Down Parka Questions

[Matthew Bishop]

Hey everybody, it’s been years since I last posted here! Looks like some of you are still around.

I’m starting to design one of the more infamously difficult gear projects: a down parka with box baffle construction. I want something to ‘play in the snow’ and to take on milder winter camping trips. I’ve got a 10°F sleeping bag which limits how cold I can go, at least for now.

I haven’t worked with down before, but more importantly I don’t own or have access to a jacket this warm to look at. My most pressing question is: how much down/loft? I don’t know what temperature ranges the jackets in BPL’s 2018 article on down parkas are good for, but the Patagonia Fitz Roy with 3.75-4.25″ of loft (two layers) sounds like a good target. Or would that be way too warm if I’m going to avoid temperatures below 0°F? Also, that loft range implies that some areas are more insulated than others. Do you have any guidance here?

To sum up:

• How much loft (or amount of down) should a 0°F winter parka have?
• Are torso/sleeves/hood/whatever insulated different amounts?

Any help is much appreciated.

[HkNewman]

You can take a look at the (discontinued) SD Gnar down hoody stats.  It kept me warm at 10°F with just a baselayer underneath the other day, but the reviews say it’ll go a little bit below 0°F.  It has a roomy enough cut to add fleece underneath.  One feature is that it has the same % of down in the hood as the body.

Gnar stats (basic)..

Current weight: 11.5 to 12 oz

Insulation: 800-fill goose down (dry tick or something like that)

Fill weight: 4.2 oz / 120 g

Construction: 2 handwarmer pockets (outside) w/internal stash pockets too.  Hood has elastic to cinch it around face (I also use a buff and ball cap underneath).  It does have Jabba the Hut styling in the color blue though, but that may be to cover the rear against typical jacket (shorter cut traditionally) rising up to expose skin.

 

If I had to do a MYOG version, I’d keep the roominess (be able to wear fleece or softshell underneath) but make it a quarter zip with kangaroo pockets if for camping (stationary).  No one will care about styling at those low temperatures (assuming no après ski functions)

 

[Author]

Posts