EMS’ synthetic-fill jacket is multifunctional
EMS Primaloft Heater Sync Jacket
- Pros: Nearly windproof; Pit zips provide extra ventilation; Durable Pertex outer fabric
- Cons: Doesn’t compress into a pocket; Small shoulders compared to body size; No hood
- Bottom Line: The Heater Sync Jacket is a lightweight, synthetic-insulated jacket that works best as an outer layer in cool, dry weather or as an insulating layer under a shell.
- MSRP: $129
Worn as an outer layer and as an insulating mid layer, the Eastern Mountain Sports Primaloft Heater Sync Jacket is both lightweight and versatile.
Designed to be coupled with one of EMS’s other Sync jackets, such as the Thunderhead Sync Jacket, the Heater is filled with 133 grams of Primaloft synthetic insulation.
Unlike down insulation, synthetic fill typically dries quickly and insulates well when wet.
In my tests, I found the Primaloft to work well when soaked. In late December, I was caught outside in a rain/sleet storm wearing the Heater Sync as an outer layer. Drenched, I didn’t notice a decrease in warmth.
(In full disclosure, I haven’t been caught in a rain/sleet storm wearing my lightweight down jacket for a full, accurate comparison.)
EMS Primaloft Heater Sync Jacket
While in that weather, and even mist or light snow, I was disappointed in the lackluster DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating the jacket is said to have. There was no water substantially beading on the nylon surface – it seemed to soak in immediately.
But that Pertex nylon outer fabric easily withstood sharp puppy claws despite how many times my pup jumped on me when excited.
Though not as much as a lightweight down coat, the hoodless jacket is considerably warm.
While snowshoeing with temperatures in the 20s wearing a base and mid layer underneath, I needed to utilize the pit zips to help regulate my temperature – and I was still hot. Yet when temperatures are in the 30s and I’m wearing a cotton shirt underneath running errands, I’m sometimes cold.
The jacket seems to be most at home as an insulating layer worn under a shell.
My biggest gripe, while perhaps subjective, is the jacket’s fit.
I don’t have overly broad shoulders, but I found the shoulders to be too tight in comparison to how the body fit. I could likely wear a size smaller in the body – where there seems to be too much fabric – and a size larger in the shoulders.
On windy days, drafts get under the jacket because of the excess fabric – though the jacket does have a waist cinch cord.
Comparable jackets may fit better and the Heater Sync Jacket has its issues, but in terms of overall value, EMS did a pretty good job.
