EMS Feather Pack Jacket

I was a big fan of EMS stuff years ago when they really had some quality gear (accent series). Not so much now.  I bought 2 or 3 puffies  2 seasons back including what EMS had to offer to do a comparison test. EMS was local so I didn’t have to deal with return fees. I could tell right away the EMS model was a poor choice as the shell was constructed in a very constricting manner not allowing the down to maximize its lofting power if indeed the fill weight was as stated ?. EMS may have changed since but I ended up with the MB Alpine Light. Much warmer. The old adage still applies, you get what you pay for. I have enough MB jackets now after comparison testing others that I keep ending up with them.

Hi.  I just bought the Feather Pack Hooded Jacket 1 month ago and it could be that they improved it from 2 seasons ago.  I can’t compare it to the MB Alpine Light, since I don’t have it but I can compare it to my Patagonia Ultralight Down Hoody and say that it is much warmer than the Pati.  The Pati has 3.5oz of down, the EMS 5 oz,  and the MB has 4.8 oz. according to their website.   Whereas my Pati starts to get cold for sitting around camp use in the upper 30’s with a wool base layer, my EMS jacket still keeps me warm in camp into the mid-20’s.  It is much puffier and warmer than my Pati jacket and I think that they may have increased the amount of down that they use from previous years.  Honestly, the Pati doesn’t impress me too much, but it’s what I have, so I’ll still continue using it in the summer time at altitude (camp use, pillow, and wear to sleep when it gets unexpectedly cold at night), since I don’t need the EMS jacket and 4.5 oz more weight in the summer. However, I really am starting to anecdotally think that dry down is better at dealing with moisture based on my use of this EMS jacket and a MH phantom sleeping bag.  The EMS jacket has become my go to mild winter puffy for hiking and around town…..while I also have my 3 pound parka for when it’s really bad.

Thanks for the replies……..@Michael K – is the weight of the Jacket close to the online advertised weight?

1.  My jacket in a large is 17. 1 oz. according to my scale, whereas the website has the jacket listed as 15.5 oz, but they don’t mention which size is 15.5 oz.
2. You asked in a PM about the zipper.  I have had no issues with the zipper so far, the construction seems excellent (no down leakage yet), and the nylon is comfy against the skin.  However, I have only owned it for one month and issues like zippers only usually show up after more time.  Additionally, I really like the fit of the hood with and without a helmet.  It seals in the warmth nicely and keeps my ears warm.

Now, that I’ve weighed it I am pretty much 100% sure that I don’t need the extra 7oz. in the summer time vs. my Patagonia, which is 10.2 oz.