Warm jacket - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

While recently hiking in some windy freezing temps I found that my current jacket probably just doesn’t keep me all that warm. It does the trick, but I seem to be borderline on cold/warm. So, I’m looking around at jacket options out there. The current jacket I have is something like the Pat. Puffball, but it’s made by Lowe Alpine and has a full zip. It’s about the weight of the Pat. Puff and about as warm. What I’m looking for in a jacket is: A. it keeps me very warm B. it’s lightweight. Here’s what I’m looking at so far:

Montbell - Neige Jacket - 15.9 oz $149.00
Feathered Freinds - Hyperion Jacket - 11 oz $175
Western Mountaineering - Flight Jacket - 10.5 oz $215
Mountain Hardwear - Phantom Jacket - 16 oz $225

Both the Montbell and FF have roughly 5 oz. of down in them. I’m not sure about the others.

Anyone own one of these? If so what’s your $.02 worth? Another other comments welcome as well.

guru

#2

I carried the FF Helos Jacket. It is very warm, but I fortunately did not have to test it in very severe weather. My thinking: that with 7.8 oz of down, you get 50 % more insulation for only 4 oz more total weight than the Hyperion.

Rambler

#3

look into the micro-puff by patagonia. i have the pullover, its the warmest jacket i have ever worn, for reals. stops the wind like nothing i have ever experienced. The ones you listed look pretty good too.

Officer Taco

#4

The WM Flight Jacket was and still is my favorite piece of gear. It’s a true 10.5oz in weight but kept me warm in 15* weather when all the other hikers were tucked in their bags. It’s also the perfect amount of down for a pillow so I got into a routine of wearing it in camp evening and morning with it under my head at night.

Squish

#5

I second Squish on the WM Flight Jacket. This is an awesome jacket for it’s weight. I only use it for a camp jacket though, not to hike in. I don’t believe it is really made for hard hiking. The shell is too delicate and easy to snag and tear.

Mayfly

#6

So what’s warmer, the WM or Patgonia?

Pothead

#7

I have a couple of Patagonia fleece pullovers, and find the WM far warmer, but not as durable. I can use the fleece when I hike. I only use the WM for camp.

Mayfly

#8

I inquired with WM customer support and the Flight weights in at about 4 oz of fill.

Bob

#9

I would go with the Taco, Patagonia make a quality jacket. I have a 22oz Cloudveil primaloft jacket. It’s served me well whilst I’ve been working outside in -25 weather, very toasty, for not much weight. Primaloft also retains loft, and heat when damp, a down jacket may not, unless the shell is extremeley high quality. I saw quite a few people on the trail last year with the 16oz Golite jacket, that looked great as well.

Cheers

Cheers

#10

My wife bought me a Patagonia Puff Ball pullover for Christmas.I have worn it in some quite strong winds and cool temps[30degF]love it.I’am a gear junkie and have had lots of jackets for cool weather,Puff Ball is my latest favorite.Cant go wrong at only 12 oz.

OLD & IN THE WAY