Saturday, October 18, 2025

12 Greatest Ultralight Down Jackets [2025]


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This can be a gear overview concerning the Greatest Ultralight Down Jackets 2025.

On this overview of light-weight down jackets for 2025. The standard of down jackets on this overview are higher now than they’ve ever been.

Relating to staying heat, a down jacket presents the most effective warmth-to-weight ratio of any jacket. They need to be part of each layering system when backpacking and may work properly as an insulated windproof layer or mid-layer. Add a hardshell, corresponding to a rain jacket, and you’ll be tremendous heat on most cold-weather backpacking journeys.

Let’s check out the down jackets for day climbing, backpacking, and ultralight thru-hiking.


How We Examined

All of the Down Jackets on this overview have been extensively evaluated and researched by the professional creator with over 30 years of expertise in Through-Mountain climbing, Backpacking, Mountain climbing, and Bike Touring. Additionally, the creator used to handle an outside retail retailer and used to suit and suggest down jackets as a part of his job. Among the Ultralight Down Jackets have been bought, and the producer equipped some. They’ve been rigorously examined by the creator in every kind of climate. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the creator have mixed to give you the Greatest Ultralight and Light-weight Backpacking Down Jackets for 2025. Learn the Evaluation Coverage for additional particulars.

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Greatest Light-weight Down Jackets for Backpacking 2025

The Greatest Light-weight Down Jackets for Backpacking in 2025 are:

Greatest Down Jacket – General

Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody Evaluation

Arcteryx Cerium LT review

Weight – 11.9 oz / 337 grams
Down Fill weight –
4 oz / 105 grams
Whole Loft – 3400 cubic inches
Down Fill Energy  –
850 loft down
Outer cloth –
Climate-resistant Arato 15D cloth with DWR
Hood –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sack –
Sure
Professionals:

> Extremely light-weight.
> 850 fill down.
> Extra fragile materials than the opposite jackets reviewed
Cons:
> Hydrophobic down is an enchancment for this down jacket

The Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody is an excellent light-weight down jacket that’s a lot hotter than it seems to be. This up to date mannequin has a barely thicker outer shell than the earlier mannequin, which has elevated the load by nearly one ounce, however it’s nonetheless very light-weight and heat.

Though the Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody 850 fill-down jacket doesn’t use hydrophobic down, it does have a waterproof outer with DWR Therapy. Among the high-moisture areas use artificial insulation as a substitute of down. This results in an excellent degree of water resistance, however the lack of hydrophobic down will hold this jacket from being a favourite in a moist atmosphere.

The outer materials of the jacket is a really light-weight cloth that’s windproof and powerful sufficient to resist delicate abuse. But it surely is a little more fragile, and care is required to ensure it isn’t destroyed by sharp sticks on the path. For climbing on trails, it’s excellent. Bashing your manner by way of an unmarked path with sharp sticks in the course of nowhere, perhaps not.

General, this light-weight down jacket for women and men makes use of excessive fill energy non-hydrophobic down and is without doubt one of the higher down jackets. It’s ultra-light and heat sufficient for thru-hiking all however the wettest of trails. The Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody could be near the proper ultra-light down jacket for climbing the Pacific Crest Path.

Greatest Ultralight Down Jacket

Zpacks Goose Down Jacket

Zpacks Goose Down JacketZpacks Goose Down Jacket

Weight – 7.4 oz / 211 grams
Down Fill Weight –
3.8 oz / 108 grams
Whole Loft – 
3610 cubic inches
Down Fill Energy  –
950+ loft down
Outer cloth –
7D cloth with DWR
Hood –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sack –
stuffs into the chest pocket
Professionals:

> Ultralight and finest warmth-to-weight
> 950+ Hydrophobic Down
> Very heat
> Good weather-resistant materials and DWR
Cons:
> No zips on the pockets
> 7D cloth isn’t designed for any off-trail climbing
> Not the most cost effective

The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is an impressively mild down jacket. It’s not solely one of many lightest down jackets in the marketplace, however the complete loft and heat of this jacket make it higher than nearly all the opposite jackets on this overview!

The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is full of 950+ hydrophobic down. The baffles on the jacket are beneficiant sufficient to permit the right down to loft up properly and supply an excellent degree of heat.

To maintain the load down, Zpacks have used a really skinny and light-weight 7 Denier cloth. Whereas this does a wonderful job of retaining the general weight of the jacket to a minimal, it ought to be famous that it makes the jacket somewhat delicate, and due to this fact finest suited to climbing on trails or to be used at camp. Carrying this jacket for any off-trail climbing isn’t really helpful.

The mixture of the 7D cloth coated with a DWR and using hydrophobic down offers this jacket an excellent degree of water resistance. Whereas I’d not suggest that you just use this jacket within the rain, I examined this jacket in mild rain, and it retained its heat and loft. Good to know in the event you ever get caught out in poor climate. However please deliver a light-weight rain jacket for dangerous climate!

Throughout testing, I famous that the match of the jacket is nice, with sufficient room to layer a fleece jacket beneath if wanted. Be very positive to comply with the sizing pointers on the Zpacks web site, as they’re very detailed about what measurement you can purchase. In the mean time, they don’t have girls’s particular sizing, so girls ought to pay attention to the hip measurement when shopping for. And in the event you occur to be curvy, then this jacket is probably not for you.

The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket comes with 2 hand hotter pockets that don’t have a zipper. The dearth of zips retains the load down, however storage of something is not going to be a good suggestion. They do an excellent job of retaining your palms heat and positioned so that they don’t intervene with hip belts when backpacking.

It comes with a good hood that has a toggle adjustment. The hood isn’t the most effective compared to others on this overview, however it serves the aim of retaining the top heat whereas retaining the load down. It additionally has a toggle to regulate the waist, which is a useful function that does the job properly.

The down jacket is saved within the zippered chest pocket, which is beneficiant sufficient in measurement to make packing and unpacking straightforward.

General, the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is the most effective ultralight down jacket for 2025. Keep tuned for a full, in-depth overview of this as I check the jacket for long-term sturdiness.

Greatest Light-weight Down Jacket

Feathered Buddies Eos Evaluation

Feathered Friends Eos Ultralight Down Jacket ReviewFeathered Friends Eos Ultralight Down Jacket Review

Weight – 11.8 oz / 336 grams
Down Fill weight –
4 oz / 104 grams
Down Fill Energy –
900+ Fill loft down
Whole Loft –
3600 cubic inches
Shell cloth – 
Pertex cloth 37g/m2 with DWR
Professionals:

> Pertex defend shell cloth.
> Prime quality 900+ down.
> Nice heat to weight.
Cons:
> No Hydrophobic down

The Feathered Buddies Eos has been up to date for the 2024 season to suit higher than the earlier model. They up to date the hood so it matches higher and added a chest pocket, and now it has an general weight of 11.8 oz / 336 grams.

This jacket presents among the finest warmth-to-weight of any jacket on this overview. The 105 g / 4 oz of 900 fill energy plus down makes this an ideal down jacket for its warmth-to-weight ratio, to not point out the brand new chest pocket that they added.

Add to that the standard ripstop nylon Pertex outer defend shell materials with DWR to dam the wind and dangerous climate.

The one factor stopping the Feathered Buddies Eos Down Jacket from being the most effective on this overview is the dearth of hydrophobic down, which makes this jacket not as weather-resistant as others.

However heat supplied for chilly mornings or nights in good climate, this jacket makes this jacket an ideal alternative. Excellent as an ultralight thru-hiking down jacket on the Continental Divide Path, the place hikers want a barely hotter jacket than on different thru-hikes

General, the Feathered Buddies Eos is without doubt one of the finest light-weight down jackets in the marketplace. It feels a lot hotter than the light-weight would point out. Excellent as a light-weight down jacket for thru-hiking. The usage of hydrophobic down would rocket this jacket to the most effective ultra-lightweight down jacket on this overview.

Greatest thru-Mountain climbing Down Jacket

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down JacketMountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket

Whole Weight – 8.8 oz / 249 grams
Down Fill Weight –
3 oz / 85 grams
Down Fill Energy –
800 loft down
Whole Loft –
2400 cubic inches
Shell cloth – 
10D ripstop cloth 30g/m2 with DWR End
Hood –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sack –
No, it stuffs right into a pocket.
Professionals:

> Ultralight
> Very small pack measurement
> Excellent for the ultralight thru-hiker
Cons:
> No hydrophobic down
> No changes within the hood

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is without doubt one of the hottest Light-weight Down Jackets among the many ultralight thru-hikers of the world. A superb mixture of among the lightest materials and no-frills designs mix to make this one of many high picks.

The up to date Mountain {Hardware} Ghost Whisperer 2 down jacket doesn’t use hydrophobic down because it had beforehand. In my view, this can be a transfer backward, however it has introduced the value down slightly, which is optimistic.

Regardless of the dearth of hydrophobic down, it does have an excellent DWR end, however general, this jacket doesn’t fare properly in damp situations.

One other factor used to maintain the load down is the elastic on the hood somewhat than an elastic draw chord. This helps hold the general weight. General, the jacket works properly and is a high decide for the ultra-light thru-hiker.

I’d like to see the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 return to utilizing hydrophobic down as was the case on the earlier mannequin earlier than this replace.

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is without doubt one of the finest light-weight down jackets for backpacking in 2025. It’s also one of the vital packable because it stuffs into its pocket. This jacket is finest suited to ultralight hikers, corresponding to Through Hikers, who need the Greatest Down Jacket for the Pacific Crest Path. This is without doubt one of the lightest down jackets with an excellent heat to weight ratio. Need one thing even smaller? In addition they make an ultralight down vest.

Greatest Backpacking Down Jacket

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

Patagonia Down Sweater HoodyPatagonia Down Sweater Hoody

Weight – 15.1 oz / 428 grams
Down Fill Weight –
5 oz / 142 grams
Whole Loft – 
4000 cubic inches
Down Fill Energy  –
800 loft down
Outer cloth –
100% recycled ripstop nylon cloth with DWR
Hood –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sack –
No, jacket stuffs into chest pocket
Professionals:

> Moderately priced, contemplating it’s Patagonia
> Heat
> Environmentally pleasant
Cons:
> Not the lightest down jacket
> Cumbersome pack measurement

The Patagonia Down Sweater is without doubt one of the hottest down jackets on the planet. A mix of environmentally pleasant design, manufacturing, and an excellent light-weight match makes for an ideal down jacket.

I used and examined this down jacket whereas thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Path and Continental Divide Path. Whereas it might not charge as ultralight or in some circumstances not even light-weight, it does an excellent, trustworthy job of retaining you heat.

As you’d anticipate with Patagonia, they use a recycled nylon face cloth coated with a DWR. The down is an ethically sourced 800 loft.

The mixture of the standard down, good face cloth, useful match, and an excellent set of hand pockets and chest pockets makes for an excellent down jacket. Apart from the environmentally pleasant heritage, there may be nothing particular about this jacket. And that’s what makes it nice. No frills, no advertising hype. It simply works.

General, the Patagonia Down Sweater is an effective, trustworthy backpacking down jacket with out the frills and advertising hype. It simply works. If you’re heading off on the paths or touring the world, this is without doubt one of the finest backpacking down jackets in the marketplace in 2025.

Greatest Water-Resistant Down Jacket

The North Face Summit Collection Breithorn Hoodie

The North Face Summit Series Breithorn HoodieThe North Face Summit Series Breithorn Hoodie

Weight – 14.7 oz / 416 grams
Down Fill Weight –
unknown
Whole Loft –  unknown
Down Fill Energy  –
800 fill loft
Outer cloth – 
Recycled ripstop cloth with DWR Therapy
Hood –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sac –
No, packs into left-hand pocket
Professionals:

> Hydrophobic Down.
> Recycled shell cloth with DWR
> Very heat.
> Top-of-the-line light-weight weather-resistant jackets.
Cons:
> Heavier than the opposite jackets
> Not very compact.

The North Face Summit Collection Breithorn Hoodie is the lately upgraded model of one among my favourite Summit Collection jackets from The North Face. And like its predecessor, it packs a good diploma of climate resistance.

The recycled outer face cloth is coated with a PFC-free DWR end. And contained in the jacket, the 800 loft hydrophobic down resists water absorption. Once you get caught out within the rain, that is the water resistant down jacket.

The North Face Summit Hoody could also be barely heavier than among the different jackets on this overview, however it is without doubt one of the warmest. Making this higher suited to somebody who feels the chilly or heading into temperatures under freezing. It additionally packs up barely bigger than among the different jackets.

It comes with a generous-sized chest pocket and two outsized hand pockets. When not in use, the jacket folds into its left-hand pocket for storage.

It is available in each a males’s model and a girls’s model.

General, The North Face Summit Down Jacket is without doubt one of the higher waterproof Down Jackets for these heading into dangerous climate or wanting one of many hotter jackets. High quality every part on this jacket. The added heat comes at the price of weight, and it isn’t essentially the most compact of all of the jackets. One other jacket that’s excellent for moist, chilly trails or early season begins on any of the Triple Crown Mountain climbing Trails or the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand.

Greatest Down Jacket for Australia and New Zealand

Macpac Icefall Evaluation

Macpac Icefall Down Jacket ReviewMacpac Icefall Down Jacket Review

Weight – 10.5 oz / 300 grams
Down Fill Weight –
3.3 oz / 95 grams
Down Fill Energy –
800 loft Down
Whole loft –
2640 cubic inches of down fill
Shell cloth – 
Pertex Quantum Y Fuse 100% recycled Ripstop with DWR
Hooded Jacket –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sack –
No, packs into one of many two zippered hand pockets
Professionals:

> Extremely light-weight
> Essentially the most waterproof jacket on this overview
> Highest high quality every part
Cons:
> Solely accessible in Australia and New Zealand

The Macpac Icefall was totally up to date in 2022 and is even higher than the earlier mannequin. I’ve been utilizing and testing this product for a number of years in every kind of climates. Because of my testing, I can say it is without doubt one of the finest down jackets in the marketplace. This well-thought-out jacket combines every part anybody might need from a troublesome, light-weight down jacket.

The outer shell materials has been totally up to date to the brand new high-quality Pertex Quantum Y fuse ripstop nylon that’s 100% recycled. It’s a sturdy, light-weight materials that could be very waterproof. The DWR remedy assists in making this jacket extra waterproof than many of the different jackets on this check.

The addition of 800 loft fill energy Hydrophobic down makes for a jacket properly in a position to face up to the extra among the worst climate. Not solely is there hydrophobic down, however the areas almost definitely to get moist, such because the shoulders and cuff space, are stuffed with Artificial insulation within the type of Primaloft Gold. I’ve even been caught out in a big rainstorm with no rain jacket and this down jacket stored me dry.

The brand new Macpac Icefall is a slim to common match which is a lot better than the earlier mannequin and can match a lot better than the earlier mannequin.

These Light-weight Down Jackets could be completely fitted to all however the coldest climbing journeys anyplace on the planet and ideal for thru-hiking in moist locations such because the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand. This ultra-light down jacket girls’s sizing is much like the lads’s, however with a greater match. I even know some males who put on girls’s down jacket.

General, I feel the Macpac Icefall is without doubt one of the finest down jackets for 2025. It’s properly thought out with all the most effective design options attainable. One of many top-spec Water Repellant Down Jackets reviewed and a private favourite. However it is just accessible in Australia and New Zealand at this stage.

Lightest Down Jacket

Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket Evaluation

Montbell Plasma Down Jacket ReviewMontbell Plasma Down Jacket Review

Whole Weight – 4.8 oz / 135 grams
Down Fill Weight –
1.6 oz / 45 grams
Down Fill Energy –
1000 fill ex down
Whole Loft –
1600 cubic inches
Outer cloth –
21g/m2 7 denier with DWR
Hood –
No
Pockets –
No
Stuff Sack –
Sure
Professionals:

> Ultralight
> Greatest warmth-to-weight ratio
Cons:
> Not utilizing hydrophobic down
> Non responsibly sourced down
> No Pockets or Hood

With a complete weight of solely 135 grams, this is without doubt one of the lightest down jackets on the listing.

For the hiker in search of out the lightest down jacket with top-of-the-line warmth-to-weight ratios. However the most effective in school warmth-to-weight ratio comes at a small value.

The 1.6 ounces of 1000-fill loft down is a a lot greater fill energy than any of the opposite down jackets reviewed. It’s not hydrophobic down like many different manufacturers however it does add as much as 1600 cubic inches of loft to maintain you heat. However this jacket is nowhere close to as heat because the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket which packs nearly 3 occasions extra loft than this jacket.

The jacket makes use of a really skinny shell materials. It’s a very mild 7 denier cloth, which mixed with top-of-the-line DWR therapies, does an okay job repelling water. However watch out of this jacket in dangerous climate, and watch out to not get this jacket caught on sharp sticks and branches when climbing. All of this combines to make an extremely light-weight jacket.

How sturdy is the 1000-Loft down? Most individuals are inclined to agree that the candy spot for the standard vs sturdiness lies someplace between 750 fill and 900 fill energy loft. I’d anticipate many lengthy years of use out of this high quality jacket if taken care of and washed as wanted.

This ultralight jacket has no frills. This males’s ultra-light down jacket is the non-hooded model with no pockets. This retains the general weight down, which is the principle cause to contemplate this ultra-lightweight down jacket.

At 4.8 ounces or 135 grams, this can be a true ultralight weight jacket for the gram-counting ultralight hiker or somebody eager to cowl big miles with all of the lightest attainable gear. Simply watch out, it is probably not as sturdy as the opposite jackets on this gear overview. It’s also not the most effective insulated jacket in the marketplace, and never as heat because it seems to be. For this jacket to be superior, I wish to see a bit extra loft and only a bit extra down fill within the jacket.

General, if you’re in search of the lightest down jacket on the listing with the most effective warmth-to-weight ratio and the most effective packable down jacket, then that is it. This ultra-light packable down jacket is mild in weight, however it might be slightly hotter. Additionally, take note, this jacket has no hood.

Need one thing hotter with pockets and a hood? Think about the Montbell Plasma 1000 Fill Energy Alpine Down Parka.

Greatest Funds Down Jacket

REI Co-Op 650 Down Jacket

REI 650 Down JacketREI 650 Down Jacket

Whole Weight – 10.9 oz / 310 grams
Down Fill Weight –
not specified
Down Fill Energy –
650 fill down
Whole Loft –
not recognized
Outer cloth –
Recycled Nylon
Hood –
No
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff Sack –
No packs into the left pocket
Professionals:

> Moderately priced
> Will hold you heat sufficient, did I point out it’s low cost!
Cons:
> Heavy for the heat

The newly up to date REI Co-Op 650 Down Jacket is neither the lightest nor the highest quality down jacket, however it is without doubt one of the least expensive. If you’re in search of a finances down jacket, then that is it.

It’s stuffed with 650 fill RDS down and has an excellent outer cloth. At 11 ounces, it’s cheap for the load.

General, this is without doubt one of the finest males’s down jackets for these on a finances.

Down Jackets Price Contemplating

Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket Evaluation

Rab Microlight AlpineRab Microlight Alpine

Weight – 17oz / 470 grams
Down Fill Weight –
5 oz / 143 grams
Down Fill Energy  –
750 fill loft down
Whole Loft –
3750 cubic inches
Shell cloth –
Climate resistant Pertex Quantum 32g/m2 with DWR coating
Hood –
Sure
Pockets –
Sure
Stuff sac –
Sure
Professionals:

> Very heat.
> Nice climate resistance.
> Fine quality supplies.
Cons:
> Heavy.
> 750 loft down.

The 5 ounces of down create an enormous 3750 cubic inches of right down to hold you heat. Though the Rab Microlight Alpine is barely heavier than the opposite jackets on this overview, it’s the warmest.

The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket makes use of high-quality hydrophobic down, high quality DWR Therapy, and top-of-the-line within the enterprise outer shell materials materials, Pertex Quantum. This can be a critically weather-resistant jacket.

If solely this jacket have been utilizing the next loft down, corresponding to 800 plus and was slightly bit lighter.

The Rab Microlight Alpine jacket has all the most effective options and all the most effective supplies. If solely the loft of the down was greater than 750 fill, it could deliver down the general weight and enhance the general high quality to make this top-of-the-line down jackets. I’d like to see this jacket embrace 800 or 900 fill energy hydrophobic down.

General, Rab makes among the finest outside gear, and this jacket isn’t any exception. For anybody heading off into chilly, damp areas, this jacket shall be an ideal match. Excellent for moist and chilly trails corresponding to early season begins on any of the Triple Crown Mountain climbing Trails or the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand.


Better of the Relaxation

The next is a listing of superior Down jackets which are definitely worthy of a glance:

  • Rab Neutrino – The Rab Neutrino is the massive brother of the Alpine jacket. It’s hotter, bulkier, heavier, and higher suited as top-of-the-line winter down jackets.
  • Katabatic Gear Tarn Down Jacket: The Katabatic Gear Tarn is made by the well-known quilt maker and appears to be properly fitted to damp, chilly climate. I hope to be testing this jacket quickly.

Down Jacket Comparability Desk

Supply: Producers


Greatest Ultralight Down Jacket for Through-Mountain climbing

Most thru-hikers solely put on a down jacket at evening or very first thing within the morning till the physique has warmed up. Mountain climbing in a down jacket isn’t frequent until the climate turns chilly and nasty.

The Greatest ultra-lightweight down jackets for thru-hikers are the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket, Feathered Buddies Eos, Arc’teryx Cerium, Ghost Whisperer, Macpac Icefall, and Montbell Plasma.

Every is underneath 300g and can face up to the tough remedy they are going to be put by way of. The Montbell Plasma is way and away the lightest, however is nowhere close to as heat because the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket.

If climbing on moist thru-hikes such because the Appalachian Path or Te Araroa Path, the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket, The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie, and the Macpac Icefall are the standout selections.

Testing the best backpacking down jackets for this reviewTesting the best backpacking down jackets for this review
The creator testing to seek out the most effective backpacking down jacket

Greatest Down Jackets for Wet Climate

With hydrophobic down, high quality DWR repellent, and the most effective outer supplies, it’s laborious to go previous the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket, Macpac Icefall, The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie, and Rab Microlight Alpine

The Macpac Icefall and Arc’teryx Cerium add artificial insulation into the excessive moisture areas, that are more likely to get moist, corresponding to hoods, cuffs, and shoulders.

General, the Macpac Icefall is the most effective down jacket for dangerous climate, carefully adopted by the Rab Microlight Alpine and The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie, that are each fairly a bit heavier however are each hotter jackets.


Greatest General Ultralight Down Jackets

Each single jacket on this overview might do one thing that will make it the standout winner and best option. Because it stands, a few jackets rise to the highest however might be improved.

The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is the most effective ultralight jacket. With a really excessive loft, good heat, high quality down, and is light-weight. There may be little to fault.

The Feathered Buddies Eos would attain the highest spot if it used hydrophobic down. It is extremely heat, mild, an excellent match, and nice in all however wet climate. The identical might be mentioned for the Arc’teryx Cerium.

The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie and Rab Microlight Alpine would attain the highest spot in the event that they have been lighter in weight. Regardless of being feature-rich, weather-resistant, and heat, they’re barely too heavy.

Montbell is ultralight in weight however lacks options. That is the most effective decide for the hiker who doesn’t care about pockets, hood, or climate resistance and desires the lightest jacket in the marketplace.

The Macpac Icefall ticks all of the bins for climate resistance, high quality, light-weight, and heat. It might take out the highest spot if it have been accessible for non New Zealanders or Australians.

General, I just like the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket and Macpac Icefall for climbing in dangerous climate. For a mixture of heat and ultralight weight, I like Zpacks Goose Down Jacket, Arcteryx Cerium, and Feathered Buddies EOS.

Testing the Patagonia Down SweaterTesting the Patagonia Down Sweater
The creator testing the Patagonia Down Sweater in Montana

How one can Select a Down Jacket

The are a number of elements that you must think about when down jackets.

They need to be light-weight, have an excellent high quality fill energy and fill weight of down, and a few type of climate resistance is nice within the type of Hydrophobic down, waterproof face cloth, and a DWR end.

One other necessary consideration when shopping for a down jacket is that the down is responsibly sourced. The Accountable Down Customary ensures the down is traceable and sourced from animals that adjust to animal welfare requirements.


Options in a Light-weight Down Jacket

What options are necessary in the most effective light-weight down jacket for backpacking?


Hood

For most individuals, a hood is tremendous necessary. The necessity for a down jacket within the open air is to remain heat. A hood is without doubt one of the best methods to do that. The added weight to the down jacket is value it. Most are adjustable with some type of light-weight conch wire to tug tight in windy climate.

Down Jacket hoodDown Jacket hood

Pockets

Pockets are one other nice function. Any hiker who has been hit by colder than anticipated temperatures will respect warming their palms of their pockets. Typically gloves should not sufficient. Different occasions you could have forgotten to deliver gloves with you.

Pockets are both within the chest space, the abdomen space, or each. And so they can embrace a zipper or not.

Chest pockets make a useful place to retailer one thing like a mobile phone or snacks when strolling. They’re usually used as a reversible stuff sack for jackets when they aren’t in use.

Hand pockets are finest suited as a spot to maintain palms heat. All of the jackets on this overview have their hand pockets situated in such a spot that it permits you to use a backpack and hip belt. Whereas zippered hand pockets might be good, they’ll add to the load and should not at all times vital as one thing you want.

Down Jacket pocketsDown Jacket pockets
Down Jacket Pockets are a good suggestion

Down Jacket Storage

A stuff sack is a superb thought to retailer the jacket. In any other case, the power to be packed into one among its two zippered hand pockets or zippered chest pockets makes it packable when not being worn. All of the reviewed jackets have some type of storage methodology.

Down jackets packed into their pockets for storageDown jackets packed into their pockets for storage
Down jackets are packed into their pockets for storage

Cinch Cords on hoods and Waist

Cinch cords on the hood and backside of the jacket are used to limit the quantity of chilly air getting into the jacket and supply the most effective match. Not all jackets have this function, and those who do are better off over those who don’t.

Some jackets use easy elastic stitched into the jacket to supply a decent match across the waist or hood. The cinch wire does add a small quantity of weight and price to the jacket, however for essentially the most half, that is thought-about properly value it. Some use a easy cinch wire on the hood to maintain it in place.

Conch cord on the waist of down jacketConch cord on the waist of down jacket
Cinch wire on the waist to tighten to scale back air stream and hold you heat

The heat of a Light-weight Down Jacket

The Greatest Down Jackets for Through Mountain climbing or Bikepacking shall be a compromise between light-weight and options.

It’s unlikely that almost all light-weight down jackets shall be utilized by anybody climbing Mt Everest, however they’ll definitely be seen on backpacking journeys or thru-hiking trails such because the Pacific Crest Path, Appalachian Path, Continental Divide Path, or Bikepacking the Nice Divide Mountain Bike Path.

All of the down jackets reviewed listed here are compact, light-weight, and heat sufficient for most individuals in temperatures round freezing. For temperatures considerably under freezing, additional layers shall be wanted, particularly if at camp and inactive.


What’s Fill Energy, and why is it necessary?

All the most effective down jackets ought to have a fill energy of 800 or greater. The quantity 800 fill energy refers to its lofting means. For those who take 1 ounce of down it should broaden or loft to 800 cubic inches. 850 will loft to 850 cubic inches and so forth. General, Confused?

The video under does an ideal job of explaining every part to do with Fill Energy.


Water Resistance of a Down Jacket

Down doesn’t like getting moist. It tends to clump collectively, and when that occurs, it loses its means to maintain you heat. To forestall that from taking place all the most effective down jackets use a tightly woven outer shell cloth to forestall as a lot water as attainable from making contact with the down.

Pertex is taken into account top-of-the-line outer materials, however many firms use related supplies that shield water from entering into the down as a lot as attainable.

Some jackets use a small quantity of artificial insulation materials in areas with excessive contact with moisture, corresponding to shoulder and arm cuffs.

Down jackets corresponding to Macpac Icefall and Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody use a small quantity of artificial fill materials within the shoulders and cuffs to forestall excessive moisture areas from wetting out the down.


What’s Hydrophobic Down? And why it is best to use it in a down jacket

Lately, Nikwax has developed a hydrophobic down that resists the overwhelming majority of contact with water, therefore it will possibly keep properly lofted if involved with water.

Jackets with hydrophobic down ought to be thought-about of upper high quality than these with out. I’ve a desire to make use of a jacket with hydrophobic down, however it hasn’t at all times been that manner. It offers a safer possibility if I’m sporting a jacket in dangerous climate.

If heading out into dangerous climate, as I skilled on the Appalachian Path and Te Araroa Path in New Zealand, the next jackets could be excellent. The jackets under use hydrophobic down:

  1. Zpacks Goose Down Jacket
  2. The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie
  3. Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket
  4. Macpac Icefall

Watch the loopy video under, which demonstrates how good hydrophobic down is.


What’s a DWR Coating, and why do I would like it?

Consider the DWR end as being like placing a layer of wax on the automotive. It permits the water to bead and runs off the material. And like a layer of wax on a automotive, it doesn’t final without end, and ultimately, the DWR will put on off and the material will moist out.

The entire firms besides Outside Analysis use a DWR on the skin of the jacket. DWR stands for Sturdy Water Repellent.

Retreating the outer cloth with Nikwax TX Direct or related will make the material immune to water once more.

Testing the water resistance of the Zpacks goose down jacketTesting the water resistance of the Zpacks goose down jacket
The creator testing the DWR and water resistance of the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket

How one can restore Down Jackets

Down Jackets should not essentially the most sturdy of outside gear. The usage of light-weight materials mixed with sharp sticks and branches, a spark from a campfire, or a fall in tough terrain can simply harm a down jacket.

A small rip or tear within the cloth will happen if used for a protracted time open air. There are two methods to restore the outer cloth.

The primary and simplest way is to cowl the outlet with some Tenacious Tape. Consider this tape because the superglue of cloth tapes. Reduce to measurement a canopy the outlet. Tenacious tape on a down jacket is an indication of a well-used jacket that has spent high quality time open air.

The second manner is to stitch a patch over the broken layer of cloth. I desire the primary methodology of utilizing Tenacious Tape as it’s low cost and it really works. I’ve used it many occasions through the years to patch small holes.

Testing the Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket in cold weatherTesting the Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket in cold weather
Testing the Patagonia Down Sweater on the Continental Divide Path

Greatest Worth Down Jackets

If the highest quality jacket prices a lot you can’t afford to spend time open air or are too scared to take the jacket someplace for concern of damaging it, then we’ve got an issue. Among the jackets reviewed are very well-priced, and the dearth of some options makes them worthy of consideration.

A high quality down jacket will final a few years, and if properly cared for, it’s value spending slightly extra now for one thing that can final a few years within the nice open air.


Down Jackets vs Artificial Jackets

Artificial jackets are slowly however certainly catching as much as down jackets with their heat to weight to packability ratio. Materials like Polartec Alpha and Primaloft Gold are among the finest accessible in the intervening time, however they’re nonetheless inferior to down.

Down additionally has a phenomenal means to be compressed and lofted with out damaging the down. The identical can’t be mentioned for all synthetics simply but. I believe within the subsequent 10 years an artificial product will come alongside that can make down out of date. Watch this area.

Ultimately, synthetics will surpass down however the time isn’t right here but.


Conclusion

With so many Down Jackets in the marketplace, listed here are the most effective ones:


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BikeHikeSafari Gear Evaluation Course of

The creator, Brad McCartney, from BikeHikeSafari is a small impartial adventurer and outside gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.

BikeHikeSafari isn’t half of a big weblog community and is proudly impartial. All evaluations on this web site are impartial and trustworthy gear evaluations of outside merchandise by the creator.

The creator, Brad McCartney, is a really skilled triple crown thru-hiker, adventurer, and bike tourer, having spent 1000s of nights sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag (Learn extra). He was a supervisor of an outside retail retailer and could be very skilled in what’s necessary when utilizing and testing gear for evaluations like this.

BikeHikeSafari won’t ever obtain any cash for evaluations, and they don’t settle for sponsored evaluations on this web site. All of the feedback concerning the gear evaluations are from the creator primarily based on his years of expertise. Hope this impartial overview was useful for you.

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