Decathlon Simond MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Evaluation

Backside Line

The Decathlon Simond MT100 Down Puffer  (males’s / girls’s) (higher often known as the Forclaz MT100) has earned its cult following for good purpose. It’s a heat, versatile, 800-fill down jacket that delivers unbelievable efficiency for the price. Is it the warmest, best-fitting, or most premium choice we examined? Not fairly. However does it maintain its personal in opposition to jackets that value twice as a lot? Completely.

Throughout testing in Colorado’s chilly fall situations, it supplied strong heat and luxury for all the pieces from day hikes to informal put on. The design is straightforward but sensible, with the fitting options the place they matter most. What actually units it aside is the sheer worth: it’s uncommon to discover a jacket this heat, mild, and well-built at such an approachable value. For budget-conscious hikers and vacationers searching for reliable heat with out breaking the financial institution, the MT100 is one in all our favourite down jackets. See the way it compares to the remainder of our lineup in our information to the perfect down jackets.

Observe: Decathlon is within the technique of rebranding the Forclaz MT100 to the Simond MT100. It’s the very same jacket, simply with a brand new title. The transition has been gradual, so some prospects (like us) might obtain jackets labeled Forclaz, whereas others get ones labeled Simond. Don’t fear, there are not any design or materials variations between the 2.

How We Examined

We examined the Decathlon Simond MT100 Down Jacket throughout a variety of situations to see the way it performs in actual life. Over a number of weeks, our crew wore it throughout chilly mornings and windy ridgelines in Colorado’s foothills and excessive nation, in addition to throughout damp, cold-weather hikes by way of the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and western Maryland. 

The jacket confronted all the pieces from mild snow to brisk fall temps, giving us a strong sense of its heat, consolation, and sturdiness in each alpine and humid mid-Atlantic environments.

Consolation

On this assessment, you’ll hear us say we had been stunned many instances—and in relation to consolation, the Decathlon Simond MT100 actually exceeded our expectations. Firstly, Decathlon recommends sizing up, noting on their web site that their jackets are likely to run small. We adopted that recommendation and are glad we did. Our lead analyst usually wears a dimension massive however opted for an XL. Whereas the massive in all probability would’ve labored, the XL is noticeably extra snug, with a greater match, significantly by way of the torso.  

Total, the match leans athletic. It’s considerably form-fitting by way of the torso with out feeling restrictive, with further room within the chest and shoulders for freedom of motion throughout actions like climbing. The outer material feels sturdy and nice to the contact. Whereas not as mushy as some premium choices we’ve examined, it doesn’t come throughout as low cost or fragile. The padded collar provides consolation with out feeling cumbersome when absolutely zipped. The hood is elastic-brimmed, which helps it keep in place, although we’d like to see an adjustable cinch for windy or fast-moving days.

The cuffs use the identical mushy elastic because the hood and really feel snug in opposition to naked pores and skin. Nevertheless, the design permits one down baffle to drape barely over the elastic, including heat however often extending over the tops of your palms. It’s a minor annoyance slightly than a dealbreaker, however it’s our greatest gripe concerning the jacket. Total, the MT100 is kind of snug and well-designed, particularly contemplating its value.

Heat

Funds-friendly down jackets usually fall brief in heat, usually attributable to awkward match or lower-quality down. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Decathlon Simond MT100. The MT100 offers loads of heat for its midweight design. Decathlon offers it a consolation score of 41°F right down to 23°F, an inexpensive vary relying on the consumer, layering system, and exercise stage. In our testing, it saved us snug on chilly hikes in Colorado’s foothills and through crisp mornings within the Appalachians.

The athletic match helps lure warmth and block out drafts, whereas the adjustable hem and insulated collar add further safety in windy situations. The 800-fill down insulation (a 90/10 duck down-to-feather mix) delivers strong loft and warmth retention. Whereas goose down is usually seen because the gold commonplace, high-quality duck down like this performs almost identically as soon as fill energy is equal.

Merely put, don’t anticipate the warmest jacket available on the market, however the MT100 offers extra heat than you’d anticipate for its weight and value. It simply retains up with jackets that value twice as a lot, making it a killer choose for shoulder-season adventures and even mild winter use.

Weight & Packability

At 11.3 ounces for an XL, we’ve got no complaints concerning the Simond MT100’s weight. It lands on the lighter aspect of the midrange in our lineup. 

The MT100 packs simply into its personal pocket with out a wrestling match — one thing we will’t say for all down jackets. As soon as stowed, a useful webbing loop allows you to clip it to your pack for fast entry. Whereas duck down is alleged to be much less compressible than goose down, we actually couldn’t inform the distinction right here. The MT100 packs right down to roughly the dimensions of a Nalgene bottle, making it impressively moveable and straightforward to toss in your bag for any journey.

Climate Resistance

It’s no secret that down jackets aren’t constructed for rain. As soon as down insulation will get moist, it loses its loft and mainly stops insulating, one thing we point out in each down jacket assessment. It’s simply the character of the beast. Some fashions carry out a bit higher because of hydrophobic down and a sturdy water repellent (DWR) end on the shell, however these options solely purchase you time earlier than moisture wins out.

The Simond MT100 doesn’t use hydrophobic down, nevertheless it does function a surprisingly efficient DWR coating. It held up nicely for us in mild rain, snow, and damp situations all through Colorado’s foothills and excessive nation. Would we belief it in really moist situations like these discovered within the Pacific Northwest? Not with out a rain shell lay excessive. We wouldn’t push it in regular rain, however for mist, drizzle, or mild flurries, it sheds water simply high-quality.

The elastic cuffs, insulated collar, and cinchable hem all do their half to maintain wind and chilly air out. We do want the hood had an adjustable drawcord to lock in heat throughout gusty climate, however general, the MT100 does a good job defending in opposition to the weather for its weight and value.

Breathability

Like most ultralight down jackets, the Simond MT100 isn’t constructed with breathability as a high precedence. It’s made to lure warmth, not let it escape. Nonetheless, it handles energetic use moderately nicely for its design. Throughout testing, the jacket stayed snug throughout average motion in cool situations, however began to lure warmth rapidly after we picked up the tempo and or when climbing.  

There are not any options to dump warmth. There are not any pit zips, no mesh panels, and no two-way zipper for venting, so managing temperature largely comes right down to layering technique. Leaving the hem cinch unfastened helps a bit with airflow, however as soon as we begin sweating, we unzip or shed the puffer fully.

Whereas it’s not meant for high-output use, the MT100 nonetheless permits for sufficient airflow for informal climbing and shoulder-season adventures. For something extra cardio, we pair it with a light-weight, extra breathable midlayer beneath.

Ought to You Purchase the Decathlon Simond MT100 Hooded Down Puffer?

Should you’re a hiker, backpacker, or somebody who desires an inexpensive down layer to toss on for all the pieces from shoulder-season hikes to chilly mornings within the storage, the Simond MT100 is a protected guess. It’s not the warmest, lightest, or most technical jacket on the market, however that’s probably not the purpose. It delivers reliable heat, good consolation, and strong climate resistance at a fraction of the price of most comparable down jackets.

The match is athletic with out feeling restrictive, and the 800-fill down retains issues cozy with out including bulk. Positive, there are extra premium jackets on the market with higher-end supplies and options, however for on a regular basis outside use, journey, or informal winter put on, this one punches manner above its price ticket. The underside line: in order for you dependable heat on a funds, the MT100 is hard to beat.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Think about?

Should you just like the Decathlon Simond MT100 however need to discover different top-performing choices, take a look at our information to the greatest down jackets for extra suggestions.

REI 650 Down Jacket Evaluation: Should you just like the MT100’s unbeatable warmth-to-value stability, the REI 650 Down Jacket performs in the identical league. It’s a strong alternative for budget-minded hikers preferring ordering by way of REI and need to add slightly to their member dividend. It’s a bit bulkier, has a extra informal reduce, and skips the hood, however nonetheless delivers reliable heat and sturdiness for on a regular basis use and light-weight adventures.

REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie Evaluation: The Magma 850 takes efficiency up a notch with premium goose down, an ultralight design, and nice packability. It’s an awesome alternative for backpackers or alpine trekkers who want extra heat than the Simond affords. The Magma does value fairly a bit extra, however the match is a bit higher and the supplies are a bit extra refined. 

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Evaluation: For many who desire a down jacket that’s as at residence on a mountain summit as it’s round city, the Rab Microlight Alpine is hard to beat. It’s constructed with top-notch supplies, wind-resistant Pertex Quantum material, and responsibly sourced hydrophobic down for higher climate resistance than the MT100. It’s heavier and pricier, nevertheless it’s additionally a confirmed performer in harsh situations.