Thank you. It's always encouraging to see the industry innovating, like Ben said in the video, we're excited to see where ME take Aetherm next, we think it's got great potential.
Great review. Lots of good usable info. Here is my two cents. The Oreus is very warm and lofty compared to how thin it is. And it can be compressed down to almost nothing. Not that I would ever do that. Compressing synthetic fibers really hard, is one of the fastest ways to kill those fibers, and thus ruining the insulation. I digress. The jacket feels very nice and soft. According to ME, the ME athletes that tested the Oreus jacket asked if it was a down jacket, and I can understand why. It has a very soft and down like feeling to it. And if it gets a little wet, it dries up very quickly. Personally I’m very pleased with it. It does fit a tiny bit on the snug side. But as I put my waterproof shell on top of my insulation, that’s completely fine. All in all, it’s a great addition to my quiver, and I can’t wait to try it out in the Norwegian winter 🇳🇴
Likewise on your thoughts, a very succinct initial review. We hope the Oreus lives up to your expectations and you can enjoy getting out there in the Norwegian winter.
We have asked Mountain Equipment for their comparison figures on what the equivalent fill power of down is to Aetherm, we will update this comment with their reply if we get something we can share. A ballpark figure would be in the region of a 700fp down equivalent.
Interesting bit of kit. Big question is how does this tech hold up to multiple wash cycles? It's not mentioned very often, but I find synthetic fill performance degrades more over time than down. My ME Superflux is nowhere near as warm as when it was new for example! Closing that gap could help justify the price.
I guess it all depends on how much you use it, and how much you wash it, and so on. ME says that the R&D process of the Aetherm insulation has taken 5 years. And it’s made for fast and light high alpine missions, so it should hold up to that kind of use/abuse. However, synthetic materials will degrade over time. But that also depends on how you treat it. Synthetic insulation just like down will take a beating when compressed over time. So keep it in a non compressed state as much as possible (and perhaps don’t compress it as much as possible when heading out for new adventures). If down is compressed over time, all is not lost. You can still regain the loft of that down, not so much with synthetic. If treated properly, down will almost last forever, synthetic fibers won’t. Having said that, almost all of my puffy jackets are synthetic. So I have purchased the Oreus jacket, and I’m very happy with it. If it gets a little wet, it dries up very quickly, and it’s nice and warm. It feels very lofty compared to how thin it is, and it’s very comfortable to wear. Take care and stay safe. ATB from Norway 🇳🇴
Four things: One: I wish ME's sizing was more streamlined and consistent throughout their lines; Two: I wish they offered better, brighter colors in the Oreus; Three: I wish they offered the Oreus in belay-specific pants; and Four: I wish ME would publish the Aetherm gram-weight like they do with their other synthetic options.
All valid points. 1. Agreed, their sizing does vary across their range, although they're far from the only brand that do this! 2. Brighter colours are always a risk for brands, they tend to be less popular than the "safer" colours, and given the Oreus range is fairly small in production ME had to go for a safer colour option, but we would like to see some brighter colours too. 3. We would expect to see more variety in products using Aetherm moving forward. Whether thats a pair of Belay pants or not is to be seen. 4. We've asked, it does seem like an odd omission for them not to publish it. Would be very useful for comparison.
I do like my ME stuff but I do wish there sizing was a little bit more consistant across there ranges. The Oreus looks to be an interesting piece of equipment.
Sizing consistency is always a tricky one to get right, the Oreus is definitely on the smaller side when it comes to it's sizing. It is a very interesting piece of kit, we're pretty excited to see where Aetherm insulation ends up next.
You can get your Paul fix with his most recent video here: ruclips.net/video/0TF3aMNiPoE/видео.html Keep an eye out for some more content with Paul coming soon too.
We know the Oreus won't be for everyone, fortunately there's plenty of other options out there that should suit your needs a little better. What is your current go-to insulated jacket?
Great review, as always from trekkit!
Its always good to see that the industry is trying to make things better!
Thank you. It's always encouraging to see the industry innovating, like Ben said in the video, we're excited to see where ME take Aetherm next, we think it's got great potential.
Great review. Lots of good usable info. Here is my two cents. The Oreus is very warm and lofty compared to how thin it is. And it can be compressed down to almost nothing. Not that I would ever do that. Compressing synthetic fibers really hard, is one of the fastest ways to kill those fibers, and thus ruining the insulation. I digress. The jacket feels very nice and soft. According to ME, the ME athletes that tested the Oreus jacket asked if it was a down jacket, and I can understand why. It has a very soft and down like feeling to it. And if it gets a little wet, it dries up very quickly. Personally I’m very pleased with it. It does fit a tiny bit on the snug side. But as I put my waterproof shell on top of my insulation, that’s completely fine. All in all, it’s a great addition to my quiver, and I can’t wait to try it out in the Norwegian winter 🇳🇴
Likewise on your thoughts, a very succinct initial review. We hope the Oreus lives up to your expectations and you can enjoy getting out there in the Norwegian winter.
Love mine, it's a game changer so light and yet so warm too. Mainly use it when wild camping coupled with a good base layer it's toasty warm.
It's a great jacket, glad you're enjoying yours so much!
When you are comparing it to down what weight down are you comparing to
We have asked Mountain Equipment for their comparison figures on what the equivalent fill power of down is to Aetherm, we will update this comment with their reply if we get something we can share.
A ballpark figure would be in the region of a 700fp down equivalent.
Interesting bit of kit. Big question is how does this tech hold up to multiple wash cycles? It's not mentioned very often, but I find synthetic fill performance degrades more over time than down. My ME Superflux is nowhere near as warm as when it was new for example! Closing that gap could help justify the price.
I guess it all depends on how much you use it, and how much you wash it, and so on. ME says that the R&D process of the Aetherm insulation has taken 5 years. And it’s made for fast and light high alpine missions, so it should hold up to that kind of use/abuse. However, synthetic materials will degrade over time. But that also depends on how you treat it. Synthetic insulation just like down will take a beating when compressed over time. So keep it in a non compressed state as much as possible (and perhaps don’t compress it as much as possible when heading out for new adventures). If down is compressed over time, all is not lost. You can still regain the loft of that down, not so much with synthetic. If treated properly, down will almost last forever, synthetic fibers won’t. Having said that, almost all of my puffy jackets are synthetic. So I have purchased the Oreus jacket, and I’m very happy with it. If it gets a little wet, it dries up very quickly, and it’s nice and warm. It feels very lofty compared to how thin it is, and it’s very comfortable to wear. Take care and stay safe. ATB from Norway 🇳🇴
Four things: One: I wish ME's sizing was more streamlined and consistent throughout their lines; Two: I wish they offered better, brighter colors in the Oreus; Three: I wish they offered the Oreus in belay-specific pants; and Four: I wish ME would publish the Aetherm gram-weight like they do with their other synthetic options.
All valid points.
1. Agreed, their sizing does vary across their range, although they're far from the only brand that do this!
2. Brighter colours are always a risk for brands, they tend to be less popular than the "safer" colours, and given the Oreus range is fairly small in production ME had to go for a safer colour option, but we would like to see some brighter colours too.
3. We would expect to see more variety in products using Aetherm moving forward. Whether thats a pair of Belay pants or not is to be seen.
4. We've asked, it does seem like an odd omission for them not to publish it. Would be very useful for comparison.
I do like my ME stuff but I do wish there sizing was a little bit more consistant across there ranges. The Oreus looks to be an interesting piece of equipment.
Sizing consistency is always a tricky one to get right, the Oreus is definitely on the smaller side when it comes to it's sizing. It is a very interesting piece of kit, we're pretty excited to see where Aetherm insulation ends up next.
I miss Paul
You can get your Paul fix with his most recent video here:
ruclips.net/video/0TF3aMNiPoE/видео.html
Keep an eye out for some more content with Paul coming soon too.
To many negatives for me to be a versitile/practical purchase !!
We know the Oreus won't be for everyone, fortunately there's plenty of other options out there that should suit your needs a little better.
What is your current go-to insulated jacket?
@trekitt ME Arete also Baltoro
We're glad you've found jackets that work for you and we're sure ME will be pleased you're still flying that ME flag.