Home Forums Chat Forum Which Lightweight Down Jacket?

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  • Which Lightweight Down Jacket?
  • franksinatra
    Full Member

    I own a Montane Flux, it is one of my most favorite items of clothing. I love it.

    As summer approaches (he says with snow falling outside) I would like a lightweight down jacket that won’t boil me up but I can wear for general out and about stuff. So, a lightweight, 2 season type jacket that can be easily stuff away in a bag when not needed.

    I like a chest pocket for phone, no need for a hood. Other than that not fussed.

    Any thoughts?

    cat69uk
    Free Member

    Alpkit and Finisterre both have some nice ones in the sale at the moment, worth a look.

    scuttler
    Full Member

    Personally I’ve never worn down for ‘two season’ unless I’m camping in which case I’ll take the normal down for sitting outside at night. Anything involving not sitting still is sorted with a jumper, softshell, shell, or normal jacket (from C+A) depending on the weather.

    However I’m sure the industry has something designed exactly for your requirements 😉

    whitestone
    Free Member

    Cheap and functional – Alpkit Filoment Hoody I’ve the Filo – works fine but is bulky as it uses lower fill power (650fp) down. No idea of the temperature rating.

    Pricey but top notch -PHD Minumus I’ve the minim vest which is ridiculously light and compact. If that’s too warm for you then the Wafer Down Jacket is also available, 1000 fill power hence the lighter weight.

    Ultimately depends on how much usage you intend to get out of the jacket and just what your priorities are. If money was no object or you need it to be very light or compact, I’d get the PHD but the Alpkit is more than good enough for most people.

    angeldust
    Free Member

    Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer is seriously light and packable if that is your main criteria, but you pay for that in lack of robustness (I have tested the tear resistance to it’s limit 8O). No chest pocket either.

    franksinatra
    Full Member

    I spend quite a bit of time standing around in the hills being not that active and I find down ideal for that as keeps me warm but then packs away well once I do get moving. I’ll also use it for dog walking and other day to day stuff.

    jam-bo
    Full Member

    arcteryx atom lt. probably my most worn bit of clothing. they do one without a hood I think.

    scotroutes
    Full Member

    Yeah, not sure down would be my choice either. If you’re not after the extremes of the weight/warmth equation then something in Primaloft will take more punishment generally, especially important if it’s going to be compressed in a bag more than it’s worn.

    stevextc
    Free Member

    I have a real light down jacket that came from a 3-in-1 .. the outer waterproof died years ago but the down is still used….

    What makes it so useful is actually no pockets etc. so it will compress into a ziplock sandwich bag

    Anything above -5C I’d not wear it riding or skiing but keep it in a bag and take out when stopped…. it’s great knowing it’s in the bag and a decade ago when a friend had a serious injury way way off piste skiing might well have been a life saver…

    When its really cold I have a huge Northface but I find I use the small liner fleece more… fits under a softshell and over fleeces…I tend to have pockets in the fleeces or softshell so this works well and as someopne mentioned lightness and durability… the softshell over the top protects it being ripped.

    richmtb
    Full Member

    If you go synthetic rather than down then you’ve kind of described a Montane Prism or Fireball and you already like the Flux.

    franksinatra
    Full Member

    I used the term down loosely. Really not fussed about the type of filling, much more so the functionality. Also when I say lightweight, I meant something not too warm, rather than its actual weight. (I’m not doing too good a job of using words today)

    So, something warm but not too hot
    Something relatively robust (dog walking seems to trash my kit)
    Something that is under £150

    Alpkit could be a goer

    nedrapier
    Full Member

    a jumper?

    riklegge
    Full Member

    +1 for Arcteryx Atom, or Patagonia nano puff if you like the “premium” kit, Alpkit or even some of the Simond branded clothing from Decathlon is pretty decent for not too much money.

    chakaping
    Full Member

    Man asks for down recommendation, gets told…

    normal jacket (from C+A)

    That’s a shop which closed its last UK branch 16 years ago.

    😆

    Don’t ever change STW.

    PS. I use a synthetic down gilet from Finesterre. Bought as an emergency layer but now one of my most-worn garments as its so versatile and comfy.

    whitestone
    Free Member

    So the brief has changed! 😆

    One of our cycling club has one of these and rates it.

    nedrapier
    Full Member

    Mountain Equipment Fitzroy. I tried on a bunch of synth belay jackets, settled on this for fit (ME has gone slimmer, Rab has gone tubbier since I last bought. Sounds like the temp range you’re after.

    And it turns out Fitzroy insulation is now Hydrophobic down. win-win.

    Warm but not ridiculous, so possibly what you’re after. It’ll take a light shower. It’s got a hood, but I like a hood, cos I’ve got a baldy head.

    Take care if you’re buying, they’re available from £100, but you might find an older one with the Primaloft One synth insulation. You want the Primaloft Gold, 90% hydrophobic down

    chakaping
    Full Member

    There are some thin synthetic padded Howies jackets on Sport Pursuit today BTW

    scuttler
    Full Member

    You’ll find cheaper options if you search for a puffer jacket. Those with a ‘puffer’ specification can also be found down the market.

    RustySpanner
    Full Member

    The cheap Decathlon down jackets are excellent.

    Washable, decent hood, packs down well and perfect for summer evenings outside, lunch stops, camping, huts etc.

    They do get scruffy quickly outdoors, but all down jackets do.
    It’s what gaffa tape was invented for.

    At £30.00 a pop, you could have a second one for best.

    Not ‘dodgy’ down either.

    footflaps
    Full Member

    arcteryx atom lt. probably my most worn bit of clothing. they do one without a hood I think.

    I have one, but I do wish it didn’t have the Powerstretch side panels, on a windy day all the heat gets sucked out the sides. The AR is a better, coreloft all round, but too warm for summer.

    RustySpanner
    Full Member

    🙂
    Good find.

    I’ve got a pair of beige chinos from the 80’s that need to go back for a refund.

    scuttler
    Full Member

    Coats-n-Ats for the win!

    Their ski range used to be the only thing available for school ski trips in the eighties. I guess Decathlon have that market now.

    wl
    Free Member

    Rab Generator Alpine when Go Outdoors sell them off half price. I paid £90 and it’s a bargain for a great jacket. Wouldn’t pay full price though. Montane Prism is also good, but not quite as good as the Rab IMO.

    RustySpanner
    Full Member

    But everything was awful.
    🙂

    Ugly shirts, misguided trousers and plastic shoes.

    loddrik
    Free Member

    Arc’teryx looks feels and is more expensive than other brands. And worth the money too IMO. Atom lt hoody (synthetic) or Cerium lt hoody (down) would be my recommendations. All my coats are Arc’teryx these days. Just looks and feels nicer than everything else.

    paule
    Free Member

    I’ve a Patagonia nano puff I use for pretty much that (and carrying as a spare layer in the winter). It’s a bit pricy at full cost, but I think mine was about £90 in a sale.

    Probably my most work piece of clothing, both as an “outdoors” and a day-to-day jacket. Does a great job of stopping you being cold, doesn’t have that super warm feeling of a big down jacket, but I’m happy walking the dog in just it and a t-shirt at just below zero.

    footflaps
    Full Member

    The Patagonia Nano-Air is the most comfy jacket I’ve ever come across – not down though, but just so soft and comfortable to wear.

    simons_nicolai-uk
    Free Member

    Something relatively robust (dog walking seems to trash my kit)

    That seems incompatible with most down type insulated jackets – any ‘technical’ one tend to be thin (and thus delicate) outer shell to keep packed size down.

    However, Uniqlo’s insulated jackets are really good value.

    Vulpine’s get reduced heavily in their sales – the Gilets were only £25 a few weeks back.

    JonEdwards
    Free Member

    What are you wanting that’s different to your Flux?

    Based on your description, I’d have said “Montane Flux”…! Packs down pretty small, stays warmish when wet, not too warm/heavily insulated.

    Dorset_Knob
    Free Member

    I was looking at the Snugpak SJ3 last night – but the pack size doesn’t seem all that small at 26×16 cm?

    http://www.snugpak.com/outdoor/sj3

    brassneck
    Full Member

    My Alpkit filo is my most worn piece of clothing, I’d rather wear that then a jumper.

    They only seem to do a hooded version now which I’d prefer not to have.

    jedi
    Full Member

    i have three but the Dakine one is by far the best one. the helly hansen doesnt even come close

    dantsw13
    Full Member

    I have a Uniqlo one which is great. RustySpanner – my old £10 Sainsbury’s one had gaffer tape on it – thought it was just me!!

    franksinatra
    Full Member

    What are you wanting that’s different to your Flux?

    Too warm in milder weather.

    I’m liking the look of the Alpkit Heiko, seems to be the front runner.

    CraigW
    Free Member

    I’m looking for a synthetic insulated vest, for warmer weather.
    Maybe a Snugpak SV3. It is designed for military use, so should be a bit tougher than some of the super-lightweight stuff. And not too expensive (about £70).

    dovebiker
    Full Member

    I have both down and synthetic insulated jackets of various flavours – for all-season active use I’d suggest Polartec Alpha, it has good windblocking and insulation, breathes well and works very well when wet. I find Primaloft can get a bit clammy and lightweight down is more about fashion than function

    hughjayteens
    Free Member

    Has anyone tried any of the Kilpi stuff that Sportspirsuits have on offer at the moment? This is less than half price:

    https://www.kilpisports.com/en/product/isaiah

    CountZero
    Full Member

    The £40 Decathlon jackets are much better than the similar £70 Uniqlo hooded jacket, I’ve got both, the Decathlon for wearing when I’m working, but it’s got more fill, and the shell is a bit thicker, and is just that bit more robust.
    Excellent value for money, for sure.
    Next up I can’t recommend the Jottnar Fenrir jacket highly enough, British company, beautifully made clothing designed by a couple of ex-Marines, who know a bit about working in harsh conditions.
    I wore my Fenrir on a long walk that turned seriously wet, and while it did start to soak through, it didn’t lose its insulation, and at £200 it’s significantly cheaper than the likes of RAB and Arc’tery; an outdoor shop in town had a RAB jacket reduced in price, and it was still £230, and I couldn’t see any significant difference between them.
    The Arc’teryx Cerium is £299, and I can’t see where the extra £100 is justified, TBH.
    https://www.jottnar.com/uk/mens/down-insulation/fenrir/

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