Best light - mid weight Down Jacket?
|
I've mostly been considering the MontBell Frost Smoke Parka, based on the reviews of outdoor gear lab, however I am open to more recommendations. I do like the price point of the Frost Smoke Parka. |
|
The Rab Infinity Endurance Jacket may fit the bill. 210 grams of 850, hydrophobic goose down with a helmet compatible hood. This piece is designed for climbing, so it may not be ideal for all activities. You never mentioned what you'll be using this jacket for. Personally, I think Rab makes some of the best down insulation on the market. Feathered Friends is second to none though. They stitch great stuff, but I just prefer the hydrophobic down technology that Feathered Friends doesn't use and Rab does. That's a topic for another discussion ... |
|
Can't comment on the Frost Smoke, but my wife uses the Frost Line (basically the same thing except box baffles and twice the amount of down). She likes it, especially the double zippers, hood fits over her helmet well, and it sheds snow well too (shedding rain isn't an issue at the temps she uses it at). Only issue is that the zipper can require two hands to operate since it tends to snag on the shell material (really thin Pertex). |
|
If you're a large, I'd snag this up at 35% off |
|
I have a Sierra Designs Gnar Lite jacket for days when it's warm out or were moving fast. I can clip it to my harness if I decide no leader pack. It's synthetic so it keeps me warm when wet. |
|
Shepido wrote:...double zipper would be ideal.Any gear experts know how difficult this would be to add to an existing jacket? I'm wondering if a seamstress would be able to 'upgrade' an existing jacket to this feature. |
|
You didn't ask, but synthetic really excels in this application. |
|
For the price ($179), I really don't think you can beat the Montbell Alpine Light. This thing is warm, packs down to nothing, and is super light. I've had mine for 4 years now on a number of climbs and it is durable. |
|
jdejace wrote:You didn't ask, but synthetic really excels in this application. Down is good for sleeping bags, they don't get beat up/climbed in/sweat in like a jacket, and synthetic sleeping bags are huge/heavy. Sleeping bags can last you a decade or more. The weight/packability difference isn't as significant in a lightweight jacket. Synthetic is cheaper and lower maintenance. You'll probably tear up any puffy climbing jacket beyond repair by the time the synthetic loses all its loft and need a new one anyway. I'm sure many disagree, just my opinion.For what application? The OP just said he wanted a mid weight down jacket, nothing more. |
|
I admittedly made some assumptions based on his profile with recent ice climbs, wanting it to fit over a helmet, have a double zipper, and seeking an alternative to his current parka which is too warm on some winter days. Thus, I figured it would be a typical layer thrown into the pack for belaying +/- climbing on ice and rock. |
|
Honestly whatever you can find on the biggest sale within reason. Hydrophobic down is awesome. BD cold forges have been floating around sub $150. Awesome hoody. Same for the RAB Ascent. For half that REI has a Stratacloud jacket (no hood) that's pretty nice. Mid weight dry down puffs are a dime a dozen. Find the end of season sales. |
|
jdejace wrote:I admittedly made some assumptions based on his profile with recent ice climbs, wanting it to fit over a helmet, have a double zipper, and seeking an alternative to his current parka which is too warm on some winter days. Thus, I figured it would be a typical layer thrown into the pack for belaying +/- climbing on ice and rock.Good assumptions, I should have specified that in the first place. Thanks again. |
|
Similar to the weight of the Frost Smoke is the newly redesigned Crux Hooded Halo. $219 at Campsaver with code 10outlet if you wear small or medium. 4.8 ounces of 970 fill down, a Pertex Endurance shell, and a two-way zip for a spec weight of 10.8 ounces. Probably more in line with what you're looking for based on your first post. Andy Million wrote: Any gear experts know how difficult this would be to add to an existing jacket? I'm wondering if a seamstress would be able to 'upgrade' an existing jacket to this feature.Rainy Pass Repair can do it no problem. |
|
Also not a down solution, but I have been unbelievably impressed with my REI Revelcloud jacket. They're currently on sale for $100. I've used it in a lot of mixed weather applications - from Swedish fall/Spring to DC milder winter days. It's incredibly wind-resistant, and also packs down to the size of a very small and light pouch. |
|
Arcteryx atom lt. Best jacket I've ever owned. I got mine for ~$180 at an REI sale, but the jacket is worth retail price too. It isn't down though. If you want a lighter jacket, look at the atom sl (it's new). A heavier one is the atom ar |
|
The Atom Lt and Sl are both probably too light for what the OP describes. |
|
one thing no one has mentioned is FIT ... |