Ultralight down jackets are specialized pieces designed for backpacking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and other outdoor pursuits where every ounce counts.
These jackets will likely have thinner fabrics (read: less durability), trimmed-down feature sets, and slim fits (the Arcteryx Cerium LT and Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 are prime examples).
The majority of down jackets on this list hover between $2o0 and $400, but REIs 650 2.0 costs of fraction of that at just $100 (and often less on sale). 
Down feathers unfortunately lose much of their ability to insulate when wet, turning into a clumpy and soggy mess.
The jackets slim fit means you cant layer much underneath, and the European-style left-hand zipper takes some getting used to. As true down specialists, Feathered Friends jackets stand out from the rest for their quality craftsmanship, ethically sourced materials, and high performance for serious outdoors people. With lightweight materials and Patagonias high-quality construction, the result is one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios here and an ideal insulator for speedy winter missions when every ounce counts. And for those looking to save, Marmot's $100-cheaperHype Down Hooded Jacket boasts the same fill weight and fill power as the Fitz Roy, but in a heavier and less premium packageRead in-depth reviewSee the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody. 5.8 oz.Fill: 8.3 oz. For all their inherent strengths, down jackets arent perfect: namely, they perform poorly in wet weather and their thin fabrics are often lacking in durability. This is known as the amount of loft, and the more loft a jacket has, the more body heat it traps and the warmer you will be. Lightweight jackets (this category includes most down sweaters) are remarkably versatile too, and they can pull double duty as both midlayers and standalone pieces. The goal here was to combine the insulation of down with the range of motion, durability, and comfort of a softshelland wed say Mountain Hardwear pulled it off pretty well.
Mountain Equipment and Rab also err on the trimmer side, while brands like Patagonia, Outdoor Research, and Mountain Hardwear often have more accommodating shapes that balance everyday comfort with performance. But like the Eos, it cant match the Patagonia in terms of everyday appeal.
And in our experience, the Montreal is slightly less insulated and not suited for temperatures much below freezing without layers underneath.
Stuffed with 550-fill down and tipping the scales at a hefty 1 pound 13.2 ounces, the Gotham doesnt hold a candle to many of the lighter, more performance-focused jackets here, but its not trying to either. The most direct competitor is the Feathered Friends Eos below, which has similar specs and quality but lacks the everyday appeal of the Arc'teryx here. If youre in the market for a single down jacket that works well in almost every environment, down sweaters are a great place to start. Rab products can only be shipped within the United States, 2001-2022 evo - All rights reserved, all wrongs reversed |. Category: LightweightWeight: 9.9 oz.Fill: 3.35 oz.
For a functional down jacket at a great price, the REI 650 Down Jacket 2.0 is tough to beat. 13.2 oz.Fill: 550-fill down & 150g HeatseekerWhat we like: Good warmth and durability in a streamlined package.What we dont: Decidedly casual. Easy to reach expert advice. Simply put, nothing beats the lofty and premium warmth that down provides. They do this by adding a polymer to the down before filling the jacket, and the result is that it resists water better and you dont have to worry as much about light precipitation. 
Some high-end climbing brands like Feathered Friends and Montbell even use 900-fill down (or higher), but that high of a number is a rarity and 800-fill is considered premium. The Fitz Roy Hoody (the previous model was the Parka) now falls into the midweight category, similar to the Rab Microlight Alpine below. But while weve found the quality of Rabs outerwear to be superior to that of Mountain Hardwear, the Stretchdowns design and colorway options are particularly eye-catching, which is what most look for in an everyday piece. Most notably, youll see fill weight go up to 6-7 ounces or more (for instance, the Rab Neutrino Pro has 7 oz. 750 Fill Power RDS Cerified European Goose Down Mountain Hardwear launched its Stretchdown line a handful of years ago, epitomized by soft and stretchy shells and welded seams (rather than stitched baffles). Members save 40% on REI Co-op Run & Fitness Clothing thru 8/1. Its tough to pinpoint an exact temperature range in which you will feel comfortable wearing a down jacket (theres a reason no one has attempted to create a standardized rating system). Stretch-woven shells are a new trend in down jackets, and Rab recently threw their hat into the ring with the Cubit Stretch Down Hoody. In this case, you get 4.5 ounces of 800-fill down (the Down Sweater has 3.5 oz. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. While Arcteryxs Cerium series shaves weight and features for technical pursuits, their Thorium collection places a bigger premium on everyday functionality. Its also worth noting that Mountain Hardwear offers a number of versions of the Stretchdown, including a heavyweight parka, which has become one of our testers go-to jackets for everyday winter use.See theMountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody.
2.2 oz.Fill: 7.1 oz. The lightweight down jacket category is the industrys most popular and our top choice for daily wear, travel, light adventuring, and layering for winter sports. There is a lot to be said for synthetic insulated jackets, which insulate better than down when wet, are more breathable, and generally cost considerably less. Ultralight is a buzzword of sorts that you will inevitably run into when shopping for a down jacket, and its worth noting there arent hard-and-fast rules as to what qualifies. On our list above, weve noted both the fill power and weight whenever possible so that you can make an accurate and informed choice when shopping around. Read our story, Anyone can join, and everyone belongs. Finally, we have noticed that the Stretchdowns fabric has a tendency to hold stains, and the elastic in our cuffs has grown tired over time. Packing 5.1 ounces of 700-fill-power down in a womens medium (size 12), the Rab is warmer than competitors like Patagonias Down Sweater Hoody (3.5 oz. Fit is jacket-specific, but there are two main considerations here. of 700-fill downWhat we like: Stylish design and a comfortable and supple shell fabric.What we dont: Lacks versatility for performance use and not warm enough for true winter conditions. Of course, the retro styling is its calling card, and the Fuego is currently offered in 10 fun colorways, all but one with the signature multi-colored baffles across the torso. And finally, the style is undeniably classy, whether youre walking the dog or going out on a Saturday night. To summarize: if durability is one of your top priorities, youll want to dig a little deeper than the initial denier spec. Add in clean lines and some classy colorways, and the Montreal is a great all-around parka for the cold at a reasonable price point. The jackets knit fabric is very tough, and the stretchiness gives it a plush feel that you typically dont get from a down piece. To be sure, the Silent Down is not a performance piecelike the TNF Gotham and Marmot Montreal above, this is an everyday jacket for in-town use. Check back in August for exciting updates and to learn how to apply. Outerwear - Construction, Fabric & Features, Outerwear - Regional Ski & Snowboard Guide. MonFri, 5am10pm PT SatSun, 6am9pm PT. In other words, the Fuego offers performance practically on par with our number one pick, but for $29 less and with a few extra style points (its noteworthy that Patagonia recently added two striped colorways to their Down Sweater lineup). For a deeper dive into the topic, see our article: Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood? And for a popular alternative thats slightly warmer and more durable (for a considerable weight penalty), check out the Thorium AR Hoody below.See the Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody. Backcountry Advocate ProgramBreaking Trail. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures.
Further, $275 is no small price for a casual item (you can save with the REI 650 above or Stratocloud below), and some will appreciate the even more casual appearance of the Patagonia Silent Down (below). of800-fill downWhat we like: Waterproof fabric on the hood and shoulders; particularly abrasion resistant.What we dont: Shell is fairly crinkly; heavy for a performance-oriented jacket. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events, and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life.
Nitpicks aside, the Heliums solid weatherproofing and durability make it an intriguing standalone piece, earning it a spot on our list.See the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie. Like some of the more specialized picks below, the Down Sweater is light enough to pack on your next hiking trip yet warm and streamlined enough to layer under a shell for skiing.
The forest is still dozing, but humidity never sleeps, quickly soaking our faces and forcing a trailside pause to de-layer. On top of that, you get waterproof Pertex Shield on the hood and shouldersthe same fabric used in ORs popular Helium rain jacketfor protection from rain and melting snow. 4.1 oz. These types of jackets are very popular for 3-season alpine use and in most U.S. cities for all but the coldest of winter days. Its far from the lightest option on this list (ounce counters should see the more performance-focused Arc'teryx Cerium LT and Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 below), and the fit is shorter and a bit boxier than more performance-oriented models.
The thickness of a jackets outer fabric is listed in denier (D), which is a measurement of the weight of a thread. But were getting into the nitty gritty with these critiques, and most of us arent too deterred by the addition of a few ouncesespecially when theyre accompanied by hundreds of dollars of savings. of 700-fill downWhat we like: A technical down jacket with classy Scandinavian styling.What we dont: Expensive and not as warm or light as other options here.