Down Jacket $25

I can only go on your real-life experience and my guess based on what I believe are similar jackets.

I own a few Montbell models and love them. I believe you have a great jacket (it's served you for two years!). I expect the durability to be less, compressibility less, and the weight is higher. Other than that it's a great deal!

Unless you can get a fill weight you will likely never know.

I don't know the fill weight of my Uniqlo parka, but it uses quality down and is under 10 oz with a hood. It can be picked up for $50. It keeps me warm down to below freezing with a wind shirt over it and that is really all I ever need.

From the montbell products I have seen I'm sure their down jackets are excellent and they get reviewed as such. Personally I haven't found the need for one yet but there is no doubt they are great jackets.

I bought one of the cheap down jackets, and IF (this is a BIG "IF") it hadn't constantly shed little bits of down all over me to the point where I looked like a chicken plucker (!) I would have loved it. It wasn't so bad when it was brand-new, but the shedding got worse and worse over time.

I hope yours doesn't do that.

I've now switched to very high-end down products, because if they start shedding, I'm going to feel 100% justified asking the manufacturers to make it up to me.

My current go-to favorite down jacket is my cheap JCP down jacket from a couple years ago. I bought several when they were on sale for $15-30. My 4xl is 13oz which is far lighter than any other big and tall jacket I've found. And it's kept me warm into the teens no problem.

"Though, I have never worn an expensive (Monte Bell, Northface, REI, ect…) down jacket to compare it too. Does anyone know how they stand up?"

More warmth per ounce.

If you want the best and lightest gear possible, then it matters.

But those cheap down jackets are a good deal, much warmer than trying to layer fleece. Really nice down jackets are horrendously expensive and the money is best spent towards improving other pieces of gear.

Per the website, the Halifax jacket has 650 fill down with 80% down, 20% feathers. If it has enough fill to keep you warm, it would appear to be a good deal. I may try one of these just out of curiosity. I can't justify a $150+ jacket for my sons, who are not the most careful with their clothing when hiking.

My concern was that it may be something like the Hawke & Co. down vest ($18 on eBay) in that the Hawke vest seems to have very little fill compared to the Montbell UL down jacket. I know some on the forum have the Hawke vest, I bought one a few weeks ago to try out (had to break out the sewing machine to take it in so it would fit). It seems nice enough, packs down small and is reasonably light. I'm just not sure about the warmth due to the low amount of fill.

At least someone is already saying that the Halifax jacket is reasonably warm. Good start.