Winter Down Jacket

well i know you asked about 2 specific jackets, neither of which i am familiar with. but just in case you didn't look, i would suggest feathered friends. their quality is great, good customer service, and i think they are made in the US.

Feathered Friends seems to make great gear. The closest thing they make to my needs is the Volant Jacket. I have not been able to find a picture of it with a hood though and I question the breatheability of an epic shell also I cannot tell if it haves Velcro wrist closures which I much prefer on a jacket for foul conditions. I know I could probably have any necessary changes customized but that would add considerable cost.

Hi Cameron, I assume you’ve read this thread from Richard Nisley?

The permafrost sounds like a good option.

Yes, I am currently torn between that jacket and the Rab Neutrino Endurance Jacket. The difference is the Rab is sewn through, has one oz less down, does not have a welded baffles, weighs 4oz less and uses endurance instead of windstopper. Has anyone used either of these?

bump

Hello everyone. I'm new to posting but have subscribed to BPL for three or four years. I own a Feathered Friends Volant Jacket with snap on hood, all made out of eVent. I was recently cross-country skiing in Canada, and at night, it was 38 below zero. When I had to head outside to the outhouse in the middle of the night, this jacket kept me warm with just a capilene t-shirt underneath. I've had it for about eight years now, and it is one piece of gear I will never sell, as it is extremely well made and is the warmest thing I own.

Cameron- you and I have the exact same criteria for a belay parka and I too have been deliberating over a Rab Endurance for over a year now.

I have never seen one, but did check out a Rab Neutrino Edge at Rock and Snow in New Paltz. I was rather disappointed in the loft- maybe three inches total in the body, and looked to be less than my MH Phantom. The Edge has more down than the Endurance, and so I wonder just how warm it would be compared to the Permafrost. The FF Volant is a wonderful jacket and would be my choice over the Permafrost (more durable, I like the shoulder baffling, good price). Regardless, I consider the Volant and Permafrost to be a different class of jacket over the Endurance.

I compare the Rab Endurance to the WM Meltdown (sewn through, very lightweight). I tried on a Meltdown- it was very, very lofty- at least 4 inches total and maybe more. I have a very long neck, and the hood fit over a helmet in the large. If this weighs 17 ounces as claimed, it seems more impressive than the Nuetrino Endurance. The microfiber WM uses is really nice (I have it on a winter bag). It breathes very well, is down proof, has great drape, is tough and is more water-resistant than you’d think.

Anyway, Chris Townsend is quoted in Rab’s website as using the Endurance, so hopefully he will speak up.

Mammute Ambler Hooded Jacket would more then fit the bill.
I was looking at them recently and found one for 175ish! Seems like good value on a full on winter belay parka