help keep my girlfriend warm! (choice of 2 jackets)

My vote would be Mont-Bell without thinking twice. They make amazing gear if you get the fit right. The weight specified will be accurate for the Mont-Bell probably to the 1/10th of the ounce.

Marmot makes good gear, I really like their 800 fill sleeping bags, but I would step away from sewn threw lower fill down…especially when comparing to Mont-Bell. I also would not be surprised to have the Marmot weigh an ounce heavier then spec'd.

I would just guess that both jackets are similar in warmth as long as you are not compressing the Mont-Bell. i.e. another layer on top.

Anyone else have a thought?

Ashley,

I highly recommend the Mont bell. In my experience with the mens version it should be even warmer than the Marmot. The Marmot will likely be a little more durable but appears to be significantly heavier. I feel that Montbell provides outstanding quality at a great price. And we know how much fill goes into the Alpine down jacket!

These seem to fit a bit looser than the down inner or alpine light jackets so keep that in mind. Sewn through construction is not as warm as the box baffling on the Montbell, seems like a better value. Brett uses lots of Mont bell products and might have some good advice as well.

http://www.prolitegear.com/montbell_womens_alpine_down_jacket.html

– Kyle

Thanks James, Kyle!

Reading your comments I think the Montbell has to be the winner. On the off chance it is not quite as warm, it is probably still going to be plenty warm enough… especially with a base and midlayer underneath. And the weight difference is quite significant.

I'm interested to hear that the alpine down jacket runs a bit larger than usual montbell products. My girlfriend is 5'8" and about 128 pounds I think. Was thinking of getting her a medium (following the sizing chart at prolitegear). Someone holler if that sounds wrong!

Hey Ashley,

It's been mentioned on this forum before that the Montbell Alpine is a screaming deal for a baffled 800-fill jacket, and still comes in pretty light.

The Marmot is only 650-fill and nearly twice as heavy.