Mont-Bell Alpine Light Parka vs. First Ascent Downlight Hoodie

Don't know about the parka or hoodie, but I have both in jackets.

I have a Montbell Alpine light Jacket.
I bought two First Ascent Downlight jackets on sale for my kids.

I've never seen a feather leak from my Montbell- I've had it for almost 2 years and wear it regularly in the winter while backpacking/climbing.

While the First Ascents are OK, both have been leaking down (poking through the fabric) since the day I bought them. Not a lot, but I don't like it either.

I think the Montbell is far better quality. The Montbell also has more loft.

I went for the Downlight Hoody when MB changed the Alpine Light for this year. Weight is up 1.5 oz and fill is only up .1 oz.

I can't fairly compare the two, but the differences in fill are small enough to where warmth should be pretty much the same. The Downlight has fleece-lined pockets. It stuffs in to one which effectively turns it into a nice pillow, polyester fabric on one side, fleece on the other. I'm pretty sure my Downlight came in around 13 oz in a small.

Note that EB changed the fabrics for 2010 in response to the leaking issue with the 2009 models.

Bpl tested the mb to be warmer thab the eb for the jackets

for the same price id go mb ….. For the crazy sales youre bound to see after xmas … Eb

all my down jackets leak down …. With eb u can just take it back and exchange if u arent happy

Chris,

How are the pockets on the Downlight?

I know Mont-Bell makes good down gear, I have a UL Down Inner Jacket from them and it is one of my favorite pieces of gear. I also have a Nunatak Skaha Plus but the lack of handwarmer pockets bothers me so I am considering picking up one of these to test as a replacement.

I like them. I feel like the fleece lining makes them much cozier than those on my UL Down Inner.

A couple of years ago I could get away with just a Thermawrap jacket sitting around camp in the 20s. Since I leaned out considerably, I have a harder time staying warm in camp. My UL Down Inner may get very little back country use this year since I have the Downlight.

I own (and love) the new version of the Alpine Light Parka. I have no direct experience with the FA Downlight Hoodie, or any EB products for that matter.

I faced this decision recently, and decided to stick with Montbell because they have never let me down in the past. I have an Alpine Down, SS Bag, and a UL Wind Jacket that all serve me well. I am also about to buy the Down Inner Jacket you have. How do you like it for 3 season in the SE?

Things that might make the Downlight a better piece (without seeing it in person) IMO are:

Judging from the pictures, it may be more athletic cut which would be nice for layering.

It is 2 ounces lighter

Packs into it's own pocket

As for the MB, I read somewhere (and cannot seem to find it now) that the EB was 3.8 ounces of fill to the MBs 4.3 ounces. That would make it the warmer piece assuming the fill on the EB is correct.

3.8 was for the jacket but I don't know how much is in the hoody.

I don't carry insulation down here for typical 3-season use. My Down Inner was my previous Winter insulation and will mostly serve as town wear now.

I love my UL Down Jacket. I just got back from a trip to Shining Rock Wilderness where it was 18*F with 20+ mph winds, and 85% humidity at 5800 feet the first night and 22*F on a creek the second night and it was my only insulation layer. I used it with a baselayer and windshirt. If I had known it was going to be that cold, I would have used my Skaha but it did the job. It always amazes me at how warm it is.

I carry it on most all of my high elevation trips even in the summer. I have been on Mt LeConte in mid June where it was 33*F and have spent nights in the mid thirties in July and August as well.

As an update, I am waiting to see what happens to the price of EB Hoodie in January.

If it helps, Prolite Gear has 20% off all Montbell Products.