North Face Redpoint Insulator jacket question??

Hello

I have just received a North Face primaloft redpoint jacket. I ordered two sizes (small and medium) so I could select the appropiate size. They came via mail order.

The small jacket fits very well whilst the medium jacket looks and feels a tad just too large. I guess I am an in-between size!

I've noted that the small sized jacket is no where as warm as the medium sized jacket, although the smaller of the jackets certainly fits me better (slightly firm and trim but not uncomfortable). When I put on medium jacket, fold my arms and hug myslef you can feel the air inside the jacket flowing up into the neck.

Do most folks buy their jackets a little large or form fitting????

I'm unsure which to keep. Thanks..........Iain

I would have to look at you wearing to give a real opinion, but I prefer a slightly loose fit for jackets for a couple reasons. Main one is mobility. Tight or close fits restrict movement too much. Second one is if the jacket is going to be layered. My Primaloft jackets tend to get worn over a couple of layers, which of course tightens the fit. The looser fit generally traps more dead air space, so more insulating value.

OTOH, if you want it for in-town stylish wear, the "trim" fit will emphasize your athletic figure {;=>D

Hi;

Thanks for your helpful comments.

Are the insulator style jackets a replacement with similar warmth characteristics to the puffy down jackets that make you look like michelon man?? Iain

Primaloft is the nearest synthetic currently to down in its insulating, stuffing, and durability. So in some sense, it is a trade for a down jacket of the same insulating value. The advantage is that, being synthetic, it does not lose its loft like down when wet, it retains some insulating value when wet unlike down, and it does not hold moisture like down (i.e., dries faster). The down side (bad pun!) is that it still does not equal down in compressability, insulation per weight, or durability, although fairly close. They aren't quite equal.

Michelin Man? Oh, you mean Bibendum! Slimmed down a lot in the past couple of years, hasn't he? It turns out that since all insulations in clothing and sleeping bags depend on dead air space, equal insulating power means equal "puffiness". Sorry, but that's just basic physics. If the Primaloft jacket is thinner than some particular down jacket, it will have less insulating capability, and conversely. There are some other factors, like baffling vs sewn-through seams. You can look stylish in a fleece jacket, but you won't get the insulation. For example, my Patagucci R3 (fleece) is a long way from my Integral Designs Dolomiti jacket (Primaloft) in insulating value, although awfully close in weight, with the Dolomiti stuffing much smaller. I don't climb or ski in either, though. For those I use Schoeller jackets. The Dolomiti is used as a belay jacket for sitting around on those cold belays while my partner thrutches on the pitch.

Thanks bill. It seems that you cannot really have functionality and style when it comes to these types of jackets! The jacket that fits is quite cool (temperature), but the slightly larger is warm! I always choose functionality first!

I like the North Face Redpoint, but am a little shocked at the poor insulation of the size small which fits me well verses the better insulation of the medium jacket – no doubt the extra warmth is caused by the extra air space that is available in the larger jacket warming up …Iain