Best choice among the UL down jackets?

I was going through the same exercise. I wish I was planning a thru-hike but that isn't in the cards until I retire. I am hiking the Wonderland this fall.

I went down to the Feathered Friends store and loved the way the Daybreak Hoodie fit. I prefer snug because it is a layering piece + sleep system extender. The only thing I didn't like about the FF unit was I would like more down (about 4.5oz)to extend it's warmth range.

I ended up ordering a custom made jacket from Goosefeet Gear. I don't have it yet so the jury is out but I'm hopeful it will be my "perfect" puffy.

Mine will be:

* 4.5oz. of 850 fill DWR treated down
* Single zipper with backer so that it doesn't snag.
* No zippers on the hand-warmer pockets… just elastic.
* Simple sewn thru design using Pertex Quantum GL 10d fabric on inside/out.

This is the same material ZPacks using in their sleeping bags so it isn't for bush whacking. For me, it is camp/sleep gear and the compression/weight was more important.

I'm expecting it will come in < 11 ounces but we shall see. Price was what I consider reasonable for a one-off custom piece at $240 shipped.

I'll second (third?) the Uniqlo jacket. I don't doubt that the other brands have their merits, but it's hard to imagine that they're worth 3x or even 2x the price.

I'll also reiterate the advice to size down. I wear a medium in nearly everything, but a small Uniqlo puffy fit me better. Their customer service was great though, I ordered a medium at first and they paid for the whole exchange, including return shipping.

I have, and love, the Montbell UL, but I would suggest you move up a few ounces to the Montbell Alpine light. I have that one too, and find that it is a lot warmer for chilly nights than the UL. The UL is fine if it isn't very cool or you are moving around; once it's down into the 30's I'm wearing the Alpine Light.