Best choice among the UL down jackets?

" I'm afraid that even with all my layers on … I won't be warm enough while sitting in camp on cold nights and mornings."

1) Why will you be "sitting in camp on cold nights and mornings"?

2) To the extent you are, could you adopt the GVP method and drape your sleeping bag around yourself underneath your outer shell garment?

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You might add the Marmot Quasar in the mix. Might be a bit heavier by and oz or two.
I have the jacket and love it.

Take a look at the GoLite Bitteroot. It is heavier than the others but also much warmer and a bargain price at $200. I'm hoping for it to go on sale during the holidays but seems doubtful.

This my opinion only, but when you have really narrow chambers for the down, I feel like you are getting a really bad value in a down jacket. You are paying for all the extra stitching instead of for less stitching and more down.

The Hadron should have 2.3oz of 850FP down. The old stoic versions had that much.
The button snaps is nice as there's much less cold spots since there's no zipper.

I don't find the pullover design to be much if a problem since I only wear down puffies when at rest/around camp.

My body runs warmer than most, so I found it to be comfortable to freezing with just a midweight wool layer on (icebreaker bodyfit 200), and even warmer with a windshirt thrown over. I'll probably be happy down to the 20's with my new MEC Vega (grid fleece) hoodie underneath and windshirt over.

Check out geartrade.com, backcountry posts some good deals on used down stuff there frequently. That's where I got my Hadron Anorak for $80, practically new. Also got my Rab Xenon there for 75, again practically unworn.

the montbell piece is very nice. BUT i did not find if warm enough for winters in PA. it was perfect for spring and fall, but it is not that thick. not warm enough for lows in the teens hanging around the campfire. 20s would be pushing it. just my 2

Basically any jacket of this weight will only be warm to around the freezing point depending on layering (my UL parka was good to about 40 usually).

The MB UL in medium should fit you well and be exactly what you're looking forward. I used mine nonstop before it was stolen during the cooler months. The biggest drawback is the fabric they use is not the most downproof, so you get little feathers floating every time you wear it (makes me wish they had an EXLite version with a hood!). Even with the leaking feathers I still loved and found much use for the UL parka. The others are basically the same jacket with changes in fit and fabric. Variations on a theme if you will, and much more expensive, stoic/bc.com pullover aside. For the weight penalty of going up to ~12oz the suggestion of a bitterroot is a good one. It will be much warmer and still cheaper than the Pata/MHW versions. Those two are nice, but ridiculously over priced for being made outside the US. Also if you are willing to spend $300, get a MB mirage which is a premium version of the Bitterroot and never be cold again outside of deep winter (box wall, 5.3oz of 900fp down, less than 13oz).

Here is a great gear search site: http://www.lwhiker.com/

I've used a Montbell UL Down Parka (hooded)for the past two years from early spring to late fall in the Sierra (as low as 20F). While it's nice and gets the job marginally done, I wish I would have bought something with just a tad more down (4 oz. range) for when temps get below freezing.

I'm about the same size and shape as you and Montbell medium fits me perfect. I don't have the UL down parka but I do have the Alpine light, which i love. Its perfect for shoulder seasons with just a light baselayer, and good for winter with some heavier layers underneath. I don't find myself using it all in the summer in the Sierras though.

Here is the BPL State of the Market report for ultralight down jackets that talks about many of the jackets mentioned in this thread:

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

For what it's worth, I have a MB UL Down Parka and love it. It's a great value. Below 25F I start bringing my MB Mirage instead. My wife has the Stoic Hadron and likes it a lot too.

as others have said if you want to be "warm" below freezing something with 4 oz or so of down is probably best

EB downlights are always on sale, and MB makes their alpine lights ..

theres plenty of others as well …

the SOTM report posted gives a good overview of what to look for even if the specific jackets have changed

;)

I'm not a fan of the sub 12oz class of down jackets. Too much moisture sensitivity, too much cost for the function, and not much warm beyond synthetic puffys.

Get a down vest to augment your R2. Keep the vest with you the whole time. Mail yourself the R2 for the Sierras and Washington (or north Oregan depending on your pace).

Read this comparison of 15 of the best

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Down-Jacket-Reviews

Derek,
Totally tooting my own horn, but I just did some surveying / decision making of my own on this same topic:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=84362

For the weight class you're considering, I ended up with the Uniqlo down hoody, as it is a price point that trumps all the competition. But, I suppose most of my consideration was in a higher weight class than what you've listed here.

But, if you liked the size medium Montbell, you may want to check out a size small Uniqlo.

If you live in Seattle you can try on my medium Montbell UL down hooded parka. Oh I also have the EB jacket Eric mentioned.

I have owned a few others and have trekked with friends using others. I have see them all in action. Based on my experience, nothing gives as much warmth per oz as the WM Flash.

Derrick

While I love my Eddie Bauer down sweater (in my avatar) these days I would get ONLY a DWR treated down garment or bag.

Most hikers won't be sitting in camp in the mornings or evenings. I only wore my Montbell UL Down a few times while setting up and taking down camp. No hood was necessary.

Derek,

Where are you located in the PNW? Send me a PM.

Is the $170 (today's sale) Golite Bitterroot not an option?

I have the Hadron Hoody.

First good thing was the price, $75 on close-out.
Next, the weight is very competitive, even regardless of price
For me, the long sleeves, cuffs and slim cut are a great fit, as I have very long arms and am very slim.

The hood is a personal thing, but if you have a quilt, it almost becomes a requirement.

For me the pull-over is inconvenient to use, but that is offset by not having a draft tube get caught in the zipper. It does make the jacket far less flexible in temperature range though, since you can't open the front nor the sleeves.

I have used the Hadron over a baselayer shirt in temps around freezing in camp and been fairly comfy, if it was windy I covered it with a windshirt.

I have used it at temps around 20F/-7C with a baselayer, thin midlayer and windshell and fairly ok as long as I kept moving around camp a bit.

For backpacking

+1 Montbell UL Parka

If the fit suits you, this is one fine bit of kit. It is a great mid-layer component, and as a foundational element in my layering system, it has taken me well below freezing while in camp.

No love for the Uniqlo down parka?

$50 for a size large that is under 10 oz… I love mine and it has made a perfect shoulder season jacket for here in VA. Fits great on me (just a bit snug, easy to get a wind or rain jacket over it).

Certainly not a jacket to be worn over a single shirt in the 20's, but fills about just about every other need including being very comfy to sleep in due to the nice fit and no cord locks.