Men’s Premier Packer™ Hoodie 5 5 1 1
Warmth Without the Weight I bought a small black version as an insulated liner for a now discontinued North Face triclimate with two softshell layers. The NF 3-in-1 did not provide enough insulation to be comfortable in a t-shirt below 32F. As such, I needed something thin and lightweight that would provide medium to high-medium levels of insulation without restricting movement of an already athletically cut jacket. The Premier Packer has fit this niche.I've been able to maintain a business casual appearance in the middle of winter while still staying warm even down to 18F. There is practically no added weight and with the included pack away pouch, there's no penalty to taking it with you wherever you might experience cold weather. It is good by itself from 35-50F, but will need either a warm baselayer or an outer shell for colder conditions. DWR works briefly as advertised, but as with any insulated shell like this, once they get wet they tend to stay that way for a while. The DWR is good protection for you while you fetch your real waterproof shell from your pack. It breathes better or as good as a comparable garment.The garment does not look like a "puffy" even though it is stitched up like one. It is very slim and offers a good range of movement - good enough to be used for intense firearms training. However, be warned that the outer fabric is a bit fragile; don't snag it on rocks or anything sharp, you might tear it. Didn't tear mine, but could see how easy it might be. This is best as a mid layer, NOT as an outer layer.If I could make changes I would:Allow the hood to be removable. At this price point this absolutely needs to be a feature.Lengthen the arms by 0.5-1 inch to accommodate taller users.Overall, great piece of gear, and I would buy it again, though perhaps not at full price. I had 30% off and free shipping. January 21, 2013