Everest base camp trek in early December – down jacket recommendations?

Look for Eddie Bauer sales. Their First Ascent clothing is top notch and they go on sale at greater discounts than other equally good brands' clothes. I got their Down Sweater on sale for $89. last year. Love it.

Hi Benjamin,
If you ask me personally, I think you can never be too warm when you're talking 0 degrees. Maybe i'm just a wuss. But I bring my Peak XV out when its 0-15. It's also part of my sleeping system when conditions are that cold. Its a great jacket, especially if you can get it on sale. Featherfriends also makes great light weight and warm jackets..they have stuff that's lighter and warmer than the XV, but it does carry a premium in price. I agree, a MB alpine light parka is too light for your application. Also, though you mention 0 degrees as your low, have you considered windchill?

The last time that I was up there, I had my full down jacket on, plus every other stitch of warm clothing I had with me… and that was in mid-October.

This is confusing, because you say that you will only use the jacket for resting at night in the lodges, and that you prefer a hood.

It sure is not going to be 0 degrees F in a lodge. Expect more like 35 degrees F plus smoky. Or, are you staying outdoors? Outside, it might be closer to 0 degrees F plus there will be lots of wind.

–B.G.–

Benjamin, you don't have PM's set up – I have an Eddie Bauer First Ascent Downlight sweater, size small, black, that I bought in the sale last year, tried on once, still has tags attached. This has no hood.

I was in Nepal trekking in the Annapurna regeion two years ago, and took a Montbell down inner jacket – it was plenty warm, with enough other layers, in sub freezing temps. A down beanie might be the solution to keep your head warm.

I am in Queensland, so if the jacket interests you, postage should be minimal, regular post $6, express $9 rough estimates. I would ask for $80 + postage.

CQ.

for -20C I'd bring a Peak XV. But since you'll mainly be in tea houses at that temperature @night I might suggest something like the WM Flight which is about 1/2 the weight of the FA and about what I wear normally walking to work in those conditions. I think the MB might be not warm enough – but with layers you can see in the review on this website that it would work @-20C

Fast & light, maybe the Western Mountaineering Meltdown Down Jacket at around 17oz..If you could get it 10% it would hit the high end of your price range.

Also you could probably find a used Norrøna Lyngen Down Belay jacket. Weighs more but is made for climbing/mountaineering trips.

Norrøna Lyngen Down Belay jacket

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2010/03/design-triumphsthe-norrna-lyngen-down.html

Probably a lot of good deals on used stuff being that your buying off-season.

Cheers

Thanks guys for the advice – I will have a detailed look at those options.

Part of the problem is that I'm not exactly sure what to expect temperature-wise. I will be trekking as part of an organized group and staying in lodges, but I've read that these are only heated some of the time and it can still be very cold in the sleeping areas. And there may be times that I'll be outside at night (going from sleeping area to bathroom?), so perhaps it would be best to play it safe and get the peak XV, given that its also one of the cheapest options. I'll keep an eye on the EB website for sales.

Chris – appreciate the offer, but I think a small would be too tight for me (I'm a medium in the montbell alpine light parka).

I've also now set up my email address for PMs

Lodges over there are kind of unpredictable. The classy lodges (most expensive) are drafty, but they would not get down to freezing in the sleeping areas. Sometimes they have a central stove, and sometimes it burns yak dung. Surprisingly, that can be very good heat. The quaint tea houses (least expensive) are about the same, except that they may have a simple fireplace with an open hearth (smoky).

If it is a classic Sherpa structure, the "facilities" may be in the ground floor barn where animals are kept, or it might be in an outbuilding not far away.

Depending on which route you are following, there are some windy ridges where a down parka will be necessary during the day. Down in the valleys, it is less windy.

–B.G.–

The Peak XV is nice but I bet you a quilted down jacket w/ about 9oz of fill would be perfect for what your doing.
Something the a FF Helios or heavier street style patagonia down jacket/FA Guides Jacket/FF Helious/ect — for winter town wear/this trip I'd get a hooded helious and I bet you would be great.
I think the FA Peak XV is overkill for this trip (but might be nice to have one time or two – its also a great price. Just not that versatile.)

After much umming and ahhing I finally decided to order the Montbell Frost Line from prolite gear. It has everything I've been looking for – baffled construction, insulated hood, long centre back length (~30 inches), and a reasonable weight (25 oz / ~700 grams). Official specs quote 6.7 oz fill however I noticed an earlier discussion here which suspected its actually more than this (orinal specs on the web site also said it was sewn-thru, which is incorrect…). It comes highly recommended in reviews and seems to fare well in sub zero (F) temps, so I think it will be enough insulation for my needs. I'll also be buying a paclite outer shell which I can wear over it if I'm still cold, and icebreaker 260 weight thermals to wear underneath…

I'm slightly concerned about sizing. I'm 6 feet / 155 lbs and slim built – have read that this jacket runs large (oversized for layering) and have gone with a medium. Will report back with size impresssions when it arrives if anyones interested.