OT.

G