If hiking, backpacking, and climbing from spring through fall teaches us the fundamentals of layering our clothing for comfort in variable weather, the backcountry in winter confers a graduate degree in layering. In mild temperatures, getting wet with perspiration or precipitation merely risks discomfort. In freezing temps, it can quickly lead to hypothermia and actually become life-threatening.

This article offers expert advice on how to choose a specific, personalized layering system for different exertion levels and body types in backcountry in winter. Drawn from my four decades of experience backpacking, Nordic and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, climbing, camping, and trail running in winter—including 10 years as the Northwest Editor and lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog—these tips go beyond the usual layering advice to help you stay comfortable and safe by customizing clothing systems according to activity and body type.

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A layering system is simply the clothing layers you wear outdoors, and we all understand that dressing in layers allows us to make adjustments—adding and removing layers—as needed for changing conditions. But temperatures near and below freezing compound the challenge of dressing comfortably during exertion, when our bodies sweat, because damp clothing conducts heat from your body, and cold air rapidly accelerates that cooling effect—potentially to a dangerous degree.

See “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

Choosing a Layering System

Three variables dictate the layers you need:

• The ambient conditions you expect to encounter—temperature range, wind, and precipitation—as well as how terrain and vegetation cover affect your exposure to the weather: You’re more protected from wind and weather in the forest than above treeline. But a shaded valley bottom with no direct sunlight, where the coldest air pools on a calm day, can feel colder than the warm sunshine and calm air higher up.

• Your level of exertion, whether moderate (downhill or backcountry skiing or riding, ski touring, or snowshoeing) or highly aerobic (fast Nordic skiing, trail running).

• Your body type and metabolism, or more simply, how easily you get cold.

Think of those variables on a sliding scale. As we all understand, you need warmer layers as temperatures and exertion level drop. But your choice of specific garments will also depend on your body and activity, and some apparel can cross over between the two types of layering systems (explained below).

See “The Best Gloves For Winter—and All Seasons” and “The Best Mittens For Winter”
for both high-exertion and moderate-exertion activities.

Base Layers for Winter

Whatever your exertion level, you want next-to-skin tops and bottoms that do two things:

1. Wick moisture off your skin quickly.

2. Provide at least the minimum amount of warmth you need for the conditions and your body.

In winter, those two traits become especially important. A top that’s too light reduces your layering system’s versatility by forcing you to rely only on your insulation layer for warmth—and insulation that’s warm enough for the coldest temps you face, as it should be, may be too much at other times.

Start your layering system smartly with
the best base layers for being active outdoors.

On the other hand, you also don’t want your base layer top to make you overheat, which can happen in the warmest circumstances you might encounter—such as skiing or snowshoeing uphill in sunshine, calm air, and temps around or above freezing. It’s also possible to overheat when moving uphill in temps just below freezing and snow falling hard enough that it requires you to wear a shell jacket. In that situation, an insulation layer may be too warm, so you need a base layer under that shell that provides adequate warmth.

You can also combine two base layers, a lightweight one and a midweight, giving you another possible layering adjustment to deal with fluctuating temps. (Or you can moderate your pace, which is another of my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”) But peeling off and putting on base layers is less convenient in winter than in summer—especially in falling snow or when you’re wearing an avalanche beacon. Better to have one base layer (or two) that does the job.

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Pants for the Backcountry in Winter

We swap out top layers in winter, but not our bottoms. Depending, of course, on the activity and conditions, we generally wear one or two bottom layers and do not change them while outside. Consequently, our pants or bottoms must be chosen specifically for the activity and conditions.

Here’s what to look for:

• For trail running in moderately cold temps (around freezing to 40s F), I often wear running shorts over compression shorts or three-quarter-length tights (which reach to the top of the calves and cover the knees) with compression calf sleeves or socks; or lightweight, highly breathable, fast-wicking tights.

• When Nordic skiing, I favor lightweight soft-shell pants that breathe well, block some wind (for skiing downhill), shed snow, and offer a bit more warmth than tights. This type of pant crosses over well to three-season hiking and climbing in the mountains, too.

• For backcountry skiing or snowshoeing, I want more substantial pants that still breathe well—typically soft-shell—but are designed to keep snow out of ski boots (with an internal gaiter) and deliver a bit more warmth and weather protection.

Which puffy should you buy? See “The 12 Best Down Jackets” and
“How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”

Two Types of Layering Systems for Winter

When it comes to a shell and insulation, most people will employ one of two different types of layering systems in temperatures from just above to well below freezing:

1. Layering for moderate-exertion activities of anywhere from an hour to all day, or even multiple days if you’re staying in a backcountry cabin or yurt or winter camping. That demands a versatile system, with three or more layers, that allows adjustments dictated by changing conditions.

2. Layering for high-exertion activities, which are usually of shorter duration—a few hours or less—and often may not involve making adjustments, such as when Nordic skiing or trail running.

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The Best Moderate-Exertion Layering System

If your primary winter activities are backcountry skiing or ski touring, snowshoeing, or hiking, you need a layering system with great versatility, which usually means three types of layers: base, middle or insulating layer, and shell.

This could consist of just three pieces, and at times, you might only wear one layer over your base top: insulation for warmth when it’s not precipitating, or a shell to fend off falling snow when you’re working hard enough to stay warm without insulation. You might, of course, wear two base layers (one lightweight, one warmer) or even a combined vest and insulating jacket as “middle” layers, with or without a shell.

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Insulation The classic middle layer is critical because it provides most of your layering system’s warmth. It should also breathe well, because your outer/shell layer will already be the least-breathable piece of the system; more than one layer with limited breathability can quickly start feeling clammy. The good news is that there’s an ever-expanding array of options in insulating layers that breathe well, some of which also cut some wind. Your middle layer will many times pull double duty as an outer layer when you don’t need a shell.

Shell In winter temps from above freezing down into single digits or below zero Fahrenheit, I want a shell jacket with superior breathability, because I can overheat skiing uphill in the backcountry (or even skiing downhill in deep powder), but also built to repel hours of falling snow and block most wind, with an adjustable, brimmed hood that keeps wind and precipitation off my face. While not many years ago, these fully technical shell jackets fell on either side of a fine line between soft shell (highly breathable but not fully waterproof) and hard shell (fully waterproof but not quite as breathable), today you’ll find shells that blur that distinction, with the supple feel and breathability of a traditional soft shell while delivering fully waterproof performance.

Lastly, for multi-hour or multi-day adventures deep in the backcountry in winter, far from the nearest road, prudence dictates having a warm puffy jacket both to prevent you from rapidly cooling off during short rests, and in case of an emergency. The best are stuffed with enough insulation to keep you warm when stationary in temps well below freezing; have a hood that closes snugly around your noggin (and in some cases, over a helmet); and have properties that help them repel moisture and falling snow, like a DWR (durable water-resistant treatment) on the shell, and synthetic or hydrophobic (water-resistant) down insulation.

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The Best High-Exertion Layering System

If your winter sport of choice involves sweating and breathing hard, like running and Nordic skiing or even power hiking, fabric breathability becomes the top priority in your outer layer—you need to dump as much of the moisture your body is producing as possible, to avoid getting too wet. Your jacket should also have enough water resistance to not soak through in light rain or snow, but a fully waterproof-breathable jacket is typically overkill, because it’s not nearly as breathable as a water-resistant shell and usually heavier. Besides, in temps below freezing, you don’t need a waterproof jacket; a water-resistant shell can shed falling snow.

This layering system usually consists simply of an adequately warm, often midweight base layer and a lightweight, very breathable jacket. Occasionally, I’ll wear a lightweight base layer under a midweight, when I need a little extra warmth, because for these activities, I’m not wearing an avalanche beacon or likely to make layering adjustments.

A Tip About Hoods

Most of the time, I like having any kind of hood on a jacket—and I definitely want an adjustable, helmet-compatible, full-coverage hood on a shell for multi-hour activities like skiing or snowshoeing. But understand the pros and cons to having a hooded middle layer.

Hoods come in basically two styles:

1. Very close-fitting, non-adjustable, usually elasticized hoods intended to just provide some added warmth and good breathability, but minimal wind and weather protection. They are usually found on insulating layers or lightweight jackets and designed to fit under a ski or climbing helmet.

2. Adjustable, “fully technical” hoods on a shell that deliver complete weather protection and fit over a helmet or any hat.

While there are advantages to having an insulating layer with a close-fitting hood for warmth (type 1 above) as well as a fully technical hood on your shell (type 2), if your system has more than one hood, make sure they fit well together when on and off your head. For the most part, insulated jackets have either a close-fitting hood or none; but some insulated hoods are bulky and don’t fit compatibly with all shell hoods. Two high-volume hoods are too many. Test them together.

Be sure to read my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter” and see all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

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Whatever you need an insulated jacket for, there’s a down or synthetic puffy for your needs, within your budget. And whether you want a puffy jacket for outdoor activities like backpacking, camping, skiing, climbing, and hut treks, or just to keep you warm around town or at outdoor sporting events, this review will help you figure out how to choose the right jacket for your purposes, and it spotlights the best down and synthetic insulated jackets available today.

I selected the jackets covered in this review after extensive testing on backpacking, camping, backcountry ski touring, climbing and other backcountry trips. I’ve field-tested dozens of insulated jackets over three decades of testing and reviewing gear, formerly as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog.

Technology has blurred the traditional lines between down and synthetics, with water-resistant down that traps heat even when wet—all but eliminating the weakness that had long been the Achilles heel of down—and synthetic insulation materials that approach the warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility of down.

If you’d prefer, scroll past my buying tips to dive immediately into the jacket reviews.

If you have a question for me or a comment on this review, please leave it in the comments section at the bottom of this story. I try to respond to all comments.

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How to Choose a Synthetic or Down Jacket

Insulated jackets today differ not only in type and amount of insulation, but also in water resistance, breathability, and as always, design features like the hood and pockets. When choosing between down and synthetic models, consider the usual conditions and temperatures in which you’ll use it—in other words, how wet and cold you expect to get, and your body type (how easily you get cold)—as well as the seasonal and activity versatility you require. Some questions to consider:

• Do you want one jacket for four seasons?
• Do you want it primarily for one or two activities like backpacking, camping, climbing, or skiing?
• Does it need to be breathable because you’ll wear it while on the move at times, or will you only wear it while relatively inactive in camp, when breathability doesn’t really matter?

And perhaps the most-important question: How warm an insulated jacket do you need for how, where, and when you will use it?

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Some performance aspects of puffy jackets you should understand include:

• Standard down feathers lose their ability to trap heat once wet, rendering down less practical in wet environments.

• The primary advantage of synthetic-insulation jackets is the ability to still trap warmth when wet—although the wetter the jacket, the less warm it will feel, especially once that dampness reaches your skin.

• However, some jackets are now made with water-resistant, or hydrophobic down feathers that greatly improve their ability to repel water, continue to trap heat when damp, and dry faster. And even those jackets that contain standard down often have a water-resistant shell fabric that repels light precipitation but isn’t designed to withstand a steady rain. (Read more on this below, under Which is Better, Down or Synthetic?)

• The down fill-power rating is a measure of the volume, in cubic inches, that one ounce of that down fills; in other words, an ounce of 800-fill power down will occupy 800 cubic inches of volume. Down feathers are separated during processing according to this measure.

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• Higher fill-power ratings translate to more warmth per ounce of down, so if two jackets contain identical amounts of down by weight, the jacket with the higher fill-power rating will probably be warmer and more compressible (and more expensive). That said, of course, an ultralight 800-fill power jacket may not be as warm as a 700-fill power jacket that contains more down. The price of down jackets usually correlates with the quality of the down.

• Similarly, while synthetic insulation traditionally was not as lightweight and compressible as down, the best modern synthetics—including those reviewed below—have a warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility that compares with mid-grade (700-fill) or better down.

• Some modern synthetic insulations are also constructed in a way that makes them more durable, although, for the most part, down retains the edge there.

Insulated jackets are usually sewn in one of two ways:

• So-called “sewn through” construction stitches the outer, shell fabric to the inner, liner fabric, creating pockets of down, but also potential cold spots at seams where there’s effectively no insulation. This method reduces a jacket’s weight and often its cost, and is practical in ultralight jackets for moderate temperatures (think summer in the mountains).

• The more-expensive method of creating so-called box baffles eliminates cold spots and makes a jacket look puffier, but adds weight and usually cost.

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How Warm a Jacket Do You Need?

As I write in my blog post “How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is,” an insulated jacket’s total weight offers a rough idea of how warm it is. But that’s certainly not precise. Warmth (and weight) will vary with factors like type, quality, and amount of insulation, the jacket’s construction, and whether it has a hood.

Still, with down and synthetic jackets, I look at the garment’s total weight as a general guideline to its warmth. Although I encounter exceptions to the following weight categories, they provide a starting point. These guidelines and temperature ranges also apply to my body’s metabolism (my tolerance for cold is probably a little higher than average), and they presume I’m wearing one or two base layers underneath the puffy that are appropriate to the season and temperatures.

• When I’m going ultralight on summer backcountry trips, and I expect temps no lower than around 40° F, I bring a down or puffy jacket weighing seven to 11 ounces. If the temp drops lower, I supplement with my other layers or get in my sleeping bag when necessary.

• For trips when the temp could dip below freezing, I want a jacket that’s 12 to 16 ounces.

• For colder trips and in winter in the backcountry, my insulated jacket weighs roughly 16 to 22 ounces.

Having a hood certainly keeps you warmer and is worth the additional weight and cost. You should consider whether other layers in your clothing system already have a hood, and make sure that any two hoods you’re wearing together pair up well.

I usually consider a hood mandatory in temperatures near and below freezing, but less important on milder trips, when I’ll pack a hoodless, ultralight puffy jacket to reduce pack weight and because I’m bringing a hat, anyway. However, I also consider the activities for which I’ll use the jacket; for high-speed activities in cold temps, I usually wear a lighter, hoodless insulated jacket.

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Which is Better, Down or Synthetic?

In my experience, if you compare a down and synthetic insulated jacket of the same weight and basic design—for example, assuming both have a hood—I still find that down feathers have the edge in pure warmth. I think that assessment bears out in the products listed below.

To simplify your choice between down and synthetic insulation, think of it this way:

• If you want a puffy jacket primarily for warmth when you’re inactive (say, in camp), and expect mostly dry conditions or to wear a rain shell over the puffy when needed, get a down jacket.
• Get water-resistant or hydrophobic down if it may occasionally have to endure a light shower. But many accounts and lab testing, hydrophobic down provides some water repellency and protection until it gets soaked—and most users will not encounter conditions where they would notice any difference in performance between hydrophobic down (whether in a jacket or a sleeping bag) and standard down. (See much more detail on this topic in a comment I posted at the bottom of this story, dated Sept. 13, 2022, responding to a reader’s question about hydrophobic down.)
• If you expect to often wear it in wet conditions, get a synthetic puffy.
• If you will wear it while active in wet conditions, get a synthetic puffy with breathable insulation.

I’ve ranked the following down and synthetic puffy jackets roughly in order from lightest to warmest in each of these two categories. Please share what you think of my review or any of the jackets covered here in the comments section at the bottom of this story. I try to respond to all comments.

Make your backpacking trips better with the right gear.
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The Best Down Jackets

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoody
$420, 8.8 oz./250g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
rei.com

When my goal is minimizing pack weight on summer trips with cool but not freezing nights, I bring this wispy jacket. The 800-fill goose down delivers beaucoup warmth for a puffy jacket that’s barely over a half-pound, and the hood boosts its versatility for nights dipping into the 30s Fahrenheit (for some people). It has been my go-to insulation for summer backpacking in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness, Nevada’s Ruby Crest Trail, the 96-mile Wind River High Route, and other trips.

When stuffed into one of the two roomy, zippered hand pockets, the jacket packs down to slightly larger than a liter bottle—and lofts up almost instantly. Even better, the 10-denier shell fabric consists of 100 percent recycled nylon ripstop, and the feathers are RDS-certified down—so this newest iteration of the Ghost Whisperer series is as light on the Earth as it is in your pack.

Read my full review of the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody.

Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody ($450, 6.7 oz./190g), whacks about two ounces/57 grams off its older sibling’s weight while excelling for many of the same reasons—and still has the hood and two zippered hand pockets. Read my review.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody at rei.com; a men’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody at backcountry.com; a women’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody at backcountry.com; or other versions of the Ghost Whisperer down insulation at backcountry.com or rei.com.

Get warmth that stands up to winter temps, water-resistant insulation, and a fit aided by stretch materials in the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Jacket ($290, 1 lb. 2 oz.). Hardwear’s 750-fill Q.Shield down repels moisture and retains loft when wet, and the unique, stretch-welded channel construction moves with you and traps heat more efficiently than jackets with standard stitching. You can support my blog, at no cost to you, but clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Jacket or Hooded Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com.

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Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody
$429, 10 oz./284g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

Wearing BD’s Approach Down Hoody on cool, very windy evenings and mornings down to the 40s Fahrenheit backpacking in the Grand Canyon and similar temps backpacking in the Wind River Range, I stayed both perfectly warm and happy that I’d packed a very light puffy that didn’t compromise on warmth or features.

Barely more than an ounce heavier than Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer/2, the Approach bests it with features found in heavier down jackets, like a chest pocket and a hood that adjusts with a one-hand drawcord and stays in place when turning your head side to side. Stuffed with 800-fill power, water-resistant goose down, it has high warmth for its weight and won’t lose loft when damp—expanding its usefulness from three-season backpacking to active insulation in cold temps. Plus, it boasts green cred with fluorocarbon-free, RDS-certified down and a PFC-free and water-free DWR on the 10-denier by 7-denier nylon woven shell fabric that’s more durable than traditional DWRs.

Read my full review of the Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody.

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Planning your next big adventure? See “America’s Top 10 Best Backpacking Trips”
and “The 25 Best National Park Dayhikes.”

Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket
$409, 11 oz./312g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL
featheredfriends.com

If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. In updating its Eos Down Jacket, Feathered Friends made just two minor improvements. Testing the Eos on a windy and chilly June trip in Idaho’s City of Rocks and on cool, windy evenings and mornings in August on the John Muir Trail, I found it just as warm and comfortable as I found the previous version in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, Glacier National Park, and countless other wild places.

Stuffed with 900+-fill goose down and weighing just 11 ounces, the Eos has a warmth-to-weight ratio matched by few competitors. The 12-denier by 20-denier Pertex Quantum shell sheds light precipitation. The updated Eos placed the zippered chest pocket behind a flap and made the warm hood adjustable using drawstrings; it still features two zippered hand pockets, elasticized cuffs, and a drawcord hem. A great fit, superior warmth and packability make it an excellent choice for three-season trips.

Read my full review of the 2022 Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com, or a women’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com.

Looking for a more affordable down jacket?
Check out the REI 650 Down Jacket. Read my review.

Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket
$390, 11 oz./313g (men’s mediumSizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

A weeklong backpacking trip in Glacier National Park in mid-September presented a quandary: Trimming all superfluous weight from my pack (which began the hike with 14 pounds of food weight) and staying warm in temperatures dropping to near freezing. Rab’s Mythic Alpine Down Jacket achieved both goals—while weighing less than most comparably warm puffy jackets.

Stuffed with hydrophobic, 900-fill goose down, it has one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratios you’ll find in any down jacket—especially for a water-resistant model—as well as being highly packable. With an adjustable hood that really boosts warmth, and stitch-through baffle construction, it’s one of the lightest down jackets that can handle most three-season trips. The 10-denier ripstop, 100 percent recycled Pertex Quantum shell is the lightest shell fabric used in insulated jackets, but it’ll last, as long as you exercise reasonable care with it.

Read my full review of the Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket at backcountry.com or a men’s or women’s Rab Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket at backcountry.com.

Stay dry, happy, and safe.
See my review of “The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking.”

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody
$400, 12 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXXL, women’s XXS-XXL
rei.com

From unseasonably cold and windy mornings near freezing in southern Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon in mid-April to September campsites in Wyoming’s Wind River Range and mornings in the mid-20s in the first week of March in The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, the Cerium Hoody has immediately warmed me in circumstances that push three-season conditions. While slightly edged out only by the Feathered Friends Eos and Helios in warmth-to-weight ratio, the Cerium adds another dimension of performance: It marries the high warmth-per-ounce and packability of 850-fill power down in the hood, sleeves, and torso, with lightweight, breathable, and compressible Coreloft synthetic insulation in areas like the shoulders and armpits, to keep it trapping heat even when wet.

A close-fitting, under-the-helmet, adjustable hood amps up the warmth. It has two zippered hand pockets, stuffs into a zippered inside pocket, and the shell fabric fends off light precipitation. With a comfortable, athletic fit that allows layering a couple of warm base layers underneath, the Cerium Hoody is a good choice for any three-season adventures or as a middle layer on winter adventures.

Read my full review of the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody at rei.com or arcteryx.com.

Start out right. See “10 Perfect National Park Backpacking Trips for Beginners”
and “The 5 Southwest Backpacking Trips You Should Do First.”

Himali Accelerator Down Jacket
$345, 12.5 oz./354g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
himali.com

On cool mornings and windy evenings in the low 40s Fahrenheit (4-6° C) in campsites while backpacking the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park and the Nigel, Cataract, and Cline Passes Route in the White Goat Wilderness in the Canadian Rockies in August, my Himali Accelerator Down Jacket kept me perfectly warm over just one or two base layers. By many measures, this midweight puffy hits the target for three-season mountain adventures in its balance of weight, packability, warmth, materials and features—all at a competitive price for a high-quality down jacket.

Stuffed with four ounces of RDS-certified, 850-fill, water-resistant HyperDry down, the Accelerator delivers a very high warmth-to-weight ratio that competes with the few very best down jackets at this or any weight. Mapped synthetic insulation in the armpits along with the water-resistant down and DWR-coated, 20-denier Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon shell fabric help the Accelerator continue trapping body heat in wet weather. An adjustable hood, three zippered pockets (one inside), and a great fit arguably make it the ideal puffy for many backpackers, climbers, and four-season adventurers.

Read my full review of the Himali Accelerator Down Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com, a women’s hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com, a men’s non-hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com, or a women’s non-hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com.

Readers of The Big Outside get an exclusive 10 percent off any Himali purchase by using the discount code THEBIGOUTSIDE.

Need a super versatile fleece hoodie? See my reviews of the ultralight Himali Limitless Grid Fleece Hoodie and the warmer, remarkably breathable Himali Men’s Endeavor Fleece Hoodie. Those jackets, like all Himali products, qualify for the exclusive 10 percent off any Himali purchase for readers of this blog, using the discount code THEBIGOUTSIDE.

Buy smartly. Read my “10 Tips For Spending Less on Hiking and Backpacking Gear” and
“Why and When to Spend More on Hiking and Backpacking Gear.”

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket
$295, 15 oz./425g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XXS-XXL, women’s XS-XXL
backcountry.com

When rain and chilly wind whipped through our campsites on evenings and mornings around 40° F in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, as well as on a late-September backpacking trip in Yosemite, the Microlight Alpine Down Jacket passed the test, thanks to features designed to fend off wet and raw conditions.

The hydrophobic, 700-fill goose down traps heat even when damp and dries faster than standard down, while the micro and nano stitch-through baffle construction helps reduce the jacket’s weight and cost. With a stiffened brim and close fit around your head, the adjustable hood boosts warmth substantially. The 30-denier Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon shell sheds light precipitation; paired with the hydrophobic down, it makes this a better (read: warmer) choice for wet weather than many down jackets. Green creds: The Microlight Alpine Jacket has a fully recycled shell, insulation, and lining. At this price, it’s a great value.

Read my full review of the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com.

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Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
$299, 15.4 oz./437g
Sizes: men’s S-3XL, women’s XS-XL, plus sizes 1X-4X
backcountry.com

On windy mornings and evenings in the deep shade of our camps in Owl and Fish canyons in southern Utah in early May, my Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie kept me quite warm in below-freezing wind chills—even when wearing only a lightweight wool T-shirt under it. This jacket’s 800+-fill down gives it a high warmth-to-weight ratio: At under a pound, it packs enough warmth to push the edges of peak seasons in the mountains and desert—or to keep people who get cold easily warm in typical morning and evening temperatures in the mountains in summer.

The wind-resistant Pertex Quantum nylon shell fabric gets a durability boost from Diamond Fuse technology. It also sets itself apart from many down jackets for the waterproof ripstop fabric at the hood, shoulders, and upper sleeves. The adjustable hood fits nicely and traps heat efficiently and three zippered external pockets plus two spacious internal stash pockets complete a rich feature set. All this at a price that’s hard to beat for this level of quality.

Read my full review of the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie at backcountry.com, outdoorresearch.com, or rei.com.

Score a backcountry permit in popular parks like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Grand Teton
using my “10 Tips For Getting a Hard-to-Get National Park Backcountry Permit.”

Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Jacket
$489, 1 lb. 1 oz./482g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL
featheredfriends.com

On winter nights in the single digits outside a yurt in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, and raw, wet spring mornings camped in Idaho’s City of Rocks, this fat down jacket felt crazy warm—especially for its weight and surprising packability, spotlighting its versatility as an outstanding down jacket that’s light and packable enough for sub-freezing temps or people who just get cold more easily on three-season trips.

The Helios is stuffed generously with nearly eight ounces (men’s medium) of 900+-fill down, the highest-quality down you can find, which explains its stratospheric warmth-to-weight ratio. The comfortable, adjustable hood seals nicely around the face to trap heat and fits over a climbing helmet. The water-resistant, 20-denier Pertex Endurance LT shell fabric repels light rain, and the jacket has two hand pockets with overlapping stretch flaps in lieu of a zipper, plus one small, zippered inside pocket.

Read my full review of the Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com or other Helios apparel at featheredfriends.com.

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Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody
$399, 1 lb. 1 oz./482g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-3XL, women’s 2XS-2XL
backcountry.com

From backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies and Oregon, hut treks in New Zealand, and spring and summer camping and climbing trips to countless days of resort skiing at Oregon’s Mount Bachelor and in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, plus days of backcountry ski touring, my college-student daughter has stayed warm in Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Down Hoody in temperatures down to around freezing—while demonstrating this hooded jacket’s versatility.

The 800-fill-power down delivers good packability and warmth for the jacket’s weight; it’s warm enough for everything from sitting around camp on chilly nights while backpacking in the mountains in summer to using it as a layering piece for winter hikes or ski tours. The adjustable, helmet-compatible hood has a one-hand drawcord. The fitleaves room for a couple of warm base layers and/or light insulation. The jacket stuffs into one of the two zippered hand pockets and also has two zippered chest pockets and an internal drop pocket.

Read my full review of the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody at patagonia.com or rei.com, or a women’s Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody at backcountry.com or rei.com.

Got an all-time favorite campsite?
See “Tent Flap With a View: 25 Favorite Backcountry Campsites.”

The Best Synthetic Jackets

Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
$329, 10 oz./283.5g
Sizes: men’s XS-3XL, women’s XXS-XL
patagonia.com

In cool, strong wind from Idaho’s City of Rocks to multiple trips backpacking in the Wind River Range, the Grand Canyon, and elsewhere, the Micro Puff Hoody delivered more warmth than expected, given that it weighs slightly more than a half-pound. Patagonia’s water-resistant PlumaFill insulation matches the warmth-to-weight ratio of high-quality (800-fill power) down, while trapping heat when wet. That’s because it’s constructed as a continuous strand, which, combined with the jacket’s quilted construction, creates internal spaces that trap heat—imitating how down delivers so much warmth per ounce of insulation.

The water-resistant, windproof, 10-denier Pertex Quantum shell with a DWR shrugged off a couple of hours of very light rain in one camp. The comfortable, well-designed, non-adjustable, elasticized hood clings snugly around your face and fits under a helmet. Appealing to ultralighters and anyone seeking one of the lightest, most packable puffy jackets, the Micro Puff excels for three-season backpacking and camping in moderate temps.

Read my full review of the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody or other Micro Puff models at backcountry.com or patagonia.com.

Want a synthetic puffy that’s warmer than the Micro Puff Hoody? Made with 55 percent recycled polyester, the Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody ($289, 13 oz.) features water-resistant PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, which has a warmth-per-ounce ratio similar to mid-grade down, and the jacket zips into its inside chest pocket.

And check out my go-to fleece, the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Fleece Hoody ($189, 12.5 oz./354g).

What touches your skin matters, too. See my picks for the best base layers for any season.

Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody
$299, 14 oz./397g
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com

Temperatures around 40° F in campsites in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains proved the warmth of BD’s First Light Stretch Hoody. But this jacket’s synthetic stretch insulation makes it potentially the only insulated jacket you need for a variety of activities year-round, from summer backpacking trips in the mountains to backcountry touring, climbing, snowshoeing, resort skiing, and hiking in winter.

The packable, migration-resistant Primaloft Gold Active insulation offers some breathability during activity and traps heat even when wet from precipitation or perspiration—which becomes particularly beneficial when moving in temps well below freezing. The adjustable hood fits over a helmet, the stretch liner and shell and gusseted underarms provide excellent range of motion, with space for a couple of base layers and a lighter insulated piece, and the jacket stuffs inside one zippered pocket. Consider this a quiver-of-one puffy jacket for bridging three-season backpacking and winter days in the mountains.

The Black Diamond First Light Hybrid Hoody ($299, 12.7 oz./361g) replaces the Primaloft insulation throughout the jacket’s body with Merino wool in the sides and back, for more breathability.

Read my full review of the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody or First Light Hybrid Hoody at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

See all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside. And don’t miss “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

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The Wind River Range, Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, and the Grand Canyon (all numerous times now). Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness, Montana’s Beartooths, and Colorado’s Weminuche. Glacier National Park and the Tetons. The Canadian Rockies. Southern Utah’s Owl and Fish canyons, Buckskin Gulch, and Paria Canyon. The John Muir Trail and Wonderland Trail. Iceland’s Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails. New Hampshire’s Presidential Range and New Zealand’s Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

These are just some of the places where I’ve recently tested the backpacking gear and apparel that I’ve reviewed at The Big Outside—so that I can give you honest and thorough, field-tested opinions that help you find the best gear for your adventures.

And that’s exactly how I came up with the following picks for today’s best backpacking gear.

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-books to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

Three decades of testing outdoor gear and apparel—including formerly as the lead gear reviewer and Northwest Editor of Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog—have refined my ability to identify gear that’s truly outstanding, at the cutting edge technologically, and a good value.

In this freshly updated review, I share my top picks for a basic backpacking gear kit, from several of the best packs, tents, boots, and sleeping bags, including suggestions for backpackers on a budget—because everyone has different needs and preferences—to a favorite rain shell, the best trekking poles, down jackets, and air mattresses, the camp kitchen, and water treatment.

Much of the gear in this story links to my complete review of it, where you can get more details and find links to online retailers for purchasing it. Purchasing through the “Buy it now” affiliate links below or affiliate links in each complete review supports my work on The Big Outside, at no cost to you—in fact, you’ll usually find the best prices at those links. Thank you for doing that.

Please share your questions or thoughts on my gear picks in the comments section at the bottom of this story; I try to respond to all comments. And please forward this story to other backpackers you think might find it useful.

Want to read about the many places I’ve backpacked while testing gear? See my All Trips List or use the search box (main menu, above), and check out my e-books to America’s best backpacking trips, including the Teton Crest Trail and The Best First Backpacking Trip in Yosemite, and my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how I can help you plan your next great backpacking trip.

Click on any product name to read its review. Click any “Buy it now” link to purchase it.

Backpacks

Best Overall: Osprey Atmos AG 65 (buy it now) and Aura AG 65 (buy it now), both $370, 4 lbs. 11 oz./2.13kg.
Best Weight-to-Performance Ratio: Granite Gear Blaze 60, $300, 3 lbs. 4 oz./1.47kg. Buy it now.
Best Price-to-Performance Ratio: Gregory Paragon 60 (buy it now) and Maven 58 (buy it now), $270, 3 lbs. 12 oz./1.7 kg.
Best-Fitting Ultralight: Osprey Exos 58 (buy it now) and Eja 58 (buy it now), both $280, 2 lbs. 14 oz./1.3kg.
Best For Heavy Loads: Gregory Baltoro 65 (buy it now) and Deva 60 (buy it now), both $350, 4 lbs. 14 oz./2.21kg.

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Best Ultralight Pack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider
$379, 1 lb. 15 oz./878.8g

Many ultralight packs lack the support for carrying more than about 25 pounds comfortably. HMG’s Windrider handles up to 35 pounds, its 55 liters deliver the capacity for a week between resupplies, and it weighs much less than some best-selling competitors. Its tough Dyneema Composite Fabrics is fully waterproof and built to survive the apocalypse. The fixed suspension comes in four sizes and the simple harness system works. Its minimalist design, durability, capacity, comfort, and low weight will appeal to many backpackers who prefer hiking over simply hauling.

Read my full review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider and see all of my picks for the best ultralight backpacks.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider at hyperlitemountaingear.com.

I’ve helped many readers plan unforgettable backpacking and hiking trips.
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Tents

Best Two-Door Tent That Pitches with Trekking Poles: Slingfin 2Lite, $505, 2 lbs. 10 oz./1.19kg. Buy it now.
Best 2-Person Ultralight: MSR Freelite 2, $465, 2 lbs./907.2g. Buy it now.
Sturdiest and Roomiest 2-Person Ultralight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, $699, 1 lb. 2 oz./510.3g. Buy it now.
Best Solo Ultralight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1, $599, 16.8 oz./476.3g. Buy it now.
Best Value Solo Ultralight: Gossamer Gear The One, $255, 1 lb. 2 oz./510g. Buy it now.

Great Balance of Space, Features, and Weight

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
$550, 2 lbs. 11 oz./1.22kg

For years, the Copper Spur HV UL2 has remained a leading choice for backpackers seeking an ultralight tent that doesn’t compromise on sturdiness or livability. While some would call it merely “lightweight,” semantics aside, it sports an abundance of features and space for a freestanding, two-door shelter well under three pounds, starting with the most conspicuous: two awning-style doors that can be set up in rain to allow cooling ventilation without getting wet inside or rolled up for maximum ventilation and stargazing. The DAC Featherlite hubbed poles create steep walls that make the tent feel roomier than its 29 square feet, 40-inch peak height, and 88-inch length. It pitches easily, the two vestibules are spacious and ventilation excellent, and the Copper Spur has abundant interior pockets. Very few freestanding, two-door tents strike such a space-to-weight balance.

Read my full review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 at backcountry.com or another version of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL series at backcountry.com.

Get the right gear for your trips. See “The 10 Best Backpacking Packs”
and “The 10 Best Backpacking Tents.”

Shoes and Boots

Best Lightweight Shoes: Danner Trail 2650, $190, 1 lb. 7.5 oz./666.2g Buy them now.
Best Lightweight Backpacking Boots: Scarpa Rush Mid GTX, $199, 2 lbs./907.2g Buy them now.
Best Midweight Backpacking Boots: Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX, $250, 2 lbs. 5 oz./1.05 kg Buy them now.
Most Breathable and Sticky: La Sportiva TX3, $159, 1 lb. 9 oz./708.7g Buy them now.
Best Trail Running/Ultralight Hiking Shoes: Hoka One One Speedgoat 6, $155, 1 lb. 3 oz./538.6g Buy them now.
Killer Value: Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof, $180, 1 lb. 13 oz./822g Buy them now.

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Sleeping Bags

Best Down Bags: Feathered Friends Hummingbird and Egret UL, $549-$629, 1 lb. 5 oz.-1 lb. 9 oz./595.3g.-708.7g. Buy a Hummingbird UL 30 or 20 now or an Egret UL 30 or 20 now.
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30, $510-$540, 1 lb. 6 oz./623.7g-669g. Buy a Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30 now.
Marmot Hydrogen 30, $399-$419, 1 lb. 9.4 oz.-1 lb. 11 oz./720g-770g. Buy a Marmot Hydrogen 30 now.
Sea to Summit Spark Pro -9C/15F, $649-$689, 1 lb. 11 oz.-1 lb. 14 oz./765.4g-861g, and Spark Pro -1C/30F, $549-$579, 1 lb. 6 oz.-1 lb. 8 oz./619g-672g. Buy a Sea to Summit Spark Pro now.
Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32 or Hyperion 20, $430-$580, 15 oz.-1 lb. 6 oz./425.2g.-623.7g. Buy it now.
Best Winter Bag: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0, $700-$740, 2 lbs. 7 oz.-2 lbs. 11 oz./1.11kg.-1.22kg. Buy it now.
Best Budget Sleeping Bag: Kelty Cosmic Synthetic 20, $110-$120, 3 lbs./1.36kg. Buy it now. Or Kelty Cosmic Down 20, $170-$200, 2 lbs. 7 oz./1.11kg. Buy it now.

Plan your next great backpacking adventure using my expert e-books.
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Best Value Down Bag

Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30F/-1C
$265-$285, 1 lb. 12 oz./793.8g

When shopping for sleeping bags, it’s helpful to compare certain key specs: temperature rating, type and amount of insulation (or fill), total weight, and, of course, the price. Using those metrics, the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30F/-1C looks really good, with RDS-certified, flourine-free, 650-fill-power down, enough warmth for many backpackers on typical overnight temps of summer in most mid-latitude mountain ranges (except for people who tend to get cold more easily), and a cut that delivers more generous space than many bags—all at a weight south of two pounds and it packs down to 7×13.5 inches. Among down bags, this is a good price for a bag of this quality. It also comes in 15-degree and 0-degree versions.

Read my full review of the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30. 

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or a women’s Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30F at backcountry.com, or other versions of the men’s and women’s Bishop Pass bags at backcountry.com.

Click on any product name to read its review. Click any “Buy it now” link to purchase it.

Best Rain Shells

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell
$189, 10 oz./283.5g
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants
$179, 9 oz./255.1g

Few places test rain gear as brutally as New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, where rain is almost as prevalent as oxygen. In some of the heaviest and most relentless wind-driven rain I’ve encountered over four decades of hiking and backpacking, on two classic hut treks and one long dayhike—the Routeburn Track and Milford Track and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing—Black Diamond’s Fineline Stretch Shell and Full-Zip Pants performed impressively.

For two straight days and most of a third day on the Milford, the jacket and pants never left my body. While water did penetrate both layers in spots—and in fairness, I believe those conditions would overwhelm any high-quality waterproof-breathable shells (and companions with Gore-Tex shells suffered the same fate)—they prevented me from getting soaked and cold. Credit goes to BD’s 2.5-layer BD.dry waterproof/breathable/windproof technology, which also has adequate breathability for all but very warm three-season trips.

With a one-hand-adjustable, climbing-helmet-compatible hood, the DWR-sealed pit zip vents, a waterproof front zipper, tough 50-denier fabric, and two zippered hand pockets—all at just $180 and 10 ounces/283.5 grams (men’s medium)—the Fineline Stretch Shell is a full-on technical, three-season rain shell.

Read my complete review of the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Fineline Full-Zip Pants.

See all of the latest gear reviews at The Big Outside.

Down Jackets

Best Down Jacket: Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket, $409, 11 oz./311.8g Buy it now.
Best Synthetic Jacket: Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody, $349, 14 oz./397g Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Down Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody, $360, 8.8 oz./249.5g Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Synthetic Jacket: Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody, $329, 9 oz./255.1g Buy it now.
Versatile Down Jacket: Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket, $295, 15 oz./425.2g Buy it now.

Which puffy should you buy? See “The 12 Best Down Jackets” and
“How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”

Trekking Poles

Best Overall: MSR Dynalock Ascent, $190, 1 lb. 1 oz./481.9g Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ, $210, 12.7 oz./360g Buy it now.
Most Versatile: Leki Makalu FX Carbon, $230, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g Buy it now.

Need a good headlamp? See “The Best Headlamps.”

Air Mattresses

Best All-Around Air Mat: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated and XT Extreme, $219-$249, 1 lb. 1 oz.-1 lb. 9 oz./482-709g. Buy it now.
Best Comfort-to-Weight Balance: Nemo Tensor Insulated Air Mattress, $200-$230, 13 oz.-1 lb. 5 oz./369-595g. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, $200-$240, 11.5 oz.-1 lb. 1 oz./326-482g. Buy it now.
Best Inflatable Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light, $50-$55, 2.5 oz./71g. Buy it now.

What do you really need for backpacking?
See my “Essentials-Only Backpacking Gear Checklist.”

Camp Kitchen

Best Ultralight Pot: MSR Titan Kettle 1400ml, $70, 5.4 oz./153g, or Titan Kettle 900ml, $65, 4.4 oz./126g. Buy it now.
Best Cook Set: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible One-Pot Cook Set, $146, 19 oz./527g. Buy it now.
Best Solo Stove: Jetboil Flash, $145, 13 oz./369g. Buy it now.
Best Family/Group Stove: MSR Windburner Group Stove System, $260, 1 lb. 4 oz./567g. Buy it now.
Best Bear Canister: Bear Vault BV500, $95, 2 lbs. 8 oz./1.1kg. Buy it now.

Buy smart with my pro tips on buying a backpack, backpacking tent,
hiking shoes or boots, a rain jacket, and a sleeping bag.

Best Ultralight Stove

MSR PocketRocket 2
$50, 3 oz./85g (4 oz./113.4g with plastic case, included)

Backcountry stoves come in a variety of designs these days. But in many respects, the simplest design remains the most versatile and reliable, and the PocketRocket 2 continues to embody everything a backpacking stove should be. It fires up easily every time, boils water fast, has good flame control for wilderness gourmands, weighs next to nothing, and costs less than many of its best competitors.

Whereas some types of stoves have limitations on what you can cook with them, you can use the PocketRocket 2 for cooking almost anything, almost anywhere, for any size party (or more than one stove for a large group). That may explain why it’s so popular.

Read my full review. The PocketRocket Deluxe ($85) adds a piezo push-button igniter, but as with that feature on other stoves, its performance can be erratic.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase an MSR PocketRocket 2 at backcountry.com or cascadedesigns.com.

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Water Treatment

Best Pump Filter: MSR Hyperflow, $150, 9 oz./255g. Buy it now.
Best Gravity Filter: Katadyn BeFree Gravity 6L or 10L Filter, $115-$145, 9-10 oz./255-284g. Buy it now.
Best Filter Bottle: Lifestraw Go, $35-$50, 650ml to 1L, 7.8-8.6 oz./221-244g. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Personal Filter: Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L, 1L, or 3L bottle, $45-$80, 2.5-3.5 oz./71-99g. Buy it now.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

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Join now and a get free e-book! ]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-backpacking-gear-of-2018/feed/ 23 27582 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-micro-puff-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-micro-puff-hoody/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2025 09:02:00 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=28344 Ultralight Insulated Hooded Jacket
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
$329, 10 oz./283.5g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-3XL, women’s XXS-XXL
backcountry.com

Since getting my first Micro Puff Hoody when Patagonia rolled it out eight years ago, I have zipped into this lightweight, synthetic jacket in countless circumstances that include: sitting at campsites on cool, windy evenings and mornings while backpacking in the Wind River Range and on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim; wind blowing over 40 mph while belaying a climbing partner and in camp at Idaho’s City of Rocks; on winter days (wearing it under a shell) when skiing downhill in the backcountry; and at kids’ soccer games on blustery autumn and spring days.

Most recently, I wore the latest update of the Micro Puff Hoody on three mornings in the 40s Fahrenheit on an August backpacking trip in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains; and three mornings and evenings in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit, with strong wind at times, on a late March backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon—affirming again that it remains one of the lightest and most versatile insulated jackets on the market, and remarkably warm for its weight.

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The water-resistant, 65g PlumaFill synthetic insulation, made entirely from recycled polyester, doesn’t loft quite like high-quality down feathers, but it approaches the warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility of 800-fill down. It accomplishes that by essentially mimicking the structure of down in a continuous synthetic material. That gives it the warmth and packability of down, while retaining synthetic insulation’s advantage of continuing to trap heat when wet (traditionally the Achilles heel of down feathers, although there are now highly water-resistant forms of down insulation). The quilted construction, resembling a down jacket, helps to maximize the insulation’s heat retention and prevent it from migrating, which could create cold spots.

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The Micro Puff’s hood delivers an almost surprising boost of warmth, given how light it looks. Although not adjustable—again, every element of the design aims to minimize weight—the hood’s elasticized, under-the-helmet design clings snugly around your face, moving with you as you turn your head even with the front zipper fully open. The elasticized cuffs and hem similarly seal tightly enough to keep drafts out.

The regular fit is true to size and, for me, at five feet, eight inches and 155 pounds, it allows one or two light to midweight base layers and a light insulation piece underneath. Thelength extends well below the waist, another warmth-boosting detail that’s nice to find in an insulated jacket this light.

The ultralight 10-denier Pertex Quantum shell—made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled nylon ripstop from recycled fishing nets (reducing ocean plastic pollution)—is water-resistant, windproof and treated with a DWR (durable, water-repellent coating) that contains no PFC or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called “forever” chemicals).

When I’ve worn the hoody in light rain, letting the shell get damp to see what would happen, the fabric appeared to either keep the insulation dry or at least prevent it from getting damp enough to have any noticeable impact on warmth.

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The two zippered hand pockets warm up cold digits, and the jacket stuffs easily into the left pocket, packing down to a good size for a backpacking pillow. Two internal drop-in pockets are convenient for stashing items you want to keep warm or dry, like gloves. While lightweight, the front zipper appears durable—I’ve never seen one break, but again, a little extra care isn’t a bad idea.

We all want lighter gear—but only when it performs well. Beyond broad differences in amount and type of insulation, which dictates the temperatures and conditions they’re made for, many insulated jackets are similar. The models that break new ground do so in how much warmth they deliver relative to their weight and bulk. That’s what Patagonia has achieved with the Micro Puff Hoody.

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The Verdict

Whether you’re a backpacker or climber trying to trim ounces in pack weight without compromising on performance in your layering system, or you simply want one of the lightest, most packable, water-resistant puffy jackets for late spring through early fall, the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody ranks among the very best.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody or other Micro Puff models at backcountry.com or patagonia.com.

See my picks for “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” which includes synthetic models like the Micro Puff, and all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I reviewed gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-micro-puff-hoody/feed/ 3 28344 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-backpacking-gear-for-the-john-muir-trail/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-backpacking-gear-for-the-john-muir-trail/#comments Wed, 28 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=14007 Read on

]]> By Michael Lanza

So you’re planning to thru-hike the John Muir Trail and making all of the necessary preparations, and now you’re wondering: What’s the best gear for a JMT hike? Having thru-hiked the JMT as well as taken numerous other backpacking trips all over the High Sierra—mostly between late August and late September, which I consider that the best time to walk the Sierra, to avoid snow and the voracious mosquitoes and blazing hot afternoons of mid-summer—I offer the following picks for the best ultralight and lightweight backpacking gear and apparel for a JMT thru-hike.

Indisputably one of the best backpacking trips in America—and among the very best I’ve taken over three decades of backpacking, including the 10 years I spent as Northwest Editor and lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog—the JMT meanders for 211 miles through the magnificent High Sierra, from Yosemite Valley to the summit of the highest peak in the Lower 48, 14,505-foot Mount Whitney (where backpackers must then descend another 11 miles to finish the trip at Whitney Portal trailhead). See my story about thru-hiking the JMT in seven days.

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With few opportunities to resupply along the trail—and given the generally dry weather in the Sierra in summer—you can easily and should hike the JMT with the lightest gear that works for you (or that you can afford). Maximum pack weight will depend on how many days you spend on the trail and your food weight, but it’s quite feasible to keep your base pack weight (everything but food and water) within 15 pounds or less—and certainly no more than 20 pounds—without compromising safety or comfort in camp.

See my stories “Thru-Hiking the John Muir Trail: What You Need to Know,” “Thru-Hiking the John Muir Trail: The Ultimate, 10-Day, Ultralight Plan,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how I can help you plan your JMT thru-hike and any trip you read about at The Big Outside, and my expert e-books to backpacking trips in Yosemite and other parks.

The following suggestions for major gear items would also be solid picks for almost any backpacker who wants to go lighter and hike more comfortably in many mid-latitude mountain ranges in summer—although items like your tent and footwear would depend on the typical weather and bugs (and time of year).

Most recommendations below have a link to my full review of each. Click on the name of any product to buy it; those are affiliate links, meaning you can support my work on this blog by purchasing through them, at no cost to you.

Please share your thoughts on these gear suggestions for the JMT, or your own suggested gear, in the comments section at the bottom of this story. I try to respond to all comments.

Planning to hike the John Muir Trail?
Click here for expert, detailed advice you won’t get elsewhere.

Backpack

For a backpack, I like a few models that weigh under three pounds: two top-loaders with traditional features like lots of external pockets, the Osprey men’s Exos 58 or 48 ($260, 2 lbs. 11 oz. for the Exos 58) and women’s Osprey Eja 58 or 48 (read my review) and the Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 and Aircontact Ultra 45+5 SL ($250, 2 lbs. 11 oz. for the 50+5, read my review); and two mimimalist, utralight packs, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider ($349, 55L, 1 lb. 15 oz., read my review) and Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 ($315, 60L/3,661 c.i., 1 lb. 14 oz., read my review).

See my picks for the best ultralight backpacks.

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Tent

In late summer, outside the buggy season in the High Sierra, I prefer using a backpacking tarp shelter like the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2 ($699, 1 lb. 2 oz., read my review), Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp ($229-$249, 10.5-15.5 oz., two sizes), and Slingfin SplitWing Shelter Bundle ($355, 1 lb. 5 oz., read my review). I often sleep under the stars on a clear night, but a tarp, besides protecting you from rain and some wind, can trap a surprising amount of warmth underneath it on a calm night.

If you want a two-person tent, get one that weighs under three pounds, like the MSR Freelite 2 ($465, 2 lbs., read my review), the Nemo Hornet Osmo 2p ($430, 2 lbs. 1 oz., read my review), the Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 ($480, 2 lbs. 3 oz., read my review), the Slingfin 2Lite, which can pitch with trekking poles ($505, 2 lbs. 10 oz. or 2 lbs. 6 oz, read my review), or if you’ll accept higher weight for more space, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 ($550, 2 lbs. 11 oz., read my review).

My top picks for a solo ultralight are two that pitch with trekking poles, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1 ($599, 16.8 oz., read my review) and the Gossamer Gear The One ($255, 1 lb. 2 oz., read my review). For a solo ultralight tent that’s semi-freestanding, check out the Nemo Hornet Osmo 1p ($400, 1 lb. 13 oz., read my review).

See “The 10 Best Backpacking Tents,” all backpacking tent reviews at The Big Outside, plus “5 Tips For Buying a Backpacking Tent” and “How to Choose the Best Ultralight Backpacking Tent For You.”

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Sleeping Bag

For backpacking the JMT in late summer, I carry a down sleeping bag rated around 30 degrees F, with a high down fill rating (800 or above), because it’s warmer, lighter, and more packable than a synthetic bag or down bag with lower fill quality (if also more expensive), and well suited to the dry Sierra summers, where there’s little risk of getting a bag wet.

People who get cold more easily may want a bag rated 20 to 25 degrees, although you can wear layers to supplement the bag’s warmth.

My favorites are the Feathered Friends men’s Hummingbird and women’s Egret UL (30-degree, $609, 1 lb. 6 oz., read my review), the Therm-a-Rest Hyperion (32-degree, $490, 1 lb. 1 oz., read my review), the Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30 ($480, 1 lb. 6 oz. , read my review); and the Marmot Hydrogen 30 ($399, 1 lb. 9.4 oz., read my review).

Looking for an affordable down bag? I recommend the men’s or women’s Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30 ($245, 1 lb. 12 oz., read my review).

See “Pro Tips for Buying Sleeping Bags,” “10 Pro Tips For Staying Warm in a Sleeping Bag” and all sleeping bag reviews at The Big Outside.

Want to tackle the JMT?
See “Thru-Hiking the John Muir Trail: What You Need to Know.”

Insulation

When nighttime lows will generally remain above freezing, as is usually the case on the JMT at least into mid-September, take an ultralight puffy jacket like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer  2 Down Hoody ($360, 8.8 oz., read my review), the Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody ($360, 10 oz., read my review), the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody ($329, 9 oz., read my review), or the warmer Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket ($389, 11 oz. , read my review) or Himali Accelerator Down Jacket ($330, 12.5 oz., read my review).

See “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is” and all puffy jacket reviews at The Big Outside.

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Rain Shell

On the John Muir Trail—or anywhere in the High Sierra—in summer, where rain occurs only rarely and most often as a passing (although possibly quite intense) thunderstorm, you don’t need the kind of super-technical (and heavier) rain shell you might use in, say, in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest or the Northeast. In fact, if you generally head out in warm, dry weather—common in many Western mountain ranges in summer—you may only need a less-expensive and ideally lightweight shell, like the Black Diamond Fineline Rain Shell ($189, 10 oz./283.5g, read my review), an impressive value in part because it has an adjustable, full-coverage hood, a feature sometimes lacking in moderately priced rain jackets, and solid rain protection even for wet environments.

Another option for backpackers who rarely see rain is an ultralight, waterproof-breathable rain jacket, like the Rab Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket ($165, 7.7 oz., read my review) or the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket ($170-$180, 6 oz., read my review).

See all reviews of rain jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets,” and my “5 Expert Tips For Buying a Rain Jacket for Hiking.”

See “10 Great John Muir Trail Section Hikes.”

Shoes and Boots

If all of your gear is light, on a well-constructed trail like the JMT that’s often dry in summer, get lightweight, highly breathable, non-waterproof boots or low-cut shoes like the PCT-inspired Danner Trail 2650 ($170, 1 lb. 7.5 oz., read my review), the La Sportiva TX3 ($159, 1 lb. 9 oz., read my review), or trail runners like the Hoka One One Speedgoat 6 ($155, 1 lb. 3 oz.), also available in a very light mid-cut, the Hoka One One Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX ($180, 1 lb. 9 oz., read my review).

If you prefer more supportive footwear that’s still relatively light, I recommend two shoes that are a super value and come in waterproof-breathable and non-waterproof, mid-cut and low-cut models: the Hoka One One Anacapa series shoes ($155-$185, 1 lb. 10.5 oz.-2 lbs., read my review), and the Oboz Katabatic series ($145-$190, 1 lb. 9 oz. to 2 lbs., read my review).

See all reviews of hiking shoes at The Big Outside.

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Trekking Poles

Trekking poles should be essential gear on any backpacking trip, but for the JMT—if you’re going lightweight or ultralight, as you should be—get very light poles that are ideally adjustable and very packable. Among the best are the folding and adjustable Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ ($220, 12 oz./pair, 105-125cm, read my review), the collapsible and adjustable Gossamer Gear LT5 ($195, 10 oz./pair, read my review), and the folding, adjustable MSR Dynalock Ascent Poles ($190, 1 lb. 1  oz./pair, read my review).

If you want to use a tent that pitches with trekking poles—eliminating the significant weight of tent poles from your pack—make sure your poles are sufficiently sturdy and telescope out to the needed length for pitching your tent; those poles are also usually collapsible (rather than folding or fixed).

See “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles.”

Get the gear that’s right for you. See my specific tips on buying a pack, tent, boots, and sleeping bag and all reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear and all stories about backpacking the John Muir Trail at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-backpacking-gear-for-the-john-muir-trail/feed/ 16 14007 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/ask-me-how-can-you-tell-how-warm-a-down-jacket-is/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/ask-me-how-can-you-tell-how-warm-a-down-jacket-is/#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=10710 Read on

]]> By Michael Lanza

While sleeping bags have temperature ratings, with down jackets and other insulated jackets, there exists no easy way to determine how warm any specific garment will be without wearing it outside. But despite the absence of a precise metric for gauging the warmth of down and synthetic puffy jackets, there are ways to assess a specific jacket’s relative warmth before you even see it, using simple metrics. This article will explain how to do that.

Even though down and synthetic-insulation jackets don’t have ratings like sleeping bags (which, by the way, were not uniform for many years, though there is now a uniform bag-rating system; learn more in my “Pro Tips For Buying Sleeping Bags“), you can judge warmth using numbers easily available online. Over more than 25 years of testing and reviewing dozens of insulated jackets (and other gear and apparel), including the 10 years I spent as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog, I have found those indicators very reliable in helping me anticipate how warm at down jacket will be before I ever wear it.

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The down fill weight is one way to tell, though it’s not strictly a measure of a jacket’s warmth—it’s only a measure of the total weight (in ounces or grams) of the down in the jacket. How much insulation is in the garment is obviously an important factor in warmth, but not the only one, because down comes in a range of quality ratings. And of course, various types of synthetic insulation have different weights and warmth-per-weight ratios.

The down fill rating (not to be confused with the down fill weight) is basically a quality metric, not an indicator of warmth. The fill rating refers to the volume, in cubic inches, that one ounce of that down fills; in other words, an ounce of 800-fill down will occupy 800 cubic inches of volume. Down feathers and other insulation keep you warm through trapping heat from your body in tiny air pockets within the insulation, so higher fill ratings mean more trapped air, which translates to more warmth per ounce of down.

Get the right synthetic or down jacket to keep you warm.
See “The 12 Best Down Jackets.”

Thus, if two jackets contain identical amounts of down feathers by weight, the jacket with the higher fill rating will very likely be warmer. But there are ultralight 800-fill jackets that obviously aren’t as warm as 700-fill jackets that have more ounces of down in them. You will usually pay more for higher fill ratings.

Consider the weather conditions in which you’ll use your puffy jacket. Standard down feathers lose their ability to trap heat once wet, making down insulation less practical in wet environments. Today, there are water-resistant (hydrophobic) treatments for down feathers that greatly improve the ability of those feathers to repel water, dry faster, and continue to trap heat when damp.

Nonetheless, a wet synthetic jacket is still probably going to keep you warmer than a wet puffy stuffed with hydrophobic down feathers.

In the real world, most of us rarely put ourselves in circumstances where our puffy jacket gets soaked; but consider that attribute of down and synthetic puffy jackets if you think there’s a possibility of facing that circumstance—or even a possibility of your puffy jacket getting damp and not having much opportunity to dry out. On a multi-day trip with rain or wet conditions every day, moisture from the air and your body can slowly accumulate in insulation, enough to cause down feathers to lose some loft and compromise the jacket’s warmth.

Similarly, while synthetic insulation traditionally was not as lightweight, compactible, and durable as down, some modern synthetic insulation materials, like one of the better ones, PrimaLoft, have a warmth-to-weight ratio that competes with down, and are more packable and lightweight.

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They’re also constructed in a way that’s likely to make them more durable than older synthetics, although down mostly retains the edge there: I owned one down sleeping bag (from Western Mountaineering) for about 25 years, using it on innumerable trips, and it did not noticeably lose any loft before I eventually sold it through a consignment shop (simply because I had replaced it with newer bags). I wouldn’t be surprised if someone’s still using that bag.

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Having a hood certainly keeps you warmer and is worth the nominal additional weight and cost. I consider a hood mandatory in cold temperatures (near and below freezing), but less important on milder trips, when I may pack a hoodless, ultralight puffy jacket to reduce pack weight and because I’m almost always bringing a light hat, anyway.

The way in which a jacket is sewn matters. In short, so-called “sewn through” construction stitches the outer, shell fabric to the inner, liner fabric, creating pockets of down, but also creating cold spots at seams where there’s effectively no insulation. This method reduces a jacket’s weight and often its cost, and is practical in ultralight jackets made for cool but not cold temps (think: summer in the mountains).

The more-expensive method of creating so-called box baffles eliminates those cold spots and makes a jacket look puffier, but adds weight and usually cost. Look for that type of construction in puffy jackets designed for temps near and below freezing.

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With down jackets, I generally simplify it to the following standard, which applies to my body (I don’t get cold easily) and will apply differently to other people, depending on how easily they get cold:

•    For summer trips, when I’m trying to backpack ultralight and I expect temps no lower than the upper 30s or higher, I bring a down/puffy jacket weighing 8 to 10 or 11 oz. (total weight), and I supplement with my other layers or get in my bag when necessary.

•    For trips when the temp could dip below freezing, I want a jacket that’s 12 to about 16 oz.

•    For colder trips/winter, my jacket weighs 16 to around 20 or 22 oz.

I find occasional exceptions to those general weight guidelines, when a jacket is remarkably warm for its weight, usually because of the use of lighter materials, such as shell fabric, and construction methods that reduce weight.

See my review of “The 10 Best Down Jackets” and all of my reviews of puffy jackets at The Big Outside. And don’t miss my picks for “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

You might also be interested in my review of “The Best Gloves for Winter,” which includes three-season gloves, and my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter,” which offer products and tips that are also applicable to three-season backcountry trips.

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/ask-me-how-can-you-tell-how-warm-a-down-jacket-is/feed/ 20 10710 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-fitz-roy-down-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-fitz-roy-down-hoody/#respond Tue, 18 Feb 2025 18:28:41 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=66443 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody
$399, 15 oz./425.2g (women’s small; men’s medium is 17 oz./482g)
Sizes: men’s XS-3XL, women’s 2XS-2XL
backcountry.com

From backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies and Oregon, hut treks in New Zealand, and spring and summer camping and climbing trips in Idaho’s Sawtooth Valley and Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park, to countless days of resort skiing at Oregon’s Mount Bachelor and in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, plus days of backcountry ski touring, my college-student daughter has stayed warm in Patagonia’s Fitz Roy Down Hoody in temperatures down to around freezing—while demonstrating this hooded jacket’s versatility.

Stuffed with RDS-certified (Responsible Down Standard), 800-fill down, it has the good warmth for its weight and packability needed for backcountry use. And weighing around a pound (varying with jacket size), it delivers more warmth than lighter down jackets, enhancing its versatility for a wide range of activities like hiking, backpacking, climbing, camping, and backcountry ski touring in temperatures from below freezing to the 40s Fahrenheit.

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That’s ideal for someone who wants one high-quality insulated jacket they can use for basically everything, from sitting around camp on chilly nights while backpacking in the mountains in summer or the Southwest in spring and fall, to using it as a layering piece for winter hikes or ski tours or wearing it around town or at outdoor sports events.

People who get cold easily and find that they usually dress more warmly than other people they know will likely prefer this jacket over lighter models.

However, this is standard down, not water-resistant, so the Fitz Roy remains susceptible to the bane of down jackets: losing its loft and ability to trap heat if it gets wet.

The Pertex Quantum 10-denier nylon ripstop shell fabric, treated with a PFAS-free DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment), blocks wind and sheds light precipitation, but it’s also not very breathable; this isn’t an insulation layer intended for more than moderate exertion in temperatures from just above to well below freezing. This lightweight shell fabric is reasonably durable, but like many insulated jackets, try to avoid accidentally brushing against sharp edges, thorns, etc.

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The regular fit enables wearing a couple of warm base layers underneath and a summer or winter shell over it, and the hip-length hem helps minimize weight and bulk, although it will not feel as warm as a jacket of comparable weight and down fill quality that extends below the hips (the style of jacket that’s too heavy and bulky for backcountry use). The Fitz Roy also comes in a broader range of men’s and women’s sizes than many other insulated jackets.

The easily adjustable, helmet-compatible hood with a one-hand drawcord, and a collar that zips up over your chin, help the jacket trap body heat efficiently and enable the hood to turn with your head and stay put in strong winds. Elasticized cuffs and hem seal in warmth.

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The two zippered chest pockets are accessible while wearing a pack or climbing harness and there are two zippered hand pockets, plus a large, internal drop pocket with an elasticized opening that’s a good place to keep (or dry out) spare gloves or mittens or climbing skins. Pull the jacket out of the hand pocket that it stuffs into and it lofts up quickly.

Lastly, it’s very much worth noting that few companies or corporations of any size have demonstrated a commitment to protecting the environment that matches Patagonia, whose founder, Yvon Chouinard, voluntarily placed the company in a trust committed to supporting environmental causes. Every Patagonia purchase supports our planet.

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The Verdict

If you’re looking for a high-quality down jacket that’s light and packable for backcountry use, warm enough for temperatures below freezing (as part of a layering system), and versatile enough to be your one puffy for all seasons and a wide range of activities, the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody checks all those boxes—and your purchase will do a small part to help save the planet.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody at patagonia.com or rei.com, or a women’s Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody at backcountry.com or rei.com.

See all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, including “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking,” “The Best Ultralight Jackets for Hiking and Running,” “The Best Sun Shirts,” and “The Best Base Layers for Hiking and Running.”

And don’t miss my popular reviews of “25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories” and “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-fitz-roy-down-hoody/feed/ 0 66443 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-clothing-layers-for-winter-in-the-backcountry/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-clothing-layers-for-winter-in-the-backcountry/#comments Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=25995 Read on

]]> By Michael Lanza

There’s one thing we can confidently say about the clothing layers we use in winter: We get our money’s worth out of them. While a rain shell or puffy jacket may rarely come out of our pack on a summer hike or climb, we almost invariably wear every article of clothing we carry when Nordic, downhill, or backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, trail running, or climbing in winter. That’s money spent wisely to make us more comfortable and safer.

Every winter, I test out new clothing layers doing many of those activities frequently—something I’ve been doing for three decades, previously as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog. This review spotlights the best shell and insulated jackets, base layers, and pants I’ve found for high-exertion and moderate-exertion activities in winter.

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In my story “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” I offer advice—based on four decades of backcountry experience—on how to choose a specific, personalized layering system for different exertion levels and body types in temperatures near or below freezing. Use the tips in that story, along with this review, to make the best choices in winter outdoor apparel for your activities, your climate, and your body.

Please share your experiences with any of these products in the comments section at the bottom of this review. I try to respond to all comments. And if you make a purchase through any of the affiliate links to online retailers in this story or other reviews at The Big Outside, you support my work on this blog at no cost to you. Thanks for doing that.

Don’t go out in the cold without my “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

The Best Base Layers for Winter

Whatever your exertion level, you want next-to-skin tops and bottoms that perform two functions that become especially important in winter:

1. Wick moisture off your skin quickly.
2. Provide at least the minimum amount of warmth you need for the conditions and your body.

Here are the best base-layer tops I’ve found for various activities in winter as well as cooler three-season conditions.

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Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck

$99, 7.5 oz./213g
backcountry.com

I routinely wear the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck while backcountry, resort, and Nordic skiing and on cool- to cold-weather trail runs. The 100 percent recycled polyester fabric delivers a lot of warmth for its low weight, breathes very well, and wicks moisture efficiently. A deep front zipper opens down to the pecs for good venting, while the collar reaches high enough to keep my neck covered when zipped up.

Comfort is excellent thanks to flatlock seams and shoulder construction that allows full mobility without causing the top to hike up. The fabric’s smooth face slips easily into fleece jacket sleeves. Thumb loops hold the sleeves over your hands. The Polygiene odor control has prevented it from getting stinky through many sweaty outings and launderings. All in all, you get a four-season, midweight top with Patagonia quality.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, when you click either of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s, women’s, or kid’s Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip-Neck at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or rei.com.

Check out “The Best Gloves for Winter” and “The Best Mittens for Winter.”

Outdoor Research Vigor Quarter Zip

$99, 11 oz./312g
backcountry.com

On many days skiing the backcountry, resorts, and hilly Nordic trails from Idaho’s Boise Mountains to Utah’s Wasatch Range and elsewhere, in temperatures from single digits through the 20s Fahrenheit, sometimes in dumping snow with a below-zero wind chill, OR’s Vigor Quarter Zip (usually with a wool-poly T-shirt underneath) had my back, striking a critical balance between providing enough warmth for the chilly moments without causing me to get too wet on long ascents. When I sweated hard, the Vigor moved moisture so well that it never became more than damp and would dry within minutes of my exertion level dropping.

Similar to other warm tops, the Vigor is made with a light, grid-back polyester fleece that feels soft against skin and moves moisture exceptionally well, its mechanical performance enhanced by ActiveTemp thermo-regulating treatment. You can wear it as a base layer—the flat-seam construction aids comfort—or (as I frequently do) over a lighter, short-sleeve or long-sleeve base layer, with or without a jacket.

The 10-inch front zipper reaches to your sternum for good venting and zips up to your chin. The stretch fabric and thumbholes in the cuffs allow you to slip the sleeves up inside gloves or push sleeves up to the elbows. The zippered chest pocket fits a phone and breathes well enough to quickly dry something damp stuffed in there (like a light hat for skinning uphill when ski touring). The UPF 30 sun-protection rating protects skin year-round—just as useful in March as August in the mountains. Plus, the length extends to cover your entire butt, providing more warmth when tucked into ski pants.

The Vigor Quarter Zip doesn’t have the hood or mapped warmer and lighter fabrics of the Patagonia R1—possibly appealing to users who prefer not having a hood on a pullover or already have an insulation layer with a hood in addition to a hooded winter shell. It offers four-season versatility for any snow sport, hiking, climbing, and running—at a good price.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Vigor Quarter Zip at rei.com, backcountry.com, or outdoorresearch.com, or other models in OR’s Vigor series, including the full-zip hoodie, at rei.com, backcountry.com, or outdoorresearch.com.

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Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody

$169, 10 oz./284g
backcountry.com

For a huge range of activities and exertion levels in temps from just above to well below freezing, few base or insulation layers offer the versatility of the men’s Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody (in a range of sizes that will fit many women) and women’s R1 Fleece Pullover ($139). Patagonia touts these pullovers for climbing and skiing—for which they certainly excel—but I have worn the R1 Pullover Hoody year-round while backcountry skiing, climbing, hiking, backpacking, and in my sleeping bag on cool to very cold nights; and as my only insulation piece for six days of backpacking in the Grand Canyon in May.

The versatility lies in the stretchy, recycled polyester and spandex Polartec Power Grid fabric, exclusive to Patagonia, which has outstanding breathability and warmth for its weight, making this top versatile as a layering or stand-alone piece in temps ranging from the 50s Fahrenheit to as far below freezing as you can bear. A midweight fabric is used on the front, back, and sleeves, while a slightly lighter, more breathable grid fabric comprises the hood, sides, armpits, and girding the waist. The close fit has space for layering a lightweight T-shirt or long-sleeve underneath—which gives the best performance—and the extended length stays tucked inside a pack belt or climbing harness.

The low-bulk, close-fitting balaclava-style hood gives a noticeable boost in warmth, fits under any helmet, doesn’t interfere with other hoods in a layering system—and it’s easy to tuck the hood under the collar, out of the way. The front zipper plunges nearly to the belly button for superior venting and zips up to let the collar front cover your nose. The elasticized cuffs with thumbholes have good stretch to both seal out cold air and slide the sleeves up to the elbows. The zippered chest pocket fits a wool hat or light gloves and is mesh-lined, so you can put something damp in there to quickly dry from body heat. Polygiene treatment controls odors.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a Patagonia men’s R1 Pullover Hoody at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or rei.com, or a women’s or men’s R1 Long-Sleeved Crew, R1 Fleece Pullover, or other R1 apparel at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or rei.com.

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The Best Insulated Jackets for Being Active

As I write in my story “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” for backcountry skiing or ski touring, snowshoeing, or hiking, you need a layering system with great versatility—and the critical piece is the middle, or insulating layer. It provides most of your layering system’s warmth, and it must breathe well, because your outer/shell layer provides the full weather protection. In moderate-exertion activities, the more breathable your insulating layer, the less frequently you have to make layering changes—a challenge that modern synthetic insulation has risen to meet effectively.

If your winter sport of choice involves sweating and breathing hard, like running and Nordic skiing or even power hiking, you may need only a lightweight jacket with some warmth, superior breathability to dump the copious moisture your body is producing, and enough water resistance to not soak through in light rain or snow—or in dry weather, perhaps just a very breathable insulated layer to function as your outerwear.

Here are the best middle/insulation layers I’ve found for moderate- and high-exertion activities in winter.

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Ibex Wool Aire Vest

$235, 7.5 oz./213g
ibex.com

The widely varying conditions I’ve worn the Ibex Wool Aire Vest in speak to its versatility. It was my only outer layer over the same two base layers on days of vigorous Nordic skiing ranging from sunny, calm, and mid-30s Fahrenheit to cloudy and below freezing with strong winds. And I’ve worn it as my sole middle layer under a winter shell in temps from around freezing to the mid-teens with a frigid wind on days of snowshoeing and backcountry skiing downhill and as my outer layer when skinning uphill.

The formula is warm Merino wool insulation, a shell with good wind resistance, and a comfortably athletic fit that helps trap heat in your core while enabling you to vent heat from your arms.

Read my full review of the Ibex Wool Aire Vest.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the men’s or women’s Ibex Wool Aire Vest or Ibex Wool Aire Hoodie at ibex.com.

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Himali Limitless Grid Fleece Hoodie

$160, 9.2 oz./261g
himali.com

The evolution of fleece has traced an arc toward versatility that’s reaching its apex in lightweight fleece hoodies like Himali’s Limitless Grid Fleece Hoodie. The breadth of activities, conditions, and environments where I’ve worn it (so far) speak to my point, from a 13-hour, four-summit, chilly October dayhike in Utah’s Wasatch Range to a short hike in southern New Hampshire, backpacking in southern Utah’s Escalante region, camping and climbing in Idaho, and a local trail run in the chilly, fading daylight of a November afternoon.

Warm for its low weight and fast-drying thanks to the 100 percent recycled Polartec PowerGrid fabric, with an athletic fit that has space for a base layer underneath, ample stretch in the fabric, a close-fitting, elasticized hood, one zippered chest pocket, and thumbholes in the cuffs, the Limitless Grid Fleece Hoodie is basically a warm, midweight jersey with a full front zipper and a hood. It falls into a small category of the lightest, most breathable and packable hooded jackets you will find.

Consider this: It can serve as a warmer but not heavier replacement for a long-sleeve, midweight crew neck or zip-neck base layer, allowing you to bring a lighter down or synthetic insulated jacket—thus reducing your pack weight. A great outer or middle layer for dayhiking and backpacking, climbing, running, Nordic and backcountry skiing, walking—you name it. A caveat: Consider it best for cool but not very cold temps and keep in mind that it offers no wind protection.

Read my full review of the Himali Limitless Grid Fleece Hoodie.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Himali Limitless Grid Fleece Hoodie at himali.com or a women’s Mindset ¼ Zip Fleece Pullover at himali.com.

Readers of The Big Outside get an exclusive 10 percent off any Himali purchase by using the discount code THEBIGOUTSIDE.

Patagonia Nano-Air Light Vest

$199, 8 oz./227g
backcountry.com

The Patagonia Nano-Air Light Vest’s breathable synthetic insulation makes this lightweight garment functional on outings year-round. I’ve regularly grabbed it instead of other vests in my closet for Nordic skate-skiing in “milder” temps above freezing and warm sunshine.

On an early-October backpacking trip in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains, it stayed on me not only through cool evenings and mornings in camp, but also while hiking with a full backpack uphill, off-trail, in temps in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit, with intermittent wind. 

Both the nylon ripstop shell and the insulation have four-way stretch.

Read my full review of the Patagonia Nano-Air Vest.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Nano-Air Vest at backcountry.com or the vest or other products in the Nano-Air line at patagonia.com.

Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket

$249, 10 oz./284g
backcountry.com

I’ve worn the Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket for activities ranging from four straight days of backcountry skiing in the Sierra in winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph and heavily falling snow (with a shell over it when needed) to Nordic skate-skiing and snowshoeing in Idaho’s Boise Mountains on days both overcast and windy and in warm sunshine.

Its highly versatile hybrid design puts FullRange synthetic insulation, which stretches and breathes, in the front of the jacket, upper shoulders, and top sides of the sleeves, and a much more breathable, wicking, stretch, R1 Air waffle knit on the back of the sleeves, in the sides, and covering the entire back. The result is a jacket that offloads body heat about as fast as you produce it—while keeping you warm at varying levels of exertion.

There’s also a hooded version, the Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody ($299, 11.8 oz./338g).

Read my full review of the Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or a women’s Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket or Nano-Air Hoody at backcountry.com or rei.com or other products in the Nano-Air line at patagonia.com.

Which puffy should you buy? See “The 12 Best Down Jackets” and
“How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”

Beyond Clothing Alpha Aura Jacket

$180, 12 oz./340g
beyondclothing.com

On days of resort and backcountry skiing ranging from just below freezing to 10° F, Beyond Clothing’s hooded Alpha Aura Jacket demonstrated its versatility as a middle and outer layer for cool- to cold-weather activities year-round, with unique design features that improve its weather protection and durability.

The Alpha Aura distinguishes itself from similar jackets by using soft Polartec Alpha Direct loft-knit fleece, a very open, high-loft fabricthat lends the jacket good warmth for its weight while breathing supremely well—making it a good piece for hiking, walking, climbing, skiing, and similar activities year-round. It also features somewhat unique 20-denier micro ripstop nylon panels on the entire hood exterior (it’s lined with soft fleece) and the shoulders, front and back.

Without reducing the jacket’s breathability, those panels provide a significant warmth boost—especially in the hood—and durability in the shoulders for wearing a heavy pack. The full-length front zipper enables venting and zips up over your chin, while the close-fitting, non-adjustable hood stays put, turning with your head even with the jacket open. The two zippered hand pockets have a mesh lining to maintain breathability there, and they create two large, internal drop pockets—each of them spacious enough for a pair of three-season gloves or one warm, winter glove.

Read my full review of the Beyond Clothing Alpha Aura Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a men’s or women’s Beyond Clothing Alpha Aura Jacket at beyondclothing.com.

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody

$179, 12.5 oz./354g
backcountry.com

Virtually no piece of outdoor apparel offers more versatility than a highly breathable, midweight insulation layer. Besides filling that bucket, Patagonia’s R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody feels soft and fits like it was custom made for your torso, as I found wearing it on summer backpacking trips of a week in Glacier National Park and two three-day hikes in the Canadian Rockies. On all three trips, it kept me warm without overheating, rarely even breaking a sweat, while hiking with a full pack, uphill and downhill, on cool mornings and in chilly, very strong wind—which speaks to how well it translates to winter activities.

The 100 percent recycled polyester jacquard fleece with hollow-core yarns and a unique zigzag pattern wicks moisture, dries lightning-fast, and is about as breathable as any middle or outer layer you’ll find. The two zippered hand pockets provide a little extra warmth and each has space for a pair of three-season gloves or one warm winter glove. The zippered chest pocket holds small items.

At 12.5 ounces/354 grams, this midweight fleece is designed for wearing as an outer or middle layer in a huge range of cool to cold temperatures, including all forms of skiing as well as snowshoeing, hiking, running, climbing, walking, and other activities.

Read my full review of the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s, women’s, or kids’ Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or rei.com, or any other piece in the Patagonia R1 Air line at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or rei.com.

Beyond Clothing Dasche L3 Jacket

$190, 14 oz./397g
beyondclothing.com

Over several cold days of ski touring from Utah’s Wasatch Range to Idaho’s Boise Mountains, with temps in the single digits and teens Fahrenheit, snow falling, and a cold wind chill at times, the Beyond Clothing Dasche L3 Jacket rarely left my body, whether serving as a middle layer skiing downhill or an outer layer skiing uphill—a testament to its breathability and versatility.

The Dasche’s hybrid vest-jacket design combines water-resistant, 80g PrimaLoft Gold Luxe synthetic insulation in the core (front and back) and shoulders and very breathable, stretchy soft-shell fabric in the sides, underarms, and lower arms—creating a jacket that traps heat effectively where your body needs that but also releases heat and moisture, where many jackets with a similar hybrid design do either one thing or the other better. My base layer always dried within minutes after my exertion level dropped. The uninsulated, stretchy, close-fitting, adjustable and stowable hood moves with your head, fits under any helmet, provides excellent coverage, and cuts some wind while breathing quite well—an ideal middle-layer hood.

For backcountry skiing or riding, climbing, snowshoeing, or hiking, I find it best for temps well below freezing—for me, it only became too warm in sunshine, calm air, and temps around freezing. Maybe best of all, it comes in under a pound and under 200 bucks.

Read my full review of the Beyond Clothing Dasche L3 Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a Beyond Clothing Dasche L3 Jacket at beyondclothing.com.

Himali Men’s Endeavor Fleece Hoodie

$160, 9.2 oz./261g
himali.com

From trekking hut-to-hut in late spring through cool days of sometimes very strong wind and heavy rain on New Zealand’s Milford and Routeburn tracks and Tongariro Alpine Crossing, to January days of backcountry skiing in Idaho, both skinning uphill and skiing downhill while moving between cold shade and warm sunshine in temps ranging from single digits to the high 20s Fahrenheit, I wore this hooded, full-zip fleece jacket for hours a day, sometimes as an outer layer and much more often under a shell. I never took it off—despite sharp shifts in exertion level—and remained comfortable the entire time.

It’s one of the most versatile fleece hoodies I’ve ever used, mainly because the weight of the four-way stretch fabric gives it a balance of warmth and breathability that enables you to keep it on during periods of higher exertion without overheating, and not need to pull on another layer once your exertion level drops.

Plus, the Endeavor’s warmth and breathability helped quickly dry out my sweaty base layers—critical to staying warm and comfortable—and the athletic fit makes it a good choice for a wide range of activities like dayhiking, backpacking, running, climbing, Nordic and backcountry skiing, and walking.

Read my full review of the Himali Men’s Endeavor Fleece Hoodie.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a Himali Men’s Endeavor Fleece Hoodie at himali.com.

Readers of The Big Outside get an exclusive 10 percent off any Himali purchase by using the discount code THEBIGOUTSIDE.

A Great Insulated Jacket for Extra Warmth

Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket

$489, 1 lb. 1 oz./482g
featheredfriends.com

For really cold days of backcountry skiing, ski touring, snowshoeing, hiking and backpacking, and resort skiing, many of us need an insulation layer with extra warmth—to wear constantly in severe cold at low exertion levels; to pull on during brief rest breaks, at a belay, or while in camp or outside a yurt; or to have as an emergency piece in your pack. While it’s not made for breathability while being active, for incomparable warmth in a lightweight, packable puffy, I haven’t found anything that beats the Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket.

On winter nights in the single digits outside a yurt in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, and raw, wet spring mornings camped in Idaho’s City of Rocks, this fat down jacket felt crazy warm—especially for its weight and packability, spotlighting its versatility as an outstanding down jacket for winter and a puffy that’s light and packable enough for chilly, three-season trips.

The Helios is generously stuffed with 900+-fill down, just about the highest-quality down produced, including in the comfortable, adjustable hood. The water-resistant, 20-denier Pertex Endurance LT shell fabric repels light precipitation, and the jacket has two hand pockets with overlapping stretch flaps in lieu of a zipper, plus one small, zippered inside pocket.

Read my full review of the Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a men’s Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com.

The Best Winter Backcountry Shell Jackets and Pants

For activities like hard-charging resort skiing in falling snow, backcountry ski touring and riding, snowshoeing, climbing, and hiking, when I’m working hard for hours in wide-ranging winter temps and weather, I want a shell jacket and pants with superior breathability—so that I don’t get soaked with sweat while exerting—that also repel hours of falling snow and block most wind. The jacket must have an adjustable, helmet-compatible, brimmed hood that keeps wind and precipitation off my face and must fit comfortably over base and middle layers, allowing full range of motion. The pants should have adequate pockets and ventilate well for moving uphill. Neither should be too heavy.

Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket and Bibs

Jacket: $429, 1 lb. 5.5 oz./610g
Bibs: $429, 1 lb. 9 oz./709g
backcountry.com

The waves of December snowstorms rolled through for days, dumping cold, dry, light powder in the mountains. In the backcountry, the skiing was epic—as were the weather conditions. That’s when high-quality shells demonstrate their value. On numerous days of ski touring through hours of heavily falling snow, temps ranging from the single digits to the teens and 20s Fahrenheit, and frequent wind, OR’s Skytour AscentShell Jacket and Bibs passed every qualifying exam to rank among the very best outerwear for winter.

The newest iteration of OR’s proprietary, three-layer, stretch AscentShell waterproof-breathable membrane performs like a hard shell but feels and moves like a soft shell. AscentShell’s impressive breathability enabled base layers to dry out completely after getting sweaty on long climbs—keeping testers comfortable in all conditions. I rarely even feel the need to open the deep pit zips, although those are a nice feature on warmer days of touring.

The jacket has four waterproof, zippered external pockets and two inside pockets, a helmet-compatible hood, and a fit that accommodates warm layers. The bibs have deep, ventilating front and side zippers, plus five zippered pockets, including two cargo and hand pockets and a smartly designed beacon pocket on the chest, as well as reinforced cuffs with a stretch-mesh internal gaiter.

Read my full review of the Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket and Bibs.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket and/or Skytour AscentShell Bibs at backcountry.com, rei.com, or outdoorresearch.com.

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Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell and Pants

Jacket: $365, 1 lb. 2 oz./510g
blackdiamondequipment.com
Pants: $325, 1 lb. 3.5 oz./553g
blackdiamondequipment.com

BD’s Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell and Pants have kept me dry and comfortable on countless days of backcountry skiing, in temperatures ranging from single digits with a below-zero wind chill through the high 30s, in falling snow, light rain mixed with wet snow, wind, and just plain calm, sub-freezing air. The hybrid design of both blends the brand’s proprietary BD.dry waterproof-breathable fabric with a PFC- and water-free DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) in areas most exposed to weather—chest, hood, and shoulders in the jacket and the lower legs and seat in the pants—with highly breathable soft-shell fabric in places where our bodies dump heat and moisture, like the underarms and sides of the jacket and thighs and front of the pants.

Abundant stretch in both pieces let you move unencumbered both uphill and downhill. The jacket’s center front dual zipper features a built-in mesh panel for venting on the climb and a perforated panel on the collar for breathing through while still protecting your face. Features include two harness-compatible chest pockets that fit skins, an internal media pocket, pit zips, an adjustable, helmet-compatible hood, and hook-and-loop cuffs with a lightweight wrist gaiter.

The pants feature side zips for venting; two zippered thigh pockets, one with an internal sleeve for a beacon, and a smaller, zippered hip pocket; instep patches to guard against ski edges and crampon points; a stretch gaiter and cuffs with dual snap closures for different types of ski boots; an integrated belt for waist adjustment with internal loops for suspender compatibility; and an integrated RECCO reflector.

Read my full reviews of the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell and the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Pants.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Shell at blackdiamondequipment.com or backcountry.com, and the Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Hybrid Pants at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

Check out my stories “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry” and “12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter,” and see all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-clothing-layers-for-winter-in-the-backcountry/feed/ 11 25995 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-first-light-stretch-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-first-light-stretch-hoody/#respond Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:21:23 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=64789 Read on

]]> Hooded, Breathable Insulated Jacket
Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody
$349, 14 oz./397g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com

Campsite temperatures below freezing in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness in October and around 40° F in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains in August proved the warmth of BD’s First Light Stretch Hoody. But this jacket’s versatility goes well beyond warmth, owing to synthetic stretch insulation that’s breathable, packable, and warm for its weight, and traps heat even when wet—making it potentially the only insulated jacket you need for a variety of activities year-round.

Wearing the First Light over a lightweight fleece hoodie plus a light, long-sleeve synthetic top was all I needed on top for adequate warmth on three early mornings below freezing in the High Uintas in early October. And hiking for five days in late August in the Beartooths, the First Light Stretch Hoody kept me warm wearing it over only two light base layers (plus a warm wool cap) in camp on evenings and mornings in the low 40s Fahrenheit.

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At 14 ounces/397 grams (men’s medium), this hooded, insulated jacket functions as an outer or middle layer in a range of cool to cold temperatures. More specifically, it’s light, packable, and warm enough to wear as campsite insulation for three-season backpacking and it has a good balance of performance qualities for moving in winter, from hiking and snowshoeing to backcountry touring and climbing in temps well below freezing and as a middle layer for resort skiing.

For most people, though, it’s too warm and not breathable enough for high-output activities in temps only slightly below freezing, like skinning or climbing uphill, Nordic skiing, or running—although wind could alter that dynamic, requiring a jacket this warm.

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The jacket stuffs inside its zippered chest pocket, reducing it to about 1.5 liters in volume, and has a small loop for clipping it to a climbing harness. That compares with the packability of jackets insulated with down rated around 700-fill. But typical of synthetic-insulation jackets, the First Light is still noticeably bulkier, and offers less warmth per ounce or gram, than down jackets of the same weight that are rated at 800-fill or higher (and usually more expensive).

Where Primaloft excels over high-quality down is in breathability and warmth when wet.

The migration-resistant Primaloft Gold Active synthetic insulation offers some breathability during activity—although the 20-denier nylon ripstop shell fabric, of course, inhibits that breathability to some extent: It’s not as breathable as, say, a basic fleece jacket with no shell fabric. But this shell also blocks some wind, while that basic fleece offers no wind protection; and this hoody has the durability for hard use like backcountry touring and climbing.

Primaloft, like any synthetic insulation, also traps heat even when wet from precipitation or perspiration, which becomes particularly beneficial when wearing it while active in cold temperatures. The shell’s DWR (durable, water-repellant treatment), which contains no PFC/PFAS “forever” chemicals, helps repel light precipitation.

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Another advantage of this hoody is that you can forego a heavier puffy jacket in cold temps by simply augmenting the First Light with breathable base layers and a lighter insulation piece—potentially trimming your layering system weight and certainly making it more versatile than using a heavier and warmer puffy jacket.

The stretch liner and shell and gusseted underarms provide a nice fit and excellent range of motion, with space for wearing a couple of base layers and a lighter insulated piece underneath and an all-weather shell jacket over this hoody. The sleeves have good length, not riding up my forearms when reaching overhead.

The adjustable, climbing helmet-compatible hood fits over a helmet and, when you’re not wearing a helmet, adjusts to wrap closely enough to move with your head when looking to either side. The two zippered hand pockets and single zippered chest pocket have good space, although not enough for climbing skins for backcountry touring.

The Black Diamond First Light Hybrid Hoody ($275, 12.7 oz./361g) replaces the Primaloft insulation throughout the jacket’s body with Merino wool in the sides and back, for more breathability in those areas when moving in cold temps, which also means the hybrid version is less warm.

The Verdict

With respectable warmth, packability, and breathability, and the warm-when-wet benefit of synthetic insulation, the Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody is the kind of hooded, insulated jacket you can use year-round, from campsites in the mountains on summer backpacking trips to backcountry touring, resort skiing, climbing, and hiking in winter.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody or First Light Hybrid Hoody at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

See all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, including “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Base Layers, Shorts, and Socks for Hiking and Trail Running,” “The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking,” and “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-first-light-stretch-hoody/feed/ 0 64789 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-helium-down-hoodie/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-helium-down-hoodie/#respond Mon, 27 May 2024 12:06:32 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=63410 Read on

]]> Water-Resistant Down Jacket
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
$299, 15.4 oz./437g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-3XL, women’s XS-XL, plus sizes 1X-4X
backcountry.com

The wind blew strong and steady and the temperature sat just several ticks above freezing on our mornings and evenings backpacking the three-day loop through Owl and Fish canyons in southern Utah in early May. I was happy to have not brought an ultralight insulated jacket on that trip—as I often do in spring in the Southwest—because my Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie had the heft to keep me warm in that below-freezing wind chill. And it delivers rare protection from wet weather—at a price lower than most high-quality down jackets.

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Impressively, I felt warm wearing it over just a lightweight, short-sleeve T-shirt at our camps in Owl and Fish canyons—where, of course, tall canyon walls gave us hours of shade every evening and morning.

It also kept me comfortable on chilly mornings and evenings in camp on a four-day backpacking trip, partly along the Continental Divide Trail, in southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains in mid-September.

That’s because the Helium Down Hoodie is stuffed with 800+-fill down (responsibly sourced and sustainably processed), giving it a high warmth-to-weight ratio: At under a pound, it packs enough warmth for temps below freezing, enabling you to push the edges of peak seasons in the mountains and desert. People who get cold easily will like this jacket for typical morning and evening temperatures in the mountains in summer, too.

Pull the jacket out of the left hand pocket that it stuffs into—packing down to well under two liters—and it lofts up immediately, like an internal fan was inflating it.

The shell consists of wind-resistant, lightweight and packable, 41 percent recycled, 15-denier by 30-denier Pertex Quantum nylon fabric with Diamond Fuse technology for greater durability and snag resistance. And the jacket sets itself apart from many down jackets for the waterproof ripstop fabric at the hood, shoulders, and upper sleeves, giving it much more resistance to precipitation.

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The adjustable, under-the-helmet hood lets you find a comfortably snug fit to trap warmth efficiently and enable the hood to turn with your head and stay put in strong winds. The front zipper comes up to your chin and doesn’t tend to snag and the elasticized cuffs and adjustable hem seal in body heat.

The jacket’s trim fit provides enough space for a couple of base layers underneath, allowing full freedom of movement, and easily fits under a shell jacket. Good shoulder articulation paired with enough sleeve length prevents the cuffs from sliding up your forearms when reaching. And few brands offer as wide a range of men’s size and women’s sizes as OR.

The two zippered hand pockets feel quite warm and have space for three-season gloves and the zippered chest pocket easily fits a smartphone with room to spare. Plus, two wide and deep, internal stash pockets are spacious enough to warm up gloves inside them.

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Lastly, try to find a high-quality down jacket at this price point today. There are very few.

The Verdict

Warm for its weight and very packable, with waterproof fabric on the hood, shoulders, and upper sleeves, the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie is a versatile choice for backpacking, climbing, and other outdoor activities even when temperatures slip below freezing and as a layering piece for winter in the backcountry.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie at backcountry.com, outdoorresearch.com, or rei.com.

See all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, including “The 12 Best Down Jackets” and “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” as well as “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry” and “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See the Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-helium-down-hoodie/feed/ 0 63410 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rab-mythic-alpine-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rab-mythic-alpine-down-jacket/#comments Thu, 26 Oct 2023 02:15:16 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=60664 Water-Resistant Down Jacket
Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket
$390, 11 oz./313g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

Two separate, six- to seven-day, September backpacking trips in Glacier National Park and the Wind River Range presented a quandary: Starting out with the weight of a week’s food gave me added incentive to trim all superfluous weight from my pack; yet the possibility of temperatures dropping near or even below freezing made bringing adequately warm layers essential. The Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket achieved both goals, keeping me warm on mornings around freezing while weighing less than most comparably warm puffy jackets.

On both trips, I wore it over just two light base layers except when the temperature dropped below around 40° F/4° C, when I added a light fleece hoody. The Mythic Alpine also provided enough warmth over just one or two base layers on cool nights in early October backpacking the 22-mile Boulder Mail Trail-Death Hollow Loop in southern Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and nights in the upper 30s Fahrenheit (around 3° C) while camping at Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve in June.

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The explanation is simple: This fat puffy is stuffed with 4.9 oz./140 grams of RDS-certified, hydrophobic, 900-fill goose down (for the men’s medium), giving it one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratios you’ll find in a down jacket, as well as making it very packable. The jacket comes with a stuff sack and packs down to the size of a small camping pillow—compact enough to keep near the top of my backpack and pull on during breaks in chilly wind.

The jacket’s hydrophobic down enables it to retain its loft and ability to trap heat even when damp and dry faster than standard down. That quality further sets the Mythic Alpine apart from competitors as a water-resistant down jacket with a very high warmth-to-weight ratio.

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The adjustable hood has a slight brim and, with a single drawcord in the back, it snugs smoothly around your head, delivering a noticeable boost in warmth. The front zipper extends up over your chin, sealing in warmth effectively, as do the elasticized cuffs and adjustable hem. Two zippered hand pockets provide warmth for hands and for stashing three-season gloves or items of similar size.

At 11 oz./313g (men’s medium), it’s a lightweight among insulated jackets. And its premium-quality down makes it warmer than other hooded jackets at the same weight but with a lower down-fill rating.

Perhaps most distinctively, it’s warm enough for temperatures down to just above freezing when paired with the right layers—making it one of the lightest down jackets that can handle most three-season trips. 

The slim fit allows wearing a couple of light layers and even a thin fleece underneath and it comes in five sizes each for men and women. It also layers easily under most backcountry rain shells.

To help keep weight at a minimum, this puffy uses an ultralight, windproof, 10-denier ripstop, 100 percent recycled Pertex Quantum shell fabric with a fluorocarbon-free DWR(durable, water-resistant finish)—the lightest shell fabric used in insulated jackets. It will provide adequate durability for a down jacket as long as you exercise reasonable caution with it. I’ve seen just a few single feathers leak out in numerous days wearing it. Of all materials used in the jacket, 39 percent are recycled, according to Rab.

The stitch-through baffle construction, which stitches the outer, shell fabric to the inner, liner fabric—commonly used to reduce a jacket’s weight and often the cost—creates boxes of down with potential cold spots at seams separating them. But I noticed no negative impact on warmth even on chilly, windy evenings and mornings in camp.

Rab also offers an even lighter but otherwise identical version, the Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket ($330, 8.8 oz./252g), best for milder temps, in the mid-40s F (about 7° C) or higher.

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The Verdict

With water-resistant, 900-fill down, and one of the highest warmth-to-weight ratios found in any down jacket, the Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket represents one of the lightest and most packable and versatile puffy jackets that’s warm enough for most three-season trips.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Rab Mythic Alpine Down Jacket at backcountry.com or a men’s or women’s Rab Mythic Alpine Light Down Jacket at backcountry.com.

For a warmer and less expensive, water-resistant down jacket, that’s also heavier and is stuffed with medium-quality 700-fill down, see my review of the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket ($280, 15 oz.).

See “The 12 Best Down Jackets” and all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rab-mythic-alpine-down-jacket/feed/ 3 60664 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-himali-accelerator-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-himali-accelerator-down-jacket/#respond Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:52:53 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=60109 Down Jacket
Himali Accelerator Down Jacket
$345, 12.5 oz./354g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
himali.com

On cool mornings and windy evenings in the low 40s Fahrenheit (4-6° C) in campsites while backpacking the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park and the Nigel, Cataract, and Cline Passes Route in the White Goat Wilderness in the Canadian Rockies in August, my Himali Accelerator Down Jacket kept me perfectly warm over just one or two base layers. By many measures, this midweight puffy hits the target for three-season mountain adventures in its balance of weight, packability, warmth, materials, water resistance, and features—all at a competitive price for a high-quality down jacket.

In fact, it’s tempting to call the Accelerator the Goldilocks of down jackets, because it seems so ideal for camping in the mountains in the typically cool weather of summer and fall, or spring and fall in the desert Southwest: It’s not so thin and lightweight that it’s never quite warm enough for many people, but also not overly warm, which would make it unnecessarily heavier and bulkier.

For a lot of humans whose personal metabolism falls somewhere between the people who are warm enough in an ultralight down jacket and the people who need the fattest puffy jacket even in summer, the Accelerator may feel just right.

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At 12.5 oz./354g (men’s medium) and packing down to a bit larger than a liter bottle, the Accelerator is a middleweight among three-season insulated jackets—in between models weighing 10 ounces/283.5 grams or less and those weighing up to around one pound/453.6 grams. (Insulated jackets over a pound are generally designed for winter—or not for the backcountry.) That fact and its combination of materials and design features give it multiple advantages over many competitors.

Stuffed with four ounces of RDS-certified, 850-fill, water-resistant HyperDry down, the Accelerator delivers a very high warmth-to-weight ratio that competes with the few very best down jackets at this or any weight. High-quality down creates more space between feathers, increasing heat-trapping efficiency, which translates to more warmth per ounce of jacket. And very few down jackets have down with a higher rating than 850-fill—with most of those being lighter and/or significantly more expensive.

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To prevent moisture from your body compromising the loft of the down feathers, and consequently, the jacket’s warmth—especially if circumstances require you to wear this jacket when on the move—Himali placed Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation in high-moisture areas like the underarms and at the chin, for its ability to trap heat when damp. That’s a rare design feature in down jackets that you may reap the benefits of when you most need it.

The 20-denier Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon shell with a DWR (durable, water-resistant coating) and water-expanding thread also help keep moisture out. The lightweight fabric compares with many down jackets made for the backcountry: Sufficiently durable for normal use but exercise all due caution with it.

That combination of mapped synthetic insulation and the water-resistant HyperDry down and shell fabric give the Accelerator a large performance advantage over standard down jackets in persistently wet weather and situations where you need to wear this jacket before you’ve stopped moving for the day—and want it to remain warm once you’ve reached camp.

The one-hand adjustable, under-the-helmet hood closes snugly around my head, creating a seal around my entire face with the zipper pulled up to my chin—the kind of fit that keeps cold air off your neck, which insulated jackets with a looser fit and inferior hood do not achieve. That fit means the hood turns with your head (saving you from the annoying experience of the hood covering one eye).

Anyone seeking an insulated jacket for year-round backcountry use might find the Accelerator delivers the right amount of warmth for those short rest breaks when you need to throw on another layer and for moving in very cold conditions, especially downhill (although it is not warm enough to function as your primary insulation when camping or for an unexpected, emergency overnight bivy). The water-resistant down would help prevent moisture buildup from perspiration or precipitation—and you’d wear a shell over it in any significant precip—and its warmth-to-weight ratio would exceed that of almost any synthetic insulated jacket.

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The excellent fit allows layering it over a couple of base layers and possibly one light insulation layer for some people: With a 38-inch chest and 30-inch waist, I was able to wear a light fleece hoodie underneath the men’s medium Accelerator. Still, there isn’t an excessive amount of space when I wear it only over one or two base layers, so thermal efficiency is very good.

Plus, the front zipper closes comfortably snugly at my chin (with a soft, fleece chin guard), keeping cold air off my neck, and the adjustable hem and stretch cuffs seal in heat. Good articulation in the sleeves and shoulders prevents the jacket from bunching or riding up when moving around or raising your arms overhead. It also comes in five men’s and women’s sizes.

The two warm, zippered hand pockets are spacious enough to fit a pair of warm gloves in either of them and the jacket packs into a smartly integrated stuff sack in the left hand pocket. The one internal zippered pocket is larger than a smartphone.

Himali also offers a non-hooded version of the Accelerator Down Jacket ($320).

The Verdict

With a very high warmth-to-weight ratio, good water resistance and packability, a great fit, and what may be a perfect degree of warmth balanced with a modest weight, the Himali Accelerator Down Jacket just may be the ideal puffy for many backpackers, climbers, and other adventurers.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com, a women’s hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com, a men’s non-hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com, or a women’s non-hooded Himali Accelerator Down Jacket at himali.com.

Readers of The Big Outside get an exclusive 10 percent off any Himali purchase by using the discount code THEBIGOUTSIDE.

See all reviews of Himali apparel and all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, including “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Base Layers, Shorts, and Socks for Hiking and Trail Running,” “The Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking,” and “The Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-himali-accelerator-down-jacket/feed/ 0 60109 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer-ul-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer-ul-hoody/#comments Mon, 10 Jul 2023 12:50:13 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=59549 Read on

]]> Ultralight Down Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody
$450, 6.7 oz./190g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

At under nine ounces/255 grams, Mountain Hardwear’s classic Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody has long held the distinction as one of the very lightest, most packable, and warmest-for-its-weight down jackets for backpackers, climbers, and other backcountry travelers—and arguably the best among the tiny number in its weight class. So why make one that’s even lighter? That question occupied my mind while using Hardwear’s newer Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody, which whacks about two ounces/57 grams off its older sibling’s weight while excelling for many of the same reasons—and differentiating itself.

I found it impressively warm for its shockingly low weight on evenings and mornings in camp on two April backpacking trips: for two nights on a section of the Arizona Trail along the Gila River in the first days of April, and five nights in mid-April on the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route. On both trips, the Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody was all I needed over a T-shirt and sometimes a midweight long-sleeve top on mornings and evenings in camp that ranged from calm to quite windy with lowest temps in the 40s Fahrenheit. This puffy is warm enough for many people in moderate evening and morning temperatures in the mountains in summer or the desert Southwest in spring and fall.

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At just 6.7 ounces/190g (men’s medium), the Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody just may be the lightest hooded insulated jacket out there today—and even at this low weight, it still has two zippered hand pockets with good space for small, light items like three-season gloves and a hat, and an adjustable hem. It’s also certainly one of the most packable hooded insulated jackets, stuffing down to roughly the size of a liter bottle. You might be able to pack it even smaller: Although neither of the jacket’s two hand pockets has a reversible zipper, the jacket does stuff inside either of them (see photo) and would fit into a slightly smaller stuff sack.

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This wispy hoody is stuffed with 1,000-fill down, the highest-grade feathers available, meaning that no insulated jacket packs more warmth per gram and few, if any, compare with it in that department.

The jacket’s standard fit provides space for a couple of base layers underneath. Nice detail: the first baffle at both elasticized sleeve cuffs is filled with synthetic insulation to prevent the cuffs from wetting out. The 5-denier-by-7-denier ripstop nylon shell with a DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) is the lightest you’ll find in any outdoor garment, so avoid contact with sharp points. (Unlike the Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody, this fabric is also not 100 percent recycled.) But this shell will hold up fine in normal use.

I’ll make one caveat: People who get cold easily (I don’t) may not want an insulated jacket this light—at least not for inactivity outdoors, like sitting around camp, in temperatures that normally require you to wear a fatter puffy jacket. But for whatever your definition of “mild temps,” the Ghost Whisperer UL makes an excellent ultralight hooded jacket for backpacking, or an on-the-move outer or middle layer for done-in-a-day adventures in cool to cold temps, like rock or alpine climbing, dayhikes, and trail runs.

As with most ultralight apparel and gear, there are compromises with the Ghost Whisperer UL—and the biggest is the hood is not adjustable, just as with the Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody. And while its limited elasticity around the face helps keep it on your head, a stiff wind can blow it off and the hood does not turn fully when you turn your head side to side. Lastly, the materials, including the front zipper, are very light and less durable than heavier products, though likely to last for years of use with some care.

All in all, those are predictable, small sacrifices if extremely low weight and high packability are your objectives.

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The Verdict

For ultralight backpackers, climbers, mountain runners, and dayhikers—or just about every backcountry traveler focused on getting the lightest gear—no insulation layer will deliver more warmth-per-ounce at this low a weight than the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these links to purchase a men’s or a women’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody at backcountry.com or other versions of the Ghost Whisperer down insulation at backcountry.com or rei.com.

If you want a bit more warmth in a hooded down jacket that also ranks among the very lightest in this category, see my review of the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody, which weighs just two ounces more.

See “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

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Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

See all stories with expert backpacking tips at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer-ul-hoody/feed/ 1 59549 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-cerium-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-cerium-hoody/#comments Tue, 18 Apr 2023 00:12:22 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=58149 Read on

]]> Hybrid Insulated Jacket
Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody
$400, 12 oz./340g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXXL, women’s XXS-XXL
rei.com

Who expected the overnight temp would drop nearly to freezing and the wind would blow 30 mph through our campsite on our first morning in southern Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon… in April? Well, I didn’t when I reserved that permit months earlier—but we all did when we saw the forecast immediately before the trip. So I packed my new Cerium Hoody and it proved the perfect antidote to unseasonably cold mornings.

It kept me warm over just a lightweight, short-sleeve T-shirt and a midweight long-sleeve top on chilly mornings in Aravaipa—where we didn’t get direct sunlight until mid-morning. The new Cerium Hoody performs just as well as its identical predecessor, called the Cerium LT Hoody, did for me at many past backcountry camps, including on a mid-September morning in the low 40s Fahrenheit at a windblown and unprotected site at 10,500 feet in Titcomb Basin, in Wyoming’s Wind River Range; and on mornings in the mid-20s in The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park in the first week of March. In both of those cases, I wore it over a short-sleeve T-shirt and a midweight long-sleeve top.

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Every time I’ve pulled this jacket on, it has felt like an instant injection of warmth through my torso and arms. I have to keep reminding myself it weighs just 12 ounces.

This 2022 update to an Arc’teryx classic remains identical to its previous version, called the Cerium LT Hoody (see my review of that model). For starters, the trim fit provides enough space for a couple of base layers underneath, allows full freedom of movement—important when wearing it as a middle layer on deep-cold adventures like ice climbing and mountaineering—and easily fits under a shell jacket. Outstanding shoulder articulation paired with enough sleeve length prevents the cuffs from sliding up your forearms when reaching. And Arc’teryx added one men’s size and two women’s sizes.

The Cerium’s high warmth-to-weight ratio—it’s one of the absolute warmest down jackets at this weight that I’ve worn—owes to the responsibly sourced, 850-fill down stuffing in the hood, sleeves, and torso. High-quality down creates more space between feathers, increasing the heat-trapping efficiency, which translates to more warmth per ounce of jacket.

But since water is the enemy of down, flattening feathers and drowning their ability to trap heat, Arc’teryx placed its Coreloft synthetic insulation—a lightweight, breathable, and thermally efficient siliconized polyester yarn that’s compresses well and retains its loft—in areas prone to getting wet: the shoulders, cuffs, chin guard (which gets wet with condensation from your breath), and the armpits.

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The combination of insulation types delivers the benefits of down (warm, light, and compact) and synthetics (retaining heat when damp).

The close-fitting, under-the-helmet hood helps elevate this jacket above many insulation pieces. Popping it up immediately pumps up the warmth. Adjustable using just one drawcord in the back, with an elasticized face opening, it wraps snugly around your head and face to trap heat very efficiently—ensuring the hood stays put even in strong winds. When zipped up, the soft chin guard comes up to the lips, which is nice in chilly temps. The elasticized cuffs and an adjustable hem seal in body heat.

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The two zippered hand pockets warmed my chilled fingers quickly and have space for three-season gloves and small items like a map and headlamp. The jacket stuffs easily into a stuff sack attached to the zippered inside pocket—no losing this sack—and packs down to barely larger than a liter bottle.

The lightweight and wind-resistant, recycled, 15-denier nylon shell fabric, while durable for its weight, is more susceptible to tears than heavier fabrics. Similarly, the lightweight front zipper, while keeping jacket weight down, raises durability concerns; but a little care in using it can avoid problems. I’ve seen no damage to this jacket’s identical predecessor, the Cerium LT Hoody, in numerous trips over the past six years. And I have seen the Cerium fend off spitting rain showers, thanks in part to a durable, water-repellent (DWR) treatment on the shell fabric.

Some backpackers and others backcountry users will question the value proposition of an expensive, three-season down jacket price. But if a jacket like the Cerium lies within your budget, look at the fit, the construction quality, and most of all, the down-fill rating. You can pick up another 12-ounce insulated for half this price, but it won’t be nearly as warm.

The Verdict

From frosty wilderness campsites on three-season backpacking trips to pulling it on for added warmth while climbing or during your favorite winter activity, the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody remains one of the top puffy jackets in its weight class for versatility, packability, comfort, and warmth for its weight.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody at rei.com or arcteryx.com.

See all reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside, including “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Gloves for Winter,” “The Best Mittens for Winter,” and “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” as well as “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry” and “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-cerium-hoody/feed/ 2 58149 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-ibex-wool-aire-vest/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-ibex-wool-aire-vest/#respond Fri, 03 Feb 2023 17:30:50 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=56835 Read on

]]> Insulated Vest
Ibex Wool Aire Vest
$235, 7.5 oz./213g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
ibex.com

How useful—and valuable—is your insulation layer? Consider this: I wore the Ibex Wool Aire Vest as my only outer layer over the same two base layers (a lightweight, wicking long-sleeve and a warm fleece hoody) on days of vigorous Nordic skiing in radically different conditions in Idaho’s Boise Mountains: from sunny, calm, and mid-30s Fahrenheit to cloudy and below freezing with strong winds that made it feel much colder. And I did not overheat in the first circumstance or get cold in the second. I also stayed comfortable wearing it as my sole middle layer under a winter shell in temps from around freezing to the mid-teens, with a low overcast and frigid wind, on days of snowshoeing and backcountry skiing downhill, and as my outer layer when skinning uphill (without wind).

That degree of versatility speaks volumes about the value of any layer, especially insulation.

We know that when we’re active in cool to cold conditions—whether hiking, running, any form of skiing, or whatever your activity—the key to staying warm is maintaining core warmth. A good vest does that while also helping to prevent you from sweating too much—which in cool to cold temps leads to getting chilled through evaporative heat loss—by letting your arms release abundant excess body heat. But while vests may appear to be similarly simple, there are reasons the Ibex Wool Aire Vest performs better than many.

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Its 80g Merino wool insulation delivers a significant boost in warmth for a garment that weighs under eight ounces (for the men’s medium)—which is measurably lighter than a comparable middle/outer layer insulated jacket. (The fill incorporates 20 percent polyester to hold the wool fill in place; otherwise, it would shift around inside the vest.) But it’s also better than many jackets at helping you avoid overheating. In some respects, this is a rare instance where less is more.

Just as importantly, the 20-denier shell fabric blocks wind well and sheds light precipitation—spilled water rolled right off the vest.

The fit is another key part of the performance equation that’s easy to overlook. Lacking sleeves, a loose-fitting vest becomes ineffective at trapping heat and very effective at allowing cold wind to suck heat off your body. The Wool Aire Vest’s comfortably athletic fit trapped heat in my core quite effectively—even as I skate-skied fast downhill in a cold wind with no jacket over the vest. The fit still has space for combining lightweight and warm base layers underneath without the system feeling bulky, bunching up anywhere, or inhibiting motion while moving at any pace. That also makes it easy to incorporate into a layering system that includes insulated and shell jackets as needed.

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Breathability in any vest is inherently good, although the Wool Aire shell’s wind resistance also means body heat and moisture don’t easily escape from inside to outside—but wind resistance is what you usually want in cool or cold temps, especially in a vest. I found that only the upper back of the vest got noticeably damp from sweat and, typical of wool, it doesn’t dry fast; but it also remains effective at trapping heat when damp.

The two zippered hand pockets each fit a warm winter glove with room to spare. The single zippered chest pocket is similarly spacious—almost too large, because it would be a good place for a smartphone except that a phone bounces around and tilts onto its side in that pocket, making it more of a nuisance than if the pocket was narrow enough for a phone to remain upright. I don’t see wanting to put as much stuff in a chest pocket as this one would fit.

While an insulated vest proves most useful in cool to cold temperatures—I almost never carry one, for example, on typical summer dayhikes and backpacking trips in mountains where temps may range from around 40° F to 80° F—it becomes highly versatile as an outer or middle layer on any outing where temps will range from the 50s F down to freezing and well below.

You want sleeves? Ibex also makes the men’s and women’s Wool Aire Hoodie ($285).

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The Verdict

With its good fit, warmth for its low weight, and wind resistance, the Ibex Wool Aire Vest offers excellent versatility—even compared to other vests—as a middle or outer layer for a variety of moderate- to high-intensity activities in cool to very cold temperatures, including hiking, running, and any form of skiing.

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See all reviews of outdoor apparel that I like, including “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Gloves for Winter,” “The Best Mittens for Winter,” “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” as well as my blog stories “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” and “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-ibex-wool-aire-vest/feed/ 0 56835 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-eos-down-jacket-2/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-eos-down-jacket-2/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2022 11:48:34 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=54315 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket
$409, 11 oz./312g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL
featheredfriends.com

When you have something that works, the worst thing you can do is change it much. Feathered Friends stuck with a winning formula when updating its popular Eos Down Jacket, making just two minor improvements. Testing the updated Eos on adventures ranging from a windy and chilly June camping and climbing trip in Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve to nine days backpacking through the High Sierra in August, I found it just as warm and comfortable as I have found the previous iteration of this poofy puffy in the backcountry of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, Glacier National Park, and countless other wild places.

I wore the men’s Eos Down Jacket almost every morning and evening on a nine-day hike of nearly 130 miles in August, mostly on the John Muir Trail, with lows often in the 40s Fahrenheit and strong wind and it kept me quite comfortable with just one or two base layers underneath it. Also, on four cold, very windy days of camping and rock climbing in Idaho’s City of Rocks in June, with air temps in the 40s and 50s but the wind chill considerably lower, I wore the Eos with the hood up every morning and evening in camp and even, at times, while belaying under variably sunny and cloudy skies.

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Made in the good ‘ole U.S. and generously stuffed with four ounces of ethically sourced, 900+-fill goose down, the Eos has proven time and again that it can handle temperatures down to the high 30s with strong wind. That’s impressive warmth for a puffy jacket that weighs 11 ounces—its warmth-to-weight ratio is matched by few competitors. (See my picks for the 10 best down jackets—of which the Eos is one.)

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While the down isn’t treated for water resistance (more common in sleeping bags than jackets), it is protected inside a water-resistant, Pertex Quantum shell with a DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) that sheds light precipitation. In reality, most users probably know better than to stand outside in a steady rain without a rain shell over a down jacket; but people expecting to wear their puffy jacket in wet conditions should look for another model (probably synthetic).

As with any lightweight or ultralight jacket, the 12-denier by 20-denier fabric is tough for its very low weight, but susceptible to tears, so be careful with it. (I’ve never torn the Eos over several years of use.) The construction is top-notch, with sewn-through baffles that prevent down from migrating. While sewn-through baffles help reduce garment weight and are common in lightweight down jackets, they can create cold spots along seams where there’s essentially no insulation. However, that was never a problem in the Eos, even in temps in the upper 30s Fahrenheit.

The two changes in this updated Eos are placing the zippered chest pocket out of sight behind a flap and making the warm hood adjustable using drawstrings that help it fit more snugly and mostly move with your turning head. The Eos still features two spacious, zippered hand pockets, elasticized cuffs, and a drawcord hem.

It packs down to fit in the included 8×5.5-inch stuff sack, a good size for a camping pillow—and compact enough to keep near the top of my backpack and pull on during snack breaks in chilly wind.

The Feathered Friends Eos collection also includes a men’s and women’s Eos Down Vest ($269, 7 oz.).

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The Verdict

At a price that competes with and even beats some high-end down jackets, the Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket delivers exceptional quality in an insulated jacket that’s warm enough for camping in temps near freezing.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com, or a women’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com.

See my picks for “The 10 Best Down Jackets” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

See all stories with expert backpacking tips at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-eos-down-jacket-2/feed/ 2 54315 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-approach-down-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-approach-down-hoody/#comments Thu, 14 Apr 2022 19:52:02 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=52281 Read on

]]> Water-Resistant Down Jacket
Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody
$429, 10 oz./284g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

Sometimes it’s hard to anticipate how much warmth you’ll need from your insulation, especially on a multi-day backcountry trip—and you may be tempted to go with an ultralight puffy jacket and hope for the best. If your choice is BD’s Approach Down Hoody, you’ll achieve the ultralight objective with little risk of feeling under-dressed. Wearing it on cool, very windy evenings and mornings down to the 40s Fahrenheit on a six-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon in early April and in similar temps on a five-day, late-summer hike in the Wind River Range, I stayed both perfectly warm and happy that I’d avoided adding more ballast to a pack already encumbered with substantial food and water weight.

Stuffed with fluorocarbon-free, RDS-certified, 800-fill power, water-resistant Allied HyperDRY goose down, the Approach Down Hoody not only has high warmth for its low weight, it also won’t lose loft if it gets damp from light rain or sweat—making it useful not only as a campsite puffy for many three-season backpacking trips, but as cold-temps insulation when on the move as well. When high winds made it feel colder than the ambient air temp in the 50s and 40s in the Grand Canyon, I remained comfortable wearing this hoody over just a couple of light base layers—often without having to yank the hood up. Without wind, it’s comfortable in temps down to around 40° F.

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In a sub-category of outdoor apparel—ultralight down jackets—where there are few ways to distinguish between products, minor details can separate the excellent from the very good. The Approach Down Hoody leaves others behind in a few notable ways.

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First of all, like other puffy jackets, the Approach’s hood adjusts with a one-hand drawcord in back; but unlike some competitors, this drawcord is very easy to find and manipulate, even when wearing gloves. And the hood not only snugs neatly and comfortably around your head and is deep enough to extend to your eyebrows, but it stays in place when turning your head side to side even if the front zipper is fully unzipped, thanks to an elasticized face opening that helps keep it on your noggin.

Second, the shell repels light precipitation thanks to its PFC-free and water-free Empel DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) that’s not just greener but more durable than traditional DWRs. The 10-denier by 7-denier nylon woven shell fabric helps trim grams off this jacket but it’s more susceptible to tears than a heavier fabric.

Third, the two zippered hand pockets are both quite deep—a little unusual in a three-season ultralight puffy—and the zippers smartly stop before the bottom of each pocket, meaning items inside won’t likely fall out if you inadvertently leave the pocket unzipped.

The jacket easily stuffs into the left pocket, which has a carabiner clip loop, compressing to slightly larger than a liter bottle (and it doubles as a comfortable camp pillow). Plus, it has a zippered chest pocket, a welcome convenience not always seen on sub-10-ounce puffy jackets, and elasticized cuffs and an adjustable hem with an internal cordlock.

The regular fit allows for wearing light insulation or a couple of base layers underneath and a shell over it without getting tight, bulky, or inhibiting freedom of movement. The length extends to mid-butt.

At a mere 10 ounces, the Approach Down Hoody ranks among the lightest insulation pieces for three-season backpacking on nights above freezing.

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The Verdict

Ultralight and packable, with a high warmth-to-weight ratio and a smartly designed feature set, the Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody stands out as a great pick for three-season backpacking in moderate temperatures and activities like ski touring and climbing in temps near or below freezing.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody at backcountry.com or rei.com.

See “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” “How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is,” and all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

And don’t miss my picks for “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Tell me what you think.

If you found this review helpful, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom. I’d really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-approach-down-hoody/feed/ 2 52281 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-beyond-dasche-l3-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-beyond-dasche-l3-jacket/#respond Wed, 02 Feb 2022 13:11:12 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=50664 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
Beyond Clothing Dasche L3 Jacket
$190, 14 oz./397g (men’s medium regular)
Sizes: men’s XS-3XL
beyondclothing.com

Over several cold days of ski touring from Utah’s Wasatch Range to Idaho’s Boise Mountains, with temps in the single digits and teens Fahrenheit, snow falling, and a cold wind chill at times, the Dasche L3 Jacket rarely left my body, whether serving as a middle layer skiing downhill or an outer layer skiing uphill—a testament to its breathability and versatility. The fact that it comes in under a pound and under 200 bucks should make a variety of winter adventurers sit up and take notice.

On one day touring in Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s Wasatch Range, with temps in the teens, dumping snow, and the wind blowing hard, the Dasche stayed on under my shell while skiing both uphill and downhill, keeping my core at just about an ideal temp, neither sweating not ever feeling chilled.

I’ve also worn the Dasche Nordic skate skiing very hilly trails in temperatures around 20° F and cold wind, for which it proved ideal, delivering enough warmth for the long, fast, chilly downhills while not causing me to overheat on the long, strenuous uphills. Whether backcountry or Nordic skiing, it breathed and moved moisture well enough that only a little dampness built up inside, even at my upper back, and my base layer dried within minutes whenever my exertion level dropped. For me, it only became too warm in sunshine, calm air, and temps around or just below freezing—when I’d go down to one or two base layers skinning uphill or choose a lighter, more breathable jacket or vest skate skiing.

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The Dasche employs a hybrid vest-jacket design, with mapped, water-resistant, low-bulk 80g PrimaLoft Gold Luxe synthetic insulation in the core (front and back) and shoulders and very breathable, stretchy soft-shell fabric in the sides, underarms, and lower arms.

This somewhat unique combination of materials creates a jacket that traps heat effectively where your body needs that but also releases heat and moisture—where many jackets with this type of hybrid design do either one thing or the other better.

And rather than the usual method of stitching lines into a garment to create pockets for the insulation—holding it in place—the 20-denier, Pertex Quantum soft-shell fabric (over the jacket areas with insulation) features Pertex 3D Weave, which allows tunnel-like chambers to be woven into the fabric itself, eliminating the hole-punch effect of stitching that can compromise wind resistance. Treated with a DWR for water repellency, the fabric comes from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, Bluesign-certified textiles and is certified to standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, meaning it’s free from harmful levels of 100 substances.

The athletic but not skin-tight fit accommodates a couple of warm base layers—but unfortunately, does not come in women’s sizes, although it is available in an unusually wide range of sizes.

Be smart about winter. See “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry”
and “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry.”

 

The uninsulated, stretchy, close-fitting hood, adjustable using one rear cordlock, moves with your head, fits under any helmet, and provides excellent coverage, extending over your face almost as much as a good, technical, winter shell hood. It cuts some wind while breathing quite well—an ideal middle-layer hood that I could wear climbing uphill without overheating. Its unique stow design, zipping inside the collar and securing with a hook-and-loop patch, is smart and simple—except that the tiny zipper pull tab and location of the patch behind your head make it tricky to deploy or stow the hood while wearing the jacket and gloves. Still, when stowed it’s virtually unnoticeable inside the collar.

Two inside, mesh drop pockets provide space close to your body for items you want to warm up or dry: One is smaller, for a spare hat or map, while the other could hold a pair of warm gloves or a single climbing skin.

On the exterior, the two zippered hand pockets are quite deep—certainly large enough for very warm winter gloves or mittens—and fronted by insulation for heating up cold hands. The left pocket has a second zippered pocket inside it, added security for anything valuable, and the jacket stuffs easily into that inner pocket.

At 14 ounces, it falls in the mid-range of insulation layers for wintry temps, and it packs down to slightly larger than a liter bottle (and compresses even smaller inside a pack).

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The Verdict

Backcountry skiers and riders, climbers, snowshoers, hikers, and others looking for a versatile, breathable, outer and middle insulation layer for working hard in sub-freezing temperatures may not find a better value than the Beyond Clothing Dasche L3 Jacket.

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See all of my reviews of breathable insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like, including “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” “The Best Gloves for Winter,” “The Best Mittens for Winter,” “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” and “12 Pro Tips for Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Tell me what you think.

If you found this review helpful, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom. I’d really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-beyond-dasche-l3-jacket/feed/ 0 50664 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-vision-down-parka/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-vision-down-parka/#respond Sun, 14 Nov 2021 17:36:42 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48887 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
Black Diamond Vision Down Parka
$465, 1 lb. 4.5 oz./581g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
blackdiamondequipment.com

On a morning in the first week of March, with the temperature a blood-thickening 17° F at a campsite on the edge of The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, this fat down parka felt like my best friend. That followed a night in the teens spent inside a sleeping bag not rated for temps that low, when I spread the parka over my torso and hips inside my bag and felt an immediate infusion of warmth that enabled me to enjoy a comfortable night of sleep.

I also pulled on this parka on a windy summit during a break on a late-winter hike in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, when it instantly warmed me up after the ambient temp and wind had caused me to cool down quickly. Those experiences made me a fan of Black Diamond’s warmest insulated jacket, but there’s a back story that explains its superior performance.

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Stuffed with 800-fill power, RDS-certified, Allied HyperDRY-treated goose down insulation, the Vision Down Parka resists moisture buildup, has a warmth-to-weight ratio that ranks among the best down jackets, and offers a level of warmth that seriously compares with the upper half of many three-season sleeping bags (the parka obviously only insulates your torso). Its water-resistant down carries added importance in sub-freezing temps—the very temps for which this jacket is designed—because moisture released in sweat and when you exhale can accumulate in insulation and compromise the warmth of standard down, which loses loft and its insulating ability the wetter it gets.

The sewn-through construction, which stitches the outer, shell fabric to the inner, liner fabric—common in insulated jackets as a means of reducing weight—creates separate pockets of down that prevent feathers from migrating but also creates the potential for cold spots at seams between them. But I found the Vision Parka seriously warm even on very cold mornings in camp.

The fit accommodates a couple of base layers and a lighter insulation piece underneath without feeling overly bulky. The length extends below the waist, boosting its warmth. Underarm gussets make it easy to reach overhead and have a natural range of motion while wearing this poofy puffy.

Three zippered, oversized hand and chest pockets and two internal drop pockets easily accommodate extra gloves, water bottles, and other items you want to keep within reach. The jacket stuffs into an inside pocket, packing down to the size of a football.

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Features on the Vision Parka clearly have climbers in mind. The unusually well-insulated hood adjusts with a single-pull cord in back that can be manipulated while wearing a winter glove, expanding enough to fit over a climbing or skiing helmet and sealing closely around your face even sans helmet. Stretch cuffs fit over light gloves or under heavier gloves with an extended gauntlet and are elasticized within the sleeve, to prevent moisture wicking to the inside.

The two-way, water-resistant front zipper zips up well above your chin and opens from the top or bottom, the latter letting you access a belay device on a climbing harness; I found the zip on my jacket was a bit sticky opening from the bottom, but it does work.

The ultralight Vision LCP shell fabric is made with the same highly tear-resistant, liquid-crystal polymer ripstop used in Black Diamond’s Vision Harness—an obvious asset for abusive activities like ice climbing and alpinism.

At a handful of feathers over 20 ounces, the Vision Parka is made strictly for extreme conditions and, admittedly, it’s overkill for most three-season backpackers. Think winter camping, ice climbing, working outside in deep cold, or extra-warm insulation for someone who gets cold easily camping in temps around or below freezing.

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The Verdict

With a rare degree of warmth and features designed for extreme conditions, the Black Diamond Vision Down Parka has few competitors among the warmest down jackets for winter climbing, backpacking and camping in temperatures well below freezing.

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Black Diamond Vision Down Parka at backcountry.com or blackdiamondequipment.com.

See “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” “How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is,” “The Best Gloves for Winter,” “The Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” “How to Dress in Layers for Winter in the Backcountry,” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-vision-down-parka/feed/ 0 48887 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rab-microlight-alpine-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rab-microlight-alpine-down-jacket/#comments Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:24:40 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48331 Read on

]]> Water-Resistant Down Jacket
Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket
$295, 15 oz./425g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XXS-XXL, women’s XS-XXL
backcountry.com

Although it wasn’t the weather we’d hoped for in the Wind River Range, the rain and chilly wind whipping through our campsites seemed like the perfect testing conditions for Rab’s Microlight Alpine Down Jacket. And it passed the test, thanks to features designed to fend off wet and raw conditions—giving this puffy jacket strong appeal to backpackers, climbers, and others with a knack for getting themselves into that kind of weather in any season.

I found the Microlight Alpine Jacket abundantly warm enough on cool, wet, and windy evenings and mornings around 40° F in camps on an August backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, and in the same temps on a dry, four-day, late-September backpacking trip in Yosemite.

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This fat puffy is stuffed with five ounces of GRS-certified, recycled, 700-fill goose down that’s hydrophobic—meaning it retains its loft and ability to trap heat even when damp and dries faster than standard down. The micro and nano stitch-through baffle construction, which stitches the outer, shell fabric to the inner, liner fabric—commonly used to reduce a jacket’s weight and often the cost—does create visible boxes of down with potential cold spots at seams separating them. But I noticed no compromise in warmth even on damp, windy evenings and mornings in camp.

The recycled, 30-denier Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon shell doesn’t leak feathers and provides a medium level of durability that’s better than many lighter puffy jackets. Plus, it has an excellent DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment) that sheds light precipitation and, paired with the hydrophobic down, makes this a better (read: warmer) choice for wet weather than many down jackets—as it demonstrated in the Wind River Range.

In fact, the Microlight Alpine Jacket has a fully recycled shell, insulation, and lining.

The adjustable hood has a stiffened brim and, with a single drawcord in the back, it wraps snugly around your head and delivers a substantial boost in warmth. The front zipper extends up over your chin, sealing in warmth effectively, as do the elasticized cuffs and adjustable hem.

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Two zippered pockets positioned above a backpack or climbing harness belt provide warmth for hands, while a zippered chest pocket has space for small items plus the included stuff sack.

At 15 ounces, for someone (like me) who doesn’t get cold too easily, this puffy jacket delivers enough warmth (over one or two base layers) for temps below freezing; people who do get chilled easily may find it warm enough for the 30s Fahrenheit. The slim fit allows wearing a couple of light layers underneath and the Microlight comes in a broader range of sizes for men and women than a lot of outerwear. It’s moderately packable and warm for its weight but not as much as puffy jackets with higher down-fill ratings.

Planning your next big adventure? See “America’s Top 10 Best Backpacking Trips”
and “Tent Flap With a View: 25 Favorite Backcountry Campsites.”

 

The Verdict

With water-resistant down and shell fabric—all fully recycled—and abundant warmth, the Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket offers better versatility than many competitors, for year-round use in temps down to below freezing.

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See “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” and all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside. And don’t miss my picks for “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rab-microlight-alpine-down-jacket/feed/ 4 48331 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-helium-insulated-hoodie/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-helium-insulated-hoodie/#respond Thu, 30 Sep 2021 14:40:03 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=48119 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie
$199, 11 oz./312g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

On a late-September backpacking trip in Yosemite, this lightweight and packable puffy jacket kept me warm on evenings and mornings in the 40s Fahrenheit—including one morning when a steady, chilly breeze blew through our camp beside Yosemite Creek, even though I wore it over just one midweight, long-sleeve base layer. But the story only begins there. The Helium’s breathable synthetic insulation greatly expands its versatility to four seasons, wet weather, and wearing it while hiking, climbing, or pursuing backcountry snow sports in cool to cold temps. And it’s made from partly recycled materials.

While backcountry skiing in low 20s temps in December in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, it provided a perfect amount of insulation for skiing downhill and similarly for a cold skin track on the climb up.

Considering its low weight and bulk, I was surprised by the Helium’s warmth. Its breathable and stretchy, 60g VerticalX ECO SR insulation delivers not only a high warmth-to-weight ratio and the usual benefit of synthetic insulation—trapping heat even when wet—but it derives from Repreve recycled polyester and 37 percent plant-based Sorona textile. Beyond its green creds, the combination of these materials produces an insulation that lofts more than some synthetics and 20 percent more than OR’s previous VerticalX iteration. It even gives the jacket an almost down-like appearance.

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A hood always boosts an insulated jacket’s warmth proportionately greater than the additional weight and bulk it brings and the Helium’s adjustable, helmet-compatible hood seals neatly around your head and face to help keep warmth inside.

Likewise, the wind- and water-resistant, 15- by 30-denier Pertex Quantum shell fabric is made from 41 percent recycled materials. And Diamond Fuse technology, consisting of yarns with interlocking, diamond-shaped filaments that resist snagging, reinforces the shell’s strength: OR says it is twice as durable as fabrics commonly used in this category of insulated jackets, without increasing its weight.

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The standard fit leaves space for a couple of base layers and a light, insulated vest while remaining low-bulk—it’s very comfortable to wear on the move. The length extends to mid-butt. The two very spacious, zippered hand pockets hold winter-weight gloves and smaller items and are positioned above a backpack’s hipbelt or a climbing harness belt. Smart design details include an adjustable hem and low-profile stretch cuffs, which pull over light gloves or mittens or fit easily underneath the gauntlet of heavier handwear.

Weighing just 11 ounces (men’s medium), the jacket stuffs into its left pocket, packing down to slightly larger than a liter bottle—a valuable quality in any season.

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The Verdict

The lightest, most packable insulated jacket in OR’s collection, the Helium Insulated Hoodie could become the most versatile piece in your layering system, useful for wearing in camp on three-season backpacking trips as well as when exerting in cold-weather activities like hiking, climbing, and snow sports.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or a women’s Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie at backcountry.com.

See my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, my picks for “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like.

And don’t miss my picks for “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

Let The Big Outside help you find the best adventures. 
Join now for full access to ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

 

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Tell me what you think.

If you found this review helpful, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom. I’d really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-helium-insulated-hoodie/feed/ 0 48119 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mammut-meron-in-hooded-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mammut-meron-in-hooded-down-jacket/#comments Tue, 14 Sep 2021 16:56:42 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=47941 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
Mammut Meron IN Hooded Down Jacket
$479, 14 oz.397g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

As gray clouds hovered low overhead, the air still carried the dampness of the day’s rain, and a chilly wind whipped through our campsite by a lake in the Wind River Range, I zipped inside the Mammut Meron IN Hooded Down Jacket, pulled the hood up—and felt warmth immediately surround me. Fat but exceptionally light and packable, this puffy vaulted to the top of my list of insulated jackets. Here’s why.

I found the Meron more than warm enough on cool, wet, and windy evenings and mornings around 40° F in camps on an August backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. I also wore the Meron IN Hooded Down Jacket in similar temps backpacking five days through Washington’s Pasayten Wilderness in September, with mostly dry weather but one cool, damp morning of light rain, and found I didn’t always even pull the hood over my head (I also wore a wool hat).

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At 14 ounces, for someone who doesn’t get cold too easily, this puffy jacket would deliver enough warmth (over one or two base layers) for temps around freezing; people who do get chilled easily may find it warm enough for 40° F and good over a lighter insulation layer in freezing temps.

Stuffed with RDS (Responsible Down Standard)-certified, 95 percent 900-fill-power goose down and five percent goose feather filling, the Meron boasts a warmth-to-weight ratio matched by very few down jackets. The sewn–through construction, which stitches the outer, shell fabric to the inner, liner fabric—common in ultralight jackets made for three-season temperatures to reduce a jacket’s weight—creates visible boxes of down with potential cold spots at seams between them. But I noticed no compromise in warmth even on damp, windy evenings and mornings in camp.

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The helmet-compatible hood adjusts with a single drawcord in the back and wraps completely around your face, shielding it from wind; and with the zipper extending up over your chin, it seals in warmth very effectively, as do the elasticized cuffs and adjustable hem.

The fit leaves room for a couple of base layers and/or a light insulation piece underneath, yet never feels bulky. The length extends slightly below the waist, providing adequate coverage while helping to minimize weight. Two warm, zippered hand pockets are positioned higher than a backpack or climbing harness belt and are quite spacious: Each can fit a climbing skin (for backcountry skiing) plus a warm glove. The jacket stuffs into a zippered inside pocket, packing down to the size of a small bread loaf.

The lightweight, polyamide ripstop shell has a PFC-free DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment) that repelled a light rain in camp and sports durability comparable to the fabric on many lightweight down jackets. Plus, the jacket carries a Bluesign rating, indicating that at least 90 percent of the materials used in making it meet Bluesign standards.

Plan your next great backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail, Wonderland Trail, in Yosemite or other parks using my expert e-guides.

The Verdict

With exceptional warmth per ounce and packability and a total weight of just 14 ounces, the Mammut Meron IN Hooded DownJacket ranks among the very best down jackets for three-season backpacking and front-country camping in temperatures plunging to freezing.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Mammut Meron IN Hooded Down Jacket at backcountry.com, rei.com, or mammut.com.

See “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

Let The Big Outside help you find the best adventures. 
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Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Was this review helpful?
If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?
Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mammut-meron-in-hooded-down-jacket/feed/ 4 47941 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-atom-lt-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-atom-lt-hoody/#respond Wed, 03 Feb 2021 13:52:08 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=43691 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody
$259, 12 oz./340g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXXL, women’s XS-XXL
arcteryx.com

From days of backcountry skiing and winter hikes in my local foothills to biking around town on cold days, the Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody has spent almost as much time on me as it does in my closet. In a category of breathable insulated jackets designed for being active in cool to cold temps—like backcountry snow sports, hiking, and climbing—the Atom LT Hoody’s weight and features make it uniquely versatile for a wide range of activities and users.

On a morning when the trailhead temp sat at 20° F as a friend and I set out for a half-day of backcountry skiing, I pulled the hood up and this puffy kept me warm over two light base layers while skinning uphill in cold shade. But even more impressively, once my body was churning out heat, the wide, stretch side and underarm panels dumped that heat and moisture so well that I didn’t have to take it off until we entered direct sunshine near the top of our ascent.

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The Coreloft Compact synthetic insulation delivered all the warmth I needed while standing in a snow pit evaluating avalanche hazard. It also lost none of its insulative properties when I did build up some moisture inside while skiing downhill in warm sunshine. In fact, I was surprised to notice that it was damp at all at the end of a day of skiing, because I hadn’t felt any cooling effects from that wetness. Wearing it as an outer layer on the downhill conclusion of another ski tour under overcast skies, with the temp just below freezing and a light snow falling, I remained perfectly warm.

The close-fitting, insulated StormHood, adjustable with a single drawcord in the back, boosts warmth significantly and fits under a helmet. The athletic fit—in an unusual six women’s sizes and seven men’s sizes—leaves space for a couple of warm base layers and allows excellent freedom to move, enhanced by stretch throughout, but especially by the huge stretch in the side panels. Design details right down to the adjustable hem, sleeve length, and low-profile, stretch cuffs—which pull over light gloves or mittens or fit easily underneath the gauntlet of heavier handwear—make this hoody supremely comfortable to wear and slip on or off.

The tough, water-resistant, breathable Tyono 20 shell fabric blocks wind well and shed steadily falling snow when I ski toured without a shell over it. Bonus green cred: The color is added at the polymer level, which Arc’teryx reports saves water, reduces CO₂ emissions, and increases fabric colourfastness.

At 12 ounces, the midweight Atom LT Hoody is very packable, compressing about as well as a 700-fill down jacket of the same weight. The two zippered hand pockets are each roomy enough for one big ski glove or mitten and the one zippered inside pocket is more than large enough for a smartphone.

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The Verdict

An incredibly versatile insulation piece that functions as an outer or middle layer, with good warmth for its weight and impressive breathability, the Arc’teryx Atom LT readily rises to as many uses as you can conceive, from hiking, backcountry skiing, and climbing to bike commuting and serving as a campsite puffy in temps down to around 40° F in summer in the mountains.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a men’s or women’s Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoody at arcteryx.com.

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See my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, my picks for “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-atom-lt-hoody/feed/ 0 43691 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-summit-l3-ventrix-hoodie/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-summit-l3-ventrix-hoodie/#respond Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:38:32 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=43553 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie
$300, 15 oz./425g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s and women’s XS-XL
moosejaw.com

From cool summer evenings and mornings in camp on a six-day backpacking trip in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness to days of backcountry skiing in a full range of winter weather, The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie demonstrated a versatility seen in only the best synthetic insulated jackets—light, warm, and breathable enough to function as the only puffy jacket you need year-round.

Most insulated jackets occupy a narrow range in the spectrum of backcountry uses. Some—typically high-quality down jackets—are exceptionally warm for their weight, ideal for chilly campsites. Others—usually with synthetic insulation—aren’t ounce-for-ounce as warm as 800-fill (or better) down but often tackle a wider range of weather conditions better, and a few of those offer the advantages of breathability.

Very few occupy both of those worlds like The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie.

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It was more than warm enough over a T-shirt and midweight long-sleeve top in temps in the 40s Fahrenheit at camps as high as 11,000 feet in the Uintas. Wearing it under a waterproof-breathable jacket while ski touring along a ridge with up-and-down terrain and then finishing with a long downhill in the Boise Mountains, I stayed warm while fully exposed to cold wind and blowing snow the entire time and didn’t overheat—and my base layer, which had been damp, dried out as I cruised downhill, when my exertion level dropped but I felt no need to add a layer.

I’ve been impressed with how much it stayed on my body—a testament to its versatility, whether alone or under a soft shell or a hard shell—through days of backcountry skiing in weather that shifted from overcast with a cold wind to a thunderstorm and snow squalls to warm sunshine. I also stayed perfectly warm wearing it sandwiched between a midweight long-sleeve top and a winter soft-shell jacket while resort skiing in very cold conditions—and it dumped heat and moisture when I skied aggressively downhill.

In terms of warmth-per-ounce, TNF’s 60g Ventrix polyester stretch synthetic insulation probably compares with 700-fill down—but also has reasonably good breathability: I heat up when active, so I had to remove it while skinning uphill in warm sunshine on a day in the backcountry with temps that stayed buried in the teens; but as soon as my exertion level dropped and I pulled it back on, it allowed my damp base layer to dry out. TNF says the “dynamic” insulation has perforated micro vents that open to release body heat with a wearer’s movement and close with decreased activity. Like other synthetic insulation, it also continues to trap body heat even when wet.

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The athletic fit allows for a couple of warm base layers underneath and excellent freedom of movement and comfort with underarm gussets and no shoulder seams under pack straps. The close-fitting, stretchy, adjustable hood fits under a helmet, extends slightly out over sunglasses or goggles, and the front zips up over your chin; my only complaint is that the hood does not cover the sides of my face as well as some other insulated hoods. The jacket has four zippered chest and hand pockets with the usual space for extra gloves, phone, map, etc.

The Ventrix Hoodie doesn’t stuff inside a pocket but packs down to roughly the dimensions of a football. The 40-denier by 30-denier nylon fabric used in the upper torso and top side of the sleeves can handle some abuse and has a durable, water-resistant treatment (DWR) that easily shed lightly falling snow, while a lighter, 20-denier fabric used in the lower torso, hood, and underside of sleeves breathes a little better.

The Verdict

A midweight, breathable, synthetic insulated jacket that will release moisture when you’re active in the cold while delivering enough warmth for sitting around camp in temps in the 30s Fahrenheit, The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie has four-season versatility.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a men’s or women’s The North Face Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie at moosejaw.com.

See my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, my picks for “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like.

Let The Big Outside help you find the best adventures. 
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NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Tell me what you think.

If you enjoyed this story, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom. I’d really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-summit-l3-ventrix-hoodie/feed/ 0 43553 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-cotopaxi-fuego-hooded-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-cotopaxi-fuego-hooded-down-jacket/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2020 16:02:02 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=41417 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket
$295, 13 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
cotopaxi.com

Down jackets come in a wide range of prices based primarily on the fill-power rating (read: warmth per ounce and packability) and amount of down inside, with the cost boosted when those feathers are water-resistant. While $250 does not seem inexpensive at face value, the Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket’s price ranks it among the most affordable high-quality, water-resistant down jackets—and the brand’s commitment to improving living and working conditions for people around the world gives this puffy an appealing back story.

I found the Fuego Hooded Down Jacket delivered plenty of warmth—especially for its moderate weight—for cool evenings and mornings in camp on a climbing trip in Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve in early October, with low temps in the 40s and dry conditions.

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Its high warmth-per-ounce and packability come from the 800-fill-power down feathers on the inside, which are also water-resistant—meaning they will retain some warmth even when wet and will dry faster than standard down, enabling you to use the Fuego in damp weather year-round. However, many people would find it not warm enough for sitting around outside in temps much below around 40° F with more than one or two base layers beneath it—true of many puffy jackets of similar weight—and it’s not breathable, so it could cause you to overheat in moderate-exertion activities in winter. I would say it’s best for three-season camping and backpacking.

The 20-denier ripstop shell fabric is more durable than you’ll find on many puffy jackets, especially lighter models (which often also are less warm), but you should avoid sharp points or edges. The fabric also has a DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) that will repel light precipitation, elasticized cuffs, and drawcord hem.

The jacket has two zippered hand pockets deep enough to keep small items from falling out when a pocket’s open, and two internal pockets, one a stash pocket with no closure and space for warm, winter-style gloves or mittens, and the other a spacious zippered pocket that the jacket stuffs inside, packing down to a bit less than two liters.

Plan your next great backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail, Wonderland Trail, in Yosemite or other parks using my expert e-guides.

 

One demerit: The non-adjustable, elasticized hood does not wrap snugly over your head. Consequently, when you turn your head, the hood doesn’t turn with it—half of your face disappears inside it. Many insulated jackets in this quality and price category have an adjustable hood—and for the range of temps you’d wear a jacket like this in, I recommend getting one with a hood. Still, the hood is nonetheless deep and provides warmth; and even with an imperfect hood, the Fuego represents a good value.

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Bonus points: If you like to buy from brands that do good, Cotopaxi uses RDS (Responsible Down Standard)-certified down and allocates one percent of annual revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which awards grants to nonprofit partners selected for their track records at improving the human condition and alleviating poverty. In addition, Cotopaxi says the Fuego is made at a factory in China where worker well-being is a top priority.

The Fuego also comes in hoodless down jacket ($230) and down vest ($150) versions for men and women.

The Verdict

Despite an ill-fitting hood, the Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket’s high-quality down, warmth, and packability make it a solid value at this price, with a good back story of social responsibility.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links, at no cost to you, to purchase a men’s or women’s Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket, or the non-hooded jacket or vest versions at cotopaxi.com.

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Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom.

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See my review of “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-cotopaxi-fuego-hooded-down-jacket/feed/ 2 41417 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer-2-down-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer-2-down-hoody/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2020 12:17:47 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=39902 Read on

]]> Ultralight Down Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody
$460, 8.8 oz./250g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
rei.com

There’s no getting around a hard truth about most of the products we buy to use outdoors: Their materials come from the petroleum products that are a primary driver of climate change. Increasingly, outdoor brands and consumers are leaning in on manufacturing and buying products with a smaller carbon footprint—products like the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody. Made with recycled shell fabric and responsibly resourced down, this ultralight puffy keeps you warm without contributing as severely as other products to a warmer Earth.

Hardwear has revamped the classic Ghost Whisperer—long one of the best ultralight down jackets on the market—with shell fabric made from 100 percent recycled, 10-denier nylon ripstop, plus responsibly resourced, RDS-certified down insulation. The fabric also has a DWR (durable, water-resistant) finish to shed light precipitation.

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At just under nine ounces, the Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody is one of the lightest, three-season puffy jackets on the market and delivers impressive warmth for its weight, thanks to the 800-fill goose down feathers: It kept me warm over a light base layer in temps in the 40s on a four-day July backpacking trip on Nevada’s Ruby Crest Trail and six days in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness in July; on breezy mornings in the 50s Fahrenheit on an early June backpacking trip in Hells Canyon, when I was unzipping the jacket at times to release heat when wearing it only over a T-shirt; and on mornings near freezing on a seven-day, 96-mile traverse of the Wind River High Route, among other trips.

Pop the hood up and it’ll keep many people warm in temps in the 40s, and maybe the high 30s with a midweight, long-sleeve top. I also experienced its limits sitting around camp in Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve in June, staying marginally warm wearing it over two base layers, with a wool hat on and the hood up, on an evening of strong winds and temps in the low 40s.

The non-adjustable, elasticized hood provides a close-enough fit to stay put on your head in wind, and the adjustable hem and snug cuffs seal out cold air. Apropos of an ultralight down jacket, the fit permits wearing a couple of base layers underneath.

The two zippered hand pockets are the size you’d expect in an ultralight jacket—you could stick a pair of three-season gloves inside either of them—and the jacket stuffs inside one pocket, packing down to about a liter size. Those pockets sit high enough to wear a climbing harness, but I’d use it only for belaying: The thin fabric wouldn’t survive brushes with rough rock.

Mountain Hardwear has also rolled out an even lighter hooded jacket in this series, the 6.7-ounce Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody ($400). Read my review now.

 

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The Verdict

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody sets the bar high for performance in an ultralight down jacket for three-season backpacking and camping, and it’s sustainable materials, as well as construction that guarantees years of use, make buying one a good choice for the planet. Plus, the price hasn’t changed in at least six years.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody at rei.com; a men’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody at backcountry.com; a women’s Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody at backcountry.com; or other versions of the Ghost Whisperer down insulation at backcountry.com or rei.com.

See my review of “The 12 Best Down Jackets,” and all reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of both stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Wilderness Backpacking Trip” and the lightweight backpacking guide without having a paid membership.

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-ghost-whisperer-2-down-hoody/feed/ 2 39902 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-refuge-air-hooded-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-refuge-air-hooded-jacket/#respond Wed, 04 Mar 2020 15:23:18 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=38371 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket
$229, 15 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

On a ski tour in blowing snow in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, I wore this breathable, insulated jacket climbing uphill for the first hour without overheating. Then, while ski touring along a windy ridge with up-and-down terrain, I stayed warm without making a layering change as my exertion level decreased. In fact, I stayed warm in the cold wind and blowing snow even though the shell fabric got quite damp—I was surprised at how damp it was when I got back to my car, precisely because I had not noticed it was wet while wearing it. And that story only begins to describe the versatility of OR’s Refuge Air Hooded Jacket.

Call me Goldilocks: As a fan of breathable insulated jackets for their year-round functionality whether you’re active or sitting in a campsite—and thus, their potential for being a quiver-of-one puffy jacket—I was eager to try out the Refuge Air because of its welterweight size, to assess whether it can strike a delicate balance between not too warm for moderate exertion in winter and adequate warmth for three-season camping in the mountains. Besides ski touring, I wore it under a shell on days of resort skiing in weather that ran the gamut from overcast with cold wind and temps in the teens and 20s, to sunshine and temps in the high 30s and low 40s.

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Similar to two other favorites of mine from OR, the Ascendant Hoody and the Refuge Air’s bigger cousin, OR’s Refuge Hooded Jacket, the Refuge Air Hooded Jacket is designed for wearing while active in cold conditions, because it moves moisture effectively. But it’s warmer and three ounces heavier than the Ascendant, and less warm and three ounces lighter than the Refuge—allowing it to better cross over from ski touring, climbing, or snowshoeing in winter conditions to three-season backpacking because it’s warm enough for sitting around a campsite in temps from the 30s to 50s Fahrenheit.

The versatility originates in OR’s proprietary VerticalX Air synthetic insulation, which combines a good warmth-to-weight ratio with breathability and loft retention over time. In the Refuge Air, it’s paired with ActiveTemp, a thermo-regulating treatment on the interior lining that OR says helps keep the wearer warm at rest and comfortable on the move—a performance quality that I noticed. The jacket’s breathability isn’t such that you can move at a highly aerobic pace without overheating. But while maintaining moderate exertion, even sweating, I remained comfortable; and my base layer always dried out within a reasonable time, thanks to the breathability of this jacket.

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The fit is relaxed athletic—not too bulky or poofy, but with enough room to fit a couple of base layers underneath. Like many OR insulated jackets, it’s quite comfortable and allows for unhindered mobility.

On the exterior, Pertex Quantum Air fabric provides the weather protection of a soft shell, with better breathability than I’ve found in other synthetic-insulation jackets of a similar weight: Biking through the city in winter, I could feel the cold air slightly penetrating the sleeves and front of the jacket—not so much that it made me cold, but signaling that the fabric does breathe.

At just under a pound, the jacket’s warm-to-weight compares with other synthetic jackets and with 700-fill down. If your goal is simply to find the best warmth per ounce for backcountry camping from spring through fall, you should look at down jackets with 800-fill or higher down—but you’ll pay a lot more for that. It stuffs into its own pocket, packing down to slightly larger than a liter bottle, with a small clip and carabiner loop for attaching to a climbing harness.

The non-adjustable hood has some stretch and fits closely enough to stay put in wind and when you turn your head, and to wear a climbing helmet over it. The two zippered hand pockets are large enough to warm up or dry out a pair of winter gloves, while the zippered chest pocket easily fits a large smartphone. The low-profile cuffs slide easily inside a gauntlet of over-the-cuff winter gloves or mitten, or fit snugly over a lighter, under-the-cuff glove, and the sleeves have a thin, internal thumb loop. The elasticized drawcord hem seals out cold air well.

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The Verdict

With good breathability for an insulated jacket, very good heat retention when wet, and enough warmth for camping in temps above freezing, the Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket delivers rare versatility as a legit, four-season insulated jacket that you can wear while active or inactive—making it conceivably the only insulated jacket you need, at a good price.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or outdoorresearch.com.

Was this review helpful? If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Thank you.

 

See my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, my picks for “The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-refuge-air-hooded-jacket/feed/ 0 38371 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-helios-hooded-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-helios-hooded-jacket/#comments Thu, 09 Jan 2020 10:00:18 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=37477 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Jacket
$489, 1 lb. 1 oz./482g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL
featheredfriends.com

As I stood outside yurts on December evenings on separate trips in the backcountry of Idaho’s Boise Mountains and Boulder Mountains, enjoying an inky-black sky riddled with stars as the temperature plunged into the low teens and single digits Fahrenheit, this fat down jacket felt like an impenetrable force field keeping all of my body’s warmth inside and the frigid cold outside. My companions who tried it out agreed: The Helios Hooded Jacket is just crazy warm—especially for its weight and packability. Those qualities define it as one of the best high-quality down jackets for winter that you’ll find today, but also a puffy jacket that’s light and packable enough for cooler, three-season trips.

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I tested this puffy on that yurt trip, in temps ranging from the single digits to the teens, and on raw, wet, very windy evenings and mornings camping in May at Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve, with lows in the 40s and high 30s—and was happy for its abundant warmth every time.

The Helios is stuffed generously with nearly eight ounces of 900+-fill down (in the medium), the highest quality of down produced, which explains the jacket’s stratospheric warmth-to-weight ratio. The sewn-through construction technology—used when the goal is to minimize the jacket’s weight—creates baffles that do not overlap or allow feathers to migrate, which means potential for drafts along seams (which is why that construction method is more common with lighter, three-season down jackets designed for moderate rather than sub-freezing temperatures). However, in this case, sewn-through construction does not hinder this jacket’s superior warmth.

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The adjustable hood, also generously stuffed with feathers, seals nicely around the face to trap heat and block drafts and fits over a climbing helmet. The front zipper is sturdier than found on many lightweight jackets and has a wide draft tube.

Strikingly warm for 17 ounces, it’s also remarkably compact. The first time I stuffed it inside the sack that comes with the jacket, I thought: Will this jacket actually fit inside this sack? It did—with space to spare, in fact. In its sack, it’s slightly bulkier than a loaf of bread, but you could easily fit it into a smaller sack. For just a few ounces more weight and a bit more bulk than some of the best three-season down jackets, the Helios delivers noticeably more warmth for chillier backpacking or climbing trips, or simply for people who need a warmer puffy jacket.

The fit is athletic, close but not confining, with room for a midweight layer underneath. The length extends to a couple of inches below the waist, which helps minimize weight. The two hand pockets, with overlapping stretch flaps, eliminate the weight of zippers and warm cold fingers instantly, and I never noticed any tendency for items, like gloves, to fall out of the pockets for the lack of a zipper. The hem similarly has stretch fabric rather than an adjustable drawcord and closes snugly around your hips.

The water-resistant, 20-denier Pertex Endurance LT shell fabric repelled drizzle and light rain when I spent evenings and mornings outside at our campsite in the City of Rocks, but it is neither waterproof nor breathable; it’s reasonably durable, but avoid sharp points or edges. The zippered inside pocket is only large enough for the jacket’s stuff sack, a standard smartphone, and small valuables like a key and map.

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Demerit: There are no women’s sizes, but Feathered Friends says women buy this jacket, and the sizing does cover a wide range of people. As with many jackets sized primarily for men, the Helios likely would not fit women who are relatively thin for their torso and arm lengths; it may be so overly bulky on those women that its thermal efficiency is compromised. But given that its main use involves sitting or standing around, and the stretch hem seals snugly, a slightly large fit wouldn’t be much of a detriment to performance and would allow you to layer underneath it.

The Verdict

With exceptional warmth per ounce and packability, the Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Jacket is one of the best high-quality down jackets for temps well below freezing, but also light enough for chilly three-season trips.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com or other Helios apparel at featheredfriends.com.

Was this review helpful? If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside? Thank you.

 

See my review of an outstanding lighter down jacket for three-season use, the Feathered Friends Eos, my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets,” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my “10 Tricks for Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of both stories for free, or download the e-guide versions of the 10 tricks here and the lightweight backpacking guide here without having a paid membership.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-helios-hooded-jacket/feed/ 3 37477 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-morph-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-morph-down-jacket/#respond Tue, 03 Sep 2019 13:00:37 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=35168 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
The North Face Morph Jacket
$249, 12.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL
ems.com

While today’s insulated jackets come in a greater variety, with different strengths and weaknesses, it can seem confusing to differentiate between them. One easy metric relevant to any consumer is warmth per dollar—and that’s where The North Face Morph Jacket shines. Stuffed with high-quality down feathers that are not water resistant, it delivers warmth that competes with the best down jackets of the same weight, and performance ideal for many backpackers, climbers, and others, at a price about 100 bucks lower than top competitors.

The Morph Jacket kept me warm over a midweight base layer on cool mornings and evenings in camp—with the low one morning around 40° F—on a three-day, late-August backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail, and I rarely had to zip it up on mornings in the low 50s on a six-day, early May backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon, and in similar temps camping in June at Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve; and my 18-year-old son found it warm enough over a midweight base layer on raw, wet, chilly May evenings in the 40s and high 30s at the City of Rocks.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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High-quality, 800-fill, RDS (Responsible Down Standard) down makes the jacket quite warm for its weight compared to down with lower fill ratings or most synthetic insulated jackets. The jacket also stuffs easily into its left hand pocket—one of three zippered pockets (the third is on the chest)—and packs down to a little larger than two liter bottles, a nice size for a backpacking pillow.

One reason the Morph isn’t more expensive is that it uses standard down feathers—not water-resistant down found in other, usually pricier high-end puffy jackets. For users who generally don’t get their insulated jacket wet—or routinely go out for days in very wet conditions, when moisture can slowly build up in insulation—the Morph offers warmth comparable to much pricier jackets, and only sacrifices water resistance that many users largely don’t need. The Morph’s shell also has a DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) to repel the kind of light precipitation that comprises the worst weather to which many users will expose a down jacket, anyway.

The slim fit allows space for a warm base layer underneath, and the relatively short, just-below-the-waist, adjustable hem, designed for wearing with a climbing harness, is long enough for three-season backcountry nights and mornings, and reduces unneeded length in favor of placing all of its warmth-per-ounce in your body’s core. The collar reaches to the chin, and the fit is slightly loose around the neck; you may want a base layer with a high collar in chillier temps.

The unique internal, elasticized cuffs seal around the wrist while giving the sleeve about three inches of additional length that extends to the knuckles—ideal for climbers reaching overhead and for helping keep hands warm in camp. The 20-denier shell fabric is common in down jackets, especially lighter models, and it’s reasonably durable, as long as you don’t catch it on sharp points or edges.

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The Morph Jacket lacks a hood, and while I almost always prefer (and recommend) a puffy jacket with a hood for cold temps, if you’re carrying a wool hat, anyway, and not likely to encounter temps around or below freezing, the hood becomes superfluous. But for hood fans, there is a men’s Morph Hoodie ($279). There’s also a men’s Morph Vest ($150).

The Verdict

If a basic but warm, high-quality down jacket is what you’re after, The North Face Morph Jacket offers the quality, warmth, and packability of many pricier down jackets.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s The North Face Morph Jacket at Moosejaw.com or ems.com, a women’s The North Face Morph Jacket at Moosejaw.com, a men’s Morph Hoodie at Moosejaw.com, a men’s Morph Vest at Moosejaw.com, or a women’s Morph Vest at Moosejaw.com.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside, and my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets.”

Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my story “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of that story for free, or click here to download that full story without having a paid membership.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

 

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THE NORTH FACE MORPH JACKET

Warmth-to-Weight

Warmth When Wet (Not Designed for This)

Packability

Fit

Value

Summary

If a basic but warm, high-quality down jacket is what you’re after, The North Face Morph Jacket offers the quality, warmth, and packability of many pricier down jackets.

4.2

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-morph-down-jacket/feed/ 0 35168 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rei-650-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rei-650-down-jacket/#respond Tue, 21 May 2019 09:00:20 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=33962 Read on

]]> Down Jacket
REI 650 Down Jacket
$129, 11 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XL, women’s XS-XL
rei.com

When you’re shopping for backpacking and hiking gear on a budget—or just targeting your budget strategically to put more into, say, a better pack, tent, or rain shell—an insulated jacket is one of those items where you can save a significant amount and still take home something that’s going to serve your needs for years. And REI’s 650 Down Jacket fits right into that kind of spending plan. I wore this down jacket on cool mornings in the low 50s on a six-day, 74-mile backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon, and came away convinced it’s clearly one of the best values available in a lightweight, three-season puffy jacket today.

There’s nothing glamorous or unique about the 650 Down Jacket; it simply has all you need to stay warm when camping in the backcountry or in front country campgrounds—or hiking around town—in the range of temperatures normally encountered in summer in the mountains and spring and fall in southern climes. The 650-fill-power, RDS (Responsible Down Standard) down makes the jacket reasonably warm for its weight, and warm enough for most people in temps in the 40s Fahrenheit over a base layer.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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It lacks a hood, but a wool hat is usually a fine replacement in the temp range this jacket is made for, and the full-length front zipper closes up the collar closely enough to keep wind out. The elasticized hem doesn’t adjust, but extends below the waist and also fits closely enough that you don’t feel the cold air or wind creeping up inside.

The fit is roomy enough to add layers underneath without feeling overly bulky, and the sleeves are long enough to not expose your wrists when reaching overhead; it also comes in six sizes for men and five for women, as well as big and plus sizes for men and women and kids sizes.

The nylon shell fabric blocks wind well and is treated with a DWR (durable, water-resistant finish) to repel light precipitation. The two zippered hand pockets are adequately room and warm, and the jacket stuffs into the left pocket, packing down to a bit larger than a liter bottle—a perfect size for a backpacking pillow, so it saves you a few more bucks there, too.

 

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The Verdict

While it doesn’t have high-quality down, a hood, or other features (like water-resistant down) of a more-expensive down or synthetic jacket, the REI 650 Down Jacket represents one of the best values you’ll find in a three-season insulated jacket that’s light and packable enough for backcountry use.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a men’s REI 650 Down Jacket at rei.com, or a women’s REI 650 Down Jacket at rei.com. Or click here to see all of the 650 Down Jacket versions available.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside, and my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets.”

Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my story “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of that story for free, or click here to download that full story without having a paid membership.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

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REI 650 DOWN JACKET

Warmth-to-Weight

Warmth When Wet (Not Designed For This)

Packability

Fit

Value

Summary

While it doesn’t have high-quality or water-resistant down, a hood, or other features of expensive puffy jackets, the REI 650 Down Jacket represents one of the best values you’ll find in a three-season insulated jacket that’s light and packable enough for backcountry use.

3.8

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rei-650-down-jacket/feed/ 0 33962 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-refuge-hooded-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-refuge-hooded-jacket/#comments Tue, 09 Apr 2019 09:00:40 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=33163 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket
$220, 1 lb. 2 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

Puffy jackets stuffed with breathable synthetic insulation comprise one of the unsung-hero categories of outdoor gear: If you’re seeking nothing more than maximum warmth per ounce in a puffy jacket, sure, high-quality down is still the way to go. But if you want an insulated jacket with versatility across activities—and activity levels—and in all seasons and weather, a jacket with breathable synthetic insulation will usually outperform any feather-filled or synthetic competitor. And the Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket stands out in this niche category for all of those reasons, plus warmth that rivals pricier down jackets. Here’s why.

I tested the Refuge Hooded Jacket on winter days of backcountry skiing in Idaho’s Boise Mountains and skiing resorts, wearing it as both a middle and an outer layer in a range of temps from the 30s to single digits Fahrenheit, and a variety of weather. I also found it ideal for bike commuting around town in variable winter and spring weather, thanks to its warmth, breathability, and wind and weather resistance. But while it’s an outstanding insulation piece for winter and shoulder seasons, don’t read that as suggesting it’s strictly for winter: Its most notable strength is the ability to cross over seasons, from snow sports to backpacking, climbing, and other mountain activities in summer.

The break-through technology inside the Refuge is OR’s new, proprietary VerticalX synthetic insulation, which has superior stretch, breathability, and warmth for its weight. (And OR says that starting in fall 2019, it will consist of 85 percent recycled material.) According to OR, VerticalX is constructed using pieces of overlapping materials, improving warmth and durability and allowing the insulation to stretch more. OR equates the warmth of the 60g VerticalX to 700-fill-power down. It’s also manufactured without the need for an internal backer material—found in many synthetic insulations—thus eliminating one common impediment to moisture moving through the jacket. When my base layer got damp with sweat from skinning uphill on skis, it would dry out while I skied downhill, a testament to this jacket’s breathability.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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While high-quality down jackets (think: 800-fill power or higher) are generally warmer per ounce than synthetic insulation pieces, the Refuge packs more warmth per ounce than possibly any synthetic puffy I’ve used, and rivals many down puffy jackets of comparable weight.

The fit is trim, not at all poofy in the chest or waist—an excellent balance between having space for a couple of base layers and/or a light vest without excess bulk or inhibiting movement at all—and it zips up snugly at the neck with soft fabric over the chin. The fully adjustable hood does exactly what a hood should do: close up smoothly around my face to trap heat, delivering an immediate boost in warmth, and move with my turning head.

The Refuge is loaded with features, including three zippered external pockets (one chest, two hand pockets); two internal stuff-it pockets for drying or warming up spare gloves or stashing climbing skins; one internal zippered pocket with a cord port for an electronic device; a brushed tricot lining; and an elasticized, adjustable hem and cuffs that stretch enough to slide over or tuck inside gloves. Plus, the jacket stuffs into the left hand pocket (with some effort), compressing to slightly larger than a liter bottle—very impressive packability for a synthetic jacket that weighs more than a pound and delivers this much warmth.

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• 

• 

The 20- and 30-denier nylon ripstop shell fabric sheds light precipitation and is similar in durability to what you’d find on many puffy jackets—fairly durable, but watch out for sharp edges.

Granted, at over a pound, it’s heavier than most puffy jackets made strictly for three-season adventures—that’s the tradeoff for versatility. But its weight is not excessive if you want an insulated jacket that’s warm enough for nights and mornings near or below freezing—not uncommon, say, in late summer in the mountains or early spring in canyon country—or if you get cold easily and camp in temps around 40° F.

The Verdict

While heavier than most three-season puffy jackets, the Outdoor Research Hooded Refuge Jacket delivers exceptional warmth for its weight, four-season versatility, good breathability, and performance that doesn’t stop when it gets wet—all at a price much lower than many synthetic and down competitors. If you want a warm insulated jacket for any time of year—and warm enough for chilly late summer in the mountains—the Refuge could be the only puffy you need to own.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket at backcountry.com, Moosejaw.com, outdoorresearch.com, or rei.com.

Was this review helpful? If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Thank you.

 

See my review of “The 10 Best Down Jackets” and my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like. See also my reviews of the best gloves for winter, some of which are good for spring through fall, too.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my story “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of that story for free, or click here to download that full story without having a paid membership.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-refuge-hooded-jacket/feed/ 6 33163 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-eos-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-eos-down-jacket/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2018 11:42:53 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=29174 Read on

]]> Note: See my review of updated-for-2022 Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket.

Down Jacket
Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket
$409, 11 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
featheredfriends.com

From lunch stops at mountain passes buffeted by cold, autumn’s-around-the-corner winds in Glacier National Park in September, to mornings and evenings in temps in the thirties and forties on that six-day Glacier backpacking trip, another September backpacking trip in Yellowstone, and a four-day August trip in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, the Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket persuaded me that it’s hands-down one of the very best puffy jackets on the market—and an incredible value at its price. I don’t offer such praise casually or very often. But there are few pieces of outdoor apparel or gear on which your money would be more wisely spent. Read on to learn why.

Made in the U.S. and stuffed with 3.7 ounces of ethically sourced, 900+-fill goose down, the Eos proved ideal in a range of temperatures down to the high 30s with sometimes strong, cold winds, in which the jacket kept me completely warm over just a long-sleeve top. That’s impressive warmth for a puffy jacket that weighs 11 ounces—its warmth-to-weight ratio is as good as any I’ve seen, and possibly only matched by the Arc’teryx Cerium LT, which costs $40 more (and is a hybrid down-synthetic puffy).

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While the down isn’t treated for water resistance (which is more common in sleeping bags), it is packed inside a water-resistant, Pertex Quantum shell with a DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) that sheds light precipitation; short of you standing outside in a steady rain without a rain shell over it, the Eos will keep its down dry. As with any lightweight and ultralight jacket, the 12-denier by 20-denier shell fabric is tough for its very low weight, but susceptible to tears, so be careful with it. The construction is top-notch, though, with sewn-through baffles that prevent down from migrating. While sewn-through baffles help reduce garment weight and are common in lightweight down jackets, they can create cold spots along seams where there’s essentially no insulation. But that was not a problem in the toasty Eos, even in temps in the upper 30s Fahrenheit.

The elasticized hood isn’t adjustable—that would add weight—but has a supremely well-tailored fit that keeps cold air out and even stays put on your head when the jacket’s front zipper is opened halfway, which is remarkable.

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The jacket sports two adequately spacious, zippered hand pockets, elasticized cuffs, and a drawcord hem. It packs down to fit in the included, three-liter, 8×5.5-inch stuff sack, a nice size for a camping pillow—compact and light enough that I kept it near the top of my backpack to pull out during snack breaks in chilly wind at high passes in Glacier.

At a price that’s even beats some high-end down jackets that are not nearly as warm (i.e., they’re lighter and made for milder conditions), the men’s and women’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket delivers exceptional quality in an insulated jacket that’s warm enough for camping in temps near or below freezing, and that you could wear around town in winter. When it comes to weighing dollar-for-dollar value, you will rarely spend your money so wisely as on this puffy jacket.

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BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a men’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com, or a women’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com.

See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside, and my review “The 10 Best Down Jackets.” (The Feathered Friends Eos is one of them.)

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Join now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-feathered-friends-eos-down-jacket/feed/ 1 29174 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-sierra-designs-whitney-dridown-hoodie-and-sierra-dridown-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-sierra-designs-whitney-dridown-hoodie-and-sierra-dridown-jacket/#comments Wed, 05 Sep 2018 09:00:04 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=29051 Read on

]]> Down Jackets
Sierra Designs Whitney DriDown Hoodie
$169, 14 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
Moosejaw.com

Sierra Designs Sierra DriDown Jacket
$159, 12 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
Moosejaw.com

The best, three-season down and synthetic insulated jackets stand out for high-quality construction and materials—which translates to abundant warmth per ounce, low weight, and excellent packability. They also range from over $200 to nearly $400, and while worth every dollar, those prices put them out of reach for some consumers. What do you do? More-affordable puffy jackets generally have lower-quality insulation. That’s why the Sierra Designs Whitney Hoodie and Sierra Jacket, stuffed with 800-fill, water-resistant DriDown, look so enticing. My field testing found some flaws but still demonstrated why they’re a good value. Read on.

I wore the Whitney Hoodie—which is simply the hooded version of the Sierra DriDown Jacket, both of which come in men’s and women’s sizes—on numerous spring evenings and mornings camping in Idaho’s City of Rocks National Reserve. I saw very windy conditions that created a wind chill in the low 40s Fahrenheit, and wore the hoodie in rain showers one morning. A friend wore it on cool evenings camping on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim and Esplanade on a four-day May backpacking trip on the the Thunder River-Deer Creek Loop, and in camps on a six-day bikepacking trip in May in Arizona, with a couple of mornings around freezing.

Most unique for moderately priced puffy jackets, SD’s Whitney Hoodie and Sierra Jacket are stuffed with 800-fill DriDown insulation. Its water-resistant down feathers repel moisture well enough to essentially postpone the usual loss of loft and warmth that occurs when standard down gets wet—even the various forms of water-resistant down will get soaked eventually if rained on enough. The Whitney’s shell got quite wet during about two hours of light but steady showers in camp at the City of Rocks, but I stayed dry inside it and noticed no compromise in the jacket’s warmth or loft.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Subscribe now to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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Both jackets have features you’d find in pricier models: two zippered hand pockets, a zippered chest pocket, and an internal kangaroo pocket, and they stuff into the left zippered hand pocket, creating the ancillary benefit of a large, soft backpacking pillow. If squished inside  a pack, it compresses to about the size of a cantaloupe. A note about the weight: My men’s medium Whitney Hoodie weighs 14 ounces on my scale, significantly less than the given weight of nearly 18.7 ounces at SD’s website. SD also lists the Sierra Jacket as 1.7 ounces lighter than the Whitney, which is why I give its weight above as 12.3 ounces.

One of the nicest design features is the sleeve cuffs, which have an elasticized inner cuff within the external, puffy sleeve, sort of like an internal gaiter on snow pants: The inner cuff seals snugly around the wrist, completely blocking out cold air. The hoodie’s and jacket’s construction is high quality, with baffles that prevent the down from migrating, an adjustable hem to seal out drafts, and a reasonably durable 40-denier polyester nylon shell.

The Whitney and Sierra differ only in that the former has an elasticized, helmet-compatible hood—which is the focus of my one complaint about the Whitney: Why isn’t the hood adjustable? Sure, that would increase the price, but it’s a nicely insulated, high-volume hood designed to accommodate a helmet; without a helmet on, the hood doesn’t fit closely around your head, and it certainly doesn’t turn with your head. A strong gust blows the hood off. The collar also does not fit closely around the neck, even with the jacket fully zipped, allowing cold air to creep in. SD explained to me via email: “Elastic hems and high, zippable collar seal in the warmth, it keeps the design simpler, and the fitted hood helps to accommodate helmets.” But the hood isn’t sufficiently elasticized to create a close fit on the head and bring the collar in tighter.

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If you’re a climber and need an affordable, water-resistant, packable down jacket primarily for wearing a helmet while climbing, or if you’re wearing the hood over a warm hat and thus filling up the hood volume so that it fits better, the Whitney’s a good value. For backpackers and others, get the Sierra DriDown Jacket and just pack a warm hat.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a Sierra Designs men’s Whitney DriDown Hoodie at Moosejaw.com, or a Sierra Designs women’s Whitney DriDown Hoodie at Moosejaw.com, or the men’s or women’s at sierradesigns.com; or SD’s hoodless version of the Whitney, the men’s Sierra Dridown Jacket at Moosejaw.com, or the women’s Sierra Dridown Jacket at Moosejaw.com, or the men’s or women’s at sierradesigns.com.

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and my blog post, “Ask Me: How Can You Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is?,” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Subscribe now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-sierra-designs-whitney-dridown-hoodie-and-sierra-dridown-jacket/feed/ 3 29051 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-ascendant-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-ascendant-hoody/#comments Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:00:11 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=26723 Read on

]]> Breathable Insulated Jacket
Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody
$249, 12 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

The range of activities, conditions, and seasons in which you wear a jacket arguably says more than anything else about its value, so I’ll tell you what I’ve done (so far) in my Ascendant Hoody: On a 39-mile, mid-September backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, I wore it in camp on cool, windy mornings and evenings. I’ve worn it as a middle layer on days of skiing downhill at resorts, and as an outer or middle layer skiing up and downhill in the backcountry. And I’ve regularly pulled it on to ride my bike on errands around town this winter. Its versatility derives from having just the right amount of breathable insulation to make it the insulated jacket you grab more than any other all year.

The Ascendant Hoody joins the new generation of jackets with breathable insulation—making them something you can wear on the move, not just insulation when inactive. The critical ingredient is Polartec’s latest iteration of its breathable Alpha synthetic insulation: Alpha Direct. Sewn into the jacket as a solid, thin lining, it gives the Ascendant a more-slender profile than a puffy down jacket. But don’t let the looks deceive: I found it warm enough over just a T-shirt and midweight, long-sleeve top sitting in camp in the Winds in temps in the low 40s Fahrenheit, with steady wind. Being a synthetic, Alpha retains its ability to trap heat even when wet; but unlike non-breathable synthetic insulation, once wet, its breathability means your body heat moves through it faster than through traditional insulation, speeding up the process of drying it.

In terms of warmth and breathability, the Ascendant falls in between two other OR jackets with breathable insulation: the warmer Uberlayer Hooded Jacket, which is very much a winter piece, and a lighter favorite of mine, the Deviator Hoody. While backcountry skiing, I get warm enough when skinning uphill that I may wear only a long-sleeve top in temps no colder than the mid- to upper 20s. But the Ascendant gives me just the right warmth I need climbing uphill when the combination of ambient temperature and wind chill dips to the low 20s or colder. The Ascendant’s particular balance of warmth and breathability makes it more versatile across all seasons as part of a dynamic layering system.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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I’ll illustrate an important distinction about the Ascendant Hoody with a real-world situation that almost any backpacker or climber could encounter: The day after we finished our September backpacking trip in the Winds, over a foot of new snow fell there. Had that storm hit while we were there, we would have needed adequate boots (and gaiters), shells, tents, bags, and layers—all of which we had. But my Ascendant Hoody would have been much more useful than a standard, non-breathable down or insulated jacket because I could have worn it while hiking through that snowstorm; a down jacket would likely have trapped body heat and sweat inside, potentially even dampening the down to the point of rendering it ineffective. Versatility matters in the kind of circumstances many of us encounter.

The insulation’s breathability demands pairing it with a breathable shell fabric, and OR got it right with the stretchy Pertex Microlight nylon ripstop stretch-woven shell. Moderately windproof, it’s more importantly very air-permeable, so it helps the Alpha insulation offload heat when you’re working hard but temps still demand an insulating layer. You can feel some wind coming through the shell—an indicator of its breathability, which is what you’re after when climbing uphill in cold temps.

The shell doesn’t repel falling snow as well as a shell jacket (like another OR favorite of mine, the Skyward Jacket); but that’s why you carry a shell. At 20-denier, the fabric is lightweight—be careful not to catch it on sharp edges. But that said, a slight tear wouldn’t present the same problem as you’d have with a down jacket that could start leaking feathers; Alpha insulation consists of solid panels, more like fleece than feathers. Besides, slight tears are why duct tape exists.

The athletic cut fits closely, but with some stretch to the fabric, it doesn’t inhibit movement at all. The hood, adjustable in the back and elasticized, fits snugly around the head and under a helmet. Thumb loops inside the cuffs keep the sleeves from riding up, and the cuffs fit well either over a lightweight glove (or the removable inner glove of any 3-in-1 glove system) and under a warmer, over-the-cuff-style glove.

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The two hand pockets are warm and roomy enough to stuff gloves or a hat inside; but I wish they had zippers, so that I could keep a second pair of gloves in them (or dry out a wet pair) without fear of losing them. There’s a drawcord hem to seal in warmth. The jacket stuffs into a hand pocket, packing down to about the size of a cantaloupe—making it as packable as high-quality down jackets that offer comparable warmth.

The Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody’s breathability and degree of warmth make it a legitimate four-season shell for summer backpacking, shoulder-season dayhiking and climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, bike commuting, or throwing on after you finish a trail run. And it costs less than many insulated jackets that are less versatile.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody at backcountry.com, moosejaw.com, or outdoorresearch.com.

Was this review helpful? If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Thank you.

 

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and see all of my reviews of breathable insulated jackets, insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Join now and a get free e-guide!

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-ascendant-hoody/feed/ 2 26723 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-thermoball-active-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-thermoball-active-jacket/#respond Thu, 18 Jan 2018 10:00:10 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=26515 Read on

]]>

Hybrid Insulated Jacket
The North Face ThermoBall Active Jacket
$150, 14.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
ems.com

The December sun was about to drop over the horizon, and the air temperature was dropping even faster—but I was enjoying the skate-skiing around Bear Basin, in the quiet ponderosa pine forest outside McCall, Idaho, too much to head for the car just yet. It didn’t matter. I knew I could wring out the last minutes of daylight and stay warm, despite my base layer being quite sweaty, thanks to the hybrid design and unique insulation in the ThermoBall Active Jacket.

Yet another iteration in the family of outerwear using the ThermoBall synthetic insulation that TNF developed with PrimaLoft, the ThermoBall Active Jacket is built for moderate to highly aerobic activity in temps ranging from just above to well below freezing, because it traps heat in your body’s core while dumping excess heat and moisture through the sleeves, shoulders, and sides. I wore it on winter days for highly aerobic skate-skiing and while backcountry skiing, in temperatures ranging from the low 20s Fahrenheit to around freezing.

This hybrid jacket weds three different types of fabric and insulation. Its torso (front and back) is filled with PrimaLoft ThermoBall synthetic insulation, which consists of small, round fiber clusters that—unlike typical continuous-filament synthetic insulation—trap heat in air pockets to mimic the warmth and compressibility of 600-fill power down feathers; but like synthetics, it also retains warmth when wet. The sleeves, top and back of the shoulders, and side panels consist of a water-repellent, ripstop nylon shell with a DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment) to shed light precipitation. And a layer of stretchy, midweight grid fleece extends across the shoulders, to the elbows inside the sleeves, and under the arms, to offer minimal warmth with high breathability (which requires having a base layer that’s right for the temps).

For me, as someone who heats up quite a bit in my core when moving, just below freezing probably marks the upper end of this jacket’s comfortable temperature range for high-exertion activities. For moderate exertion, it would be fine in a wider range of temps, also depending on sun and wind. I found the insulation itself only mildly breathable: I sweated hard while skate-skiing, but afterward, while my base layer was wet, the jacket’s wicking, FlashDry liner was damp.

 

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter, or enter your email address in the box in the left sidebar or at the bottom of this story. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. And follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

 

If the jacket has a fault, I found that the ThermoBall insulation provides significantly more warmth than the light sleeves—a larger imbalance between core and arms than I’ve found in other hybrid-insulation jackets. Part of the reason is that the ThermoBall insulation extends throughout the core, whereas some similar hybrid jackets place insulation only in the front, or place less insulation in the front and back. Of course, people who get cold easily might consider that a strength rather than a fault of the ThermoBall Active Jacket. Plus, those hybrid jackets that lack insulation in the back require you to produce heat constantly—standing around for more than a couple minutes cools you off rapidly—and become less effective when wet.

The trim fit accommodates only one or two lightweight to midweight base layers underneath. Still, the moderately bulky nature of the insulation and the jacket’s weight—there are much lighter hybrid-insulation jackets—make it less appealing for running than for snow sports or cold-weather hiking. The two zippered hand pockets warmed my hands nicely and the left one has a port for an earbuds cord. Another benefit of ThermoBall insulation: I launder this jacket regularly with no negative effects.

For moderate- to high-exertion activities in temps near and below freezing, especially for people who find they need more insulation in their core, and for high-speed sports like Nordic skiing, The North Face ThermoBall Active Jacket delivers huge core warmth that doesn’t disappear if it gets wet.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a men’s The North Face ThermoBall Active Jacket at ems.com or moosejaw.com, or a women’s The North Face ThermoBall Active Jacket at ems.com, or moosejaw.com.

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and all of my reviews of hybrid insulated jackets, insulated jackets, and outdoor apparel that I like.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-thermoball-active-jacket/feed/ 0 26515 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-cerium-lt-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-cerium-lt-hoody/#comments Wed, 27 Sep 2017 09:00:03 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=24972 Read on

]]> Hybrid Insulated Jacket
Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody
$400, 11 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL
arcteryx.com

In the evening shade of a windblown campsite at around 10,500 feet in Titcomb Basin, an alpine valley in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, I pulled this jacket on and instantly felt warmth infuse my torso and arms. Throughout that mid-September backpacking trip in the Winds, wearing this puffy jacket over just a couple light base layers kept me warm in evening and morning temperatures in the 40s Fahrenheit, while fitting like a glove. Similarly, on a five-day hike in The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park in the first week of March, the Cerium LT Hoody over two warm base layers kept me comfortable on mornings in the mid-20s. I had to keep reminding myself it weighs just a few ounces over a half-pound.

The Cerium’s sky-high warmth-to-weight ratio—it’s one of the two or three warmest down jackets at this weight that I’ve worn—is explained by the 850-fill down stuffing in the hood, sleeves, and torso. High-quality down creates more space between feathers, increasing the heat-trapping efficiency, which translates to more warmth per ounce of jacket.

But since water is the enemy of down, flattening feathers and eliminating their ability to trap heat, Arc’teryx placed its Coreloft synthetic insulation—a lightweight, breathable, and thermally efficient siliconized polyester yarn that’s highly compressible and demonstrates excellent loft retention—in areas prone to getting wet: the shoulders, cuffs, chin guard at the top of the zipper (which gets wet with condensation from your breath), and the armpits.

The combination of insulation types delivers the benefits of down (warm, light, and compact) and synthetics (retaining heat when damp). Spitting rain showers didn’t seem to affect the jacket at all, thanks in part to a durable, water-repellent (DWR) treatment on the shell fabric. One warning: The lightweight shell fabric, while durable for its weight, is more susceptible to tears than heavier fabrics. Similarly, the light front zipper, while keeping jacket weight down, raises durability concerns; but a little care in using it can avoid problems. I’ve seen no damage to this jacket in several trips over the past few years.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

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It feels like the jacket was tailored for me, with a trim fit throughout that provides enough space for a couple of base layers. Outstanding shoulder articulation paired with enough sleeve length prevents the cuffs from sliding up your forearms when reaching. Given the jacket’s slim profile, you can easily layer a shell over it without feeling like the Michelin man.

The close-fitting, under-the-helmet hood also elevates this jacket above many insulation pieces. Popping it up mimicked the sensation of wearing the top half of a sleeping bag—if the bag had a hood that seemed designed around a sculpture of my head. Adjustable using just one drawcord in the back, with an elasticized hem, it wraps snugly around your face to trap body heat very efficiently—ensuring the hood stays put even in strong winds and helping to explain the jacket’s exceptional warmth for its weight. When zipped up, the soft chin guard comes up to lip height, nice in chilly temps.

The two zippered hand pockets warmed my chilled digits quickly and have space for three-season gloves and small items like a map and headlamp. while elasticized cuffs and an adjustable hem seal in your body heat. The jacket stuffs easily into a stuff sack attached to the zippered inside pocket—no losing this sack—and packs down to barely larger than a liter bottle.

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You don’t necessarily see the value in an expensive puffy jacket with just a cursory look at it. The proof comes in wearing it in backcountry situations. Whether sitting around a wilderness campsite on a chilly evening or morning, pulling it on for added warmth while climbing, or using it as a middle or outer layer in your favorite snow sport, the Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody is a versatile, standout puffy jacket for users willing to pay for performance.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody at arcteryx.com or any item in the Cerium series at arcteryx.com.

Was this review helpful? If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Thank you.

 

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Join now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-arcteryx-cerium-lt-hoody/feed/ 4 24972 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-stretchdown-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-stretchdown-jacket/#respond Thu, 09 Mar 2017 10:00:39 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=22585 Read on

]]>

Down Jacket
Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Jacket
$260, 1 lb. 2 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

From backcountry skiing in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains in a below-zero wind chill, to resort skiing on a sunny but frosty day with temperatures in the teens Fahrenheit, this puffy jacket stood out for three reasons. First and foremost, it kept me warm whether as my only insulating layer over one base layer and under a shell (while resort skiing) or when I simply pulled it on over other layers in the backcountry. Second, it felt noticeably more comfortable than some bulky, stiff puffy jackets, because both the fabric and the down-filled chambers actually stretch. And third, after I got its lining wet with sweat or its shell damp from falling snow, it still kept me warm.

It did all of that because it’s stuffed generously with Hardwear’s 750-fill Q.Shield waterproof down feathers, which repel moisture and retain loft (read: continue trapping heat) even when wet. Plus, the unique, stretch-welded channel construction moves with you and traps heat more efficiently than jackets with standard stitching. Beyond that new technology, it employs some standard design features like a close-fitting, standup collar, elasticized cuffs, and adjustable hem to block cold air from creeping inside. Plus, the length extends halfway down the butt—better coverage than some lighter puffy jackets.

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter, or enter your email address in the box in the left sidebar or at the bottom of this story. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

The two zippered hand pockets quickly warmed my cold fingers and held things like extra gloves securely. The zippered chest pocket is roomy, fitting more than just a map or hat; and two deep, inside stuff-it pockets are spacious enough to swallow big gloves or climbing skins when backcountry skiing.

It’s not breathable like some modern insulation, and admittedly, having a down jacket that stretches with you may seem a bit like a solution to a problem you don’t have. But sometimes tech breakthroughs anticipate what consumers want. (Think: iPhone, or in the outdoor industry, the advent of ultralight gear.) When you’re cold and you need to move, whether it’s skiing down a mountain, a chilly descent off a climbing route, or simply getting campsite chores done, you may appreciate a down jacket that’s more comfortable because it moves with you. Besides, it delivers enough warmth for a winter layering system, while weighing just over a pound and packing into a three-liter stuff sack, so it pulls double duty as a campsite puffy for summer-fall backcountry nights in the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit—all at a price competitive with other puffy jackets with a comparable warmth-to-weight ratio but no stretch. Some backcountry travelers may prefer the hooded version, which is $290. (I tested the hoodless version; in the above photos, I’m wearing the StretchDown Jacket over a soft-shell jacket with a hood.)

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase a a men’s or women’s Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Jacket or Hooded Jacket at backcountry.com or rei.com.

See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Subscribe now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-mountain-hardwear-stretchdown-jacket/feed/ 0 22585 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-air-light-hybrid-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-air-light-hybrid-jacket/#respond Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:00:25 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=22399 Read on

]]> Hybrid, Breathable Insulated Jacket
Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket
$249, 10 oz./284g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XXS-XL
backcountry.com

Throughout four straight days of backcountry skiing in the mountains above Lake Tahoe in early February, winds gusting at 40 to 50 mph buffeted us—the pockets of protected terrain seemed rare—and snow fell for three of those days, heavily at times. A few days later, I was Nordic skate skiing and snowshoeing in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, on days ranging from overcast and windy to breezy with warm sunshine. On all of those days, temperatures were cold enough—from the low 20s to the mid-30s Fahrenheit—to quickly chill me if I either under-dressed for the wind or sweated from overdressing. And for hours at a time on those days of widely ranging conditions and exertion levels, I wore Patagonia’s new Nano-Air Jacket.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

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Whether skinning or snowshoeing uphill carrying a pack in wind, or creating my own wind on skate skis, every time I needed a touch of warmth and maximum breathability, I turned to this hybrid insulation piece. That’s because it traps sufficient heat in my torso while releasing excess heat off my back and arms. It achieves this through a hybrid design that puts 40g FullRange synthetic insulation, which stretches and breathes, in the front of the jacket, upper shoulders, and top sides of the sleeves, and a much more breathable, wicking, stretch waffle knit on the back of the sleeves, in the sides, and covering the entire back.

It also sports a very lightweight, 20-denier, nylon ripstop shell and lining. The result is a jacket with exceptional mechanical stretch and air permeability (40 CFM on front and 130 CFM on back). This jacket offloads body heat about as fast as you produce it.

Everything about the Nano-Air Jacket is low bulk and low profile, for functioning as an outer layer without getting in your way, or layering under a shell. When I wore it as an outer layer while skinning uphill for several hundred feet, the shell fabric, treated with a DWR (durable, water-repellent finish), repelled heavily falling snow well enough that it never got more than superficially damp.

The two zippered front pockets, positioned mid-chest, above a pack or harness belt, each has the space for a pair of winter gloves. The stretchy, close-fitting cuffs have thumbholes and slip easily inside virtually any type of glove, helping keep my hands warm. The hem isn’t adjustable, but stretches and fits snugly to keep cold drafts out.

The jacket lacks a hood, for fitting more unobtrusively under a hooded shell, and the collar fits closely around the neck to block drafts.

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As manufacturers increasingly specialize their outdoor apparel, designing jackets that are better at mimicking how our bodies behave—moving with us and releasing and trapping heat variably in different areas—the lightest and most breathable garments are precisely the ones with the greatest versatility. Those are the ones you’ll wear the most when active because you’re less likely to overheat and need to peel them off, and they feel comfortable and layer effectively underneath shells.

Patagonia’s Nano-Air Jacket stands out as one of the lightest and most breathable in this expanding category. I’ll wear it for everything from backcountry and Nordic skiing in winter to hiking and climbing from spring through fall.

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or a women’s Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket or Nano-Air Hoody at backcountry.com or rei.com.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this review, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

See all of my reviews of breathable insulated jackets, all insulated jackets, and all outdoor apparel that I like.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Subscribe now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-air-light-hybrid-jacket/feed/ 0 22399 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-desolation-thermoball-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-desolation-thermoball-jacket/#respond Wed, 25 Jan 2017 10:00:13 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=22082 Read on

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Hybrid Insulated Jacket
The North Face Desolation ThermoBall Jacket
$199, 14 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
Men’s: moosejaw.com
Women’s: backcountry.com

Backcountry skiing in Idaho’s Boise Mountains in heavily falling snow, I pulled my Desolation ThermoBall Jacket on over my waterproof-breathable shell for extra warmth while digging a snow pit to assess avalanche conditions. Finishing that, with the Desolation ThermoBall’s shell damp from snow, I stuffed it inside my pack while we made a couple of downhill runs and climbs. Later, I pulled it on over my shell again for the ski down to our car, as snow continued dumping and temps were dropping fast. Although damp, the jacket kept me warm. It did the same on other ski tours in temps in the teens Fahrenheit, repelling light, falling snow and giving me the warmth I needed by simply wearing it over my shell—no getting blasted by cold wind to add a layer. That illustrates the versatility of The North Face Desolation ThermoBall Jacket, an insulation piece that won’t just sit in your pack.

This breathable, hybrid insulated jacket is made for being active in the cold, with PrimaLoft Silver synthetic insulation throughout the core and on the top surface of the sleeves, and a light, stretch fleece under the arms and in the side panels for breathability. The small, round ThermoBall synthetic fiber clusters mimic the loft of down feathers, trapping body heat in tiny air pockets to deliver good warmth for its low weight; TNF says it compares with 600-fill down.

But as I’ve found on days of backcountry skiing in heavy snowfall, the insulation retains its ability to keep you warm even when wet. And it breathes well enough to help dry damp base layers (depending on your exertion level), and release the heat and moisture I produced while telemark skiing off-trail bumps at a resort. Plus, a DWR (durable, water-repellent) treatment on the shell helps shed the variety of precipitation seen in freezing temps—keeping the insulation dry for a while, although heavy, wet precipitation eventually soaks through the shell. Still, the combination of the shell’s moisture repellency and the insulation’s performance when wet means that in normal use—short of, say, falling into open water—you’re not likely to soak this jacket so thoroughly that it’s rendered useless.

The fit is loose enough to allow pulling it on over a shell and a couple of base layers, but it’s a bit bulky in front. Lacking a hood, it layers more smoothly under a hooded shell. Stretch fabric in the shoulders and sides permits completely free range of motion—this jacket doesn’t ride up when you reach overhead. While the insulated collar stands tall, it fits loosely around the neck, letting drafts in, so I usually had to wear a base layer that covered my neck; I wish the collar either fit more closely or had a drawcord for adjusting the fit, like the hem does. Thumbholes in the cuffs make it a breeze to pull the sleeves inside gloves, which really helps keep hands warm on a frigid day.

Two zippered hand pockets and one on the chest stow gloves, hat, maps, electronics and such, and two inside stuff-it pockets are large enough for climbing skins. Tough nylon shell fabric in the shoulders and at the hem provides extra durability for regularly carrying a pack. The jacket stuffs easily into one of the hand pockets, packing down to slightly smaller than a football (a nice size for a backcountry pillow).

The North Face Desolation ThermoBall Jacket is a piece of insulation that may actually spend more time on your body than in your pack when you’re on the move in winter, and can double as lightweight, campsite insulation in summer.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a men’s The North Face Desolation ThermoBall Jacket at moosejaw.com or a women’s Desolation ThermoBall Jacket at backcountry.com.

See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like and these stories at The Big Outside:

“10 Smarter Ways to Think About Your Layering System”
“Review: 6 Super Versatile Layering Pieces”
“Review: The Best Base Layers and Shorts For Hiking, Trail Running, and Training”
“12 Pro Tips For Staying Warm Outdoors in Winter”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

The Big Outside is proud to partner with these sponsors. Please help support my blog by liking and following my sponsors on Facebook and other social media and telling them you appreciate their support for The Big Outside.

 

 

 

Do you like The Big Outside? I’m Michael Lanza, the creator of The Big Outside, recognized as a top outdoors blog by a USA Today Readers Choice poll and others. Get email updates about new stories and free gear giveaways by entering your email address in the box at the bottom of this story, at the top of the left sidebar, or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

This blog and website is my full-time job and I rely on the support of readers. If you like what you see here, please help me continue producing The Big Outside by making a donation using the Support button at the top of the left sidebar or below. Thank you for your support.

 

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-the-north-face-desolation-thermoball-jacket/feed/ 0 22082 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-marmot-boys-and-girls-guides-down-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-marmot-boys-and-girls-guides-down-hoody/#respond Wed, 09 Nov 2016 11:00:13 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=21119 Read on

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Kids Down Jacket
Marmot Boy’s and Girl’s Guides Down Hoody
$140, 1 lb. 6 oz. (XL)
Sizes: boys XS-XXL, girls XS-XL
moosejaw.com

When the long shadow of dusk fell and the temperature plummeted at our successive campsites at over 10,000 feet and at 12,000 feet during a four-day climb of the Mountaineers Route on California’s 14,505-foot Mount Whitney in April, my 15-year-old son zipped up his Boy’s Guides Down Hoody and stayed perfectly warm.

With the Boy’s Guides Down Hoody, Marmot created a puffy jacket that mirrors the quality of its adult jackets. Its 700-fill down strikes a balance between a reasonable price—higher down-fill ratings cost more—and a keeping the jacket fairly packable and warm for its weight. Marmot’s proprietary Down Defender technology makes the down fibers water resistant, preventing them from clumping together when wet, which traditionally happens to down feathers, nixing their ability to trap heat. The jacket’s shell also has a DWR (durable, water-repellant) treatment to shed light rain or snow (it’s not waterproof). The polyester ripstop shell fabric still looks new after three-season backpacking trips from southern Utah in late March to Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains in late August, as well as the Mount Whitney climb.

The generously insulated hood is very warm and fully adjustable, and a draft tube behind the front zipper and elasticized cuffs keep warmth inside and cold air outside. The sleeves are long enough to not expose wrists when reaching forward, and they’re sewn to permit a full range of motion, so that the jacket doesn’t hike up when your child reaches overhead. My son made frequent use of the two zippered front pockets to keep his hands warm. The XL fits him well at about five-and-a-half feet tall and a lean 115 pounds, with space to layer a light fleece underneath it and a roomy shell over it, while the length extends a few inches below the waistband of his pants; he wore it when he was a couple inches and 15 pounds smaller and will probably get at least another winter of use before he outgrows it.

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In a range of sizes that covers preschool-age kids to teens who are small-adult size, the Marmot Boy’s and Girl’s Guides Down Hoody is a high-quality puffy for real backcountry adventures in sub-freezing temperatures, from backpacking to climbing to skiing.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a men’s or women’s, or boy’s or girl’s Marmot Guides Down Hoody at moosejaw.com, ems.com, or rei.com.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

See my reviews of winter jackets, pants, gloves, and mittens for kids, all of my reviews of kids insulated jackets and kids outdoor apparel, all of my reviews of insulated jackets, and all of my outdoor apparel reviews.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter, or enter your email address in the box in the left sidebar or at the bottom of this story. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures. Subscribe now to read ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-marmot-boys-and-girls-guides-down-hoody/feed/ 0 21119 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-puff-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-puff-hoody/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2016 10:00:38 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=20621 Read on

]]> Synthetic Insulated Jacket
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
$289, 13 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XXS-XL
backcountry.com

A lot of people wore this jacket before I did—or, more accurately, a lot of people wore most of this jacket—before I zipped it up at my campsite on a rocky ledge high above Baron Lake in Idaho’s magnificent Sawtooth Mountains. But I wouldn’t know that by simply looking at or wearing my Nano Puff Hoody. I’m speaking only partly metaphorically: Besides having excellent performance qualities, this jacket now contains cutting-edge, synthetic insulation that comes mostly from recycled polyester—which means that it’s not only good for me in the backcountry, but it’s good for the planet my kids are inheriting.

I stayed warm in the three-season Nano Puff Hoody on clear mornings and evenings with lows around 40° F on a three-day, mid-August backpacking trip in Idaho’s Sawtooths, camping in the Sawtooth Valley in mid-September, and on an 80-mile, five-day backpacking trip in the North Cascades National Park Complex in the last week of September.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

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The synthetic 60g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco consists of fibers a fraction of the diameter of a human hair packed together in a way that forms tiny air pockets to trap body heat. Like down feathers, those ultra-fine fibers are softer and more compressible than thicker-diameter fibers, making PrimaLoft Gold warm for its weight and volume, while the brick-like quilting pattern with horizontal side panels prevents insulation from migrating and clumping.

The water-resistant fibers also maintain those air pockets when wet, allowing moisture to pass through them, meaning this insulation “breathes” and continues keeping you warm: PrimaLoft claims that Gold Eco maintains 98 percent of its dry thermal efficiency when wet.

I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life. Click here now to learn more.

 

The close-fitting hood, designed to wear under a helmet, isn’t adjustable but is elasticized and well tailored—staying on my head in wind, moving with me when I turn my head, and not obstructing peripheral vision at all. The two zippered outside pockets are roomy and warmed my hands quickly on chilly mornings. The jacket zips into its inside chest pocket, which has a loop for clipping to a carabiner when stuffed. The shell fabric’s DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) repels light precipitation. Elasticized cuffs and an adjustable hem seal out cold, and the sleeves are long enough to not ride up when you’re reaching overhead, as when climbing.

But the big news is that the new Gold Eco is made with 55 percent recycled polyester insulation—maintaining its performance qualities with a significant reduction in environmental impact. Patagonia makes several models of the Nano Puff in men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizes, all with PrimaLoft Gold Eco—which will keep two million plastic bottles out of landfills just in the first year of sales of these jackets. More than half the material in the Nano Puff line’s zippers comes from recycled polyester, and the line has used 100 percent recycled polyester in the shell and liner fabrics since 2009. And PrimaLoft has replaced all of its Gold Insulation with the new recycled Gold Eco.

Thinking about that while enjoying my campsite view of Baron Lake in the Sawtooths gave me a warm feeling. Or maybe it was the jacket. Either way, I’m happy about that.

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BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a men’s or women’s Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody at backcountry.com or patagonia.com.

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Join now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-puff-hoody/feed/ 2 20621 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-uberlayer-hooded-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-uberlayer-hooded-jacket/#respond Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:00:36 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=17126 Read on

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Breathable Insulated Jacket
Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket
$299, 1 lb. 2 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
moosejaw.com

The explosion in breathable-insulation garments has changed the way we think about insulation in the backcountry. But in an increasingly crowded field, some jackets still rise above. I wore OR’s new Uberlayer Hooded Jacket for numerous days of backcountry skiing—including, at times, as an outer layer while skinning uphill—and as a middle layer skiing downhill both in the backcountry and for hours at a resort And I wore it in temperatures ranging from around freezing to wind chills below zero Fahrenheit, and came away convinced this is a jacket you could legitimately use into the backcountry every month of the year.

The first and most obvious measure—and benefit—of puffy jackets with breathable insulation is how much time you spend wearing them rather than carrying them in your pack. In cold temps, on the go, this jacket lived on my back. But the secondary benefit is how this jacket traps heat to keep you from getting chilled after you’ve sweated hard (most likely not wearing the Uberlayer, but in shirtsleeves when pushing hard uphill), while it moves moisture out so efficiently that wearing it over a sweaty base layer allows your body heat to dry out that base layer quickly.

 

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One example: After ski touring steadily uphill for more than an hour in Idaho’s Boise Mountains, on a mostly sunny day around 20° F with some wind—breaking trail at times—I reached the top of my climb with a wet shirt. So I pulled the Uberlayer on over a middle layer (that had also gotten damp on the climb) for the 20-minute descent; by the time I reached my car, my base and middle layers were as dry as when I put them on that morning. On long days of alternating between sweating and rapidly cooling down in sub-freezing temperatures, that’s a game changer.

A few components explain the Uberlayer’s performance. Water-resistant, highly compressible, Polartec Alpha Active synthetic insulation breathes well while trapping warmth. A breathable, polyester stretch-mesh lining (same as in OR’s Superlayer Jacket) wicks moisture from the inside when you’re producing excess heat; that moisture passes through the Alpha insulation and the breathable and highly durable, weather-resistant, nylon stretch-woven shell on the exterior. Voila: dry and warm.

 

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter, or enter your email address in the box in the left sidebar or at the bottom of this story. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

 

The athletic fit (read: not overly wide) leaves room to layer a vest underneath, and just feels and looks good. The adjustable hood (one cord, in back) has a slight, flexible brim and elasticized opening for a close fit, but I also easily layered it over a heavyweight balaclava and under a shell hood. Two big, mesh stuff-it inside pockets hold climbing skins. Of the three, mesh-lined external pockets, the zippered chest pocket is a bit bigger than a phone, and the zippered hand pockets each have space for drying out a winter glove. Elasticized cuffs and an adjustable hem seal out drafts. For its warmth, it compresses to a fairly small package.

It’s definitely a warm jacket—too warm for me to wear skinning uphill except in temps substantially below freezing, in low wind chills, or when moving at an easy uphill pace. (I heat up fast.) But with its hood and warmth, it delivers more four-season versatility than many competitors: It’s warm enough for summer campsites in the mountains, and breathable enough for a wide range of uses in colder temps—making it potentially the one piece of insulation you own.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to buy a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Uberlayer Hooded Jacket at moosejaw.com, ems.com, outdoorresearch.com, or rei.com.

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and all of my reviews of insulated jackets, jackets with breathable insulation, hybrid insulated jackets, and outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my Gear Reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Subscribe now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-uberlayer-hooded-jacket/feed/ 0 17126 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-air-vest/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-air-vest/#respond Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:00:41 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=15304 Read on

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Breathable Insulated Vest
Patagonia Nano-Air Vest
$199, 8 oz./227g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL
backcountry.com

If I had a buck for every day I’ve worn a vest outdoors over the years, well, I might not have to rely on a blog as the source of my wealth. But with the recent advent of breathable insulation, the classic vest, in its various iterations, faces serious competition. Curious to see whether a new-tech vest with breathable insulation could still measure up among today’s diverse array of versatile insulation pieces, I wore the Nano-Air Vest on Idaho adventures from July through October, including dayhikes and backpacking trips in the Sawtooth and White Cloud mountains and a five-day whitewater rafting and kayaking trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. It may speak volumes about this vest to say that I wore it a lot.

I found it the most useful on an early-October backpacking trip in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains, when it stayed on me not only through cool evenings and mornings in camp, but also while hiking with a full backpack uphill, off-trail, in temps in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit, with intermittent wind. While my body’s heat output varied with the terrain, and we were frequently in and out of the wind, I didn’t have to adjust layers: The vest stayed on over a midweight base layer, keeping me at the right temperature. It performed similarly when I hiked the first few uphill miles, in cool, morning fog, of a 12-mile dayhike of Thompson Peak in Idaho’s Sawtooths in July.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Subscribe now to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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With highly breathable, synthetic insulation, this vest is built for high-exertion activities, as well as acting as a versatile layering piece in any season. The fit is close, but the nylon ripstop shell fabric has four-way, mechanical stretch, making it feel like an outer layer of skin, as well as a DWR (durable, water-repellent treatment), so it sheds light rain. Even the synthetic insulation has mechanical stretch, so the entire garment moves with you. The tall collar keeps your neck warm, and the vest has a functional feature set with one zippered chest pocket and two zippered hand pockets, plus a drawcord hem.

Patagonia’s Nano-Air Vest has all the traditional advantages of a classic fleece vest—adding a bit of core warmth with exceptional breathability, while keeping your arms uncovered so you don’t overheat. But it raises the bar on thermal efficiency for its weight and packability, and it sheds light precipitation. This is a highly versatile, year-round layering piece for all but the warmest trips.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or women’s Nano-Air Vest at backcountry.com, patagonia.com, or patagonia.ca in Canada.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

See my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, all of my reviews of insulated jackets, and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like.

See also my stories “My 10 Most-Read Gear Reviews,” “Buying Gear? Read This First,” “5 Tips For Spending Less on Hiking and Backpacking Gear,” “The Simple Equation of Ultralight Backpacking: Less Weight = More Fun,” and “Ask Me: How Do We Begin Lightening Up Our Backpacking Gear?”

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-patagonia-nano-air-vest/feed/ 0 15304 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-deviator-hoody/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-deviator-hoody/#comments Fri, 22 May 2015 11:00:20 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=12634 Read on

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Hybrid Insulation Jacket
Outdoor Research Deviator Hoody
$185, 10 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
moosejaw.com

On cool mornings in May while backpacking the Grand Canyon’s Royal Arch Loop, and in late March on a five-day, family backpacking trip down Paria Canyon on the Utah-Arizona border, I did something unusual: I started the day’s hiking wearing the same jacket I had worn while in camp, OR’s new Deviator Hoody. From cool-weather hiking to skate-skiing in winter, I liked the Deviator as a next-generation, hybrid insulation piece whose versatility is limited only by your creativity in thinking about your layering system.

What’s different about it? This hybrid insulation jacket uses Polartec Alpha, a lightweight, synthetic insulation that’s breathable, wicks moisture and dries fast, in the front, sides, and shoulders, and Polartec Power Grid fleece, which stretches, breathes and wicks moisture exceptionally well and is warm for its weight, in the back, sleeves, and the close-fitting hood. The combination provides warmth when you’re standing or sitting around in cool (but not cold) temperatures—typical of much three-season camping—as well as just the right amount of warmth with good breathability when you’re on the go in cool to cold temps. When I wore it skate-skiing on a cloudy, 34° F winter day with no wind, I sweated a lot, and yet the jacket was only damp inside when I stopped, and it dried within minutes from my body heat.

 

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The athletic cut fits closely, but with plenty of stretch that doesn’t inhibit movement at all. The stretchy hood fits under or over a helmet and negates the need to carry a light hat. I like how the long sleeves with thumbholes help keep my hands warm. The two hand pockets lack zippers, but warmed my bare hands quickly in cool air. I’ve noticed with some jackets that have the waffle-pattern, fleece sleeves that it can be hard to slide a base layer of similar, waffle fabric through the sleeve, but I tried a couple different tops with the Deviator—one with tight-fitting sleeves, another with loose-fitting sleeves—and neither was difficult to slip through the Deviator sleeves. The zippered chest pocket is horizontally deep, extending into my left armpit, which is great for, say, warming up a pair of gloves, but also leaves too much space for small items like a phone to slide around into an uncomfortable spot.

It’s certainly a versatile top for day trips, but the question I had regarding its applicability for backpacking is: What layer(s) does it replace? I don’t want to just add a superfluous, 10-oz. garment to my layering system on multi-day trips. But it turns out I could compensate for its weight and bulk by carrying a lighter puffy jacket, or forgoing either a fleece vest, a long-sleeve jersey, or a puffy jacket entirely, depending on the range of temps I expected. For forward-motion activities, or when you’re carrying a pack, the Polartec Alpha in front provides good insulation against wind while breathing well enough that I never felt too overheated even on long, very aerobic climbs on Nordic skis.

 

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I see hybrid jackets like this as a more versatile alternative to vests, because in cool temps, you often need some warmth on your arms—and often more than one layer of sleeve—but you also often want high breathability there. Jackets like the Deviator will appeal especially to people, including many women, who get cold easily but like to hike, snowshoe, or cross-country ski from fall through spring. I also found myself wearing this jacket a lot around the house in winter, like a sweater.

I think hybrid, breathable insulation represents the new wave because of its versatility, and lighter garments like the Deviator are more versatile than heavier, warmer jackets because you can wear them in a greater range of temperatures by simply choosing your base layer accordingly.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Deviator Hoody at moosejaw.com, ems.com, outdoorresearch.com, or rei.com.

 

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NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-deviator-hoody/feed/ 2 12634 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-l-l-bean-primaloft-packaway-fuse-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-l-l-bean-primaloft-packaway-fuse-jacket/#comments Fri, 15 May 2015 11:00:26 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=12464 Read on

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Breathable Insulated Jacket
L.L. Bean PrimaLoft Packaway Fuse Jacket
$159, 13 oz. (men’s medium regular)
Sizes: men’s regular S-XXL, men’s tall M-XXl, women’s misses XXS-XL, petite XS-XL
llbean.com

Someday, outdoor enthusiasts of a certain age may reflect back on the dark ages of the early 21st century by saying, “Remember when an insulated jacket was something you only wore when you weren’t moving?” Well, given the growing profusion of jackets with breathable insulation, those “ancient” shells that are essentially half a sleeping bag with sleeves are already obsolete. I wore the most affordable piece of active insulation I’ve yet seen, Bean’s PrimaLoft Packaway Fuse Jacket, at times on wet, chilly, windy days trekking the Dusky Track and Kepler Track in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park in early March, and in camp on cool evenings and mornings (days were quite warm) on a five-day, family-backpacking trip down Paria Canyon on the Utah-Arizona border in late March. It’s as versatile as some pricier competitors and will fit more people than other jackets in this category.

Bean calls the Fuse the first jacket to feature PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active, a synthetic insulation designed to be exceptionally breathable and not shift around inside the shell (which can create cold spots). The hoodless jacket features body-mapped ProStretch panels under the arms and on the sides to make those areas even more breathable than the shell fabric and PrimaLoft (which naturally have limits to their breathability). Combined with the compressible, wind- and water-resistant Packaway shell fabric, what you have is a jacket that delivers warmth when hiking (or ski touring or snowshoeing) in cool wind, or under a rain jacket when precipitation is falling steadily.

For people who head out in all kinds of weather, the Fuse offers warmth when you’re on the go as well as when taking a break or in camp—you can wear it constantly, making few layering changes because moisture from body heat passes through the insulation, drying a damp base layer. I don’t get cold easily, and the jacket kept me warm, wearing it just over a midweight, long-sleeve base layer, while sitting around in camp in temps in the mid-40s Fahrenheit. I could wear it while hiking at a moderate pace in cold wind with temps in the 30s and colder. The ProStretch side panels, while increasing breathability there, also let the wind cut through to your arms and core.

The fit is loose enough to layer underneath it, while a high collar, drawcord hem, and elasticized cuffs keep the cold out. The zippered chest pocket can stash a hat and map, and the two, zippered hand pockets warmed my digits quickly in temps just above freezing. Stuffing into one hand pocket, the jacket packs down to a bit larger than a liter bottle, is machine washable and you can throw it in the dryer. All for a price that’s hard to beat.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to buy a men’s or women’s L.L. Bean PrimaLoft Packaway Fuse Jacket at llbean.com.

See my tips on finding the right gear and apparel in my story, “Buying Gear? Read This First,” and my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, my reviews of all insulated jackets and all my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like, and all of my reviews of L.L. Bean products. You may also be interested in my story, “The Simple Equation of Ultralight Backpacking: Less Weight = More Fun.”

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

I invite you to subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the box at the top of the left sidebar, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-l-l-bean-primaloft-packaway-fuse-jacket/feed/ 8 12464 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-superlayer-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-superlayer-jacket/#respond Thu, 22 Jan 2015 12:00:04 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=11025 Read on

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Breathable Insulated Jacket
Outdoor Research Superlayer Jacket
$225, 15 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL
outdoorresearch.com

What would you think if I told you that I went for a backcountry ski tour that involved climbing uphill for an hour, sweating enough to get both my base layer top and my hat wet, then skied for a while along rolling terrain, and finally turned around and descended fast to my car—all without making any layering change? That was just my first outing wearing OR’s new Superlayer Jacket. Over the course of several winter days field-testing it, in temperatures ranging from the low single digits to the 30s Fahrenheit, I found it so remarkably breathable that it often never left my body.

The Superlayer represents a new addition to a small but growing class of insulated jackets that breathe, for active use in cold temps. That first day I wore it was cold: 13° F when I left my car, and it didn’t warm up at all. I heat up easily, so I often wear only a warm shirt on a sustained uphill climb in temperatures in the 20s Fahrenheit or higher. But with temps in the teens or colder, despite the fact that I worked up a moderate sweat, I never felt the need to take this jacket off.

I wore it on several other occasions, including at various times on a four-day, January ski trip to a backcountry yurt in Idaho’s Boise Mountains. Backcountry skiing laps up and down a slope near the yurt, I wore the jacket constantly: when I stopped to dig a pit to evaluate avalanche conditions, while skiing down, and while skinning uphill in temps just a few ticks below freezing (skiing with my 14-year-old son, I was ascending at a moderate pace that kept me warm without overheating).

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I never felt uncomfortably clammy from perspiration, as long as I wasn’t working so hard that I was too warm to wear any jacket; and my shirt and the jacket liner would both dry out fairly quickly once my exertion level dropped—i.e., when moving on more level terrain or downhill—an indicator of good breathability. On occasion, I also wore the jacket as an outer layer, forgoing a shell, because the Superlayer’s shell fabric sheds snow well.

The secret is a balance of warmth and breathability delivered by the PrimaLoft Silver synthetic insulation and the Superlayer’s outer and interior fabrics. The PrimaLoft Silver’s continuous-filament construction means it won’t leak through the shell, allowing OR to use a looser-weave, soft-shell outer fabric that’s breathable and wind- and water-resistant, and a highly breathable, interior mesh liner. Combined, they make the jacket very breathable—unlike traditional insulation pieces.

Details are basic but functional. The hand pockets are what they should be: big enough to stick gloves and a hat inside, and they warm cold digits quickly. The single chest pocket fits a map and phone or a light hat. The elasticized cuffs kept cold air out, and the thumb loops inside the cuffs keep the sleeves from sliding up my arms when I pull a shell on over the Superlayer. The hem drawcord effectively traps body heat, too.

The Superlayer Jacket’s breathability and warmth makes it ideal for when you’re active and sweating but still need insulation in cold temperatures. I think it has year-round versatility that’s rare for insulated jackets, because it’s also warm enough to use as campsite insulation from late spring through early fall.

BUY IT NOW: You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase this at backcountry.com.

 

See my other reviews of breathable insulated jackets, all of my reviews of outdoor apparel that I like, and all of my reviews of Outdoor Research clothing and gear.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

I invite you to subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the box at the top of the left sidebar or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

This blog and website is my full-time job and I rely on the support of readers. If you like what you see here, please help me continue producing The Big Outside by making a donation using the Support button at the top of the left sidebar or below. Thank you for your support.

 

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-outdoor-research-superlayer-jacket/feed/ 0 11025 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-l-l-bean-puff-n-stuff-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-l-l-bean-puff-n-stuff-jacket/#respond Mon, 07 Apr 2014 12:29:56 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=8355 Read on

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Kids Puffy Jacket
L.L. Bean Puff-n-Stuff Jacket
$59, 13.5 oz. (boys large/14-16)
Sizes: boys’ and girls’ S-XL (8-18), little boys’ and girls’ S-L (4-7)
llbean.com

From wearing it as a layering piece under a shell when skiing, to backpacking in late March in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park when the temperature dropped below freezing, to innumerable school days, my son has worn this hooded, insulated jacket so much it has hardly seen a hanger (partly because he doesn’t appear to know how to use a hanger). When buying outdoor apparel for kids, you sometimes have to choose between high quality and affordability. I’m a believer that, like adults, kids enjoy the outdoors more when they’re comfortable—but it’s hard pulling the trigger on an expensive item, given how few seasons a kid wears something before outgrowing it. At 59 bucks, the Puff-n-Stuff Jacket is a steal.

First of all, it’s filled with lightweight, compressible, quick-drying PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, used in adult jackets but in many ways perfect for an insulated jacket for kids: Unlike down, it stays warm even when wet (think: walking home from school in rain or playing in snow); it’s highly durable; and you can throw it in the washer and dryer. The insulation makes it warm enough alone for cool-weather camping (down to the 40s Fahrenheit); but the jacket is sized for layering to make it more versatile: My son can wear a rain jacket over it or a fleece under it.

It lacks high-end features like an adjustable hood, but those drive up the price, and the jacket really has all it needs. The elasticized hem, cuffs, and face opening keep the wind from slipping inside or yanking the attached hood off his head. The two tricot-lined hand pockets have zippers, so he doesn’t lose his hat or gloves. The mini-ripstop nylon shell has suffered the usual abuse of almost daily wear-and-tear from a 13-year-old boy without looking any worse. And for backpacking, the boys’ large weighs in well under a pound and packs down to the size of a cantaloupe.

For the number of days of use my son will get out of this jacket—given its durability, it could probably pass down to a second child—at this price, the cost may work out to about 25 cents per day. And that’s for an insulated jacket with the quality an adult would be happy with—and pay about three times as much for. You will be challenged to find a better value.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to buy a boys or girls L.L. Bean Puff-n-Stuff Jacket at llbean.com.

See all of my reviews of kids outdoor gear and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

 

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-l-l-bean-puff-n-stuff-jacket/feed/ 0 8355 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-marmot-alpha-pro-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-marmot-alpha-pro-jacket/#respond Fri, 15 Nov 2013 13:30:32 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=7436 Read on

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Hybrid Cold-Weather Jacket
Marmot Alpha Pro Jacket
$225, 13 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL
marmot.com

If you’re like me and cycle between being hot and cold when you’re active outdoors in cold temperatures, here’s a secret weapon for comfort. I wore this jacket frequently over the course of four days of wonderful backcountry skiing in the Baldy Knoll area of the Tetons last March, when daytime temps ranged from around zero Fahrenheit into the high 20s, often with strong winds and bright sunshine combined. I also wore it ski touring in Idaho’s Boise Mountains in temps typically just below freezing, at times in a cold wind and snow flurries. Both places presented challenging conditions in which to stay warm and dry. But the Alpha Pro shined, keeping me remarkably comfortable in rapidly shifting conditions where I would have otherwise been repeatedly taking a shell on and off—all while making my layering system lighter and simpler.

The explanation for this unique, cold-weather versatility lies in the jacket’s hybrid blend of Polartec’s new, breathable synthetic insulation, called Alpha, in the torso (front and back), and other Polartec fabrics known for their breathability, Power Stretch and Power Dry High Efficiency, in the sleeves and sides. In a first for insulation, Alpha breathes fairly well—though not nearly as well as Power Stretch or Power Dry, of course. After a sweaty climb breaking trail left my base layer wet, I pulled the Alpha Pro on over that wet layer at the top of the hill, in wind; within five minutes, my base layer was almost completely dry, because the Alpha moved moisture so well. Result: I never got chilled. Think of it less as a jacket than as a combination of a body-mapped, winter-weight jersey and a vest: Wear it over a lightweight or midweight base layer, and it replaces the warmer top and vest, making your layering system both more versatile and lighter.

The Alpha Pro Jacket is athletically cut; you can fit one, maybe two base layers beneath it, nothing more. When needed, I easily layered a shell over it. The Alpha Pro lacks a hood, even though Marmot’s Variant Hoody, which this style is obviously modeled after, does have the hood. I didn’t miss it, though, because the Alpha Pro’s collar—with soft, moisture-wicking DriClime fabric as a chin guard—is high and closes nicely around your neck to seal out drafts. And the Variant is better for hard-charging, high-speed activity (I wear it a lot skate-skiing), when the convenience of yanking a hood up briefly is more valuable, while the Alpha Pro is ideal for all-day, moderate-pace activity (backcountry skiing and riding, snowshoeing, cold-weather hiking and backpacking). One caveat: The Power Stretch in the sleeves tends to grab loose-fitting, waffle-style base layer sleeves, not allowing those types of fabrics to slide easily into the jacket sleeves; wear a smooth-faced, close-fitting base layer.

People who get cold easily will really love this jacket. For now, Marmot only offers it in men’s sizes, but I would expect women’s sizes eventually, which may be very popular.

 

 

See all of my reviews of outdoor apparel.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-marmot-alpha-pro-jacket/feed/ 0 7436 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-big-agnes-hole-in-the-wall-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-big-agnes-hole-in-the-wall-jacket/#respond Mon, 04 Nov 2013 13:58:16 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=7386 Read on

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Down Jacket
Big Agnes Hole in the Wall Jacket
$220, 14 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
bigagnes.com

When I unzipped my sleeping bag after a night spent under the stars at nearly 11,000 feet by Columbine Lake in Sequoia National Park in August, I wasn’t thinking about what’s inside the new Hole in the Wall Jacket. Cocooned warmly inside my bag, I had been hammered by strong gusts all night; and with that cold wind still blowing when I woke up, I didn’t want to get out of it. But I pulled on this fat puffy and all but forgot about the wind—reminding me that sometimes the characteristics that make for a good puffy jacket are what you can’t see.

The Hole in the Wall also kept me warm in temps from the mid-teens to the 30s from Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument last March to Washington’s Glacier Peak Wilderness in July. So what makes it different from the scores of hoodless, three-season puffy jackets on the market? Big Agnes gave it a couple of technologies common in its high-end down sleeping bags: Insotect Flow vertical baffles, which distribute heat more efficiently than traditional, horizontal baffles (because, the company says, the body naturally distributes heat vertically rather than horizontally); and Flow Gates to eliminate down shifting, which can produce cold spots.

Ultimately, though, a puffy jacket’s warmth also comes down to the amount and quality of what’s stuffed inside it. The Hole in the Wall contains six ounces of 700-fill, water-resistant DownTek feathers. That fill rating means the down isn’t quite as compressible or as expensive as, say, 800-fill down. But I found the jacket lofts up almost instantly and was warm enough over only a midweight base layer when the mercury slipped below freezing; I added a fleece vest only when the temp dropped into the mid-20s. In a light rain in the backcountry of Capitol Reef, the water-resistant down showed no sign of losing loft or suffering compromised warmth from the dampness.

The vertical baffles help create a form-fitting cut that doesn’t rise up when you lift your arms. The lightweight microfiber shell is wind and water-resistant. The jacket sports nice details: the zipper never snags, and there are three roomy inside pockets and two warm, zippered, hand pockets, plus a soft lining inside the collar. Well constructed, with a good warmth-to-weight ratio, the Hole in the Wall Jacket is perfect for three-season trips where you might see temps below freezing. For people who prefer having a hood on a puffy jacket, Big Agnes offers the men’s and women’s Shovelhead Jacket, $250.

 

BUY IT NOW: You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a Big Agnes men’s Hole in the Wall Jacket or women’s Hole in the Wall Jacket at moosejaw.com.

See my reviews of other puffy jackets, and all of my outdoor apparel, hiking gear, and backpacking gear reviews.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

I invite you to subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the box at the top of the left sidebar or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

 

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-big-agnes-hole-in-the-wall-jacket/feed/ 0 7386 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-marmot-isotherm-hoody-puffy-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-marmot-isotherm-hoody-puffy-jacket/#respond Tue, 15 Oct 2013 12:30:39 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=7220 Read on

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Breathable Insulated Jacket
Marmot Isotherm Hoody
$225, 13 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL
marmot.com

A puffy jacket that’s breathable? That holy grail of backcountry apparel seemed elusive until Polartec Alpha synthetic insulation entered the scene. Looking for a fairly lightweight, Alpha-filled jacket that would be versatile for year-round use—and that has a hood—I used Marmot’s Isotherm Hoody on spring and summer hiking trips. Although just 13 oz., this full-zip jacket kept me warm on mornings ranging from calm and 15° F. (with a warm top on underneath it) in southern Utah in late March, to the 40s with steady winds of 40 to 50 mph in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains in July. Even more impressively, on a frosty morning in the teens and 20s in Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, I could wear it hiking at a brisk pace without overheating.

How is a puffy jacket breathable? Alpha’s durable, stable characteristics allow manufacturers to put it in garments with a woven shell fabric made with a more open construction, making the shell more air permeable—i.e., more breathable. So unlike with traditional puffy jackets, whether down or synthetic, you can be active while wearing this piece. The Isotherm Hoody combines abrasion-resistant Pertex Quantum fabric with a highly breathable mesh lining for insulation that hits the trifecta: warm, breathable, and tough. Shoulders are reinforced with soft-shell fabric for enhanced breathability and durability under pack straps. Like other synthetic insulations, Alpha retains its ability to trap heat even when wet, and dries reasonably quickly.

The Isotherm Hoody packs down to slightly larger than a liter bottle. The fit allows for layering a light fleece underneath, and is trim enough to pull a shell jacket over it. Freedom of movement is excellent for arm-swinging activities like climbing or using poles going uphill. The elasticized cuffs and hem kept out drafts, and the adjustable hood moved with my head when I looked to either side. There are two roomy hand pockets and a chest pocket, all zippered.

So what’s it good for? As someone who normally gets quite warm when active, I found the Isotherm Hoody comfortable when hiking in temps well below freezing; once the air warmed up to freezing or above, the Isotherm was too warm for me to wear while on the go. But people who get cold easily will really benefit from insulation that breathes while delivering a good amount of warmth for its weight and bulk. This jacket serves multiple functions, from a pure insulation piece in camp on three-season backpacking trips to an on-the-go fall, winter, and spring garment when hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, or climbing.

The hoodless Isotherm Jacket is $200 and 12 ounces (men’s medium).

BUY IT NOW: You can support my work on this blog (and find the best price) by clicking this link to purchase this at backcountry.com.

 

See all of my reviews of down and puffy jackets and all of my reviews of outdoor apparel, as well as my article, “The Simple Equation of Ultralight Backpacking: Less Weight = More Fun.”

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

I invite you to subscribe to this blog by entering your email address in the box at the top of the left sidebar or on my About page, and follow my adventures on Facebook and Twitter.

 

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-marmot-isotherm-hoody-puffy-jacket/feed/ 0 7220 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-patagonia-kids-down-sweater/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-patagonia-kids-down-sweater/#respond Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:10:36 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=4254 Read on

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Patagonia Girls/Boys Down Sweater Jacket
$99, 10 oz. (girls medium)
Sizes: boys and girls XS (5-6) to XXL (16-18)
patagonia.com

The first indicator that this kids’ down jacket was a good pick: My 10-year-old daughter didn’t want to take it off, wearing it daily to school and even around the house. Your kid loves it—that’s a plus. I like it for the performance. She wore this puffy while car camping and backpacking in late March in Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, when low temperatures ranged from the mid-teens to the 40s, as well as resort skiing (under a shell jacket) and to school on many winter and spring days. While camping, temps in the low 20s were at the jacket’s limit, although you could layer a light insulation piece under it.

There is much to recommend this puffy jacket beyond its fashion appeal—and being available in pink. The 600-fill-power goose down makes it fairly compressible and keeps it affordable. The ultralight, wind-resistant, 20-denier polyester mini ripstop shell fabric is reasonably tear resistant and has a durable water-repellent finish to repel light moisture (though not rain—it doesn’t have water-resistant down or a waterproof shell). The high collar covers the neck, and a flap behind the front zipper plus elasticized cuffs keep out wind. Zippered, warm hand pockets complete a high-value piece of children’s apparel.

See all of my reviews of kids’ outdoor gear.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-patagonia-kids-down-sweater/feed/ 0 4254 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-l-l-bean-ultralite-850-down-jacket/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-l-l-bean-ultralite-850-down-jacket/#respond Mon, 28 Jan 2013 13:00:22 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=3585 Read on

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Down Jacket
L.L. Bean Ultralite 850 Down Jacket
$179, 1 lb. 1 oz. (men’s medium), $189 tall
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, tall M-XXL, women’s XS-XL, petite XS-XL
llbean.com

In heavily falling snow at around 9,000 feet on Copper Mountain in Idaho’s Boise National Forest, I felt the cold touch my bones. We had been climbing uphill on skis, breaking trail, for about 90 minutes; I was wet, and now the wind on the exposed ridge where we had stopped for a bite hit us. I pulled this down jacket on over my shell jacket and kept it on while skiing back downhill—I was that cold—realizing the snow could saturate the feathers and thinking, “Well, we’ll see if this water-resistant down works.”

Not only did this puffy return my core temperature to normal, but even after getting snowed on for some 30 minutes, and getting wet on the inside from having been pulled on over the wet exterior of my shell jacket, it still kept me warm. That’s due to the water-resistant DownTek treatment, a new technology that causes down feathers to repel water, keeping the insulation drier in wet conditions and helping it dry faster once wet. I’ve worn it several times in similarly wet circumstances, including light rain, with the same results: no noticeable loss of warmth. Worn over light insulation, the jacket has kept me quite warm standing around in 15-degree temps.

The fit is roomy but not cavernous; I can layer a light fleece underneath. The jacket stuffs into a zippered inside pocket, packing down to a nice camp pillow size, thanks to the high quality, 850-fill power down feathers. Bean got all the details right, too, including a no-snag zipper; a collar with a soft lining that zips snugly around your neck to keep the wind out without strangling; three zippered outside pockets, including two hand warmers, and an inside stretch-mesh pocket; elasticized cuffs; and a drawcord-closure hem to seal out wind.

The water-resistant down also lets you machine wash and dry the jacket without fear of feathers clumping. And for people with allergies, good news: Bean says the down is hypoallergenic. At this price, you get big value in a puffy jacket that’s versatile for chillier three-season trips and winter conditions down into the 20s or teens for some people (with other layers).

See all of my reviews of puffy jackets that I like and all my reviews of outdoor apparel at The Big Outside.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to buy an L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket at llbean.com.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

 

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Hybrid Cold-Weather Jacket
Marmot Variant Hoody
$185, 15 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
marmot.com

Whether a fast-forward winter sport like skate-skiing, or a pack-carrying activity like hiking, ski touring, and snowshoeing, many cold-weather outdoor adventures demand a jacket that doesn’t quite fit into the traditional definition of insulation, hard shell, or soft shell. Short story: You need more insulation in front and breathability on your back and arms. Enter the Variant, a hybrid cross between lightweight insulation and a soft shell. I’ve really grown to like it for my two primary winter sports, skate-skiing and ski touring, but it would function equally well for hiking and snowshoeing.

The front consists of synthetic insulation in a lightweight, windproof nylon shell fabric, while the hood, sleeves, underarms, and back are made of highly breathable and stretchy Polartec Power Stretch. So while the front of your torso stays warm, even in wind—and the synthetic insulation keeps you warm even when wet—your arms and back ventilate supremely well. It’s the most perfectly designed jacket for skate-skiing that I’ve ever worn, and it remained comfortable while ski touring whether I was climbing uphill or traversing gentler terrain. The Power Stretch allows unhindered range of arm motion—this jacket is so unencumbering that I felt like I was skate-skiing in shirtsleeves. My arms got chilled when I first set out skate-skiing in temperatures from the mid-teens to the 20s, because the wind cuts through the Power Stretch; but I prefer the breathability of those sleeves once I’m warmed up, within minutes.

The sleeves’ extra length and thumbholes cover your hands right up to the first knuckles—very helpful if, like me, you tend to get cold fingers. (Keeping your wrists and hands warm helps maintain blood flow to your fingers.) The hood adds just the right amount of warmth when needed (I pull it over a hat), and fits closely enough that the wind never blew the hood off my head, even though it lacks cords to adjust the fit. The Power Stretch moves moisture to the outside very efficiently, so in cold temps, when exerting—especially, I noticed, in fog in the mountains—you can build up a little frost on the sleeves from moisture being pushed to the outside. This just highlights the fact that, if you’re out for more than just an hour or two and expect your exertion level to vary, you may still need a shell to wear over this jacket and/or another insulation piece (depending on temperatures). One nitpick: Only slick-faced base layers slide easily into the close-fitting sleeves; waffle-style, warmer base layers tend to stick to the Power Stretch.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

 

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Ultralight Puffy
MontBell EX Light Down Jacket
$190, 5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s S-XL
montbell.us

Don’t ask: How lightweight can a down jacket be and still keep you warm? Instead, reframe the question: How light a puffy do you want and how does it fit into your layering system? With sewn-through construction to prevent down from migrating, elastic cuffs to seal out drafts, and no hand pockets, this jacket stuffed with just 1.8 ounces of premium, 900-fill down feathers is no fat puffy. But it’s a very light stand-alone insulation piece for mild summer temperatures, or a versatile middle layer in a system that you can customize for a variety of outdoor activities in any season.

I wore the EX Light comfortably over just a midweight, long-sleeve base layer on mornings in the high 40s Fahrenheit in Idaho’s Smoky Mountains and City of Rocks, and between a rain shell and two base layers when shooting photos outside huts on afternoons and evenings in the 30s and 40s during an eight-day trek in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park. Its trim cut fits a light fleece vest underneath and layers well under heavier insulation or shell jackets. The EX Light sacrifices hand pockets—but they aren’t necessary in mild temps or when you have a shell over it. One warning: Be careful to avoid treating this 7-denier ballistic nylon shell too roughly, or it might tear. But ultralight backpackers or anyone interested in a puffy that weighs less than a long-sleeve jersey, packs down barely larger than your fist (in the included stuff sack), and delivers outstanding warmth for its paltry weight, will love the EX Light.

—Michael Lanza

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