Max Neale
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Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody Review
Max Neale gives a comprehensive review of Patagonia's MicroPuff Hoodie, including its warmth, insulation, cut, and hood.
Lightweight Winter Down Parka Reviews and State of the Market Report
This article features lightweight down parkas (usually, full-zip jackets with hoods, a longer hem, and box-baffled construction) appropriate for winter backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and other cold-temperature activities.
Patagonia Hybrid Sleeping Bag Review
When climbing alpine routes and sleeping on small ledges where you can't pitch tents, the Patagonia Hybrid may be the sleep system for you.
Patagonia 19 Degree Sleeping Bag Review
Of the approximately 70 different sleeping bags I've used, the Patagonia 19 Degree Sleeping Bag is the most comfortable all-purpose mummy bag for use above freezing.
Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report
This comprehensive State of the Market Report presents more than a dozen synthetic insulated jacket reviews and performance comparison to evaluate their durability, warmth, weather resistance, breathability, and features.
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Review
Our Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Review features one of the highest-performing synthetic jackets we've ever evaluated. It's performance- and feature-to-weight ratio is extremely high and should be a top pick considered for ultralight backpacking.
Nunatak Skaha Apex Review
The Nunatak Skaha Apex is our highest rated windproof synthetic insulated jacket. Even though the jacket costs less than its closest competitors, it is custom-made in Utah. We highly recommend the Skaha Apex to anyone who wants the either the best fitting jacket or the highest warmth to weight ratio.
Patagonia DAS Parka Review
The Patagonia DAS is our highest rated synthetic insulated winter-weight parka. Frequent revisions have created a stunningly effective jacket for expeditions that cross multiple climates and for overnight alpine climbs and backcountry trips where a wet down parka would force you to bail, or worse. Despite a suite of expedition features, the premium insulation and light fabrics keep the DAS lightweight at only 22 oz. in men's medium. This parka performs so well and is offered at such a reasonable price that we feel it's the only warm synthetic insulated parka worth buying.
Montane Spitfire One Review
Our Montane Spitfire One Review determined that this is one of the best value, very warm synthetic insulated parka for wet conditions.
Arcteryx Nuclei FL Jacket Review
Arcteryx Nuclei FL Jacket Review: one of the best lightweight windproof synthetic insulated jackets on the planet. It weighs a mere 9.9 ounces.
Arc’teryx Nuclei AR Review
Our Arcteryx Nuclei AR Review found that this jacket has impressive water resistance and, thus, is the best belay jacket for alpinists.
Patagonia Nano Air Light Review (Hoody)
This Patagonia Nano Air Light Review features one of the highest performing hoodies on the market, especially for active use in cool conditions. This one's a fleece-killer.
Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody Review
Our Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody Review found that the Proton LT's durability, features, and warmth make it an ideal winter activewear choice.
Black Diamond Heat Treat Hoody Review
Our Black Diamond Heat Treat Hoody Review determined that the jacket is an all-purpose winter jacket for around town and some winter sports.
LLBean Packaway Review (Primaloft Hooded Jacket)
This LLBean Primaloft Packaway Hooded Review concludes that this jacket offers excellent performance for a very good price.
Rab Nimbus Review
This Rab Nimbus review summarizes the jacket's performance and compares it to others in its class while using it on a number of mountaineering and trekking expeditions in Alaska and other parts of North America.
Patagonia Nano Air Hoody Review
The Patagonia Nano Air Hoody was released in July 2014 and was the best performing all-purpose active insulation jacket at that time. Does it hold up to the current crop of insulated jackets?
Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review
This Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review features an active insulation jacket that weighs about four ounces more than similar jackets but does not make up for the extra weight with added comfort, durability, warmth, or lower cost. The Uberlayer performed reasonably well in our tests.
Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review
Our Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review found this great value synthetic insulated parka has a reliable ultralight waterproof shell fabric.
Rab Xenon X Review
The Rab Xenon X used to be the best all-purpose lightweight synthetic insulated jacket on the market. Over the last seven years, the author has used the Xenon and Xenon X for some fantastic outdoor adventures: a 35-day traverse of Alaska's Brooks Range, climbing Denali, Half Dome, and El Cap, and other things. Though the Xenon X performs above average in our tests, a variety of other jackets now offer superior performance.
