When I discovered Macpac was bringing out a synthetic uber-light jacket made from PrimaLoft, I was super excited.
The uber jacket range is a popular seller at Macpac (I work in the Frankton store) for those who want a light warm jacket. But as someone who doesn’t use down gear, this vegan-friendly option was exciting.
I was fortunate to get my hands on a prototype, which I’ve been using regularly over the last few months. There was one tweak made between the prototype and the jacket available in stores, that being the jacket folds up into the pocket rather than a sleeve on the inside. That’s a massive benefit!
Oh, the logo is different too.
This post will get into what I do and do not like about this vegan-friendly, synthetic, uber light insulated jacket. If you don’t want to read my dribble, you can buy it online now.
1. Macpac Uber Light Insulated Jacket Specs
2. What I Like About The Jacket
3. What I Don’t Like About The Jacket
MY MACPAC UBER LIGHT INSULATED JACKET REVIEW
From L to R: Macpac Halo Jacket, Macpac Uber Insulated Jacket, Macpac Uber Insulated Jacket (prototype I used), Macpac Uber Light Down Jacket.
1. TECH SPECS
Staying warm on Pigeon Island
You can head to the product page for more but here’s the important stuff:
- Inner Fabric: 100% Recycled Nylon — bluesign® certified
- Fill Type: PrimaLoft® Black ThermoPlume® 100% Recycled Polyester
- Fill Weight: 181 grams for the medium
- Total Weight: ~270 grams for the medium
- Main Fabric: 100% Recycled Nylon — bluesign® certified
- DWR C6 WR
2. WHAT I LIKE
Enjoying a sneaky cold evening on the ridge next to Mueller Hut thanks for the Uber Insulated Jacket.
Feels light. Primaloft® has come a long way since starting out in the 1980s and is getting closer to down in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio (there are so many variables to this)…but it’s not likely the best in class Primaloft® materials will match the warmth-to-weight ratio of the highest quality down. That’s a long way to say, this jacket is light, with a little less fill weight than the Halo Jacket!
I don’t need to bring a rain jacket ALL the time. While I love my tempo rain jacket, it’s not always fun to need to bring a warm jacket AND a rain jacket. So it’s useful that it’s not the end of the world if that Uber Light Synthetic Jacket gets wet. My first experience with this was biking to the pub one day…it was sneaky rainy, and I got wet – but I was never cold. After putting it out to dry on the back of my seat for an hour or so, it was dry enough
The chest pocket is useful. Some chest pockets exist but I never use them…I don’t use my Pisa Jacket chest pocket often…but have used this one a lot!
It’s not bulky. As someone who doesn’t drive, having a bulky jacket is inconvenient. The synthetic Light Jacket can be packed down light and goes even smaller on the jackets that fold into the pocket.
It’s vegan-friendly. I may change my mind in the future, but as a long-term vegan, I avoid down-filled products. While it’s not the best warmth-to-weight ratio, I’m happy to make that sacrifice. Even better, the product is made from 100% recycled materials. Winning.
3. WHAT I DON’T LIKE
There’s no hooded version available. Let’s hope this changes with good traction as a vegan-friendly/recycled jacket and Macpac has no choice.
There’s no mention of this being vegan-friendly. I’ll send an email to those who know, but as this is a vegan option for many…I’m surprised this isn’t mentioned on the product page at all.
When I saw the vegan-friendly uber jacket coming to Macpac stores, I was stoked and have been happily telling friends they should keep an eye out for the jacket.
Between this and my Pisa, I’m pretty much set for all day to day, trail running and hiking adventures in terms of warmth! Check out some other gear I rate.
If you have any questions about the Uber Light synthetic jacket, please email me jub@churnewzealand.com, or leave a comment below.
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.