Choosing a down jacket – it’s that time of year!

Mb at those prices .. hoodie ia useful in winter

eb if you can wait for the sick after xmas sales you know will happen .. If yr eb loses a few quacks just take it in to yr nearest eb and theyll exchange

patagucci aint worth it imo unless u find a crazy sale

I just got an MB Ex-light. Haven't used it yet, but it is very pretty and though it's redundant, I"m keeping it to wear around town, summer use. It feels luxurious and fits me well (19.5" torso, 38" chest.. medium, a tad loose, they fit short). The M is 5.7 oz, doesn't get more compressible and the navy blue looks wicked. Might want to check it out if you don't mind being a little cold for the sake of fashion.

Now the EB Downlight. I am very happy with it's warmth.

It's nice and warm. 5000ft, -2*C, BAIAC mummy pad, MEC Drake 0*C rect.bag (not thermally efficient), EB downlight, Hexamid. I slept pretty well. No wind though and sheltered site.

Maybe one of last year's ones will turn up on gear swap cheap. It does shed a bit of down, but not alarmingly. Though the cut on the old version (no idea on new) is not the most flattering.

Either way, since they're so ubiquitous, I go to a EB FA store and try one on since you want to wear it around town. Not sure about this years, but last years version had a weird cut/fit on me. Tight right under the armpits, and kind of bellowed around the belly like I had a potbelly. YMMV. But it is warm, 3 oz of down is solid for town use.

If I"m walking around town in the 40*F+s, I get too warm with the EB and a t-shirt. I have to unzip.

All else being equal (price), I'd go for the MB Alpine Light at the same down weight. My small EB Downlight was around 11.6 oz. If you can get one for around $60/70 then it's a very tough call vs the MB.

Eric,

that EB Downlight debacle was epic. I bought a lot of them, my family and friends got introduced to 800 fp goose down, whether they liked it or not. The young lady/CDN border officer was so impressed with the deal she called her colleague over and asked how I heard about the deal.

Looking forward to the next sale. May want to wait, as Eric suggests, till after Christmas and hope for a repeat.

There's also the feathered friends jacket (not sure the model), Eric may be able to help you with that one. It's in the same class as the MB Alpine Light..probably really warm.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you find a M.B. Alpine Light for $120?

Thanks, guys! I'm gathering from both your reviews (nice to have consensus) that the MB is the better jacket, but EB is also quite good at the prices they tend to be found at (I like the look of it, too, assuming it fits me). I missed my chance at the sale they recently had…

Was surprised to find online an EB in my city, thought they were only in the US, so I'll try to hit a store and hope they have jackets to try on. I'm not sure I can find the MB anywhere near me.

Ryan, might be a fluke but I found the MB AL for sale on Campsaver, and kind of averaged the price to $120 – my mistake, lack of research on my part, but it looks like a good sale on Campsaver, because it seems to retail for $160 usually.

http://www.campsaver.com/alpine-light-down-jacket-mens

Oh, and that MB Ex-light sure is light! But it can't be very warm?

I'd go for the MB Alpine Light for general purpose usage. A friend of mine has one that I tried on and I liked it a lot. It's not as light as the Montbell UL or EX but the face fabric is way more durable. Can't comment on it vs. the EB version.

Personally I would get the parka instead of the jacket because it adds a lot of warmth especially for sleeping without adding much weight. I have a Mountain Hardwear Phantom jacket (extremely warm, too warm most of the time for the Sierras except car camping) and regret not having a hood.

Andrew

derek … the ex light is = to the UL light inner … it has 1.8 oz of 900 down fill vs . 4 oz for the 800 down for the alpine light … the alpine light will be significantly warmer and suited to somewhere in the mid-high 20Fs

the ex light is a great layering piece in camp when you already have a synth puffay and need a light warmth boost for camp ,,, i use one for that "emergency" warmth

as suggested a hood on a winter jacket is ideal if you are using it as an outer jacket

scott … an EB 800 fill jacket to a girl will get you certain favors … i know ;)

THANK YOU EDDIE BAUER !!!

lol

For general purpose, or just in general, I'd try on one with a hood first to see if you like it.

I know the general consensus is that a parka w/hood is warmer and a lot of people seem to go that route. You'll have to decide for yourself.

However, IMO, I personally don't like hoods. I may be paranoid but I like my peripheral vision and always bring a beanie anyways. Another member of BPL I know just sold his MB UL Inner Parka because he didn't like how the hood would get wet when he layered it under his rainshell (which most bring anyways).

YMMV. I"ve never owned a parka, just knew I likely wouldn't dig it.

I have tried on the MB UL Inner Parka hood (not Alpine Light) and didn't dig the fit. Of course this was after I tried on the Western Mountineering Flash. Now that was a hood. It fit like a balaclava, no loss of peripheral vision and was by far the best fitting jacket (for me)… but it's $260.

The parka vs jacket is something you have to think carefully about. It may be more than the "bang for buck" thing. And do you want more of a "sweater" (layering more important) or "jacket" (stand alone).

For me, I went with the sweater layering concept. I'd rather save the weight, because in town I'm not too concerned with warmth (more with sweating too much, in out of car, walking, in and out of buildings), and when out camping I'm going to have a rainjacket or windshirt or both with me anyways.

But YMMV and just from my limited experience.

Eric,

I gave a wicked red one to a girl (a lot nicer than I though).. she was like, but it might make me look all MEC/granola.

I should have gave it to my mom.

Freakin Vancouver.

OK back to thread.

lol…

Hoods…yes, well, I do recognize the value of having a hood when I need one, but I've never liked hoods in general and have to agree with Scott on this one. They bunch up behind the head, generally get in the way unless I have it over my head, which is rare because they cut off my vision. I aught to have a rain jacket on top anyway if there's inclement weather, and I wear hats and toques when the weather is cold, it being my preferred method of head heat management. The minimal weight of a hood doesn't matter to me, but I'm looking at this down jacket for layering in cold, rain, or snow, so I'll probably stay hoodless. :-)

BTW Eric, what's a "puffay"?

puffay is anything that makes u look like the michelin man …lol

BPL recently did a state of the market report on UL down jackets:
Part 1: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultralight_3-season_down_jackets_sotm_2010_part_1.html

Part 2: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultralight_3-season_down_jackets_sotm_2010_part_2.html

Part 3: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultralight_3-season_down_jackets_sotm_2010_part_3.html

HJ

None of those are warm enough for winter where I go.

Montbell Alpine Down
16oz size M
6oz fill 800
$144
Size small on my scale weighs 14.85oz
It fits like a melted marshmallow but feels very light and ….. puffay. :o) No cinches anywhere. Inside pocket. Box construction. No drop hem.

Montane Anti-freeze
14oz size M
170g fill 800+
$148
Size small weighs 14.35oz on my scale. Montane jackets are fitted, this one has neck, waist, and hem cinches. Cuffs have velcro adjustment. No inner pocket. Stitched through. Drop hem covers the butt well.

Montane North Star (Anti-freeze with a hood)
18.5oz size M
200g fill 800+
$170
Size small weighs 17.25oz on my scale. Hood, waist, hem cinches. Velcro adjust on cuffs. Volume adjust on hood. No inner pocket. Stitched through. Drop hem.

LLBean UL 850
15oz size M
$149
4.37oz fill 850 per customer service
Size small weighs 14.55 oz on my scale. Hem cinch only, no adjustment on the cuffs. Inner pocket, drop hem. Lightweight on the body. Stitched through.

FWIW, a MH Sub Zero SL extra-small w/hood weighs 34.90 oz

I love the MH but it's porky. I have owned it for years and don't really want to carry it.
I like the athletic Montane fit the best followed by the LLBean.
I like the adjustability of the Montane jackets.
I love the lightweight feel of the Montbell but >for me< it needs cuff adjustment on the sleeves to fit well. Also, when I lift then lower my arms the bottom hem doesn't return to it's starting position, leaving me exposed.

My non-scientific testing so far:

Recently I stood out in 15-20mph wind with only a long-sleeve t-shirt under each jkt. I wanted to feel for air leaks and where they were happening. The windchill temp was 33 degrees.
The Montbell let the least amount of air through, the UL 850 was terrific in the core but I could feel some air blowing through on the sleeves, the Anti-freeze performed very well all over the jkt. I appreciated having the hood on the North Star and it did as well as the Anti-freeze and UL 850 except around the kidney area. I don't know what's up with the NS verses the AF but there is a huge cold spot that after awhile leaves me feeling chilly. I don't feel this when I wear my layers though.

My favorite jkt so far is the Anti-freeze even though I prefer to have a hood. I do have down hoods from other jkts I could wear plus a MB UL down inner parka if needed.

Hope this helps a bit.

Edit: Montane jackets have the fussiest zippers I've encountered so far. The difficulty comes where you join the two sides together and pull. They really want to be meshed just right to operate. Zipper lube might help.
Also, the hood on the North Star rolls up so you can get it out of the way somewhat. It does not roll into the collar.

I didnt see anyone post on these….are they not widely accepted in the blp community?

I was trying not to spend that much money. Not sure what I'll end up wearing at this point.

I vote MB Inner Parka.

Used it on my first overnight trip January 2010 on the AT. Temps during the day were around 15*F with a low at night at 3*F

The parka with a fleece underneath and a smartwool midweight kept my torso and head just fine.

Things I needed to change after that trip were better ways to keep my hands and feet warm….. and to set up my hammock better.

Here's the video of the trip so you can see the parka (2:28 in the video)

"…but I've never liked hoods in general and have to agree with Scott on this one. They bunch up behind the head, generally get in the way unless I have it over my head, which is rare because they cut off my vision. I aught to have a rain jacket on top anyway if there's inclement weather, and I wear hats and toques when the weather is cold …"

I bought a Montbell Alpine Light Parka last year to use on the beginning part of my AT thru-hike, and I liked it a lot, will bring this on the CDT next year. I can't compare it to any of the alternatives, but it's a very nice piece of gear.

I too was leery about the hood idea, went ahead and got the parka anyway, and was glad that I did. W.r.t. specific downsides listed above:

"They bunch up behind the head"
I'm not sure of the context of this — while sleeping? With a backpack on? Other? Perhaps this refers to the latter comment about wearing a rain jacket over it, in which case yup, can be an issue if it's not cold enough out to warrant the hood.

"generally get in the way unless I have it over my head"
Other than wearing another garment over it, I've not experienced this, FWIW

"which is rare because they cut off my vision"
I wonder if we have differing ideas of when such a jacket is worn? I've not experienced conditions in which I could actually hike with the jacket on (too warm), I wear it at breaks, perhaps, in camp, and when sleeping if appropriate to augment the warmth of my sleeping bag. The issues with the hood cutting off vision are a lot less of a big deal when stopped, IMO, and combined with some sort of warm hat a hood is pretty handy to pull on or toss back off, it blocks the wind and definitely helps the jacket retain warmth better. And it's just always available.

"I aught to have a rain jacket on top anyway if there's inclement weather"
A rain jacket hood will block some wind but isn't nearly as warm, doesn't function as well in letting the jacket/parka retain overall heat.

"and I wear hats and toques when the weather is cold"
Ditto, but the hood can layer on top of a hat and since it has more complete/continuous coverage than a hat, it just feels like an effective way to keep me overall warmer relative to the weight it adds.

On my lighter thermawrap jacket, I like the jacket format, for some of the reasons that you mention plus just to save the weight of the hood, but for a somewhat beefier down garment, I too am sold now on the parka format.

if your considering the jacket for shoulder season and even into winter I'd definitely go for a hood- a minute weight penalty for much added warmth, if not a jacket will be fine

the chances of hiking in your down jacket are very slim- they simply are too warm and your going to sweat, impacting the efficiency of the down

if you use it in your sleeping bag to boost temps, the hood will help

I think the UL Inner is a great choice for non-shoulder season use (as is the ex-light- I own one), if looking at shoulder season/winter the Alpine Light Parka is the way I'd go- not too heavy, priced right and has more warmth than most of the others mentioned

I didnt see anyone post on these….are they not widely accepted in the blp community?

im sure the flash is a good jacket .. but its not a value leader … if money was no object im sure people would snap them up … but the fact is youll never find them at prices you can get the MB at … never mind those crazy EB end of season jacket for $50 ones

i suspect that if you do a poll most on BPL the most prevalent light down jacket would be a MB, EB also being common … there's a reason for this

i honestly dont see 800 fill down jackets commanding a premium anymore .. a lot of the credit for this affordability goes to MB and EB … and other big manuf

even grannies have 800 fill jackets these days

Out of all the jackets I tried on:

MB Ex-light, MB UL Down Inner jacket/parka, MB Alpine Light, EB FA Downlight.. the WM Flash was by far my favorite.

It fit and felt the best. The down was so poofy and felt really warm, the elastic around the wrist and waist felt just right, and the hood was perfect. When down, hardly noticed it, when worn, it fit like a balaclava. It's $260. Total worth it if you can swing it.

2nd was the MB Ex-Light. And then it was quite a distance to the others. The fabric on the others just didn't feel as nice (stiffer) over a t-shirt. The EB fit the worst, but it was $60-65 CDN to my door. I think the Ex-light would be the best around town for the temps in my hometown.

I still think about getting the WM Flash, but it's probably like how I think about the Nunatak quilts… I better make sure I really really like it, and I'm likely not at that point yet.

I'm a small in the WM Flash (perfect fit), small on the EB (chest tight, but roomy/long elsewhere)…American brands. Medium with the Montbell (arms a tad long, torso a little short on the Ex-light, room to layer).

Thanks for the help, everyone! :)

Val C, I'm intrigued by the Montane Anti-freeze, not least because it's only $104 at Backcountry.com. Seems to be a dark horse because I've heard very little about it and can't much info here at BPL, but it looks like a nice jacket. It's 3-4oz heavier than the Alpine Light, but I assume it would be consequently warmer, right? And still compressible and thin enough for layering?

Anyone have a Montane and know how they're sized?

from their site looks like close to 6 oz of fill (800), so yes it should be pretty warm :)- if they had one w/ hood I'd grab one, my "warm" jacket has to have a hood

They do, but you have to be lucky with the size:

http://www.backcountry.com/montane-north-star-down-jacket-mens

It seems that most people think that hooded parka is the way to go.

I am looking at either the eb downlight parka, mb ul inner parka or mb alpine light parka.

I tried on the eb downlight today and a large felt like a good fit on top of a t-shirt and sweatshirt. Does this mean I should buy a x-large to have more room for layering?
how do the mb jackets size in comparison?

I already have the mb thermawrap, with this is the ul inner parka kind of the same but down?
thanks

Josh