Recently picked up a Montbell Permafrost Parka in Japan after reading reviews here and on other websites regarding its warmth and performance. I noticed it was cheaper than a listed US price. Horray I thought.
However on returning home, I noticed through checking the weight listings and descriptions on both Montbell US and Japan websites I discovered that they are different jackets. The construction seems the same, the same fabrics, but the Japanese version has no inner pockets whatsoever. None.
The weight difference between both jackets is considerable. The Japanese version comes in at 538g (19oz) vs the US edition 669g (25.6oz), a 6oz plus difference in weight. What attracted me to the Montbell was the 9oz fill weight. Obviously the fill weight in the Japanese version is considerably less.
Taking into account that the Japanese sizing is different (a small US is effectively a Japanese medium) and that the Japanese version has no inner pockets could explain some of the 6.6 oz difference. But it could not explain all of it. I worked out that Japanese Montbell probably contains 6.3oz of 800 fill down. Considerably less then the 9oz I anticipated.
So I contacted Montbell in Japan and explained my predicament. They responded that they are indeed different jackets, but refused to tell me how much down is in the Japanese version as is against company policy. They did say it was slight less warm than the US Permafrost (9oz of fill) and slightly warmer than the new Montbell Frostline (6.7oz). So they were willing to give me a ball park figure of between 6.7oz to 9oz. Still a good jacket for it's weight. But not the 9oz I anticipated when I bought the jacket.
I am writing this so no-one makes the same mistake I did. They are different jackets. I was in the market for a super warm jacket for cold conditions that gave piece of mind. The Japanese version is a little less than that.
I am also hoping that someone might know the exact fill weight of the Japanese version so its purpose can be better defined. Anyone with any information?
Thanks!
