Beyond Fleece

“I can't believe it! backpacker Mag has TWO useful things in it this month!

In the outfitting section they had a write up on this new fleece company out of Oregon called Beyondfleece. It is custom fitted and sized fleece. you go on the web site, give you axact mesurements and they make it for you. the price is comperable to some of the REI, TNF type stuff. It's worth checking out, especially if you have a hard to shop for build.

BeyondFleece.com

http://www.beyondfleece.com/”

“Nigal, what was the second one?”

“I'm not much on fleece for warmth. My synthetic Moonstone Cirrus jacket weighs less, packs smaller, and blocks wind better. It also makes a great pillow.”

“and it's a beautiful bright pink!”

“Just like your undies!”

“the ones that YOU gave me!”

“I found this issue to be a complete waste of paper”

“I retired my fleece the first time I tried the Patagonia Puffball.”

“Moonstone Cirrus, Patagonia Puffball...

I'm with you guys...my Mountain Hardware Chaugah jacket is the same concept, and the best jacket I've ever owned.”

“I like my wool sweater”

“I've had my eye on this LL Bean jacket for a long time. Or the Wildthings EP jacket but they don't make them in my size!”

“that jacket is uglyer then bacpac”

“Send all your "not good enough" fleece to me.

I thought the salad recipes were good, anxious to try 'em. Also found a kid carrier rated to 70 freakin pounds! Anyone wanna buy a Kelty Expedition?”

“Got a good laugh out of the backtalk section, second letter under "lighten up". Reminded me of Bacpac calling Nige irresponsible and dangerous! HAhaHa!”

“Is the Kelty fitted to you, Joy. How much?”

“It's adjustable, Birch has used it too but we're about the same height. $180 plus shipping and handling. Actually, I'll forgo the handling fee. :o) It's got the rain and sun hood and was not one of the ones recalled.”

“I've been looking at getting one of these:
MEC Northern Lite Pullover

A review I read on another site from a guy that owns the Puffball Pullover and the MEC Northern Lite Pullover preferd the MEC. And at the excahange rate (this is a Canadian site) the MEC jacket only costs about $58.70, and it only weighs 1/2 ounce more.”

“Or check out these from Cabelas - approximately the same thing as the Bean jacket for about half the price, in sizes up to 3XT. Plus they come in black, so you won't look like you're wrapped in duct tape!

Cabela's Ultimate Systems Primaloft Jacket

Cabela's Primaloft Underwear”

“Hey, I have an ordinary llbean fleece shirt ($22) that is the softest thing I've ever owned, and is very warm.

Those of you raving about Patagonia and MH, can you explain the advantages, etc. vs the cost. Are these apples to oranges, or all windjackets or all shirts for under a windjacket?”

“The puffball is wind resistant, lighter, and most importantly (to me) stuffs so much smaller. I found mine at 50% off which is still like $65, but the Patagonia stuff I've had before lasts literally forever.”

“LyndyS - these particular items are not fleece, they are jackets/vests with synthetic "quilted" insulation. They are warmer, more compressible & lighter than fleece, making them ideal for very cold weather camping. If you are interested in the concept but don't like the cost, you can often find down vests or jackets for much less $$ that will work just as well. I think the advantage of synthetics vs. down is that the synthetics theoretically are not affected as much by getting wet.”

“Lands End is selling a down vest for about $25. Our daughter bought a couple last year--she says they are nice.”

“Thanks, Omahiker, that clears up some confusion for me.”

“The thing that attracts me to the Patagonia stuff is the fact that they have subdued colors companies like TNF, MH and most of the Bean stuff doesn?t come in. the stuff is made very practical also. If you look at a TNF parka you will see there is about 50 seams and panels of material and 25 zippers. Most Patagonia stuff is very simply made and has very little that you don?t need.

I just wish I could AFORD Patagonia! I have no doubt it?s worth the money though.”

“Ms.LyndyS, there are very few clothing items that I purchased that weren't a deal. ALL of the "gear" jackets I own I got were on sale. My Chaugah jacket was $125 ($135 now) and marked down to $80. The rest of the story is hard to explain...I tried the jacket on and it was the most comfortabe jacket (I swear) I ever tried on. Although the comfort level may be similar, NO fleece jacket could compare to it wrt warmth. It even compresses down smaller than any fleece jacket ever could. Just try on one of those types of jackets and you'll know what I mean.

That Cabella's jacket Ms.OmaHiker linked is a steal for what it's worth, in EVERY respect.

I can imagine the cost of one of theso custom-made Beyond Fleece jackets is "beyond comprehension"!”

“The price isn't bad Budder. One of the jackets they tried in backpacker was called the B1. Windproof, water repellent, breathable, Polartech windbloc fleece, full leanth pit zips, and it was $139. Not bad for a jacket like this.”

“I'm not tall or monkey armed, so I don't need custom made, I just get confused about the different types of fabrics.

I would love a down vest or the Cabela jacket, but I think my husband will cancel the credit cards if I buy anything other than Christmas gifts for a while. (I'm not blaming him, since I am not currently working).

But I will keep these bits of info in mind. I have a wish list on the computer that I refine every now and then. But for now, I can manage with what I have.”

“Isn't it too bad that the government will pay for daycare but won't pay moms to stay at home with their kids?! Think of all the gear $ we'd have if they did!”

“I used to work at a non-profit that handled the admin of paying the daycares for the government. The purpose is to get these women trained in some skills that will help them support themselves throughout their lives. The longer they are unskilled and at home with babies, the harder it gets for them to function in the workforce.

For some of us who already have skills, working costs more in taxes and expenses, than what we would actually get to keep in incremental earnings. Then it makes more sense to scale back spending and live a simpler, less stressful life (and wait patiently for those gear purchases).
Patient? .. Me?

That is why Joy and I like the Simple Living website.”

“Patience is best, LyndyS. Are you familiar with SierraTradingPost.com? NorthernMountainSupply.com is good too. There are lots of discount palces and REI has good sales as well. Figure out what works for you and then...wait for it...”