Fleece shirt

[pataspen]

On all my extended bike tours, road or mountain, I have always brought a fleece shirt.  It is a midweight fleece, probably a Polartec 100 or something.  On cool nights it helps keep me warm, but is also breathable enough that I can wear it while riding on cool days.  However, I just threw it on a scale and found it to be 12 ounces, which seems to be a lot for one item of clothing.

Are there other options that will keep me warm, while not weighing quite so much?  Down?  Wool?  etc? 

My next trip will be in Alaska/Yukon in May/June, so nighttime temps might be around freezing.  I also have a coolmax T, long sleeve coolmax shirt (thin), and a thin HellyHansen rain coat.

[sfuller]

I'm personally a big fan of wool. It doesn't hold body odors like synthetics and it's still somewhat warm even when it gets wet. Available in a number of weights from various mfgs like Ibex, Icebreaker, smartwool and others. Over the past few years I've picked up some heavy to mid to lightweight long sleeve baselayers on sale at various places locally and over the internet.  I also have one short sleeve wool t-shirt and I want to pick up a one or two more for this summer.

[paxton coyote]

I too am a huge wool fan especially for baselayer, Smartwool is coming out with a sweet new looking jacket this fall that is quited wool, don't remember what it's called or what it weighs, looks nice.

[paxton coyote]

 sp-quilted!

[chrisx]

http://www.rei.com/product/787079/patagonia-nano-puff-pullover-jacket-mens
good for a few more degres than fleece
I perfer wool, it is comfortable and does not stink as much.  Wool is heavy, very.

My 2 ply Malden fleece wind blocker jacket is heavy and takes up a lot of space.  It is also wind and water proof and warm and comfortable.  I had the lady cut the sleeves 6 inches longer so they can cover my fingers on the bike.

I got the Patagonia pull over and the   
http://www.rei.com/product/801580/novara-verita-bike-jacket-mens
to replace the fleece.  Lighter less bulk etc. sounds good on paper.

The fleece is more comfortable. If the weather turns for the worst, I trust it more.

A cheap old style non breathable wind breaker jacket is light weight warmth. One with a good zipper.

My 3 ply gore wind stopper jacket is good a little past freezing

[DesertDog]

I normallly take a baselayer top and bottom with me just to have something to change into at the end of the day and to help keep the sleeping bag clean.  For warmer temps, I just take very lightweight polyester pieces.  For colder temps, I'm quite fond of PowerStretch (four-way stretch polyester material, normally worn with a smooth, slick outside and a fleecy inside) components.  I've got a small Mountain Hardware zip-t at 7.5 oz. and some medium Marmot tights at 5.6 oz. 

You could use either for riding, if it got that cold to need it.  Also, you can wear them normally or inside out for different conditions or layering needs.  Haven't thought about it all for so long, but I think it's more wind and water resistance worn normally and more warmth if worn inside out.

There are also lightweight PowerStretch pieces available.  Normal weight pieces should be listed as PowerStretch or heavyweight PowerStretch.

Plenty of people like wool.  I just can't wear it though, it irritates my skin.

[Chunt]

I have one of these (Ibex Hoodie) and it's turned out to be a go to item for so many sports. It's thin and breathable enough to not roast you if you ride in it and it's got a hood that fits under a helmet no problem. Also, it's not too warm to sleep in at night and again, the hood with the chin friendly high zipper is great on cold nights in the sleeping bag when you don't want to bury your face and steam up the inside of your bag. http://www.rei.com/product/804271/ibex-hooded-indie-half-zip-top-mens 

[seanstokley]

Without a doubt pick yourself up a Marmot DriClime Windshirt. One of the most versatile articles of clothing you can buy for yourself. I use this thing year round. When its a little warmer, wear it alone. Little chillier throw a baselayer underneath it. Full zipper so you can turn the air conditioning on when needed and zip up for total wind blockage. Water resistant, packs down small, durable, some style points, weight is 8ounces, dries incredibly fast and with minimal funk factor.  I never venture off without one on or in my seat bag.  I can't speak highly enough of this article as it works fantastic for me. Heading (riding)off to work this morning 33 degress and I'm rockin it without a baselayer. Check'm out. (and no I dont work for Marmot or REI)


sean

http://www.rei.com/product/809447/marmot-driclime-windshirt-mens

[caseygreene]

Take it with a grain of salt, but if you really want to get techy-techy about clothing check out the discussions that have been going on for years over at BPL:
A New Paradigm for Understanding Garment Warmth - http://bit.ly/zAuC6q
The best clothing combinations for backpacking or hiking? - http://bit.ly/x1KaEx

Dosen't beat in-the-field experience, but has proved a good place to start fine tuning a clothing system.

With that in mind, there is no one putting together more informative critiques of clothing systems these days then DaveC: http://bedrockandparadox.com/2012/03/16/preliminary-data/

[Chunt]

I'll second the Marmot Windshirt as an very nice versatile piece. I was skeptical about the magic wicking Driclime liner, but it really does suck the moisture away a wet garment and to the outside of the shirt to evaporate. I've used mine many times after a sweaty riding day, then at sunset when the temps are plummeting and the last thing you want is wet clothing while you're busily setting up camp and cooking it works like a charm. The only thing I'm not thrilled with on mine is it's lack of drawcords to seal it up better from cold drafts. Though I guess if they put all those extra technical things on it they'd have to call it a jacket 

[Flounder]

I lived in AK for many years and the Marmot Windshirt was a staple piece on any outing. Still is.

I recently did a magazine review of the Eddie Bauer/ First Ascent MicroTherm down shirt and I have to say, it's my new favorite piece of "cool" weather kit. It's kind of a 'tweener weight between a light down sweater and a 100 weight fleece. I recently did a backpack in the Grand Canyon and my MicroTherm Down shirt was my bestest buddy every evening as temps dipped towards 40 degrees. Great camp layer.

[Slim]

Wool is heaviest for the warmth
Fleece is second
Synthetic high loft (primaloft etc) is medium
Down is lightest

But:
If down gets wet its useless and almost impossible to dry
Synthetic High loft when wet is almost useless but might dry out
Fleece can be wrung out and will offer some warmth when damp and will dry very fast
Wool will offer a bit more warmth when wet but dry slowly

Fleece and wool are both air permeable so sweat will evaporate quickly through them so good to wear when exercising.
Down and high-loft have a windproof shell so are warmer in the wind without having to add a windshell over the top.

So the simple answer is yes: Down (hard to beat Montbell for price and weight) will be warmer and smaller to pack then fleece. However, depending on what you want it for and where you are using it, one of the other insulations might be better.

If it's fairly dry (like western US) you might consider getting a 3 oz windshell and a 5.6oz down shirt, 8.6 oz total. In normal three season conditions a long sleeve base-layer with a windshell is plenty warm for biking, and then you don't have to wear your insulation on the bike. I bet you could leave the short sleeve T behind as well.

PS there are different weight of fleece garments. A pull-over with out any pockets, zipper and re-enforcements will be the lightest(with sleeves).

PPS you didn't mention what size it was, S is lighter than XXL!