Puffy weight for winter in Southwest

Hello, I plan to spend the winter in the southwest (Indian creek, escalate, j tree, red rock, Grand Canyon) hiking/climbing out of the van and wanted to get a down puffy for the trip. I generally like to stay with Patigonia, but was torn with how heavy to go and what full level to go with.  (I’ve never owned a puffy or down jacket) any recommendations from people with experience during the winter in these areas? 

Get a deal on a Fitz Roy parka. Lighter and sometimes you’ll wish it was bigger (but not often) and if you go for the Grade VII you’ll have to sell a kidney (or steal someone else’). Go with one size larger than your regular jacket size, unless you already go oversized I guess. 

otherwise the pullover down hoody is very nice, warmest of the lightweight options with the kangaroo pocket and partial zip

Nighttime can be brutally cold in the desert in winter. Get the warmest puffy possible.

I like a two puffy system. A light puffy to use as a belay jacket when temps are mild. A thicker puffy for when it's cold. And on the coldest nights wear both of them.

Ben Podborskiwrote:

Get a deal on a Fitz Roy parka.

Good to know, I was considering that model, and found one in my size on the used site. Thanks 

JCMwrote:

Nighttime can be brutally cold in the desert in winter. Get the warmest puffy possible.

I like a two puffy system. A light puffy to use as a belay jacket when temps are mild. A thicker puffy for when it's cold. And on the coldest nights wear both of them.

2nd this. For a lighter, and reasonable price puffy I really like my OR transcendece down (650 fill) . I dont think the patagucii ones are that much better for nearly 50% more, especially if you end up climbing in it. For a heavier one you should look into upsizing on a parka. Marmot and mountain hardware both make decent ones that you can pick up for around 150-200 on sale. I also like to have a lighter layer like an R1 and wool base layers for the mild days, or for the days when its bitter cold.

Instead of sleeping in the puffy I usually prefer using a puffy blanket to go over the top of a sleeping pad. Enlightened equipment makes some nice looking ones, or you can just take a sleeping bag that unzips flat.

JCMwrote:

Nighttime can be brutally cold in the desert in winter. Get the warmest puffy possible.

This. I've spent more 0F-10F nights in the desert than I care to remember.

Marc801 Cwrote:

This. I've spent more 0F-10F nights in the desert than I care to remember.

Same here.

I'll also suggest getting you pants and shoe situation sorted. Even with the warmest puffy, if for the lower half you are wearing thin climbing pants and approach shoes, you'll be cold. 

The trickiest part of winter nights in the desert is roughly 5 pm to 8 pm. It is dark and cold, but you aren't quite ready to get in the sleeping bag yet. This is what you need all the layers for.

Another reason to go for the really warm items: you say you've never had a puffy, so I assume you've not spent much time in cold climates. It's going to come as a shock to your coddled, thin-blooded body. If your body fat is on the low side, that makes it even worse.

Gunkiemikewrote:

Another reason to go for the really warm items: you say you've never had a puffy, so I assume you've not spent much time in cold climates. It's going to come as a shock to your coddled, thin-blooded body. If your body fat is on the low side, that makes it even worse.

My “coddled, thin blooded” body has spent the last 25 years in northern Michigan. We wear Carrhart everything here and everything I ski in, and have skied in, is synthetic 

A puffy tee shirt can come in very handy as part of your two puffy system. Great for layering and a dream to climb in. A montbell puffy tee and western mountaineering flash jacket was my go to combo.

I do a decent amount of winter camping in the southwest, and I will echo previous posters - I have a lighter MHW Ghost whisperer hoodie and pants, as well as a heavier Marmot Ama Dablam hoodie and on cold nights I wear it all. On backpacking trips I will leave the heavier puffy (marmot) in the car and take an active layer, previously a fleece of some variety but now a MHW Kor Strata. If I get cold when the sun goes down around 5 I will wrap up in my sleeping bag.

Something that I want to add though is that if you are going to be car camping and having fires, it would be folly to leave your excellent warm and fire resistant Carhartt gear at home. The puffy stuff works great when no fires are involved, but as soon as sparks start flying it becomes an expensive liability. 

A smart wool 250 baselayer, an r1, and an arc’teryx thorium ar treated me well in Indian creek in December. But like JCM said, the bottom is what is often neglected. Ask me why my approach shoes are melted, basically roasting them like marshmallows at night to keep my feet warm.

Edit: I’m not sure others can back me up on this, because it’s an opinion. But something about the desert cold is just… different. A 10 degree night in the desert is nothing at all like a 10 degree night in the boundary waters. I grew up in Illinois, and currently live in northwest Indiana, and I’ll take the Indiana right on the lake cold, vs. the desert cold. Except of course if I’m in the desert I’m willing to suffer because hell, isn’t that what we all go for, anyway? 

TLDR big puffy and bd insulated pants

Gregory Hwrote:

I do a decent amount of winter camping in the southwest, and I will echo previous posters - I have a lighter MHW Ghost whisperer hoodie and pants, as well as a heavier Marmot Ama Dablam hoodie and on cold nights I wear it all. On backpacking trips I will leave the heavier puffy (marmot) in the car and take an active layer, previously a fleece of some variety but now a MHW Kor Strata. If I get cold when the sun goes down around 5 I will wrap up in my sleeping bag.

Something that I want to add though is that if you are going to be car camping and having fires, it would be folly to leave your excellent warm and fire resistant Carhartt gear at home. The puffy stuff works great when no fires are involved, but as soon as sparks start flying it becomes an expensive liability. 

Ahh, really appreciate this info, thanks

w/ hood (head covered no draft game changer) ((always worth the extra $$))

I have a pair of thick pile pants with full side zips that I find very useful.

Really helps at night in camp, but also useful while belaying in the shade.

You don't need a fancy down jacket in camp- just go to a big box outdoor store and buy the thickest cheap synthetic jacket you can find.

You will never regret it being too warm.

You may also want to post a question about portable propane heaters for your van.

We have a 'little buddy' we use under picnic tables to keep warm while cooking.

 But we tent camp and don't use it inside, so I can't comment about carbon monoxide risks, but would sure take them seriously!