This can be a gear evaluation in regards to the Greatest Ultralight Down Jackets 2025.
On this evaluation of light-weight down jackets for 2025. The standard of down jackets on this evaluation are higher now than they’ve ever been.
On the subject of staying heat, a down jacket provides the most effective warmth-to-weight ratio of any jacket. They need to be part of each layering system when backpacking and may work effectively as an insulated windproof layer or mid-layer. Add a hardshell, akin 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 mountaineering, backpacking, and ultralight thru-hiking.
How We Examined
All of the Down Jackets on this evaluation have been extensively evaluated and researched by the skilled writer with over 30 years of expertise in Via-Mountain climbing, Backpacking, Mountain climbing, and Bike Touring. Additionally, the writer used to handle an out of doors retail retailer and used to suit and suggest down jackets as a part of his job. A few of the Ultralight Down Jackets had been bought, and the producer equipped some. They’ve been rigorously examined by the writer in every kind of climate. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the writer have mixed to give you the Greatest Ultralight and Light-weight Backpacking Down Jackets for 2025. Learn the Evaluate Coverage for additional particulars.
Observe alongside on Social Media
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 Evaluate

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 material – Climate-resistant Arato 15D material 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 a brilliant 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 burden 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. A few of the high-moisture areas use artificial insulation as a substitute of down. This results in a great degree of water resistance, however the lack of hydrophobic down will hold this jacket from being a favourite in a moist surroundings.
The outer materials of the jacket is a really light-weight material that’s windproof and powerful sufficient to resist gentle abuse. But it surely is a little more fragile, and care is required to ensure it’s not destroyed by sharp sticks on the path. For mountaineering on trails, it’s good. Bashing your approach by an unmarked path with sharp sticks in the course of nowhere, possibly not.
General, this light-weight down jacket for women and men makes use of excessive fill energy non-hydrophobic down and is among 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 can be near the right ultra-light down jacket for mountaineering the Pacific Crest Path.
Greatest Ultralight Down Jacket
Zpacks 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 material – 7D material with DWR
Hood – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sack – stuffs into the chest pocket
Professionals:
> Ultralight and greatest warmth-to-weight
> 950+ Hydrophobic Down
> Very heat
> Good weather-resistant materials and DWR
Cons:
> No zips on the pockets
> 7D material will not be designed for any off-trail mountaineering
> Not the most cost effective
The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is an impressively gentle 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 evaluation!
The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is full of 950+ hydrophobic down. The baffles on the jacket are beneficiant sufficient to permit the all the way down to loft up properly and supply a great degree of heat.
To maintain the burden down, Zpacks have used a really skinny and light-weight 7 Denier material. Whereas this does a superb job of maintaining the general weight of the jacket to a minimal, it needs to be famous that it makes the jacket quite delicate, and due to this fact greatest suited to mountaineering on trails or to be used at camp. Sporting this jacket for any off-trail mountaineering will not be really helpful.
The mixture of the 7D material coated with a DWR and using hydrophobic down provides this jacket a great degree of water resistance. Whereas I’d not suggest that you simply use this jacket within the rain, I examined this jacket in gentle rain, and it retained its heat and loft. Good to know when you ever get caught out in poor climate. However please deliver a light-weight rain jacket for unhealthy climate!
Throughout testing, I famous that the match of the jacket is sweet, with sufficient room to layer a fleece jacket beneath if wanted. Be very certain to observe the sizing tips on the Zpacks web site, as they’re very detailed about what measurement you can purchase. In the meanwhile, they don’t have girls’s particular sizing, so girls ought to pay attention to the hip measurement when shopping for. And when you occur to be curvy, then this jacket might not be for you.
The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket comes with 2 hand hotter pockets that shouldn’t have a zipper. The dearth of zips retains the burden down, however storage of something is not going to be a good suggestion. They do a great job of maintaining your arms heat and positioned so that they don’t intervene with hip belts when backpacking.
It comes with an honest hood that has a toggle adjustment. The hood will not be the most effective compared to others on this evaluation, but it surely serves the aim of maintaining the pinnacle heat whereas maintaining the burden down. It additionally has a toggle to regulate the waist, which is a helpful function that does the job effectively.
The down jacket is saved within the zippered chest pocket, which is beneficiant sufficient in measurement to make packing and unpacking simple.
General, the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is the most effective ultralight down jacket for 2025. Keep tuned for a full, in-depth evaluation of this as I check the jacket for long-term sturdiness.
Greatest Light-weight Down Jacket
Feathered Mates Eos Evaluate


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 material – Pertex material 37g/m2 with DWR
Professionals:
> Pertex defend shell material.
> Top quality 900+ down.
> Nice heat to weight.
Cons:
> No Hydrophobic down
The Feathered Mates 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 suits higher and added a chest pocket, and now it has an total weight of 11.8 oz / 336 grams.
This jacket provides a few of the greatest warmth-to-weight of any jacket on this evaluation. The 105 g / 4 oz of 900 fill energy plus down makes this a terrific 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 unhealthy climate.
The one factor stopping the Feathered Mates Eos Down Jacket from being the most effective on this evaluation 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 a terrific alternative. Good 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 Mates Eos is among the greatest light-weight down jackets in the marketplace. It feels a lot hotter than the light-weight would point out. Good as a light-weight down jacket for thru-hiking. Using hydrophobic down would rocket this jacket to the most effective ultra-lightweight down jacket on this evaluation.
Greatest thru-Mountain climbing Down Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded


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 material – 10D ripstop material 30g/m2 with DWR End
Hood – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sack – No, it stuffs right into a pocket.
Professionals:
> Ultralight
> Very small pack measurement
> Good for the ultralight thru-hiker
Cons:
> No hydrophobic down
> No changes within the hood
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is among the hottest Light-weight Down Jackets among the many ultralight thru-hikers of the world. An excellent mixture of a few of 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, but it surely has introduced the worth down somewhat, which is optimistic.
Regardless of the dearth of hydrophobic down, it does have a great DWR end, however total, this jacket doesn’t fare effectively in damp situations.
One other factor used to maintain the burden down is the elastic on the hood quite than an elastic draw chord. This helps hold the general weight. General, the jacket works effectively and is a high choose 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 among the greatest 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 greatest suited to ultralight hikers, akin to Via Hikers, who need the Greatest Down Jacket for the Pacific Crest Path. This is among the lightest down jackets with a great 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


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 material – 100% recycled ripstop nylon material with DWR
Hood – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sack – No, jacket stuffs into chest pocket
Professionals:
> Fairly priced, contemplating it’s Patagonia
> Heat
> Environmentally pleasant
Cons:
> Not the lightest down jacket
> Cumbersome pack measurement
The Patagonia Down Sweater is among the hottest down jackets on the earth. A mixture of environmentally pleasant design, manufacturing, and a great light-weight match makes for a terrific down jacket.
I used and examined this down jacket whereas thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Path and Continental Divide Path. Whereas it might not price as ultralight or in some circumstances not even light-weight, it does a great, sincere job of maintaining you heat.
As you’ll anticipate with Patagonia, they use a recycled nylon face material coated with a DWR. The down is an ethically sourced 800 loft.
The mixture of the standard down, good face material, useful match, and a great set of hand pockets and chest pockets makes for a great down jacket. Apart from the environmentally pleasant heritage, there’s 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 efficient, sincere 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 among the greatest backpacking down jackets in the marketplace in 2025.
Greatest Water-Resistant Down Jacket
The North Face Summit Collection Breithorn Hoodie


Weight – 14.7 oz / 416 grams
Down Fill Weight – unknown
Whole Loft – unknown
Down Fill Energy – 800 fill loft
Outer material – Recycled ripstop material with DWR Therapy
Hood – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sac – No, packs into left-hand pocket
Professionals:
> Hydrophobic Down.
> Recycled shell material 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 just lately upgraded model of considered one of 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 material is coated with a PFC-free DWR end. And contained in the jacket, the 800 loft hydrophobic down resists water absorption. While you get caught out within the rain, that is the waterproof down jacket.
The North Face Summit Hoody could also be barely heavier than a few of the different jackets on this evaluation, but it surely is among 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 a few of 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 among the higher waterproof Down Jackets for these heading into unhealthy climate or wanting one of many hotter jackets. High quality all the things on this jacket. The added heat comes at the price of weight, and it’s not essentially the most compact of all of the jackets. One other jacket that’s good 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 Evaluate


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 material – 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 evaluation
> Highest high quality all the things
Cons:
> Solely obtainable 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 among the greatest down jackets in the marketplace. This well-thought-out jacket combines all the things anybody may need from a tricky, 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 robust, light-weight materials that could be very waterproof. The DWR remedy assists in making this jacket extra waterproof than a lot of the different jackets on this check.
The addition of 800 loft fill energy Hydrophobic down makes for a jacket effectively in a position to face up to the extra a few of the worst climate. Not solely is there hydrophobic down, however the areas almost certainly to get moist, such because the shoulders and cuff space, are full of 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 saved 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 can be completely suited to all however the coldest mountaineering journeys wherever on the earth and excellent for thru-hiking in moist locations such because the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand. This ultra-light down jacket girls’s sizing is just like the lads’s, however with a greater match. I even know some males who put on girls’s down jacket.
General, I believe the Macpac Icefall is among the greatest down jackets for 2025. It’s effectively thought out with all the most effective design options potential. One of many top-spec Water Repellant Down Jackets reviewed and a private favourite. However it is just obtainable in Australia and New Zealand at this stage.
Lightest Down Jacket
Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket Evaluate


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 material – 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 among the lightest down jackets on the checklist.
For the hiker looking for out the lightest down jacket with the most effective warmth-to-weight ratios. However the most effective at school warmth-to-weight ratio comes at a small price.
The 1.6 ounces of 1000-fill loft down is a a lot increased fill energy than any of the opposite down jackets reviewed. It’s not hydrophobic down like many different manufacturers but it surely 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 gentle 7 denier material, which mixed with the most effective DWR remedies, does an okay job repelling water. However watch out of this jacket in unhealthy climate, and watch out to not get this jacket caught on sharp sticks and branches when mountaineering. All of this combines to make an extremely light-weight jacket.
How sturdy is the 1000-Loft down? Most individuals are likely 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 primary motive to think about 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 desirous to cowl large miles with all of the lightest potential gear. Simply watch out, it might not be as sturdy as the opposite jackets on this gear evaluation. 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 looking for the lightest down jacket on the checklist 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 gentle in weight, but it surely may very well be somewhat hotter. Additionally, consider, this jacket has no hood.
Need one thing hotter with pockets and a hood? Take into account the Montbell Plasma 1000 Fill Energy Alpine Down Parka.
Greatest Price range Down Jacket
REI Co-Op 650 Down Jacket


Whole Weight – 10.9 oz / 310 grams
Down Fill Weight – not specified
Down Fill Energy – 650 fill down
Whole Loft – not identified
Outer material – Recycled Nylon
Hood – No
Pockets – Sure
Stuff Sack – No packs into the left pocket
Professionals:
> Fairly 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 very best quality down jacket, but it surely is among the most cost-effective. If you’re searching for a price range down jacket, then that is it.
It’s full of 650 fill RDS down and has a great outer material. At 11 ounces, it’s cheap for the burden.
General, this is among the greatest males’s down jackets for these on a price range.
Down Jackets Value Contemplating
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket Evaluate


Weight – 17oz / 470 grams
Down Fill Weight – 5 oz / 143 grams
Down Fill Energy – 750 fill loft down
Whole Loft – 3750 cubic inches
Shell material – Climate resistant Pertex Quantum 32g/m2 with DWR coating
Hood – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sac – Sure
Professionals:
> Very heat.
> Nice climate resistance.
> Top of the range supplies.
Cons:
> Heavy.
> 750 loft down.
The 5 ounces of down create an enormous 3750 cubic inches of all the way down to hold you heat. Though the Rab Microlight Alpine is barely heavier than the opposite jackets on this evaluation, it’s the warmest.
The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket makes use of high-quality hydrophobic down, high quality DWR Therapy, and the most effective within the enterprise outer shell materials materials, Pertex Quantum. This can be a significantly weather-resistant jacket.
If solely this jacket had been utilizing the next loft down, akin to 800 plus and was somewhat 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 increased than 750 fill, it could deliver down the general weight and enhance the general high quality to make this the most effective down jackets. I’d like to see this jacket embrace 800 or 900 fill energy hydrophobic down.
General, Rab makes a few of the greatest out of doors gear, and this jacket is not any exception. For anybody heading off into chilly, damp areas, this jacket will likely be a terrific match. Good for moist and chilly trails akin 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 an inventory of superior Down jackets which might be actually worthy of a glance:
Down Jacket Comparability Desk
Greatest Ultralight Down Jacket for Via-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 will not be frequent until the climate turns chilly and nasty.
The Greatest ultra-lightweight down jackets for thru-hikers are the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket, Feathered Mates Eos, Arc’teryx Cerium, Ghost Whisperer, Macpac Icefall, and Montbell Plasma.
Every is below 300g and can face up to the tough remedy they are going to be put by. The Montbell Plasma is much and away the lightest, however is nowhere close to as heat because the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket.
If mountaineering 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.


Greatest Down Jackets for Wet Climate
With hydrophobic down, high quality DWR repellent, and the most effective outer supplies, it’s exhausting 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, akin to hoods, cuffs, and shoulders.
General, the Macpac Icefall is the most effective down jacket for unhealthy climate, intently 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 evaluation may do one thing that might make it the standout winner and best option. Because it stands, a few jackets rise to the highest however may very well 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 Mates Eos would attain the highest spot if it used hydrophobic down. It is vitally heat, gentle, a great match, and nice in all however wet climate. The identical could be stated 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 had 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 choose 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 could take out the highest spot if it had been obtainable for non New Zealanders or Australians.
General, I just like the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket and Macpac Icefall for mountaineering in unhealthy climate. For a mixture of heat and ultralight weight, I like Zpacks Goose Down Jacket, Arcteryx Cerium, and Feathered Mates EOS.


The best way to Select a Down Jacket
The are a number of components you might want to consider when taking a look at down jackets.
They need to be light-weight, have a great high quality fill energy and fill weight of down, and a few type of climate resistance is sweet within the type of Hydrophobic down, waterproof face material, and a DWR end.
One other necessary consideration when shopping for a down jacket is that the down is responsibly sourced. The Accountable Down Normal 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 outside is to remain heat. A hood is among 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 drag tight in windy climate.


Pockets
Pockets are one other nice function. Any hiker who has been hit by colder than anticipated temperatures will admire warming their arms of their pockets. Typically gloves will not be sufficient. Different occasions you might have forgotten to deliver gloves with you.
Pockets are both within the chest space, the abdomen space, or each. They usually can embrace a zipper or not.
Chest pockets make a helpful place to retailer one thing like a mobile phone or snacks when strolling. They’re typically used as a reversible stuff sack for jackets when they don’t seem to be in use.
Hand pockets are greatest suited as a spot to maintain arms heat. All of the jackets on this evaluation have their hand pockets positioned in such a spot that it permits you to use a backpack and hip belt. Whereas zippered hand pockets could be good, they may add to the burden and will not be at all times important as one thing you want.


Down Jacket Storage
A stuff sack is a good concept to retailer the jacket. In any other case, the power to be packed into considered one of 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.


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 of effectively value it. Some use a easy cinch wire on the hood to maintain it in place.


The heat of a Light-weight Down Jacket
The Greatest Down Jackets for Via Mountain climbing or Bikepacking will likely be a compromise between light-weight and options.
It’s unlikely that almost all light-weight down jackets will likely be utilized by anybody climbing Mt Everest, however they may actually 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, further layers will likely 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 increased. The quantity 800 fill energy refers to its lofting capability. When you take 1 ounce of down it can develop or loft to 800 cubic inches. 850 will loft to 850 cubic inches and so forth. General, Confused?
The video under does a terrific job of explaining all the things 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 capability to maintain you heat. To stop that from occurring all the most effective down jackets use a tightly woven outer shell material to stop as a lot water as potential from making contact with the down.
Pertex is taken into account the most effective outer materials, however many firms use comparable supplies that defend water from moving into the down as a lot as potential.
Some jackets use a small quantity of artificial insulation materials in areas with excessive contact with moisture, akin to shoulder and arm cuffs.
Down jackets akin to Macpac Icefall and Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody use a small quantity of artificial fill materials within the shoulders and cuffs to stop excessive moisture areas from wetting out the down.
What’s Hydrophobic Down? And why it is best to use it in a down jacket
In recent times, Nikwax has developed a hydrophobic down that resists the overwhelming majority of contact with water, therefore it could actually keep properly lofted if involved with water.
Jackets with hydrophobic down needs to be thought of of upper high quality than these with out. I’ve a desire to make use of a jacket with hydrophobic down, but it surely hasn’t at all times been that approach. It gives a safer possibility if I’m sporting a jacket in unhealthy climate.
If heading out into unhealthy climate, as I skilled on the Appalachian Path and Te Araroa Path in New Zealand, the next jackets can be good. The jackets under use hydrophobic down:
Watch the loopy video under, which demonstrates how good hydrophobic down is.
What’s a DWR Coating, and why do I want it?
Consider the DWR end as being like placing a layer of wax on the automobile. It permits the water to bead and runs off the material. And like a layer of wax on a automobile, it doesn’t final eternally, and ultimately, the DWR will put on off and the material will moist out.
The entire firms besides Out of doors Analysis use a DWR on the surface of the jacket. DWR stands for Sturdy Water Repellent.
Retreating the outer material with Nikwax TX Direct or comparable will make the material immune to water once more.


The best way to restore Down Jackets
Down Jackets will not be essentially the most sturdy of outside gear. Using 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 material will happen if used for a protracted time outside. There are two methods to restore the outer material.
The primary and simplest way is to cowl the outlet with some Tenacious Tape. Consider this tape because the superglue of material tapes. Lower 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 outside.
The second approach is to stitch a patch over the broken layer of material. I favor 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.


Greatest Worth Down Jackets
If the very best quality jacket prices a lot which you can’t afford to spend time outside or are too scared to take the jacket someplace for concern of damaging it, then we’ve an issue. A few of the jackets reviewed are very well-priced, and the dearth of some options makes them worthy of consideration.
A top quality down jacket will final a few years, and if effectively cared for, it’s value spending somewhat extra now for one thing that can final a few years within the nice outside.
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 a few of the greatest obtainable in the intervening time, however they’re nonetheless inferior to down.
Down additionally has a gorgeous capability to be compressed and lofted with out damaging the down. The identical can’t be stated 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.
Finally, synthetics will surpass down however the time will not be right here but.
Conclusion
With so many Down Jackets in the marketplace, listed here are the most effective ones:
Observe alongside on Social Media
BikeHikeSafari Gear Evaluate Course of
The writer, Brad McCartney, from BikeHikeSafari is a small unbiased adventurer and out of doors gear tester who owns and runs BikeHikeSafari.com.
BikeHikeSafari will not be half of a giant weblog community and is proudly unbiased. All evaluations on this website are unbiased and sincere gear evaluations of outside merchandise by the writer.
The writer, 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 out of doors 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 in regards to the gear evaluations are from the writer based mostly on his years of expertise. Hope this unbiased evaluation was useful for you.