Well I did a whirl of the Perth camping shops in the CBD today to check out possible jackets/sweaters of the down persuasion to possibly take the place of some fleece or Merino in a smaller package inside my panniers.
I didn't see a Ghost Whisperer but I did see the Marmot Quasar and other light weight offerings from the usual suspects.
I also went to Macpac and think that having seen their down jackets/sweaters too, that I'm not yet sold on the idea of a down top to take the place of a fleece/merino mid-layer yet, despite being more than impressed with their packdown size.
This is mostly because I think they will simply be too warm (sweat inducing) and I really don't like the idea of what a regular hand wash is likely to do to the down fill.
I did try on a Macpac "Uberlight" vest but the large "fit" is for someone a little slimmer than me.
The Supernova was a much better fit in L for me but felt more like a worthy lightweight substitute for my Sundowner XP.
I couldnt be sold on it as a mid layer at all which was what my search was all about.
It certainly didn't help my possible purchase decision that they had done away with the fleece armpit panel for this years model.
This had been a winner feature for me as my experience with down jackets in below the snowline conditions has been negative in that the full sleeved jackets have emulated sweat lodges.
For this reason I've hung onto my Sundowner Vest whilst sending my jacket version to family in the much colder climes of NZ.
I checked out the other shops and I gotta say there is some very nice new gear out there, specifically for my tastes, great looking and multi-panelled tailored fleece that look nothing like traditional fluff fleece - just saying.
I should have thought to take some pics with my phone but I didn't but will attempt another visit during the week and will try to grab some pics then.
To go along with the much better looking gear was prices that would make your eyes water.
Saying that, most stores had plenty of last years stuff at discounted prices that might be a less dangerous for those with dormant heart conditions.
More thinking and more research on my part needed.
I might yet determine that that the cost of a light weight down top of some description might be a go in the search of less bulk in the panniers but I'm not quite there yet.
Not a problem as I could happily spend much more time wandering the outdoors stores, driving the sales staff mad.
Despite a desire for some retail therapy, I merely came away with some merino underwear
Surly Ogre, Extrawheel trailer.