Topic: The Best Insulated Skirts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 30 times)
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Topic: The Best Insulated Skirts of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 30 times)
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This extra puffy down-filled skirt is perfect for frigid day hikes and long sits in the blind. It’s wind and water resistant for wintry hikes and the black version is quiet enough for hunting. It’ll provide the necessary insulation and warmth for breaks and ridgelines and the flexibility to hike, snowshoe, or even cross country ski.
Outdoor Research’s Coldsnap Down Skirt is versatile and performs in harsh weather. It also has a two-way zipper on the side for easy on and off. It can also be zipped up from the bottom for even more mobility. While it has less fill power than the Montbell, it is noticeably puffier and features responsibly sourced down instead of the typically heavier and colder synthetic of the Cirrus. However, the Coldsnap is still the heaviest on this list. But at only 6.7 ounces, it’s still lightweight enough for active adventures.
The first difference to note between the Rab and the other two skirts on this list is that the Rab is synthetic filled. More weather resistant and 100 percent recycled, the synthetic fill has some major pros though it’s typically not as warm. However, in this case, the Rab has visibly more insulation resulting in a puffier puffy skirt. This is my go-to layer when I’m headed to the resort to ski. I throw on my thermals, puffy jacket, and puffy skirt and keep my shell layers stowed until I’m ready to wrap myself in gore-tex.
I stay plenty warm de-icing my windshield, grabbing a caffeine fix, and waiting for lifts to open in this system. The Rab Cirrus Skirt also features a full length zipper that allows for venting and easy on and off. There’s an additional button clasp and Velcro at the top to keep it secure when in motion. The longer hemline doesn’t make it as running friendly as the Montbell, but it’s great for hikes, around town, and bundling up in cold temps.
There’s a surprising amount of variety in insulated skirts. Some wrap around you or are almost full-length. These are great options if you’re sitting in a blind, by the fire, or watching a sporting event, but not ideal for a free range of movement. I focused on shorter skirts to allow for a lot of activity. Some are also heavier and less co*pressible than others, which will make it harder to stow and carry into the backcountry.
The insulation in a puffy skirt will contribute to how co*pressible it is but the warmth it provides is more important. While synthetic insulation has a lot of advantages like staying warm even when wet, down is king when it co*es to packability and the warmth-to-weight ratio. The warmer and heavier skirts on this list are the Coldsnap and the Cirrus, but Montbell’s light but quality insulation will still keep you outside longer (and happier) than without one of the best insulated skirts.
Whether you can unzip or pull off the skirt, easy take off is a necessity for insulated skirts because they work so well. They should be designed to be simply shed once you’re co*pletely warm or ready to change into ski clothes. On a cold hike, slow stalk, or freezing run you might keep on your skirt for the duration of your activity, but a full-length zipper or stretchy waistband is key for a versatile layer.
A puffy skirt covers a major artery in your groin to circulate warm blood throughout your lower body. It also protects the typically fattier (and therefore more susceptible to cold) parts of your body from freezing temperatures. An insulated skirt keeps you warmer than expected in a convenient and shedable layer.
You can cross country ski in one of the best insulated skirts as it is similar to running, hiking, or snowshoeing. However downhill or ski touring would be ill-advised as you should be wearing snow pants for optimal waterproofing and free range of motion. A puffy skirt is great for pre- or post-skiing though and ideal for après.
The best insulated skirt is one that allows you to move freely, insulates against the cold, and is easily put on and removed.
A puffy skirt might sound silly in theory, but in practice they work to insulate where you need it most in a highly convenient layer. If you’ve ever sweated out fleece lined leggings on trail, an insulated skirt is for you. It allows you to dress co*fortably for activity without suffering through freezing early hours, sedentary sections, or in-between moving moments. There are plenty of options out there but the Montbell Superior Down Trail Skirt, Outdoor Research Coldsnap Down Skirt, and Rab Women’s Cirrus Insulated Skirt versions enco*pass two ways to wear the best insulated skirts.
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