We are leaving next week, and I keep vacillating between packing a fleece jacket or a thin puffer jacket as my warm layer (I already have a long sleeve synthetic wool shirt for a dry base layer). Any recommendations either way? We are coming from southern Nevada, so the cooler temperatures could be an issue.

Thanks so much!

I would say as long as you are talking about a synthetic puffer they are more or less functionally equivalent.

The fleece would probably be more tolerant of flying sparks from a fire (flying sparks would be something to avoid anyway in the current dry conditions).

I wouldn't bring a down puffer to the bwca except in winter when it's much easier to keep it dry.

There could be something else I'm not thinking of...

Have a great trip!

I have a thinner puffer jacket that I got at REI. I wear it all the time. It's warm enough for wearing to work in the winter (after all, I'm just in the car or walking across the parking lot to the office).

It's perfect for canoe trips. Not only does it pack small, but it can also be used as a pillow. Most importantly, it's a great warmth layer under a rain jacket when I also have long sleeved shirts and/or thin long johns underneath.

I've taken a fleece before and they're ok, but the puffer jacket gets my vote.

I have a small camping pillow case and stuff my puffer in it, I would bring both fleece and puffy and skip your usual pillow. I sleep in a hammock so I need a thinner pillow. Also my puffer packs small as a softball, I usually can find a spot for it, weight 13oz.

Most fleeces don't stop the wind at all. If it's breezy you'll still get cold unless you wear a windproof layer over top of it. For that reason the puffer would get my vote.

Note: the following advice is from someone who generally goes in September, not during the summer.

I find myself using a puffy more often than fleece. The comment about sparks is accurate, but I find the comment about wind to be "more" true. I have taken a puffy every trip, and add a fleece if I know there will be a significant chill.

The best thing I did for staying warm around camp was to start taking a 1/2 length underquilt and putting it around the outside of my camp chair when relaxing for the evening.

Summer time I always used a Fleece and a windbreaker. More than enough. A thin base layer like HH lifa is also a good move. But if you get cold easily an Enlighten Equipment Torrid jacket is a great choice .

Yeah my comment about being equivalent assumed a windbreaker (light rain jacket) over it, or little wind.

Another thing to consider, which you may already be aware of, is that whatever you bring stands a reasonable chance of getting at least a little bit trashed, so I wouldn't bring something that you would prefer to keep looking nice.

I second the 'fleece + windbreaker' -- I have a dense fleece Wintergreen hoody that is very bulky (downside) but warm, the hood helps. I have a very light weight pullover windbreaker. It is a good combo.
If you are coming up from points south, I will add that I always bring a knit hat, and usually some kind of glove. Over Memorial Wkd. it was cold enough that I slept with my hat and long undies on, something I rarely almost never do.
That said, you probably can't go wrong with either, as long as you account for wind/rain.

chessie: "I second the 'fleece + windbreaker' -- I have a dense fleece Wintergreen hoody that is very bulky (downside) but warm, the hood helps. I have a very light weight pullover windbreaker. It is a good combo.
If you are coming up from points south, I will add that I always bring a knit hat, and usually some kind of glove. Over Memorial Wkd. it was cold enough that I slept with my hat and long undies on, something I rarely almost never do.
That said, you probably can't go wrong with either, as long as you account for wind/rain. "

same setup here-love it. Wintergreen hoody is expensive, but should last a lifetime. Trouble with all nylon clothing-fleece-sparks love to put holes in it. Same with rain gear. I try to take them off by a fire.

I am 6'2" & 145lbs. In my experience, fleece/polartec jackets just don't provide enough warmth on there own unless paired with a windbreaker or until I'm exerting myself. In the past few years I have migrated to using down or synthetic insulated jackets which I find are warmer and wind resistant if not wind proof. It doesn't take much of an exertion to want to rip an insulated coat off though. This past year I found two jackets that I can't believe I have lived without:

Enlightened Equipment Torrid Pullover - https://enlightenedequipment.com/mens-torrid-pullover/

So warm, so light, so packable. Too warm for big exertion, but the long zip helps enough that I can recommend.

Patagonia R1 Air Zip Neck - https://www.rei.com/product/200397/patagonia-r1-air-zip-neck-pullover-mens?color=ROBIN%2520BROWN

Warmest fleece I ever owned, yet somehow thin and fits great? Sold.

Hope this helps!

I bring both a lightweight fleece for around camp in the cool evenings and mornings and also a Patagonia Ultralight down jacket whose inner stuff pocket creates a small rectangular pillow that I use in my Dutchware Chameleon hammock. It only gets used as a jacket when it's cold enough and I'm layering it under my rain shell.

Shoulder seasons I have a base layer that can function as a LS shirt (6 oz in L), a button-up fishing shirt (7oz in L), a lighterweight (9oz in L) fleece, a synthetic puffy with a hood (10oz in L) and a non-breathable rain jacket (6oz). If it's seriously cold, I can wear all of those layers. Which I did while it was snowing last month.

In summer I drop the puffy.

For warmth, I'd go with a lightweight puffer. I don't bother bringing a windbreaker. Instead, I have a really nice fishing raincoat that serves both purposes.

This worked for me last week.

Paka Hoodie

Waterwatereverywhere: "We are leaving next week, and I keep vacillating between packing a fleece jacket or a thin puffer jacket as my warm layer (I already have a long sleeve synthetic wool shirt for a dry base layer). Any recommendations either way? We are coming from southern Nevada, so the cooler temperatures could be an issue.

Thanks so much! "

I’d go with the thin puffer, it’ll keep you warmer in cooler temps over your base layer.

Puffer with a waterproof shell over it.
Shell should have enough room to not compress the puffer jacket underneath.
I live in that combo here all winter. Way better than fleece.

Pinetree mentioned that fleece and puffer jackets are prone to getting holes from sparks...so true. My solution to that is an oversized button up Columbia fishing shirt that I wear over everything when I'm around a fire. It has collected little spark holes over the years as the "sacrificial lamb" of my clothing. It also protects the other clothing from dirt, pot black and from branches that might put a tear in my alpha fleece. It is also my sun shirt during the day.

I have a fleece hoodie and sometimes bring a thin puffy vest to wear over that. My rain top would go over that if the wind is up.

You don't see any high quality sleeping bags made from fleece. You do see high quality down in both bags and coats/vests with good results.
Take care of your gear and respect it.
Fleece is fall gear/ late spring. Down is for when you need it most. My .02.

Waterwatereverywhere: "We are leaving next week, and I keep vacillating between packing a fleece jacket or a thin puffer jacket as my warm layer (I already have a long sleeve synthetic wool shirt for a dry base layer). Any recommendations either way? We are coming from southern Nevada, so the cooler temperatures could be an issue.

Thanks so much! "

I’d go with the thin puffer, it’s lightweight, packs easily and usually warmer than a fleece, especially if it gets windy or damp. Layer it over your wool shirt for extra warmth. For your hands, hairsheep gloves are perfect for keeping them warm and comfortable during cooler outdoor temps.

WhiteWolf: "You don't see any high quality sleeping bags made from fleece. You do see high quality down in both bags and coats/vests with good results.
Take care of your gear and respect it.
Fleece is fall gear/ late spring. Down is for when you need it most. My .02.
"

+1 on this position. A question, though--since the US has ceased production of the humble penny, should we now say "...my two nickels worth"??

TZ