Down fill for outdoor gear usually ranges from about 650-1000 fill. Jacket warmth has more to do with the amount of fill - not the fill rating itself. To get a hood in a women's cut, one has to get the REI 650 Parka. On the other hand, when you use jackets in the front country or around town, hoods can get in the way. Weight: 12 oz (mens) and 11.3 oz (womens), Pockets: 2 handwarmer pockets, 2 internal pockets, 1 chest pocket. The Agrium also has a draft tube behind the zipper, a nice feature that wasnt on the Cerium. Weight: 21 oz (mens) and 18.7 oz (womens). Thru-hikers are often willing to sacrifice some features of a down jacket to save weight. Because synthetic insulation will stay warm when wet, the Agrium LT or Cerium LT jacket are good options if you live in a moist climate or plan to encounter inclement weather on your trips. The DWR-treated Pertex shell is weather resistant. The most comparable Canada Goose jacket to the lightweight jackets in this guide is the Hybridge Light Tech Down, rated for 23 to 41F degrees. While you wont find the warmth or features of a $200 jacket on this one, its hard to beat what you get for the price of this puffer coat. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Read More: Which is better: a down or synthetic jacket? A higher-quality fill-power means your jacket will puff back up after being packed away and can scrunch down to half the size of a low fill-power garment. Jackets got bonus points from us if they used bluesign approved fabrics, which certifies chemicals, processes, materials, and resource consumption for manufacturing textiles. Both the Agrium and Cerium layer well under more waterproof layers, like a rain jacket, as it is less likely to wet out than other down jackets. But if you dont wash your down jacket (or sleeping bag), the down will lose its insulating abilities because oil and dirt reduce its ability to loft. Please try again. The Agrium is also fair trade certified sewn, unlike the Cerium. Whether you want a hood on your jacket is a personal preference feature. We prefer hoods that wont form a gap or blow off in the wind. Then, we took the jackets on everything from thru-hikes across Arizonas mountains to the notoriously wet and cold Pacific Northwest to see how they perform under long wear and demanding conditions. We are pleased to report that Mountain Hardwear has gone back to a standard design; vertical front zip, two hand pockets, and the ability of the jacket to stuff into one of those pockets. As a Wilderness Guide for a wilderness therapy organization serving teenagers, I spent four winter seasons living in the snow in Central Oregon. //@anonymous: Code didn't work, $14 $35Graphic Ultrasoft Long-Sleeve Hoodie, $10.40 $26Girls' Extra Mile Trail Tight Leggings, $8.80 $22Rock Hopper Plush-Lined Leggings, $7.99 $14.95Girls' Movement Stretch Leggings, Apply Code SPRINGFS in-cart for free shipping. One everyday reviewer wrote that the 650 Down Jacket was Packable, light, warm. Patagonia has its own certification, called Traceable Down. Yes, hooded only. We were initially going to recommend the highly lauded mens and womens Rab Neutrino Pro for our Best for Extreme Weather category. However, MHW fixed that issue in the most recent update. The Ghost Whisperer2 also is a highly packable insulated jacket, compressing into its own pocket. Photo by Duncan Cheung. It weighs the same (26 oz) and has approximately the same fill weight at 10.4 oz. Unlike the Neutrino, the Positron Pro also has a helmet-compatible hood. The Mountain Hardwear Super/DS StretchDown is notable for stretchy material, ample handwarmer pockets, ease of mobility, and incredible warmth. But as you tailor your outdoor kit to meet your needs for your activities of choice, you'll also find recommendations for more specialized activities. Design-wise, we found it fits better than the Cerium, and everyday users generally agree. There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. See our guide to Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets for our recommendations. Some companies try to reduce their fill weight to total weight ratio by using lower denier fabrics that weigh less than heavier duty fabrics. The authors Montbell jacket was repaired with Tenacious tape 10 years ago and is still going strong! While we were first concerned by consumer complaints that the REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket didnt have a drawcord hem. Still, the jacket is lightweight with a 20d ripstop polyester. Related: Appalachian Trail Gear List and Strategy. The Cold Front felt comfortable and roomy enough on our testers torso to fit a medium-weight fleece underneath. Let me hear you say Tenacious Tape! Do not wash or bleach. Treeline Review writer Gabi Reyes-Acosta tests the Outdoor Retailer Cold Front hoodie on a snowy winter hike. In addition, areas of the body prone to get wet with some snow or mist have a bluesign approved synthetic insulation, so it will stay warm when wet. Note: REI sells up to XXL in the womens Cold Front Hoodie, but up to XXXL in the mens version. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Feathered Friends states that production takes 5 to 7 days, which means it could take several weeks before it lands on your doorstep. A quality down jacket has a hood that will stay up, excellent waterproofing on the shell fabric, and zippers that are unobtrusive. Weight: 15.4 oz (mens) and 15.4 oz (womens), Hooded version available? Weight: 20.6 oz (mens) and 20.8 oz (womens), Fill Power: 700-fill-power down/150 g VerticalX Eco polyester fibers (85% recycled). Patagonias environmental mission strives to repair gear instead of manufacture new items. In addition, it has two side pockets, an adjustable hem cinch at the waist, and comes in a hooded version. Ultimately, we found that the higher price tag on the Eos made it less appealing to most people, even if the reason is (in part) because its made in the USA of higher fill down and includes a hood. Given the comfort, excellent mobility, and durability, we think the Super/DS Stretch is an excellent option for folks who want one jacket for use around town, for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. For example, a current color in Mens is Renegade, which appears to be purple-pink, and Bushwhack in Womens, an olive-gray. We tested 19 top-rated mtb shorts to find the best womens mountain bike shorts for all riders. Photo by Emily Haas. The hood on the Rab Microlight Alpine is among the best of any down jacket we considered. The outer shell is water-resistant and breathable Pertex Quantum with a DWR coating. Every company showed a commitment to using responsibly sourced down. But ultimately, whether you choose a jacket with a pocket or hood is a personal choice. They use higher fill powers of 800 and up. We considered the Feathered Friends Eos (mens and womens) for the title of Best Overall Down jacket because it has similar specs as the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (see the Comparison Table above). Sewers are empowered to put together color combinations and designs of their choosing, meaning that jackets are often unique. Amanda Zuul Jameson celebrating a PCT milestone in the Ghost Whisperer. The DWR finish keeps moisture from reaching the down insulation while still allowing a moderate level of your bodys moisture to escape (aka, breathability). Having torn a down jacket or two while in the backcountry, Tenacious Tape has kept me from losing all the feathers (and insulation!) The Fuego is a stylish jacket that is less expensive than some of its competitors. Please try your search again later. Manufacturers defects warranties cover anything that went wrong in production or material that is not as durable as it should be. Photo by Emily Haas. Its shell fabric is a wind-blocking 54% recycled ripstop fabric that is bluesign approved. Photo by Emily Haas. We developed criteria to judge down jackets based on the advice of experts, our experience working in outdoor retail for 20 years, and our own testing experience. The mens and womens Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket is one of the jackets we considered for best budget jacket. I've spent 20 years outfitting outdoors people of all skill and experience levels on their quest to stay active in cooler weather. Fill matters more when youre trying to save space or shed ounces. Throw in a couple of tennis balls and run the dryer on very low heat or air dry to prevent melting the shell. Due to the synthetic insulation in this hybrid jacket, we found this hoodie does not pack down as much as a 100% down jacket. One thing to note is that it warms up quickly! It remains a tried and true ultralight piece. If you absolutely must have 850 fill down and are on a budget, the Forclaz is a decent choice. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. It fits true to size, and construction is high quality, colors are nice, price is reasonable. Fill weight references how much of the overall jackets weight is insulation. Photo by Emily Haas. Although not foolproof, a good rule of thumb is that the higher the denier, the more durable the material. Im not alone in saying the Agrium is my go-to mid-layer jacket for cold weather snow sports. I never felt any constriction in my shoulders or back, like I sometimes do. Compared to the Cerium, the Agrium is better for layering as you can wear a mid-layer, fleece, or heavier base layer underneath. (Credit: REI for those numbers.) As Broke Backpacker put it, theyve "been making this down jacket for years now, and its still kicking ass.". (However, Montbells fill weight is with 1000 fill power down compared to Mountain Hardwears 800 fill power down, so the Montbell feels warmer). The Agriums design updates make it more practical for layering and keeping out drafts. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Down insulation is composed primarily of down plumules, not feathers. It depends. In some cases, you may be paying for a brand name. The Montbell Plasma 1000 is arguably the lightest sweater weight down jacket on the market, packing in a lot of warmth for a minimal weight. Over and over in the professional outdoor media reviews and everyday customer reviews, this jacket came up - even when reviewers disagreed on everything else. Higher fill power means that ounce for ounce, your jackets insulation will feel warmer. We also appreciated the high and warm neckline on this jacket. If youll be stuffing it in a backpack or suitcase, think about how much room your down jacket may take in your luggage. Like all Patagonia gear, the Down Jacket comes with Patagonias Ironclad Guarantee. : Many thru-hikers, for example, are okay not having pockets as they mostly wear a puffy jacket when they need their hands, like cooking in camp. For example, the Rab Positron has 10 g of down fill to the Neutrinos 7 g of fill, making the Positron a much warmer jacket. It is not only a comfortable and warm solution but a good deal, too. After collecting data from experts, everyday users, and our own testing, we judged the down jackets to find the winners. Still, if youre able to find an Agrium, we think its the hybrid synthetic down jacket to get. Photo by Duncan Cheung. The shell and liner can be worn alone or together, depending on weather conditions.NOTE: Temperature ratings are based on a controlled laboratory test by an independent university lab. One thing we found strange is while there is a hooded version of the REI 650 Jacket in the mens versions, theres no women's hooded jacket. I also bring almost 20 years of experience working in outdoor retail. But fear not, we don't allow our judgment to be influenced by these arrangements! If improperly cared for or under heavy use, the expected lifetime could be considerably lower. We go more into down fill power and weight below. Yes, RDS certified, Hooded jacket available? Plus, they use fun words like whilst in their product descriptions. Check our other gear repair guides, such as How to Fix Zippers on Outdoor Gear. The Best Plus Size Winter Outdoor Clothing. We also found the zipper to be a heavier gauge than the Cerium, which made it a smoother glide and less likely to catch on fabric. Since at 650 fill, its the lowest fill power of any jacket we picked, it doesnt have the packability or warmth-to-weight ratio of the other jackets we considered.