Montbell down Jackets?

> 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

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.

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.

> 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You look bigger in your photo. ;-)

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

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.

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

> perhaps a touch slimmer

Miiiaaaaaooowwww!

Rog are you on heat? ;-)

Hilarious