My Favorite Down Jacket For Backpacking (Ghost Whisperer v Montbell Plasma 1000 v Arc'teryx Cerium)
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- 00:00 Hey y'all
00:15 3rd Place (Arc'teryx Women's Cerium LT Hoody)
00:25 Pros
02:46 Cons
03:43 2nd Place (Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer)
03:49 Pros
04:12 New Version I Haven't Tried Yet (Ghost Whisperer
UL)
05:20 Con
05:44 1st Place (Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Parka)
05:58 Pros
06:35 Cons
08:12 Alternatives To Down Jackets
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puffy hoodie + shorts = west coast winter uniform
I'm from Hawaii but have been in the pnw taking care of my mom for two years. (she passed 10 days ago - - and was infinitely kind! ) I have a gigantic michelin man looking long jacket with shepard fleece pants with warm ups over that while others are out in their shorts and often tees!
Long-sleeved tee shirt, shorts, and cross-trainers: Idaho winter wear.
But I'm from the east coast
@@janefreeman4121 LOL! I am a transplant from much colder climates and I still don't understand the shorts in winter thing here! I laugh every time I see someone in a hoodie and shorts next to someone in a knee length down parka on the street. Still not used to it after many years
i realize it's kinda off topic but does anybody know a good place to stream newly released series online?
Another great video! I have recently gotten more into backpacking and have chosen to hike the PCT because of you. Now whenever I shop for gear I make sure to check your review of it. Thank you for always cheering me up!
Love all of your instructional videos Dixie. Have watched at least 30 of them so far. Thank you very much for sharing your journeys.
I found that when I add my rainshell jacket over my puffy, it doubles the warmth.
You have the best backpacking videos on UA-cam, and I find them very relaxing to watch.
Love your reviews. Going to be camping this summer from Orlando to Main!
I’ll take ARC’TERYX any day of the week. I own the Atom and Cerium. Love them. I can also confirm that you can see the down through the lighter coloured down jackets. It gives the jacket a dirty look.
I have a synthetic puffy I got from Outdoor Vitals a year or two ago. It is lightweight and packs down easily. I've hiked in Minnesota and Northern Michigan in the winter with it, and to be honest I was surprised at how much I liked it. It was under $200, I don't know how much it would be currently. When it's really cold I wear a Merino base layer and a fleece under it and have never gotten cold.
Just met this incredible woman and her awesome boyfriend in Christmas Florida and let me tell you they are a delight! I just walked up to them and bombarded them with all sorts of questions lol 😂 they were incredibly happy, down to earth and extremely insightful. Love them both. Easy to see their passion for life! Hope we meet again and be same on your current trail ❤️🇭🇹
Madja from Haiti
You sound lovey. I wish you a wonderful life in your beautiful country ❤
Wow... Great info thanks!!! Your vids rock... I have but one comment, I noticed a few people had remarked about being too warm is better than cold...too a point yes, BUT... maintaining proper body temp is imperative. Too hot can make you sweat which is as bad as cold, you sweat cuz ur hot, when you cool down.... hypothermia. Flexibility with wardrobe on the trail is important. Hiked the PCT in Washington many times..... The PCT through hike video was breathtaking...someday hope to do the whole shebang. Happy hiking y'all !!! :)
Thanks for mentioning the thrift store option that so many of us tend to overlook. I found a lightweight fleece hoody for $2 to layer with my $80 12 oz marmet and it works well for me.
I have a Hard Land packable down jacket that I got from Amazon. Hard Land currently has it on sale for $55.00. You might think it’s gotta be a cheaply made knockoff for that price but Second Chance lived in his on the PCT for quite a while and it held up. And it has two inside pockets so you can stash a water filter and anything else you don’t want to freeze. It weighs anywhere from 13-17oz depending on size and they make it up to a 4x so it fits a lot of people. It has 650 down so if you’re a naturally cold person (🥶🥶🥶) it might not be enough but it’s a great piece of budget gear. Your reviews are great because you detail features that add value so you know what to look for with other options. 🤗🥰🥶
I've been wearing the same one for the last 5 months. Love it and it's holding up great. No signs of wear yet. I bought it based on Second Chance's video too. Got it directly from Hard
Land for $49. Amazing coat for the $. At that price I can afford to replace it 6 or 7 times for the price of some of the others.
I too have the Hardland puffy. It's almost too warm for me even at 650 fill. I got the 4XL (I'm a biggun) and also first heard about it from Second Chance. I mean, for $55 bucks (I paid more, but oh well) you really can't go wrong. Tons of pockets, inside and out, adjustable hood, draw string waist, and packs down super small. I love it. They also offer a water resistant version for the same price, but it has fewer pockets. The nylon shell on the one I have is pretty good in a light rain.
Same here...thanks Second Chance! It is a very good quality jacket and you can’t beat the price. Also larger sizes allow for comfortable layering. Highly recommend. 👣😎
@@queenanne94101 Do you think it would keep you warm in 40 degrees? Just curious because I live in AZ and camping can be 70 degrees during the day and high 30s-low 40s after sundown.
Shari Posey I think you’ll be fine. The lowest I’ve taken it is 38 degrees and I was toasty... I’m sure I could have gone lower. The company claims it will keep you warm down to “slightly below freezing” then lists 15-45 degrees. I think it’s a type-o and probably should have said 25-45. So the answer is yes. It really is a nice jacket.🌻
Thanks for sharing. Yet another well orchestrated equipment review. Your opinion and experience matters to me when making equipment decisions so again thanks a bunch for sharing.👍👍👍
I always like hoodless version of the ghost whisperer. In really cold weather, I have a separate custom down hood I can bring, but usually just bring a wool beanie. I feel like that is more versatile.
I’m glad you mentioned thrift stores! I find a lot of hiking/backpacking clothing are value village and goodwill. My current well loved Salewa puffy was only $10 ✌️💛
Right on time with the Ghost Whisperer vs Plasma content I've been looking into it myself and this is helpful.
lol yeah that 1000 fill 6.5oz Ghost Whisperer UL looks pretty sick too for sure
I purchased my first puffy last year for only $20 and I love it! I've been out in the pouring rain for hours and stayed dry too. My only complaint, and it's a big one, is that it doesn't have a hood. Still, for only $20, I'd definitely buy another!
Great review, I just upgraded to the Ghost Whisperer 2 jacket & pants for my upcoming thru hike. I'm definitely a puffy convert.
Thank you so much! I love your informative videos.
Thanks for the jacket info, Dixie! Regarding the drawstring on the back of the jacket, I actually think it's a fantastic idea. With the drawstring on the front, having the drawstring whip your face in high winds is miserable.
I beta tested the Plasma in 2014, have worn it throughout the year since, and it's still going strong. MB didn't have a parka [with a hood] version back then. Terrific midlayer for camp, sleeping, and hiking. Only downside is no pockets.
I've been waiting for this video :P Thank you
The Ghost will always be my favorite. I've tried many but always come back to it. Except my EB Centennial 1000 down. It's a beaut
Thanks Dixie, love your content !
Very very helpful, Dixie! Thank you.
I have the Arc'teryx Cerium LT and I love it. It's heavier than my ghost whisper, but it's also warmer. Unlike Dixie, my Cerium fits my body better than the Ghost whisperer. Honestly both are great jackets. Just depends on how cold you are and what activities you doing in the jacket.
Incredibly, I found the Ghost Whisperer 2 for a hundred bucks on sale in a sports utility store in Norway. Love that thing, but I wish it had a chest pocket for my phone.
I use a very inexpensive Gerry 650 fill power down jacket. I picked it up at Costco for 35 or 40 bucks. I don't run cold usually so it works perfectly for me. No hood but their rain jacket fits nicely over it, and has an adjustable one. It has 2 side and 1chest pocket(s) on the outside, with 2 side pockets on the inside. I roll the whole thing into it's own sleeve and can compress it down to a little ball.👌
Hot blooded so most of the time I'm good by just putting on my rain jacket, but I had been thinking of picking up a puffy as it would pack smaller than the jacket I bring on shoulder seasons for 'just in case'. I picked up a 32 Degrees Micro Lux Ultralight Packable Down Jacket from Sierra on clearance for $22 in January. It compresses to about the size of a nalgene (the stuff sack is twice that size) I wore it this winter as a regular jacket to make sure it would be warm enough for me and it will be more than enough for early spring/late fall hiking/camping. It's perfect for me as the price is right. It's more than warm enough and it packs a lot smaller than what I was using. My rain jacket is oversized so I could use my rain jacket as a shell for the puffy if I needed too.
If you tend to feel the cold and want to try something a bit different can I suggest the pile/pertex option. These are single layer items that use a synthetic pile liner to keep you warm with a pertex windproof outer. Montane and Buffalo are two well known makers of these things
Montbell is hard to beat
I've been wearing the Lands End packable down puffy. I love that it's so light weight and can pack down into a pocket for easy carrying/packing. It has kept me quite warm on these bitterly cold days while winter hiking. I also like that it comes the most obnoxious, hot pink so hunters or even rescuers could spot me a miles away. I've gotten lots of compliments as well as strange looks while hiking.
Wow just looked at their website and they are having half off for Thanksgiving
Kuiu makes some lightweight down coats that I've used for about 5 years now. Packable, water resistant down fill, and light. The ultra is 6 ounces, with a hood, 8. For really cold days I wear the Pro which is 13 ounces with a hood. My Montbells are great too. Just depends on where I'm going.
Thanks Dixie for all your reviews. I have the women’s Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer’s down jacket. I too have a long torso and long arms and would like the length to be longer. My jacket has never really kept me warm. The backs of my arms get chilled. I take my Ghost Whisperer where ever I go, most always compressed in its pocket in a daypack or backpack. But always taken out on a daily basis so never stored there. After a shake or two it puffs up but not as much as when you buy it new. My MarcDreamy, our son and his family of four have the same jacket and theirs are puffy like when they were new, all bought at the same time. I sent my jacket to Mountain Hardware to show them how my jacket had broken down. They did their testing and sent it back saying there was nothing wrong with it. I disagree. I’ve recently figured out that mine gets compressed on a regular basis and none of my family’s Ghost Whisperers ever get compressed, just get hung up. Because I put it in a daypack and backpack there in lies my problem...being compressed. The loft is thin. I’m sad about this. I take excellent care of my gear and doesn’t keep me warm, in the house yes, but not in cold weather.
I still have my original Montbell men’s down jacket from my 2009 AT NOBO. So light, so warm, such great quality! Best on trail purchase ever.
purchased my Montbell in 2011 Love it !!!
I purchased my Montbell Ex Light Down Jacket in 2011, and it's still going strong. Absolutely love it.
I have a Montbell down thermal sheet bag liner which is probably the perfect summer sleeping bag at one pound with a full zipper that enables me, a fairly burly 5' 10" guy, to use it as a tight fitting bag down to 40 degrees with a light jacket, up to 80 degrees, unzipped, as a quilt. It's so amazingly light and versatile, I can't believe that it was discontinued after an attempt to redesign the baffles to minimize down shift (which is both annoying at times and useful other times when it gets too warm). The fabric, "Ballistics Airlight" is super strong for the weight. Another cherished item bought on closeout and used often.
Love your reviews of your gear.!
Very informative. Thank you!
My arcteryx cerium has never let me down and I find it to be very packable. I also use a kuhl spyfire hooded vest with a arctery Zoa base layer when it's 40+ and if I get cold, I'll add my rain jacket.
Hi Dixie , like Swamper below i am a fan of the Decathlon puffy jackets. not only are they great quality and super cheap but i have found them to be light and warm.
I have been using a Wantdo duck down women's' coat...No reason in particular other than when I bought it, it was listed at $12 on amazon. (It now lists at a more realistic price of almost $60, but $12 was so good I bought a second to hold in storage for the still unrealized day the 1st wore out) It has interior pockets for phone, water filter, or any similar size item you want to keep warm. Also, it features zippered side pockets to secure items from falling out. This coat packs very small and even has room in the included stuff sack for non bulky hat and gloves. The wrists and hood are not adjustable, but has well fitted elastic at those ponits instead. The jacket comes in plus-sizes up to 3X. I wear a 16-18 with a 46" chest,36"waist and fit very nicely in the XL with inexpensive cudddl duds expedition baselayer(top and bottom are $13 each) and Quechua by DECATHLON - Women's MH120 Fleece Hiking Jacket($10 for the grey $20 for black-as of the time of posting this comment). So if you are getting into hiking to meet weight loss goals, then this is an inexpensive combination to shrink out of(hopefully). these 3 layers contain no cotton, and stood me well through a Michigan winter. Note: I also wore columbia silver ridge convertable pants, gas-station mittens, and a uv balacava(for my face mask requirements) during the only night-hike i took in knee-deep snow. I was sweating after the first 2 miles, but nevertheless very comfortable temperature-wise. It should be noted that this jacket is robust for a puffy when it comes to rain. the smallest size comes in under 8oz
Always the best reviews!
Decathlon one for £40 superb jacket in sone good colours and you always get a great customer service with them if items develop faults. I bought this instead of a Ghost Whisperer 2 and never regretted it
I got a Paradox jacket from Costco for CDN$50 several years ago, and used it during my GAP/C&O bike ride, and many day hikes. It serves its purpose and I still use it.
REI 650 down hoodie, I wear this under a rain shell jacket all winter in Wisconsin. Shoveled snow in -4F for about 45 minutes and stayed warm. Packs well.
In the UK Rab makes a popular down jacket that's worth a good hard look at.. they are made for hiking in cold British hills
I love my Feathered Friends Eos. I also run cold, and it’s warmer than my old Cerium. That montbell looks sweet though!
I have seen the MountBell on sale for about 265 lately. I ordered one and time will tell but it looks like a winner. The one I ordered one without a hood or pockets. I am gram counter and this one is under five ounces. I recently did the Long Trail and many people I ran into were against down all together and use synthetic coats. I have always been a down person but I can see the benefits of synthetic, especially on long through hikes. They are also much less expensive. Enlighten Equipment makes very nice synthetic coats that are light and don’t break the bank. Second hand is also a great option. I am older now and all of my gear is pretty much top of the line but back in the day my gear was pretty low end and I still had great times. Gear helps but it’s really not overly important as long as you can stay dry and warm.
I love the Sierra Designs Whitney Hoodie. It's a little longer than others I've tried - 28" center back length. It's 800 fill so a good bit warmer than my synthetic jacket.
I have a Montbell Frost Line Down Parka, 800 fill power. Bought it 3-4 years ago, great jacket. It's a Montbell closeout this year.
LOVE my Arc'teryx Cerium. Admittedly I am a petite 5'3" so maybe that's the difference. Plus, I don't even have the hooded option because my fleece is hooded, my rain jacket is hooded and I have a wool beanie which I prefer.
i love these! but i decided to only buy an expensive puffy coat once i do hikes over several days or weeks. for my occasional day hikes i got a puffy from decathlon, although i am not a big fan of their stuff in general. its the trek 100, which cost me 50€ and it is better than expected! i can recommend it. it is pretty lightweight (275g), very packable and has a 800 cuin down filling.
I have a puffy that I bought at Costco I think 5 years ago now, and it coat only $40CAD it has not let me down! I layer it with a fleece when it's super cold (it has got me thru a bunch of cold weather camping and backpacking trips!) it's great.
The only thing negative about is it probably doesn't come from humane practices, but I haven't looked up where the down comes from. I definitely would before I buy a new one though. I just don't have $400 for anything, let alone a puffy!
I have used a couple of Ghost Whisperers. ( I melted on in a dryer along with a Mountain Hardwear Banshee sleeping bag, very expensive mistake). Now I'm using an Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex puffy jacket. Much less expensive than the Ghost Whisperer, same weight (9.5 ounces for the Men's large size) and packs down just as small as the Ghost Whisperer. And I think it's just as warm as the Ghost Whisperer. Plus it's synthetic insulation so not as finicky in wet weather.
i own north face and two eddie bauer 800 fill ( vest & coat). Im an all season runner and they provide just enough without sweating. I also used as base layer skiing and worked out great.
My go-to puffy is Outdoor Research Illuminate. I lovelovelove it and this year I outgrew it (quarantine fifteen) and had to buy a new one. I found one on eBay new with tags for $80 Canadian! JACKPOT. I was about to pay $350 Canadian when I found that smokin deal! I got so lucky. Of course, got a teensy tear a few days after wearing it, but I love having patches on my puffy. Makes it feel more "authentic" to me... LOL My new puffy is black and the patch I chose was yellow (from a sleeping pad) but I LOVE it. LOL I'm quirky that way.
Love my 800 fill Patagonia sweater! All day, wore it in 34° and stayed warm. I was helping my mom move though, so that probably helped a little.... heh.
Different category form this review, but I recently bought a RAB Electron Pro, and it is awesome. It's gotten a little too warm now in MI for it, but I'm super excited to use it next winter
Thanks, Dixie. Yep, that 1000 fill sounds wonderful. Quick question: were the sizes between the different jackets similar, or true to specs? In other words, is a medium, a medium, or does a person need to size up to get a comfortable fit? You got a men's Mont Bell and it looked roomier than the women's coats. Thanks!
Check out the decathlon 800 fill jacket! 50 to 80 bucks! 10 oz. Amazing value!
so happy I discovered the Decathelon brand! Amazing!
Monte bell have different levels of puffy coats. I have their sweater lighter than t-shirt. Great for blocking wind when you need that extra bit of warmth. I'm good hiking in it down to about 35 to 40 degrees. Add a fleece under it and it gets super warm. Absolutely love my Monte bell. Thanks to my wife for the great gift.
I looooove my Patagonia Nanopuff--the proportions are perfect for my height (5'9" to 5'10" depending on the day/measuring tape). I had an Eddie Bauer Microtherm 2.0 that had similar problems to the arcteryx--weirdly fitted especially around the arms/shoulders.
I was hoping you were gonna review the Torrid before I spend my money. Thanks girl! Be safe out there!
I have a Torrid Apex Jacket and love it. It does look a bit like a green trash bag, but I'm okay with that.
I just bought a Ghost Whisperer because most thru-hikers were using one...It packs into its own pocket and it's really light....I got it off the MEC gear swap site for $100 Canadian plus postage....it's like new and fits great!!!
Loved this review. Thank you! What size did you get in the Montbell? Take care.
I have an old puffy from the GAP and i can tell ya the thing is about 20 yrs old and still thinker and holding up better than any of the latest puffy's that are waaayy expensive!
Was shopping at Eddie Bauer Outlet yesterday for hiking shorts and found a 650 fill power puffy for $50. It was in tall sizes, too. (I'm 6' 2".) No hood, but I usually wear a cap and can always put a rain coat over it if the weather is wet and cold.
I needed a puffy jacket that wasn't as warm as my Patagonia Macropuff. Yesterday I got a down jacket at Eddie Bauer for $70 and used it on a backpack last night and this morning. So glad I bought it.
Off topic: adult braces -- I'm so proud of you. I get mine starting three weeks from now. [life lessons ?] I'll be looking for your puffy coat recommendation on the "cheap" list. Thank you.
Thanks for making these reviews. There aren't many reviews on womens down jacket. Your video helped a lot. 😊
I do love pockets. I wear hiking pants that have 6 pockets.
Thank you for this I have been "eyein" getin a light weight jacket.
I was using the ghost wisperer some time ago but I realize it is no so warm and Handle moisture pretty badly. I switch for a Decathlon fleece quarter zip with neck. I took the tick model and It makes it all for cheap. Handle moisture, keep warm, stop wind. The weight is pretty nice. Keeping my pack light 🤩
I‘d go with the Mont Bell Superior Down Jacket (800FP), less warm than your no. 1 and cheaper, having a adjustable hood compared to the Ghost Whisperer...
I've got a super lightweight 600fp down puffy from Mountain Warehouse (UK Brand, I picked it up at a Canadian store) for no more than $40CAD... probably $30usd-ish. They have other weights and synthetic... all of it is reasonably priced IMHO. Active hiking I was good to just above freezing, so for the Canadian west coast it serves my needs. Best bang for the buck, even if you had to ship it somewhere I figure. I'm aware the 600 fp is much lower than the 900 or 1000 fp... but you're still winning and it's still warm!
Edit: I just checked their website and my jacket (which I bought last year on clearance) is currently up for $65-75cad depending on colour.... so say $50-60usd.
Hi i have the Enlightened Equipment torrid. It's synthetic and about 6oz for a womens small. It's much warmer than the patagonia nano puff. EE is about to come out with a quarter zip hoodie with a kangaroo pocket. I'm interestested for sure. EE items can also be customized with color and denier choices. That new roo jacket is a touch lighter than the torrid. I'm also eyeing the montbell plasma 1000. No hood or pockets but for layering in colder stretches. 4.1oz
REI down jacket, esp the 600 fill is often on sale for around $65. They back their stuff and it is responsibly sourced, if that matters to you. Amazon has some other sorts of options--I think lots of folks have good things to say about the 32 degree jackets.
Another vote for the Decathlon Forclaz 100. 10.4 oz in a large. 800fp. I got mine on sale for $50. Makes me smile every time I wear it! Fits me well @5'11",YKK zips. Only con... It does not have adjustable hood. Other than that, I could not imagine liking another any more.
I bought my puffy at a ski swap. It is lightweight has inside pockets and folds into a pillow. I have no idea what brand it is but have taken it hiking and on bike tours besides using it as a ski jacket as well.
Have you ever considered Feathered Friends down jackets? I was born in Seattle, grew up with REI/Feathered Friends/OR etc. My husband and I are members of REI but chose Feathered Friends for our down sleeping bags and puffy coats. I couldn't be happier! I'm 5'8.5" and have the women's L with enough room to cover my behind and enough arm length to cover my wrists while using trekking poles. The goose down came from Hungary and is plenty warm with just long underwear underneath it. It packs down to 6"x8" in its own stuff sack weighing in at 8 oz. I also use it to double for a pillow around my Cocoon Ultralight Air-Core Pillow in a zippered lightweight pillow protector. It's soft, warm and so comfy when sleeping out in the wilds. I paid $330 for it in 2019.
I have moved from down to synthetics. Safer if it gets sooked in rain/moisture. Newest synthetics are both durable, keeps great loft=warmth and are really lightweight. If I go for down, it is with hydrophobic treated down. As of lately I have found wool loft to be the ultimate thing for me. Around fire I cover my loft jacket with a thin wool jacket or similar to keep safe from sparks. Regarding jumpers and underwear, it is all wool. Nothing can beat that. Really recommend Woolpower, Aclima and Devold. For winter, Aclima ullfrotte is the best. Durable and extremely warm, but highly breathable as well as moisture wicking. Safe trails ✨
BTW, wool does not smell like the rest
Sierra Trading Post is a great place to find reasonably priced jackets. With respect down fill power, if all the jackets you view have the same amount of down fill, let’s say 200 grams, and they are 600/700/800 fill power, then yes, the 200g jacket with 800 fp down will be warmer. The main reason you should opt for the higher fp jacket is because you want the lightest weight garment. But lighter isn’t always better. Typically, the lighter the garment the more delicate it will be.
So correct. Then there’s type of lining, type of baffling construction.
I Have a ghost whisperer and and an LL Bean down sweater. (Both hooded) I like em both and would say they’re equally as warm with 2.69 oz of fill in each. The LL bean is 2 oz heavier but has a chest pocket that I really like. And at $ 189 I’m not worried as much about it being damaged or wearing out. And it’s material isn’t shiny like the Ghosts is. Interesting tidbit- Mountain Hardware is owned by Columbia.
These days we need our down puffy to go to a restaurant and sit outside. Puffy enabled social distancing 🤣
Awesome, but I am so excited for that first FT video 😄
Great information
2 years ago I bought a duck down water resistant puffy from Amazon. It was their 'Basics' brand and cost me $60. It is extremely light weight and packable. It packs into its own pocket! I have hiked thousands of miles in it and its still going strong. I did fall while wearing it out in Utah and tore a hole in the elbow. I was bummed but just patched it up at the car with a piece of Gorilla Tape. LOL it may now look ragged but dang that coat is still a powerhouse.
I hate to say it, but the Amazon Basics items are usually pretty good. From paper pads, to car floor mats, to a toolkit for my son going away to school. Down jacket too. Not surprised.
One of the downsides of down puffy coats is they don't keep you as warm once they get wet. I got an Outdoor Vitals synthetic down (Loftek) hoody jacket that keeps you warm even when drenched, but dries out quickly. I love it.
Thanks for the video
You should try Fjällräven and Rab: they make amazing puffies! ❤️⛺️
I’m glad you mentioned getting a man’s jacket. I am also 5’8” and in order to get a jacket to be long enough in the arms and waist, I usually lean towards mens jackets. You miss out on some of the prettier colors, but you get the length where you need it most.
8:38 exactly. It's pricey but in the right situations it's worth every penny
Yeah, the price of the 1st one killed it for me. Thanks for the content
I warm up very fast when hiking or backpacking. I have the Mountain Hardware Ghost Shadow. It’s is synthetic and currently only $125.00 @ REI.
I love my marmot highlander down hoody. I never had much luck with mountain hardware. I tried so hard to love them but they just run short and I’m 5’10”... Any experience with marmot?
I want to know what down jacket , and they all may be the same, can take internal moisture from sweating and still have good insulation power. I have a vintage North Face jacket which seems to do alright, especially in conjunction with a polar fleece inside layer.
Well, it used to be the Ghost Whisperer, but for whatever reasons, MH has decided to slim down their offerings. And by that I mean they're making the jackets slimmer and slimmer. I bought one about 5 years ago, and it fits me great (large guy, 50"chest, broad shoulders). In fact it still fits me great, and there's room to layer underneath if I want. However, I bought another one that was hooded the next year, and it was somewhat tight on me. Last year I bought one more (I usually wait until they're on sale from MH) and it barely fit me, and was really quite tight. That may because I gained a few pounds, but it's so tight, that I can't layer if I want. I also bought a vest, but it's so tight I can hardly breathe in it. And all 3 coats and the vest are all listed as XXL. So, I wanted to go to the Montbell, but it's sized to fit someone with a 46' chest as max, and that just won't work. I'm now using the EE Torrid APEX and love it. My only real complaint is that the zippers have no pulls on them, and it doesn't pack down well. Still though, it's quite warm, and most importantly it fits great, with room for layers.
The Haglöfs Essens Down is great for me. It is great.
In my area REI isnt doing garage sales for now. I have picked up some altra lone peaks and timps that were probably worn once for a fraction of the price.
I have a Forclaz Trek 100, Compact Down Hiking Jacket I paid $79 for it and I’m comfortable in the mid 20’s with just a tank top underneath! It’s awesome!
I love that jacket
Maybe next time you could include information about the origin of the down? I know there are still factories that use down obtained by live plucking. I think it is a very important topic which is rarely mentioned.
Montbell Vapor Wrap is my go to.