Down Vest from Nike

Looks kinda like the superhero costumes the kids wear.

I think I saw a person wearing this or something similar last January while I was doing the Disney World marathon.

Blew my mind that anyone would want this type of insulation while running in the 50s-60s, but I guess some people get pretty cold

Not my kinda thing, but I am thrilled at the idea of this. Some clever concepts at play here. Wonder if they function as well as it sounds?

Why would you have a little down and then holes for ventilation?

Better to omit the down and the holes.

Looks kind of cool though…

Yes, i made some partially insulated stuff, but that was only for active, potentially sweaty conditions which is why i used a combo of thin/light Apex with very breathable 30D nylon. One of the front only, core insulated vests i made weighs only 2.3 oz and packs down super small (though i don't recommend squeezing it down, the less you compress Apex, the longer it will last).

I like down for stationary use, but in that case you need full coverage.

Justin,
I've been thinking of doing the same thing for a hunting vest. With a pack on my back I don't need insulation there but could use something up front. Did you use a pattern for yours or just invent as you went?

Definitely unusual. But I agree – it's good to see innovation.

Hi Jesse,

I used a fleece vest I already have as sort of a pattern, made it a bit larger to account for sewing and that its not a stretchy material.

The rest was invention aka grounding imagination, like with my back pack vest, which cuts material and weight off the back side.

Insulating running vests have always seemed backwards to me.

When I go for a run in cool conditions, my arms get cold while my torso still gets sweaty. For really cold runs I'd like a non-insulated torso with fleece sleeves.

The reason down works well as insulation is because it stops air from moving around via creating a ton of mini air pockets. To have a down vest that is perforated with holes between the down tubes is just cancelling out the point of the down. If it's warm enough that you need the vent holes, then you don't need this vest.

Yeah Dan, it's definitely weird.