One of the lightest synthetic insulated jackets on the market, the new Ultralight Aero Insulator uses space-age Primaloft® Gold Insulation with Cross Core™ and our new lightweight 100% recycled 10D nylon fabric for an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio without sacrificing features or durability. Removing the exterior quilted channels increases loft and traps warm air, providing thermal and weather protection when you need it most. This is our new go-to insulator style for light and fast missions.
FIT: Active
CENTER BACK LENGTH: 29 in (size Medium)
MODEL INFO:
FACE FABRIC: Recon SHIELD lightweight mini rip-stop | 100% recycled Nylon | 28 g/m2 | 10D/10D | C0 DWR treatment
INSULATION: 40g PrimaLoft® Gold insulation with Cross-Core™ | 25% recycled Polyester/75% Polyester
LINING: Recon SHIELD lightweight mini rip-stop | 100% recycled Nylon | 28 g/m2 | 10D/10D | C0 DWR treatment
WEIGHT: 250 g (8.8 oz)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Vietnam
GUARANTEE: Strafe 2 Year Warranty
Warm, lightweight and functional. Just what I was looking for!
The Ultralight Aero fits almost all my needs: lightweight, primaloft gold w/cross core, compressible/stuffable, and temp range around freezing. My body runs warm, so I find the Aero Inslator's 80g primaloft gold w/cross core for most needs, and I'm hard pressed to find a goldilocks 60g primaloft gold w/cross core, so the Ultralight Aero Insulator nearly meets my target needs; however, Strafe Outerwear seems to be one of the only companies that offers something that isn't gimmicky in the 40-60g primaloft gold w/cross core hooded jacket. The overall fit is good, especially since I hate all the form fitting stuff out there that my body shape hates. I have two issues with this jacket. First, there is no way to cinch/tighten the hood. Second, the hand pockets are outside of the insulation rather than inside as you find in most jackets. So, the hand pockets provide no warmth since there is only 10D nylon between the elements and your hands or whatever else you have in the pockets.
The Ultralight Aero Insulator is nearly a perfect jacket. The chief complaint is the hand pockets are outside of the insulation. I don't know why the pockets couldn't have been sewn inside to the insulation like the Aero Insulator jacket, which would make the hand pockets hand warming. I also dislike the hood doesn't have any sort of stretch cord to cinch the hood down, so the hood becomes a sail when it is windy or when wearing riding a bike.
jacket is rather bland looking, except the bling of the reflective areas. Better to be warm, though, rather than fashionably freezing when it comes to outdoor wear. I'm on the fence about the 40g primaloft gold w/cc. I also purchased the Aero Insulator which has 80g. I would have liked a goldilocks 60g Aero "Light" version. I don't understand the interior baffling for the Ultralight but exterior baffling for the regular Aero, if the interior baffling increases loft and warm air retention at least from the tech specs of the Ultralight. Primary dislike about the Aero Ultralight is that the hand pockets are built between the insulation and the outershell, which means they are not hand warming pockets. So, I don't find the hand pockets useful and could have gone without them if they aren't gonna provide some warmth. Don't know why the hand pockets couldn't have been inside relative to the insulation. I'm not sold on the cuff band just on the interior, since this is 10D face fabric. So, not having a full cuff or band on the outside just seems more prone to wear. Plus, I keep trying to find a cuff when I look at it. Another major issue is there is nothing to cinch the hood around the face/head. Makes the hood useless in wind. I like the jacket. I just wish I would have loved the jacket.
So far it has been great