Baffled by Montbell’s baffling.

Do you mean the Frost Line parka, or maybe the Frost Smoke? I don't believe there is a Frost Point parka.

Yes, sorry, Frost line

Brett,

Not being contrary, just trying to understand the issue.

Question 1: there is only the "Alpine Light" jacket on Montbell's site; is that what you already own? Or was there a previous "Alpine" jacket that is different than the "Alpine Light?"

Question 2: what do you mean about the spacing? I'm only going by the website photos, but the spacing doesn't look much different than the Alpine Light. The Frost Smoke, Ex Light and UL Down are have "quilted" sewn patterns with vertical and horizontal seams.

maybe your mean baffle height?

They used to make an Alpine jacket but don't anymore except in Japan.

I guess I would say baffle height at where it is sewn. The distance between the outer and inner layer where they are sewn.

I think I get what you mean; basically the baffles or "walls" inside the outer and inner fabric layers are not tall enough. Again, just trying to think through this issue and wondering what the practical effect of this is. Do you think the down would be too compacted in each "cell" or "box" and so wouldn't achieve full loft?

Ok, I think I understand now. The baffling box height on your old alpine was about 1.25" and on your new frost line it's only 0.25".

0.25" is pretty narrow, and I don't have one on hand to verify the height.

As for function, I can think of a few rationales. First, it saves weight and material, while technically checking the "box wall" construction marketing point.

Performance wise thought it could make sense too. With less than 9oz of down, many box walls may be underfilled. The down settles leaving gaps at the top (especially top corners, next to the seams) of the box baffle. To combat this you're have to overstuff each baffle, causing the vertical walls to puff out. By making the box baffle shorter, you promote a more oval shape than a box, maybe minimizing the amount of overstuff necessary to fill all the corners. I'd have to experiment, but it seams plausible to me.

del

Suggesting another way to look at this…Does the performance of the jacket disappoint, or is the objection simply to the technical design details?

Personally, I could not care less about the technical details if the jacket works and fits well and is of high quality construction. For me it’s all about performance, regardless of how that performance is achieved.

Edit: Check out Richard Nisley’s post in this thread, in particular the final paragraph. Richard knows his stuff :)