How many actually use their down hood?

Since I'm a quilt user, I use my down hood a lot.

I used to as part of my sleep system but now use a down balaclava. Much warmer.

If you mean just walking around, well it gets to -30C where I live in the winter and I still don't use a down hood. I use a warm, wool beanie and if it is windy, I add a hooded shell.

I use my hood in camp all the time – I end up putting it on when standing still and taking it down when doing camp chores – it's nice to have the flexibility

I mean, if it's cold, and my jacket has one, what would be the rational for not using it? Unless of course you dislike them for some reason.

That said, I have one down jacket with a hood, one without. The one with is much warmer, even more so with the hood on and cinched down. I tend not to use it too much while out backpacking, simply because the jacket is just too warm for active conditions, but would certainly have no issue if it was cold enough to merit wearing it.

"I mean, if it's cold, and my jacket has one, what would be the rational for not using it? Unless of course you dislike them for some reason."

Why? Lack of head mobility when it is on, not at all windproof (assuming breathable fabric), flaps like a bugger in the wind….; )

Again "Unless of course you dislike them for some reason."

We tarp a lot so the hood comes in handy; also great around a fire for wind chill protection (so you don't have to rotate as much).
Only thing is that the hood/jackets aren't down, they're synthetic (Montbell)

I use the hood on my puffy a fair bit. More so for wind than for cold. 25F and blowing is more annoying to me, hoodless, than 0F and still air.

Running errands around town on a cold day, or most any trail use above 45F and I don't use the hood.

Sitting in one place, say fishing in the winter, or glassing game, or waiting for others on the trail, then I find the hood to be very handy.

If I was pushing my sleep system to cold temps – accidentally or on purpose – some hood/hat would be important.

What I like about a hood more than most hats/caps is that the back of my neck is protected more from the wind.

When it gets stupid cold (below -20F), then no stock puffy hood will do it for me. I want a tunnel hood at -30F or -40F and a few large, heavy jackets come that way. UL jackets / hoodies need to modified to provide that functionality.

"Again "Unless of course you dislike them for some reason."

But you did say, "what would be the rational for not using it?"

Chill young man; I was kidding.

"Chill young man; I was kidding."

You're either old enough to be calling me a young man, in which case you probably shouldn't be using the word "chill," or you're young enough to be using that vernacular, in which case you shouldn't be referring to me by "young man." Either way, I'm pretty "chill" at the moment.

Mine gets used.

Cheers

I won't own a hooded down jacket/sweater.

Can't stand a hood bunched up around my neck, and I don't like the constraint of a hood in temps the light down/synthetic jacket/sweaters are designed for. I'd rather use a hat.

Hoods, for me, are for rain gear and insulated parkas for uber cold… the sub zero kind.

Very rarely. I don't even buy puffies with them any more. Beanies and balaclavas are more to my taste. Almost no weight difference, and I get to keep more of my hearing(with beanies) and head mobility. Many jacket hoods don't even cinch so you don't get their full warmth.

Ryan

Like some others, I have a light down jacket without a hood, and a beefier down jacket with a hood.

While I wouldn't want to hike in it, I use the hood mostly around camp (even though I'm wearing a fleece hat), or occasionally if I stop for an extended period on a windy summit.

"You're either old enough to be calling me a young man, in which case you probably shouldn't be using the word "chill," or you're young enough to be using that vernacular, in which case you shouldn't be referring to me by "young man."Either way, I'm pretty "chill" at the moment."

I have teenage kids, what can I do. At least I didn't call you Dude.

I suspect the down hood would help you with that chill part.

Unless I expect a puffy layer to be used exclusively or nearly exclusively under a shell I strongly prefer a hood.

The only time I do not like hoods is for cycling (they're a bit flappy) and under another jacket (they're bulky, if not being worn).

That said, hooded or not does not really make or break a decision for me. But I will always choose a hooded jacket over an unhooded one. Why wouldn't you want a hat that you couldn't lose? Plus it's warmer since it covers the sides of your head and neck.

Just updated my puffy. Opted for no hood. Most of the time I'm wearing a fleece hat when the temp drops while hiking. Depending on how I wear the hat I can vary the heat released from my head easier than with a hood.

I have a hooded bag for colder conditions and don't need the extra hood on a puffy as my hat would be along anyway. In warmer conditions I can go without the hat altogether and save the weight. Either way its a 1 to 1 1/2 ounce differential or a wash if you bring a separate hat so chock this one up to personal preference.

jimmyb

In Antarctica, we all learned quickly how a hood would keep the back and sides of the neck warm. A good 300 wt. fleece hat (Windblock or with GTX) took care of the head. In this photo the 2 ladies kept their backs to the 20 MPH wind on a -20* F day, while I went with a full-face windstopper balaclava under the hat. We 3 each were just covering the back of our heads with the parka hood.

I only use an insulated hood when I have a helmet on. Otherwise I have a warm hat on and the hood is not necessary. All of my down jackets are hoodless except for the one that I only use for climbing.

I think they became popular because people like the idea of "technical clothing," whatever that means.

When it gets below 30f or so I use a hood around camp most of the time.
I live in Michigan and often out in -10f so hoods see a lot of use.

Thinking about it now, all my insulated clothing (and mid layers) clothing have hoods except for a Primaloft vest.

I use them on mine, and like them. For me, they are not in the way, uncomfy, and provide extra warmth… in addition to my BRG down hat, and/or the hood on my Cap 4 hoody, and even the rain jacket.

Had a puffy without one until this last year. I used a separate hat with that one when needed. I've since started using a quilt so I use it with my quilt and I use it in camp.

I think if I had a poorly designed one I'd use it less but I'm happy with my current flavor.

"Mine gets used."

+1 It's there for a very good reason.

If it's cold I use all of my hoods. Base layer hood, fleece hood, windshirt hood, puffy hood, on top of a beanie. Insulating your head goes a long way to keep yourself warm. If I am out hiking and I'm cold the hood goes on and I warm up quickly. When I get warm I pull it down.
I also really like thumb loops. A hood and thumb loops makes an active midlayer more adjustable.