Małachowski Zioń UL Down Jacket

It looks well engineered. Why did you choose this brand?

For a UL centric sewn-thru down jacket like this I try to look for slightly wider baffles and down content at or more than 50% of the total weight. This one is in the low forties assuming the listed weight for a M is true. So not bad.

The warmer a jacket the easier it is for the designer to reach a favorable 50+% ratio. For instance the 3 season Katabatic Tincup is at around 43%; while their more thru hiker, summer mountain oriented Tarn is way down to 33% if my math is correct

I have a different brand with a down-to-total weight distribution of 121g/230g so fifty percent plus for a size L.

Trying to get more efficient (and purposely less warm) my other one skips the hood and pockets and goes with 7d like the Malchowski bringing it to 95g/160g – a whopping 60%. For a jacket under 6oz total weight this ratio is up there

I really just stumbled upon it while doing research for a lighter weight down jacket. I liked the weight and look of it, so I pulled the trigger.

Nice coat. I like the hood adjustment.

For a heavier coat. Same look. The Rab Mythic Ultra has twice the amount of down. Twice the weight. Still 900 fp. Slightly heavier fabric. 10d. 44.9% fill vs the Zion at 45.2% . No hood adjustment. Can be found on sale for around the same price.

From Alan Dixon’s Blog BEST LIGHTWEIGHT DOWN PARKA FOR WINTER BACKPACKING 2025.

It is really nice. I have two. I bought one, and then liked it so much I had a second one made with even lighter custom shell fabric and 1000 FP down, plus no hand pockets and a slimmer cut to save even more weight. Really nice quality.

That’s cool to know they do custom.

Congrats! I ordered one last month and then porch pirates stole the box. Working with Fed Ex and Malachowski to try to resolve the issue. Post some pics of you can so I can live vicariously through you haha!

Looks similar to LL Bean’s 800 fill down parka, perhaps with a bit more fill.