On somebody’s suggestion in the forums here I got the Montbell Mirage parka. There’s a retail store in Boulder near me and the distribution center is there as well, which is nice.
The cost was $300, but if you don’t mind the green color, the last season models are on sale for $240. IMO this is “cheap” for a 900-fill high-tech down jacket. I would expect around $500 from Patagonia/Marmot for a similar item. I am guessing, Montbell is trying to establish itself in the US and undercutting prices.
I am very impressed with this down jacket; it has full baffles and feels very “lofty”. The specified weight (12.8 oz) is 3-4oz less than sewn through jackets from Patagonia/Marmot. When wearing, the jacket feels very light and not bulky, easy to move. I like a lot the “large teeth” zipper, which is a lot easier to deal with in cold temps and less prone to failing from sand.
Coincidentally, I had a trip to Yellowstone where I got to field-test the jacket. The coldest temps this week were around -16F early in the morning and 0-10F during the day. I had a very low level of activity, just hanging around with binoculars, taking pictures and watching wolves. I was sufficiently warm in all conditions. For reference, here’s the layers I wore: 150 weight merino longjones and t-shirt, synthetic insulation ski pants, 100 weight fleece pullover, Arcteryx Beta SL shell, Montbell Mirage parka, cold weather shoes, gloves, hat.
As a side note, it seemed that the Gore-tex shell in the middle was very essential to staying warm. Not sure why, there’s was no wind to speak of. It does not fit any theory of layering I know of. Perhaps it was just a fluke, or I was low on calories when I decided to not wear the shell and was fully fed when I wore it.
I was worried that the fabric of the jacket would be too thin and not durable, but it held pretty well. I would not wear this jacket w/o a cover through bushes in Utah, but normal cold weather use should not be an issue.
In conclusion, I think this is a pretty incredible item. Sort of an ultimate down jacket: warm enough to be used in Yellowstone in December, light enough to grab for a trip to Utah in October.
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I have also discovered a small manufacturing defect: a single stitch on the front has formed a loose loop. I suspect it will eventually snag and tear, so I am going to see if I can get a warranty support. This will give a chance to test the warranty.
