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Mont Bell Mirage...

Original Post
Cale Hoopes · · Sammamish, WA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 10

So, is this a game changer for the ultralight/lightweight/alpine crowd for a super warm belay jacket?

Mont Bell Mirage:
montbell.us/products/disp.p…

My synthetic Thermawrap with a hood weighs 12 oz. and I bet it's not as warm as this. Anyone tried this in the field yet?

Oh, and for those naysayers about cost - I'm really looking regarding performance. I know you can get cheaper options. I just want to discuss whether this new jacket has any merit...

rock-fencer · · Columbia, SC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 265

i think if you sneeze down will go flying everywhere? 7D is nothing. Probably crazy warm though

bearbreeder · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 3,065

there are already jacket out there that have 40%+ of the weight as down

IMO if you are willing to pay full price ... wait to see if this fancy nanotech down water resistant treatment really works and lasts ...

now THAT could be a "game changer"

Dave Bn · · Boise, ID · Joined Jul 2011 · Points: 10
bearbreeder wrote:there are already jacket out there that have 40%+ of the weight as down IMO if you are willing to pay full price ... wait to see if this fancy nanotech down water resistant treatment really works and lasts ... now THAT could be a "game changer"
After the water repelency treatment these "water-proof" down jackets weigh very little less than synthetic. I think that's a technology that still needs some time.
Jay Karst · · Golden · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 65

I did a lot of homework prior to picking my new UL down. I was really impressed with the Mirage's down to overall weight ratio. However upon trying this jacket on I quickly became uncomfortable with the paper thin shell(Great material for the liner). Given that I would be using this jacket on ice/mixed/alpine routes I envisioned $50 worth of down flying in the breeze with one wrong move. That said I did end up going with a very similar jacket. The RAB Infinity Endurance (Should be arriving today!!) I found it for $280 online & liked the color options a bit more. The RAB's 10D quantum Pertex GL felt a bit more substantial. Hopefully the factory DWR treatment will add to its abrasion resistance. Still gonna have to watch those Sharp points and rough granite though.

Rab Infinity Endurance

Cale Hoopes · · Sammamish, WA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 10

Wow! An actual good discussion so far! I wondered about how "fragile" this whole thing would be. 7D sounds pretty light.

I will totally have to check out that Rab Infinity Endurance. Wonder if it's as warm... Backcountry misrepresents it's weight by the way at 7oz. It's actually 17oz according to the Rab site.

Let us know what it's like in the field. I'll probably go check the Mont Bell out at the local Pro Mountain Sports shot soon.

BTW, I also agree in regards to the "dry-down" technology. I believe it hasn't reached prime time - why? Still almost as heavy as synthetic and still very expensive. I think I'll pretty much do either (synthetic or down) exclusively until it becomes more viable.

Your points about the durability is not lost on me... Ice Climbing and fragile jackets can be kinda dangerous ;-)

Dane · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 562

The shell seems durable enough to me on the Mirage.

Not like I am going to be thugging up any off widths in it. Good call Cale.

JJNS · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 531

Anyone know if the old Cloudveil Inversion jackets were made with the same Mirage material that this new Montlbell jacket is made of?

Cale Hoopes · · Sammamish, WA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 10

So, after this discussion about the Mirage... what about this? A full 6 oz heavier? Way more expensive?

outsideonline.com/outdoor-g…

Dane? Others? Discuss?

Brie Abram · · Celo, NC · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 493

Dane's review of the Mirage reports 3.5 inches of double-sided loft. If the article's mention of 1.5 inches of loft in the body of the Encapsil is accurate (assuming that means one-sided), then 3 or even 3.5 inches of loft is about the same as the Mirage. That is not the last word on warmth due to the importance of down density and the cut of each jacket, but it's still worth mentioning. The Encapsil looks to be cut a bit longer than the Mirage. The Mirage's lighter 7d face fabric may have something to do with it being able to expand more fully, but who knows?

The hood on the Encapsil looks really nice.

The Encapsil's price includes free high tech cleaning, inspection, and repair forever. They will send you a free shipping label to do that up to twice per year. The cleaning they offer is supposed to ensure the 1000 fill down lasts.

The Mirage's price is supposed to come down to $309 for the coming season. Campsaver and Backcountry Gear already have it at that retail price.

The Encapsil looks awesome, but what I see is a jacket more than twice as expensive, 30-40% heavier, and maybe not much warmer than the Mirage.

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436
patagonia.com/us/product/pa…

This Patagonia entry looks very lustful. (but pricey)
Cale Hoopes · · Sammamish, WA · Joined Nov 2012 · Points: 10

What I didn't realize about Encapsil is that it's WATER REPELLENT TREATED. If that stuff works even at all, this 6 oz more jacket has a place - simply because it competes more with a synthetic jacket than the Mirage. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so my down jackets don't get a lot of work - unless it's fairly close to ultra dry.

Rob Lilley · · Greensboro, NC · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 85

I've been using the Rab Infinity jacket for two years now and it still looks as if I walked out of the shop with it yesterday, which frankly is damned impressive. It has been used for absolutely everything from walking to the pub to Scottish winter climbing to rolling around on top/bottom of crags whilst photographing bouldering/trad stuff. The Pertex outer is significantly more durable than it first appears.

I'm a skinny guy and feel the cold BADLY but the Infinity keeps me toasty warm when standing around in freezing temps easily. It's my go-to piece during the winter.

I can't speak for the Mirage at all but big thumbs up for the Infinity!

Rob Lilley · · Greensboro, NC · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 85

Oh, speaking of hydrophobic down, expect to see most manufacturers using it in their Winter 2013 ranges. Rab will be using it in all their down products for one.

Kai Larson · · Sandy, UT · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 436

Bought the Patagonia encapsil jacket.

Delivered today.

Light, well made, puffy.

Don't think my Dually parka will see much use going forward.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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