MontBell EX Light Down Anorak

That is tempting.

Ohhhhhhh crap. Please don't ever post here again. You, my friend, are dangerous.

the breakfast burrito line was out the door on saturday, so I crossed the street to check out the montbell store. Kinda wish I hadn't because I tried on one of these, and now I want one. I've avoided the ex light mainly because of the lack of a drawcord and hood, but this one has both and a great kangaroo pocket for less than an oz more. I like the simple anorak design (less prone to zipper failure) and hood fits well with no adjustments. A piece like this works brilliantly in a running pack for day trips, or as one of a couple colder weather layers. Going stupidly light has gotten so comfortable.

I wear XL or XXL so mine would be a bit heavier but my silk weight top weighs about 6 ozs. Other than freeing up the funds, this would be a no brainer.

The curse of the titans. You get excited when something weighs silly light and then you realize the listed weight is for S/M. Either way, that's one sexy puffy.

Ryan

After I purchased a Montbell Mirage and Dead Bird
Nuclei last year I told myslef no new insulation, but
if one of these goes on Gear Swap or on sale I will be sorely
tempted.

I do prefer insulated items with a hood.

Since this would appeal mostly to a gram counter in warmer temps, wouldn't it make more sense to buy the non-hooded version? If it's cold enough to need a hood, that jacket won't be warm enough.

Jeff is the voice of reason :-)

Therefore I have no use for Jeff :)

That Kangaroo pocket is a gamechanger on this piece.

Do the Ex Light's fit like the UL down inner garments?

(Please tell me NO) :)

>Do the Ex Light's fit like the UL down inner garments?

I wear my large Ex Light over a fleece and the Thermawrap fits nicely on top. Seems like they've sized there garments to work together.

Yes, my UL Down Inner Parka fits me exactly like my Ex Light. My Apline Light Down Parka is a bit larger though.

Jeff: "If it's cold enough to need a hood, that jacket won't be warm enough."

I kind of thought the same, which eased the temptation, since I have basically the same thing without the hood, already.
It really chafes that my Filament(size Large) is 7.3oz while this thing lists at 6.2, though :p
Oh, what might have been…

Have one in XL arriving today along with a Blue Plasma Jacket I caught on sale. Will keep one of them.

I have no experience with them, but Borah Gear makes hoodless down jackets that I haven't seen much talk about:

http://borahgear.com/jacket.html

$160, 2.3 oz 850+ fill and 5.15 oz in medium – could be a good competitor to the Ex Light. At these fill weights, I really don't think hoods are necessary.

I had planned on getting the Golite Selkirk ($140, hoodless, 800 Fill, 6oz med.)

http://www.golite.com/Mens-Selkirk-Ultralite-800-Fill-Down-Jacket-P47040.aspx?gclid=CKL6obLgtsACFRNffgoddD0Auw

But dammit now I have to rethink this and it hurts.

"Have one in XL arriving today along with a Blue Plasma Jacket I caught on sale. Will keep one of them."

And you will sell me the one you don't keep for extremely cheap, yes yes?? XL bros have to stick together!

Ryan

Hey just an fyi as a similar item.

I currently own a non-anorak ex-light weighing about 4.5-5 oz for size small (off the top of my head). Love the jacket and I wear it almost everyday during winter and also while backpacking.

I just received the Feathered Friends Daybreak hoody which weighs in on my scale as 8.3 oz for size small. This jacket claims 3.1oz of 900+ fill for a medium. This jacket although expensive def seems like a game changer compared to the montbell, WM, MH, other down jackets with the amount of fill and low weight. I can post pics later tonight or this weekend.

Please post some thoughts on the FF jacket! Sounds awesome!

XL weighs 7.2 oz.

Very Nice

Trim fit.
I am 6-3 and 245 38: waist and it fits but I dont think I could layer much under it.
Just a tee and a long sleeve shirt under and thats about it.

I have a fairly big head but the hood fits nice.

Prolite Gear has a video review up…

Gary – Feathered Friends makes great UL jackets and vests. They cost more then Montbell, but hit a sweet spot in overall weight, shell material, and fill weight. I have a Hyperion vest that has dwr Epic shell, about 3.5 oz of fill, and in size XL is about 8oz. I use it for shoulder season hiking and for winter layering. As I live in the Pacific Northwest, I appreciate the Epic shell, as it handles mist and light rain quite well. FF currently uses Pertex Endurance UL and Schoeller Nanosphere as shell materials for its down jackets and vests and i have good things about the dwr properties of both fabrics. If you want a puffy with a lot of down and shell that can handle more then sitting around camp on cold, clear nights, check out FF.

I thing the drawback to an anorak puffy would be if you like a snug fit, it might be a hassle to get on and off. The increased sizing needed for ease of on/off probably offsets the weight of zipper saved.

nice jacket, but the MH Whsiperer has 2.8 oz of fill, how does 1.9 oz of 900 compare to 2.8 of 850? I'm guessing that it's still substantially more and can't tell if the MB has a drawstring waist????? the difference in weight is ~ 1.5 oz, if that's mostly fill (and a drawstring waist), I think the Whisperer comes out ahead