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The cold world of skimo & alpine climbing

The cold world of skimo & alpine climbing

Friday, October 11, 2013

The One Piece Union suit is back...





These things rock.  I used the earlier versions from Patagonia for a decade in Canada and Alaska.

9 comments:

Andy said...

I'd rather they made it out of merino... maybe I haven't given Patagonia's weave a chance, but some capilene layers I've tried don't feel nearly as comfortable as wool. The one piece seems great for skiing and climbing, though.

brian p. harder said...

Funny to see this now, Dane, since we were just discussing this at OR Show this year. I blew through the two Patagonia mid weight suits I had guiding a long time ago and I now hoard my two OR versions like cocaine. That said, they're too warm for BC skiing at aerobic pace but are perfect for climbing and expeditions. I still have my Patagonia Expedition Weight suit which is awesome above 20K'. But I would disagree on the merino version. Simply too heavy when wet and dries slowly. But that's just my preference. A wool version is likely to sell well considering the hype right now.

Dane said...

Isn't it :) Found mine recently. Last time I wore it (white version) was skinning up the Kahiltna. That and a baseball cap were the only clothing I had on.

alien invasion and mind control @ patagonia I suspect :)

Edvin Mellergård said...

If you want wool check out Aclimas version, http://www.aclima.no/products/warmwool/men/overall

I got the Hood Sweater, one of the best outdoor garments I've had. My only regret is not getting the full suit. It's not shown in the picture but you can flip the hood back completely leaving your whole neck bare to dump heat.

But I agree with Brian, it doesn't dry fast enough for high anaerobic activities, especially if you wear something over it. Looks like the Patagonia version is a pretty slim fit compared to their other stuff so might actually be worth checking it out.

Anonymous said...

http://iomerino.com/pilot-suit-490#.UliICxajJvA

I have both the I/O wool Pilot Suit and the Patagonia Cap 4 suit, and I think they are both very comfortable. All else being equal, I think I like the I/O better. The seat zips completely closed on the I/O. On the Patagonia, the seat overlaps at the lower back, but it is always open, just waiting for a snow shot. That's one of the reasons I would want a one-piece in the first place. Dry, the Patagonia suit weighs 390 grams on my kitchen scale; the I/O: 330 grams. The price of the I/O ($90!) makes it a no brainer for me.

Brett said...

That I/O suit looks like a steal at $90 compared to the $200 for the patagucci.

brian p. harder said...

That price difference is compelling, for sure. That dumper flap in the back is a problem with the Patagonia version.
When OR had their's, it had a full-zip through the crotch. I like this a lot. They stopped making them years ago but some begging got me a proto that someone had lying around the office. It hangs in my closet waiting for duty when my other blows out.

Anonymous said...

When I bought my I/O suit a couple year ago, it was around $160. I don't know if I/O has gone the Golite route and decided to start doing direct selling at "wholesale" prices or what. I don't really see any retailers with stock online. Don't let the $90 price tag fool you. It's a quality piece.

Anonymous said...

I/O pilot suit is only $58.50 now. I just bought one without thinking twice at that price.