Topic

Montbell down Jackets?


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums Gear Forums Gear (General) Montbell down Jackets?

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1236711
    Ian Rae
    BPL Member

    @iancrae

    Locale: North Cascades

    I'm looking at the Montbell "permafrost light" down jacket vs the "alpine light" down jacket.

    Specs here:

    Permafrost

    Alpine

    As far as I can tell, the difference is the shell material; both fill weights are listed as 4oz. The permafrost is a 30d windstopper fabric, while the alpine is 30d "ballistic" nylon. I'm not familiar with the difference, but the permafrost is $100 and 2.5 oz more.

    I'd be using this in the cascades, so if the windstopper is considerably more water resistant, allowing it to be used as a belay jacket, it may be worth the extra cost and weight. Any thoughts?

    #1504983
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    > allowing it to be used as a belay jacket

    I just got one of the montbell ballistic shelled down jackets. Lovely bit of kit. If your experience of belaying is anything like mine, you want a tough as old boots jacket like my old Sierra Designs ski number. 1.4KG Big pockets with lots of down well protected by a nylon shell which resembles chainmail.

    If you want it, it's yours for $60

    #1505005
    Rod Lawlor
    BPL Member

    @rod_lawlor

    Locale: Australia

    Or you could take your extra $100 and either buy Roger's jacket, or a Montbell Flatiron from Campsaver for $101, inc shipping. It's their alpine synthetic jacket at about 670g (about 22oz)

    My experience is that my belay jacket (OR Chaos) is too heavy for hiking, and I prefer too take something lighter, and not so tough.

    #1506046
    Ian Rae
    BPL Member

    @iancrae

    Locale: North Cascades

    I have a synthetic belay jacket (OR Chaos) and a Patagonia micropuff pullover (the older, lighter style) but am looking for a lighter down jacket for hiking, skiing, and dry weather trips.

    I'm aware of the advantages of synthetic, but there definitely are days where a down jacket would be just fine, esp. if it has some water resistance to the shell. I'm not planning on using this on thru-hikes, but more on shorter trips.

    #1506047
    Nick Gatel
    BPL Member

    @ngatel

    Locale: Southern California

    > but am looking for a lighter down jacket for hiking, skiing, and dry weather trips.

    I have two favorite light down jackets:

    Patagonia Down Sweater (L) at 11.7 oz

    Montbell Extremely Light Down Jacket (L) 6.1 oz

    The Montbell has no pockets. Very minimalist and warm for the weight.

    #1506050
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    I just got a Montbell UL down inner jacket off gear swap and it does have pockets. It's a large, and it weighs a bit over 8oz. Very nicely made.

    #1506058
    Jack H.
    Member

    @found

    Locale: Sacramento, CA

    It's also worth considering the added durability gained by the 2.5oz. Do you want a belay jacket? Are you hard on your gear? Or are you looking for a superlight backpacking jacket?

    Another question on Montbell Jackets. I remember hearing that they ran small. Is this still true? I'm a medium in virtually everything. Am I likely a medium in montbell? 5'10'', athletic, 140lbs.

    #1506062
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    Jack, the large is a snug fit on me, but I guess that's good for an inner jacket anyway. If youwant to wear anything else under it apart from a thin top, go for the large.

    #1506067
    Jack H.
    Member

    @found

    Locale: Sacramento, CA

    Thanks. Are we the same size? I assume so.

    Nah, won't likely wear anything under it aside from a top of long underwear and sometimes a 100 weight fleece shirt.

    #1506071
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    You look bigger in your photo. ;-)

    I'm 6' 8" 200lb, maybe the medium after all if you are just using a baselayer under.

    #1506073
    Ashley Brown
    Member

    @ashleyb

    Jack, I am a medium in virtually everything. 6'1" and 160 pounds. I wear a medium in Montbell and definitely wouldn't want a large. I can easily wear a fleece layer underneath, and would be quite happy if it was slimmer around the body because I usually will be wearing with only a base layer. So go for a medium unless you are planning on doing multiple layers (plus base) underneath.

    #1506074
    Ashley Brown
    Member

    @ashleyb

    ps. I am a similar build to you in your avatar… perhaps a touch slimmer but not much

    #1506075
    Rog Tallbloke
    BPL Member

    @tallbloke

    Locale: DON'T LOOK DOWN!!

    > perhaps a touch slimmer

    Miiiaaaaaooowwww!

    #1506077
    Ashley Brown
    Member

    @ashleyb

    Rog are you on heat? ;-)

    #1506100
    Eugene Smith
    BPL Member

    @eugeneius

    Locale: Nuevo Mexico

    Hilarious

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...