I’m looking for a light weight, but warm down jacket for a thru hike in 2008. I know I’m preparing early, but I would like to take advantage of sales and have time to compare items. I know Patagonia used to make a Puff Ball Jacket. I haven’t been able to find one though.
Thanks,
Virginia
Virginia
My husband and I both have the Patagonia Micro Puff jackets and can’t imagine using anything else. With layers, they are great in any temperature. When we bought the jackets, they also had pants to match. Then there’s the new Puff Rider jacket. They are synthetic, not down as you requested, but we highly recommend these jackets~J.
Journey
Virginia,
I snagged the Bozeman Mountain Works Cocoon Pullover about a year ago. This jacket is incredibly light at 9oz and most importantly super lofty and warm. It’s outer shell is made with Pertex which is highly water resistant.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/cocoon_pullover.html
Freeform
the Bozeman Mountain Works Cocoon Pullover and the Patagonia Micro Puff pullover are wonderful jackets, but you asked about down.
along with the feathered friends helios , i would recommend the western mountaineering fligh jacket(10oz), the nunatak skaha down sweater(9oz), or the mountain hardwear phantom(13oz).
mont-bell also makes several down and synthetic jackets that i have heard many great things about.
also check out the backpackinglight.com gear guide on lightweight down jackets.
jerm
My Western Mountaineering Flight is just simply amazing. It’s like a sleeping bag for your torso.
guru
as far as being able to take advantage of a sale…
most of the lightweight down jackets are made here in america in small batches, ie. nunatak, western mountaineering and feathered friends. i have never seen them on sale.
however, i was able to by my finacee a mountain hardwear phantom jacket for 50% off.
jerm
Three places rule on sales:
Sierra Trading Post: By far the best place for top quality discounts. Example: Nuptse on sale for 30% off ($139.00 down from $199.00).
Campmor: Women’s Mountain Hardwear Phantom down jacket on sale now for 1/2 price. See also the men’s Pinnacle II jacket for $69.00.
REI: Occasionally.
But, listen to me: Sierra, Sierra, Sierra.
Sincerely–Conan.
Conan
Be aware that while the WM Flight Jacket certainly is warm, the shell material is delicate and tears easily. This happened to me this winter, when a small branch caught on the sleeve and tore open a hole. Fortunately, WM was gracious enough to repair the sleeve at no charge.
Bubba
I have the Puff Ball Jacket [$148.00,120z]and Micro Puff vest[$89.00,6 0z]love both.If you check their site make sure you use the word “Micro” when you get on the site.I wear the Micro vest when in my sleeping bag when it’s very cold.
old&in the way
We are considering the Montbell UL Down Inner Jacket. The W’s is only 5.9oz!
I’ve hear good things about it, but haven’t yet tried it out.
https://www2.montbell.com/america/asp/products/Spg_itiran.asp?cat=2001
:girl
jackalope
i too have a flight jacket, as with most lightweight gear a certain amount of durability is sacrificed to save weight.
also, if you listen to the trailcast.org interview with the owner of western mountaineering he mentions the flight series getting a slightly more durable shell material and a different zipper.
jerm