my latest UL purchase was this North Face Diez jacket - one of those Steep and Cheap impulse buys, but I am glad I did it (for $100, this was a steal, they want $279 for the 2011 model at backcountry.com)
DWR fabric, 800 fill, just 14 ounces. Fabric is so shiny, the thing looks wet all the time. Now I have three thermal layer jackets in the closet and need to decide which one to take this October for a late season JMT. Each jacket is a little different (but hey, that's how you justify buying all that fancy gear
)
TNF Diez, super light, no hood, but with fleece and shell probably all I'll need for October.
Mammut Stratus hooded belay jacket, synthetic fill will stay warm no matter what, plus a nice hood and not too puffy, so it layers still very well. Weight not so good: about a pound more than the Diez, but then it's twice the jacket.
Or the super warm
MHW Sub Zero which was great in April, but comes in at 1050 grams, or about 37 ounces. Overkill unless I end up sitting in my tent for 4 days during the first winter storm.
Currently, the Diez has the edge, thinking I'l crawl into the sleeping bag should things get really ugly.
