I know this has been done to death and is a total 1st world problem, but I would appreciate the collective advice of those with more experience than me. I am going on my 4th Alpine trip in July (2nd unguided) and I want to add some extra resilience to my kit, to better cope with potential range of situations, as we are looking at slightly higher (4500m+) and more committing (up to AD+) routes.
In particular I'm looking for a good warm booster/emergency layer to go with my main active layers (base/thin fleece/thin softshell) in case of extra cold weather, unexpected stops, slow progress. Can anyone provide any suggestions on tactics and specific options?
Different tactics I'm looking at are:
1. Warm over-booster: either moderately warm down jacket (450-500g with 180-200g down, eg ME Skyline or Rab Electron) or a warmer one (c.600g with c.250g down, e.g. Rab Netrino), or synthetic (suggestions welcome, though don't seem easily available this time of year though and I already have good Scottish winter layers). Expensive but they are lovely and I reckon I could get winter UK / camping use out of them.
2. Less warm under-booster, to combine with my 60g primaloft type jacket. Looking at a down/synthetic vest (any suggestions welcome), a fluffy R2 type fleeces, or a more actively cut thin hoodless primaloft type layer like the Rab Cirrus Flex. Cheaper which is great, but ideal to avoid faffing with layers too much.
3. Active insulation piece to replace fleece and softshell (I'm thinking it'll be breathable and not so warm without a shell in the Alpine breeze, but really warm if in an emergency under the hardshell). Looking at something like Rab Alpha Flux. Not sure if this would really work or not?
I already have a 60g primaloft type layer (good climbing/belaying cut but not that warm) as well as a 200g primaloft layer which is a beast to carry.
Any thoughts on these specific options or more generally would be massively helpful! Thank you!
PS I know this is totally a 1st world problem and I could probably just chuck in a few extra microfleeces.
PPS Not super pricey options would be great but within reason budget is not a huge issue. I know the really cool guys on here have done the Eigerwand in a pacamac from Asda etc etc but that's just not my style and I want the confidence of good quality kit doing something this risky, and don't mind investing if it's good stuff I'll keep using for years and years.