Down Jacket Help

The Borah gear option looks nice.

http://borahgear.com/jacket.html

I would +1 the Borah Gear jacket.

It took a long time to get but I like it a lot. In size large mine weighed 6.7oz and definitely meets your "softball size" requirement. Ive only used it on one extended trip so far but it performed well. I was comfortable sitting around camp in the evening at 50*F. It beaded up the light spray and really blocked the wind on our boat ride out to Isle Royale.

The only thing I dont (didnt) like was the length of the torso. I sent it back in and they lengthened it a couple of inches (added about 1oz) now it is great.

Also check out Montbell Ex Light and plasma

I see the Montbell UL Down parka, which I own, has been replaced by the Superior Down Parka. A hoodless version is also available.

It’s longer than the hoodless EX Light. It also has a full zipper in both the hooded (parka) and hoodless (jacket) version, whereas the EX Light anorak has a half zipper.

Combined with a mid-weight, long sleeve wool shirt, the UL down parka was sufficient to keep me warm on overnight and weekend trips in North Georgia in January and February. If you need more insulation, Montbell has other jackets with additional down that are worth looking at.

I will say that I like the hood on my fiancée’s Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer more (which I was able to get a good price on, thanks to the generosity of a BPLer that posted a coupon code), and the GW is also more fashionable. But at about half the price, I’m happy with the Montbell. Besides, fashion and I don’t exactly go hand in hand, anyway.

Still, the GW comes just below your $350 budget (and can be had for less than $250 on sale now if you find your size and like the colors), so you may want to take a look at it if it interests you.

If you really want something small, the Montbell Plasma 1000 is really small. The advertised weight is 4.8 oz which presumably is for a size M. My size XL comes out close to an ounce heavier, but is still very light. I’m actually thinking of selling my Plasma 1000 which I just picked up here on Gear Swap because I also recently bought a Hadron down anorak. The Hadron is 3 oz heavier but has a hood and is has a bit more loft in the torso and arms. I don’t really need both although the Plasma 1000 and the Hadron since they’re comparable. I’d probably let the Plasma 1000 go for $170 (which is exactly what I paid for it here on Gear Swap). Let me know if you are interested.

HJ
Adventures In Stoving
Hikin’ Jim’s Blog

The jacket in my avatar is the original EB First Ascent jacket.

I wish I had one of the new First Ascent jackets with Dri Down treated down but mine in still great for western backpacking at high (and often chilly) altitudes. I also use it for extending the temperature range of my WM Megalite sleeping bag. EB down is very good 850 fill European goose down.

The montball ex lite anorak would be a good bet.i use that in my very compact running pack. As would the ghost wisperer. I also saw the haglofs L.I.M. essense on backcountry.com for a good price recently If money waz no object I'd probably get luke's ultralight down anorak with pertex endurance shell.

Sierra Trading Post has the Ghost Whisperer for $188 with a coupon, provided they’ve got your size and you like the colors. Large in blue looks pretty good.

Coupon code PRM62967 expires 7/20, but STP always has a coupon code, so hunt around if that doesn’t work, or subscribe to their email.

Also, without hood for $160.