In terms of weather protection, the Stratocloud features a Pertex shell with durable water repellent finish, which is enough to fend off light rain or drips from above. Second, the jacket incorporates both down and synthetic insulation, which keeps the cost low and adds extra protection against light rain and snow. This makes them a serious liability in wet conditions or if youre sweating heavily, which is why some prefer synthetic jackets, which continue to insulate when wet. Instead, the Gotham fills a nice niche for women who want the warmth and comfort of a down puffy without the techy appearance or specialized features. The knee-length Coze is by far the longest parka on this list, touting a 43-inch center back length thats a full 10 inches longer than a jacket like the Marmot Montreal above. In our picks above, we often call out a jackets intentions. Other than denier, there are a few other factors that impact the overall durability of your jackets shell. With lightweight materials and Patagonias high-quality construction, the result is one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios here and an ideal insulator for speedy winter missions when every ounce counts. When the mercury drops below freezing, we recommend stepping up to a midweight or heavyweight down jacket. Simply put, nothing beats the lofty and premium warmth that down provides. First, casual jackets and down sweaters generally have a more casual fit than ultralight or performance jackets, including boxier torsos, arms, and hoods (when available). It's We meander through old growth, gaining vert slowly at first, then with haste. And for a popular alternative thats slightly warmer and more durable (for a considerable weight penalty), check out the Thorium AR Hoody below.See the Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody. Of course, the retro styling is its calling card, and the Fuego is currently offered in 10 fun colorways, all but one with the signature multi-colored baffles across the torso. What we dont: Expensive and sizing can be tricky. This is great for movement, but your legs remain uninsulated. And in our experience, the Montreal is slightly less insulated and not suited for temperatures much below freezing without layers underneath. See the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0. These types of jackets are very popular for 3-season alpine use and in most U.S. cities for all but the coldest of winter days. First is the 50-denier fabric, which is considerably more robust than much of the competition. For one, the length eliminates the need for insulated pants on quick jaunts around the block. All that said, these are minor nitpicks if you like Fjallravens styling (we do), and its hard to argue with the Expeditions premium all-around design.See the Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Hoodie. REIs 650 Down 2.0 above is our top budget pick at just $100, but the Stratocloud here is arguably the better value, packing in an impressive amount of performance for just $189. Our Estimated Temperature Scale But were getting into the nitty gritty with these critiques, and most of us arent too deterred by the addition of a few ouncesespecially when theyre accompanied by hundreds of dollars of savings. For a step up in warmth from the Patagonia Down Sweater, the Fitz Roy Down Hoody is built for cold weather and technical use. There is a lot to be said for synthetic insulated jackets, which insulate better than down when wet, are more breathable, and generally cost considerably less. A number of down parkas like the Marmot Montreal offer thigh-length coverage, which offers a nice boost in warmth compared to the down sweater counterparts.
Fill: 3.7 oz. These issues aside, the Rab is an exceptionally warm and comfortable winter piece at a good price. Lightweight Second, Americans may have problems with the European-style left-hand zipper, which can take a while to get used to. Keep in mind that although the REI 650 Down Jacket 2.0 stuffs into its hand pocket, the 650-fill-power isnt as lofty or compressible as more premium models on this list that hit 800-fill power or higher. of700-fill-power down & 150g VerticalX ECOWhat we like: Comfy, classy, and well-priced for what you get.What we dont: Doesnt pack down nearly as small as more premium options. Some even opt for a pullover style to cut out half of the zipper. The material used is another consideration. We find it interesting that fill weight is much less publicized than fill power, which leads to a lot of confusion for shoppers who associate higher fill power as always meaning more warmth. The Rab cant compete with the Fitz Roys coziness, but it wins out in both weather protection and durability, with hydrophobic down and a 30-denier Pertex Quantum shell (weve found the Fitz Roys 20D shell to be pretty fragile). In terms of the all-important fit factor, we found that the jacket runs slightly small and would recommend sizing up if you're in between sizes or plan on layering. But while the Helium Downs partially waterproof shell is a nice touch, you wont find us relying on it for much more than a light rain or snow. Further, theyre typically more fully featured and durable than ultralight options and are less bulky (and offer greater mobility) than their mid and heavyweight counterparts.
For example, we find the difference between the Rab Neutrino Pros Pertex Quantum Pro and the Patagonia Fitz Roys Pertex Quantum (both 20D) to be palpable (the former is much more durable). The goal here was to combine the insulation of down with the range of motion, durability, and comfort of a softshelland wed say Mountain Hardwear pulled it off pretty well. Category: HeavyweightWeight: 2 lbs. But with higher-quality down, the Patagonia is slightly warmer, and some will appreciate the high-loft style (although unlike the Rab, the Fitz Roy is too bulky to be worn as a midlayer). Mountain Hardwear launched its Stretchdown line a handful of years ago, epitomized by soft and stretchy shells and welded seams (rather than stitched baffles). The thickness of a jackets outer fabric is listed in denier (D), which is a measurement of the weight of a thread. Although many down jackets are ideal for mountain environments and outdoor activities given their lightweight and packable nature, down jackets are also our first choice for everyday warmth in the cold winter months. Further, its regular fit (vs. the Ceriums trim fit) gives you ample room for layering underneath while still being streamlined enough to wear as a midlayer or classy standalone piece. The thinnest is the Arc'teryx Cerium LT, which has a fragile 10-denier shell, and the thickest (at least among those that report this spec) is The North Faces Gotham, which has a robust 50-denier shell. A cozy baselayer can buy you an extra 5 to 15 degrees depending on its thickness and quality. Were used to paying a pretty penny for all things Fjallraven, so it surprised us to see the Expedition priced relatively affordably at $275. Keep in mind that the higher the fill power, the more easily your jacket will compress. Category: MidweightWeight: 1 lb. Youll still want to don a waterproof layer if the skies open up, but the Microlight Alpine stands out as one of the more weather-ready midweight down jackets weve tested. All in all, the Thorium AR is one of the most well-rounded jackets here and its hard to argue with Arcteryx top notch build quality, too. How does the OR Coldfront stack up to the picks above? Tack on some clean stylingeven the logo is understatedand the Stretchdown is a practical and good-looking jacket for everyday use. Dont underestimate the impact of denier: even the difference from 10 to 20 denier can play a significant role in the total weight and potential lifespan of your jacket. Ultralight down jackets are specialized pieces designed for backpacking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and other outdoor pursuits where every ounce counts. This is noticeable when you get into premium levels of down (800-fill and above), which pack down to seemingly impossible sizes yet bounce back after only a few minutes out of the bag (as long as you dont store it compressed too long). Optimally, you would have both, but if youre only in the market for a single jacket, theres simply no better insulator than down. And we like what theyve done, combining high-quality materials with an elegant urban style. But while weve found the quality of Rabs outerwear to be superior to that of Mountain Hardwear, the Stretchdowns design and colorway options are particularly eye-catching, which is what most look for in an everyday piece. For example, the midweightPatagonia Fitz Royand heavyweight Rab Neutrino Pro are packed with 4.5 and 7 ounces of down respectively. Category: MidweightWeight: 1 lb. Theres no shortage of down jackets to choose from, but the Cotopaxi Fuego stands out with its fun, retro styling. Most notably, youll see fill weight go up to 6-7 ounces or more (for instance, the Rab Neutrino Pro has 7 oz. Interestingly, we frequently see this category of down jacket worn as daily layers around cities, including the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 and Feathered Friends Eos. Most importantly, it packs in a ton of down7 ounces of 800-fill hydrophobic down, to be exactat roughly the same price as less-insulative options from Arcteryx, Patagonia, and Mountain Hardwear.
But like the Patagonia above, the 650 uses recycled nylon in the shell and RDS-certified down, which adds to overall appeal.
The Fitz Roy Hoody (the previous model was the Parka) now falls into the midweight category, similar to the Rab Microlight Alpine below. 4.1 oz. If youre in the market for a technical piece for skiing, hiking, climbing, and other human-powered activities, look for high fill power, low weight, and features like a helmet-compatible hood and two-way zipper.
chiziyo universal Outdoor Research is known for producing quality gear that consistently undercuts the competition in price, and their new Coldfront Down Hoodie is no exception. of 700-fill-power downWhat we like: Warm, stylish, and a real standout in terms of comfort.What we dont: Pricey and falls short of true performance pieces in weight and packability. And although the Ghost Whisperer/2 did get a slight durability boost in the latest update from a 7-denier shell to 10-denier, we still dont recommend this jacket as your daily driver. Alternatively, Cotopaxis Fuego is another option that nicely balances around-town-friendly looks and performance, with a distinctive casual appearance, higher-quality down, and a lower price point. But the Cotopaxi Fuego hits a nice balance of performance chops, casual appeal, and value, which is why its included here.See the Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded. To be sure, the Silent Down is not a performance piecelike the TNF Gotham and Marmot Montreal above, this is an everyday jacket for in-town use. Added up, the Stratocloud is an impressive jacket for considerably less than the competition, making it one of the best values here.See the REI Co-op Stratocloud Down Hoodie. Category: MidweightWeight: 14.6 oz.Fill: 5.1 oz. If you speak the language of fur-brimmed hoods and attractive colorways more than warmth-to-weight ratios and fill power, The North Faces Gotham jacket is worth a look. You do pay a bit of a premium at $389 (price recently jumped $50), and it certainly doesnt have as much daily appeal as the Down Sweater or Cerium LT above, with a non-adjustable hood, limited color options, and overall technical appearance. As an everyday down jacket that will hold up throughout multiple winters of use, the Gotham is a well-loved option at an affordable price point, and past-season models can often be found on sale.See the North Face Gotham. Its no secret that we love Patagonias down jacketstheir all-arounder Down Sweater is our top pick, and the midweight Fitz Roy has been one of our favorite belay jackets for years running. But not Feathered Friends. To summarize: if durability is one of your top priorities, youll want to dig a little deeper than the initial denier spec. of700-fill downWhat we like: Similar styling and comfort as the Rab Cubit below in a lighter package.What we dont: Not equipped for wet weather and shorter cut than much of the competition. Category: MidweightWeight: 1 lb. First, a fabric with stretch (like Mountain Hardwears Stretchdown and Rab's Cubit Stretch Down) will have a lot more give to it, meaning it will stretch under pressure rather than rip. We also love the soft-yet-rugged shell and nice touches like fleece-lined handwarmer pockets, snug-fitting cuff gaiters with thumb loops, and classy branding on the sleeve. On top of that, you get waterproof Pertex Shield on the hood and shouldersthe same fabric used in ORs popular Helium rain jacketfor protection from rain and melting snow. For a functional down jacket at a great price, the REI 650 Down Jacket 2.0 is tough to beat. No matter what the manufacturer names a jacket, keep a close eye on fill weight and total weight to make your own determination. She snorts when she laughs, is known to dye her hair with vibrant streaks of color, and simply does not sit down. of 700-fill downWhat we like: Stylish design and a comfortable and supple shell fabric.What we dont: Lacks versatility for performance use and not warm enough for true winter conditions. Stretch-woven shells are a new trend in down jackets, and Rab recently threw their hat into the ring with the Cubit Stretch Down Hoody. Keep in mind that none of these technologies are guaranteed to keep your down completely dry, but they do make nice lines of defense against light to moderate precipitation. As a result, we sometimes have to call the manufacturers to track down fill weight as its not always listed (for more information, see our article: Down Fill and Insulation Explained). Like some of the more specialized picks below, the Down Sweater is light enough to pack on your next hiking trip yet warm and streamlined enough to layer under a shell for skiing. If youre looking for a jacket that offers solid warmth at a good value, synthetic insulation is the way to go. Weve included a number of our favorite mid and heavyweight options in this article, but for a more in-depth look at the market, see our article on the best winter jackets. Down insulation functions so effectively because the loose clusters of feathers are great at trapping body heat. Like the heavyweight Neutrino Pro above, Rabs popular Microlight Alpine Jacket pays tribute to the brands climbing heritage. Our impact on the environment has never been of greater concern, and its nice to see gear companies step it up with more sustainable practices. For more information, see our womens down jacket comparison table and buying advice below the picks. The fill weight of these jackets should be 4 ounces at minimum and often is in the range of 5 to 6 ounces or more. Finally, the Gotham comes with thoughtful features like an internal media pocket and adjustable hood with a removable faux-fur brim (its also available in a parka length for just $20 more). But the performance chops of the Stretchdown are limited: The 700-fill-power down has less loft than the true backcountry pieces on this list, and the jacket is bulky and heavy for the amount of warmth you get. To top it all off, the jacket has a premium feel reminiscent of pricier down jackets, with a full suite of storage (including interior dump pockets) and adjustments. For example, if Jacket A has 6 ounces of 800-fill down and Jacket B has 3 ounces of 800-fill down, you can expect that Jacket A will be significantly warmer (we estimate that it would increase comfort levels in low-output activities by approximately 10-20 degrees). For everyday use, jackets will have thicker shell fabrics (the Gothams shell is 50D), regular fits that are great for layering, and features like knee-length hems and fur-brimmed hoods. Arcteryx added a limited amount of Coreloft synthetic insulation in the areas most prone to getting wet: the shoulders, underarms, cuffs, and collar. Casual down jackets come in all shapes and sizes, but we love the extra warmth and coverage that a parka provides. What are the downsides of the Neutrino Pro? But all in all, its tough to go wrong with Patagonia, and it doesnt hurt that the Down Sweater is now made with 100-percent-recycled polyester and ethically sourced down. For activities like hiking and skiing youll want to look elsewhere, but the Silent Down is a solid daily driverand now it comes in an extra-long (44.5 in.) All told, it's a great budget choice for everything from daily use to hiking and resort skiing. On paper, their Expedition Pack Down Hoody looks a lot like many other jackets here: you get 3.5 ounces of 700-fill down and horizontal baffling in a sub-1-pound build that packs nicely into its own pocket. Whether youre looking for an uber-light alpine piece for the mountains, a casual fur-brimmed parka for around-town use, or something in between, theres a down jacket that fits the bill. At this level of quality, you reap the highly touted benefits of down insulation: lightweight and ultra-compressible warmth. compared to the previous versions 6.4), and a slightly shorter hem. Category: LightweightWeight: 14 oz.Fill: 800-fill-power downWhat we like: Retro styling with premium down fill. Patagonia updated the Fitz Roy a couple seasons ago, with changes including a 5-ounce-lighter weight, noticeably less down (4.5 oz. Category: LightweightWeight: 15.5 oz.Fill: 3.3 oz. Along with warmth for the weight, compressibility is an area where down dominates the vast majority of synthetic-insulated jackets. And while the Down With It doesnt compress well for travel, its got one big thing going for it: warmth. weigh very little for the warmth they provide and compress down extremely small in your pack. And for the most diehard of ounce counters, Mountain Hardwear now makes the Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody, which features a 5-denier shell, 1,000-fill down, and clocks in at only 6.2 ounces.See the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody.
columbia insulated jacket mountain winter suttle jackets scheels coats For backcountry missions when every ounce counts, youll need a jacket that offers big warmth for a low weight. Checking in at 15.8 ounces and stuffing down to the size of a loaf of bread, its heavier and bulkier than jackets like the Patagonia Fitz Roy and Rab Microlight Alpine below, both of which are arguably warmer with higher quality down fill. And despite the low price point, it's still a well-rounded piece with 3.3 ounces of 650-fill down and a reasonably light weight.
ws2812b mqtt nodemcu rgb techfun Switchback Travels female editorial staff hit the slopes, trails, and city streets to compile this list, which ranges from technical, performance-oriented jackets to casual everyday designs. What we dont: Not warm enough for true winter use. Add in clean lines and some classy colorways, and the Montreal is a great all-around parka for the cold at a reasonable price point. Down jackets in mid and heavyweight categories represent a significant step up in warmth from lightweight and ultralight models and are intended for serious winter conditions (regardless of if youre in the mountains or the city). 850-fill down & 80/100g CoreloftWhat we like: Great warmth and weather protection in a sub-10-ounce package.What we dont: Expensive and not super durable. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight Patagonia is well-loved among outdoor enthusiasts for their good-looking products and eco-friendly ethos. From our experience, Arcteryx jackets like the Cerium LT Hoody fit the slimmest of all and are a good match for athletic folks who demand mobility from their jackets (this can also be good for layering under a shell). Marmots Montreal checks all of the important boxes with 700-fill down, good freedom of movement, and a super cozy hood with a removable faux fur liner. Category: LightweightWeight: 15.8 oz.Fill: 5.9 oz. The two jackets shortcomings are similar: The Cubits bulk and heft take it out of the running for weight-conscious missions (we still love it for cragging), and $300 is expensive for a casual down jacket. Some parkas, like Marmot's Montreal below, are classified as thigh-length rather than knee-length, but the added inches here are especially nice in cold climates like the Midwest or Northeast. Most of the brands here design and produce full lineups of outerwear, ranging from hardshells to hiking pants and more. But we have a soft spot for this jacket (no pun intended), which receives compliments almost every time we go out. Most down jackets on this list are offered in hooded and non-hooded versions. The good news is that some brands have started making the shift to PFC-free DWR, but it's mostly been limited to the rain jacket and hardshell markets (Marmot and Mountain Hardwear are leaders here). Category: LightweightWeight: 14.8 oz. Further, REI doesnt offer the jacket in a hooded version for women (for an affordable hooded design, check out the Co-ops Stratocloud below). Comparisons aside, the Rab is a warm, comfortable, and durable down jacket, great for use around town and casual backcountry outings. Even though the Down Sweater is a jack of all trades, it does have some limitations. Category: LightweightWeight: 15.4 oz.Fill: 3.2 oz. In this case, you get 4.5 ounces of 800-fill down (the Down Sweater has 3.5 oz. But for the right environment (fast-and-light pursuits), theyre indispensable.Midweight and Heavyweight Because of this, the REI suffers in the warmth-to-weight department compared to the pricier options here (for example, the Arc'teryx Cerium LT above is much warmer at a lower weight). Youll also want to take length into account with your down jacket purchase. Finally, some might find themselves wishing for a helmet-compatible hood or a tighter seal at the wrists, but these are the sacrifices many are willing to make in the name of saving weight. Its far from the lightest option on this list (ounce counters should see the more performance-focused Arc'teryx Cerium LT and Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 below), and the fit is shorter and a bit boxier than more performance-oriented models. As always, we appreciate the sleek look and impressive quality of Arcteryx products, which is why two of their down jackets made our list Read in-depth reviewSee theArc'teryx Thorium AR Hoody. But compared to our top-ranked Down Sweater, the added $46 is difficult to justify: the Patagonia is warmer and lighter with a similar overall fit and finish (although it lacks the cool Scandinavian styling of the Fjallraven). And with that premium Patagonia build quality and finish, the Down Sweater doesnt look overly technical for walking around town or grabbing a drink after a long day in the mountains.
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