All of the bicycles I own have chromoly frames. Of course, during the recent RIDEALIVE in Yamanashi, I was straddling my heavy-duty Surly Long Haul Trucker, and not for a second did I wish I was on a lighter bike, even on the tough climbs. Up until now, I haven't been particularly picky about that aspect, but recently, when enjoying ride-to-hike trips like the one at RideAlive, I have been keenly feeling the importance of "lightness." However, this isn't about the bike, but about the gear I carry. Lightweight items are often thin, or even if they are voluminous, they can be compressed tightly into a very small volume. This not only makes the load lighter but also more compact and much easier to carry. I am drawn to "lightness" in that sense.
By the way, during the cold winter season, warm clothing becomes essential, and inevitably, such items tend to be thick and bulky. It’s one thing to wear them, but when riding or engaging in various other activities, body temperature regulation becomes important, so there are many times when you have to take them off and pack them away. At such times, clothing that is light, compact, and yet warm is incredibly useful.
It is not easy to find a piece of clothing that combines all of those qualities, but I would say that this Patagonia Micro Puff Vest truly has them all.
[PATAGONIA] Micro Puff Vest
Price : ¥25,000_(tax excluded)
Color : Black, Forge Grey
The Micro Puff Vest combines the warmth and lightness of down, keeping your core warm without letting your body cool down. It has the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any Patagonia product; the PlumaFill insulation is phenomenally light, packs down compactly for excellent portability, and provides warmth even when wet. The Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon shell is treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish, making it water-resistant and windproof to fend off cold winds and snow. With its elasticized hem, zippered handwarmer pockets, and internal drop-in pockets that utilize the lining of the handwarmer pockets, its structure is minimal to ensure maximum performance.
It can be worn over shirts, cut-and-sewns, or, depending on the size, sweatshirts and fleeces. Moreover, taking advantage of the vest style, you can even layer an outer shell on top of it.
At the time of the shoot, I (170cm tall) am wearing a size S. While it has a slightly relaxed fit, I can easily wear a size S Lightweight Gorilla Jacket over it, and layer something thicker than a shirt underneath. Shige, who is 165cm, wears a size XS for a perfect fit.
The Micro Puff Vest can be used in so many ways. Why not make it an essential part of your winter gear?