Use case for Ultralight Down Hoody?

Down jackets using ultralight fabrics and high fill power down provide a certain amount of warmth at the lowest possible weight and bulk. That is the only advantage of down. Ultralight down jackets aren’t that warm, they only provide a light amount of warmth, but they provide that weight at the lowest possible weight and bulk. This sort of thing is only really relevant for backpacking.

I have used my down jacket in wet climates but I only use it after I have my shelter set up and I have changed out of my wet clothes. It’s only used as in-camp insulation which is ok since the amount of insulation I want sitting around in the evening is several times greater than what I want hiking during the day. I also sleep wearing my down jacket. Fleece works great for a hiking layer. Absorbs minimal moisture, retains insulative value when damp, dries fast, breathable when worn without a shell.

My typical layering system is base layer + 100 weight fleece + windshirt (and rain jacket when needed) during the day and then I have my down jacket stowed away for when I set up camp.

UL Down jackets have a pretty limited use in northern climates and elevation.

I get plenty of use out of my down anorak. I almost always put it on in camp – over a grid fleece. I often sleep in it. Occasionally I’ve hiked in it. I get cold easily. It’s cozy.

Arguably a sythn puffy could be a better choice here in the PNW. I used to use a vintage GoLite Coal, switched to the Hadron two years ago. And I now have a Montbell Thermawrap on my wishlist.

I live in Italy where it’s only wet and cold in the winters. That said, I work outside much of the time and I love my lightweight down jackets. I wear them regularly under a hard shell in the rain, and if it’s really cold I wear a lightweight down vest underneath. I find it works as well as a heavier down jacket, but is more versatile.

The pack-size is just so much better than a fleece, and I personally find them warmer and less prone to funk when I have to live in one for a while.

Like you, I find that they are warm enough for 6 months out of a year to not worry about carrying the 12oz extra. I also carry a light fleece sweater, and long johns. I live in NY, not far out of the ADK’s with it’s rain/humidity.

It rarely gets used for hiking. Hiking generates a LOT of heat. Generally, I use my long johns for the first hour or two if it is cold , but, I like to hike fairly cool. Around 20F/-7C and I will use it, though.

1) It allows enough insulation for my hikes, without being excessively weighed down. I plan on a 0C/32F temp for comfort, sleeping and hiking. I have stretched this another bit…into the upper 20’sF. A few times I got caught in some nasty early/late storms down to 20F/-7C. With all my cloths, I was a bit cold, but still able to sleep for an hour or two at a time. Usually, cold and snowy hiking is far less wet than hiking at 35F.

2) It doubles as insulation under my bag. My old 40F bag is really too light at times. Using the jacket extends it’s temp range around 8-10F(7C) degrees. There was a discussion a couple years ago about the down being of better use inside a bag. While I agree it is more effective in a bag, it lacks the versatility of a jacket. Double duty is a key tenet to UL hiking/camping. More insulation can be added. You cannot add more versatility.

3) It is handy, generally. I can slip it on during breaks/lunch. I slip it under my rain gear as needed. A bag/quilt is not real good at this. I tried several methods of wadding my bag under my rain gear (folding & tying, wadding) and always got wet edges. Fine at camp, as a draped blanket under a roof (tarp/tent,) I don’t care to risk my sleeping comfort by getting it wet at the edges.

4) Dampness is of little or no concern colder than 32F/0C. Under my tarp, my light jacket dries out in an around an hour. This is usually fine. I do not need the extra warmth til around 100-400. If you are sweating, take it off and use it down by your feet. If needed, you can slip it on. Your body heat will usually drive moisture off. And midnight pee runs actually become comfortable already having a jacket on. Often, I don’t even need a light to see, being night adjusted, but if it is raining, I will use one to facilitate speed.

5) With a quilt, you can also use the hood to cover your head. Usually recommended for most quilts.

Thanks for feedback. To be clear, it’s not a ding about down. I could see how a much warmer down jacket would be just the thing for real cold weather. It’s just the UL weight that seems a little neither here nor there. Anyway, great to hear people’s thoughts, keep em coming if there’s others…

I almost always take mine.  I never hike in it.  Even if I’m cold starting off, I know I will be sweating in 15 minutes.

I use it in camp.  When you quit walking, the engine slows down.  Your body creates less heat.  A light down jacket is just the ticket.

I use it for sleeping.  If it’s a cool night, it’s great in my quilt for a little extra warmth.  It keeps drafts at bay.  It keeps you warm around your neck and head.

In cold, I will add a 4 ounce vest to go over it.  It’s sized to fit over it.  It add 2 ounces of down to my core.  I might have a fleece too, for a pretty warm combo if I wear it all.

for moisture management … at camp wear the down UNDER a synth or fleece if it fits … the moisture will migrate to the outer layer

also if you use a synthetic quilt a down jacket is a perfect pairing as you can basically dry it out overnight under the quilt

the new DWR down might help as well

;)

The down jacket is good if hanging out in camp, as Ben C said above, esp in groups.  If a hooded version, not only helping the sleeping system but also replacing separate puffy hat/balacava for non-extreme environments.

Hiking-wise,  a wind-shirt/really light gridded fleecy upper gives more functionality IMHO.

I mostly use synthetic puffies (Thermawap hoody and Nanopuff pullover) and a down bag. Seems safer in case of a wash out. Synthetics are better for sitting around the fire – less worry in light precipitation plus not concerned about burning embers (cheap to replace and won’t leak insulation when you do burn a few holes)

I am also not sold on real thin down sweaters – too warm to hike in, too cold to sit around (I like a 100 wgt fleece and a windbreaker for more versatility)

I have their previous version, the gnar, basically the same thing. It’s ok, good for the shoulder seasons, but I recently got the sierra designs parka on sale 50% off. That thing is incredibly warm. I was just standing around in 20* weather wearing not much more than this and was overheating as soon as I moved around. It weighs about 19oz for an XL, but I can’t get over how warm it is. It’s a real winter backpacking jacket.

I think it would feel warmer if the baffles were larger. Not sure how it compares to other options, but I like my UL down hoody and it works for me with just a t-shirt close to freezing. Never had to take it lower.

Forgot to mention: my favorite feature of this jacket by far is how long it is. Keeps my buns warm.

Yeah, I think maybe what I want is more in the “belay jacket” category. Something I can come into camp when it’s 20-40, maybe drizzling, maybe I’m sweaty, and put it on and be seriously warm. Trick there is when you get thicker, the synthetic jackets start to get real heavy/bulky…  the Montbell Alpine Light is only a few ounces heavier than the Patagucc Ultralight and felt much warmer/thicker… extra ounce of down I guess…

I get much more use out of my RAB parka with 5 ounces of down vs my UL Uniqlo jacket, which is for warm trips only.

Synthetic is ideal for belays and the breathable type, like the Nano Air, will allow the moisture to evaporate faster.  For me in those conditions I go with a 100 weight fleece pullover and a wind jacket which is warm and breathable enough for me to dry off until I’ve cooled down enough to put on my down parka.  A synthetic base layer helps here too, or just remove your base layer if it’s really soaked.

whoa, Uniqlo! Had never heard of it, just googled. Pleasingly cheap! You like?

Yes, good quality, nice length and a simple design. Definitely worth the price and often can be had on sale. I think it has about 2 ounces of down.

I read these forms from time to time, and I am a bit suprised by some of the respnses here.

I am a Pacific Northwest climber/backpacker, and I find the down hoodie to be the single most useful peice of clothing you can own.

First off, since it is not air permeable and has a much higher CLO (warmth), it is MUCH warmer than an air permeable fleece.  I would not think of it as a layering piece.  It will be way too hot to use when on the go in almost all scenarios.

Also, as you mentioned, it cannot be used effectively in the rain.  And we get a LOT of rain, as you know.  So what’s it for?

Think of it as your “stop” peice.  You use it when you stop, as in for a lunch break (on cool days) or at night, around camp.  I have used mine under a shell on a rainy evening, but beware cuz you really dont want it to get wet.  Even on summer nights in the Cascades, it is a key item to stay warm and comfy through the evening.  It can also be an essential part of a sleep system, especially with quilts, and can be used to augment the pillow when not needed.

It is a lot of weight for somtning that has limited use, but the weight savings comes from the other stuff you dont need to bring.  Your “go” clothes can be much more minimal.

@MichaelGlavin – thanks for localized info! Curious – do you use an ultralight jacket, (something like Patagonia UL, w/ about 105 g fill), or something a little heavier? Main thing I’m assessing is whether the UL weight is useful, or to go with something a little warmer/heavier.

UL down jackets are typically in the 1.5-2.5 ounce fill range and sub 10 ounces. A jacket with 3.5-5 ounces fill can still be quite light at less than a pound and perhaps not UL but more versatile for shoulder season and northern climates.

Yeah, I think that’s what I’m narrowing in on. Something like Montbell Alpine Light – 4.5 oz fill, 14.5ish ounces total. Thanks Paul!

If you want to pay a lot of money for a jacket, the PHD range look great. Perhaps the Yukon would fit what you’re looking for? Don’t own any PHD gear myself, but their K range seems to be the best weight for warmth available, and they get consistently superb reviews. You’ll definitely pay for it though!

echoing Michael’s comments.

PNW hiking/trail running most of my life–Olympic Peninsula and Cascades top to bottom–in eastern WA now. the down hoody is always with me, and it gets a fair amount of use. like Michael said, mostly goes on when i stop in the middle of some activity (trail running, snow shoeing, all types of skiing, hiking…) to keep me warm until i start again. i carry it whether i plan to stop or not, as a piece of emergency gear in case of injury, trail closure, fatigue, broken equipment…whatever forces me to stop. has saved me a few times. also use it for late night/early morning trips outside the tent/rv, wearing in bed so i can sit up and not be stuck in my bag like a posturing caterpillar, and once or twice under a shell when the weather was much colder than expected and my fleece was too little insulation. super versatile piece.

one difference is that mine is hydrophobic down. Rab Continuum, 5oz 850 fill, 12.5oz men’s L (i am M in most US brands, incl. Patagonia). previous jacket was untreated down, and while still super useful, the hydrophobic stuff (at least from Rab) is fantastic, especially in the PNW.

Thanks Jared. Noteworthy (to me at least) that you’re using a jacket w/ 5 oz fill, a little warmer than the UL hoody…