Decathlon Simond MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Evaluation

Backside Line

The Decathlon Simond MT100 Down Puffer  (males’s / ladies’s) (higher generally known as the Forclaz MT100) has earned its cult following for good purpose. It’s a heat, versatile, 800-fill down jacket that delivers unimaginable efficiency for the fee. 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 circumstances, it provided strong heat and luxury for every little thing from day hikes to informal put on. The design is straightforward but sensible, with the proper options the place they matter most. What actually units it aside is the sheer worth: it’s uncommon to discover a jacket this heat, gentle, and well-built at such an approachable worth. For budget-conscious hikers and vacationers searching for reliable heat with out breaking the financial institution, the MT100 is certainly one of our favourite down jackets. See the way it compares to the remainder of our lineup in our information to the perfect down jackets.

Notice: Decathlon is within the means 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) could 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 circumstances to see the way it performs in actual life. Over a number of weeks, our staff wore it throughout chilly mornings and windy ridgelines in Colorado’s foothills and excessive nation, in addition to throughout damp, cold-weather hikes via the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and western Maryland. 

The jacket confronted every little thing from gentle 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 evaluation, you’ll hear us say we had been stunned many instances—and in terms of consolation, the Decathlon Simond MT100 actually exceeded our expectations. At the beginning, Decathlon recommends sizing up, noting on their web site that their jackets are inclined to run small. We adopted that recommendation and are glad we did. Our lead analyst sometimes wears a measurement giant 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 via the torso.  

Total, the match leans athletic. It’s considerably form-fitting via the torso with out feeling restrictive, with additional 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 comfortable 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 totally 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 comfortable 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 moderately than a dealbreaker, however it’s our largest gripe concerning the jacket. Total, the MT100 is sort of snug and well-designed, particularly contemplating its worth.

Heat

Price range-friendly down jackets typically fall quick in heat, typically attributable to awkward match or lower-quality down. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the Decathlon Simond MT100. The MT100 supplies 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 person, layering system, and exercise degree. 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 entice warmth and block out drafts, whereas the adjustable hem and insulated collar add additional safety in windy circumstances. 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 practically identically as soon as fill energy is equal.

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

Weight & Packability

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

The MT100 packs simply into its personal pocket with no wrestling match — one thing we will’t say for all down jackets. As soon as stowed, a helpful 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 truthfully couldn’t inform the distinction right here. The MT100 packs right down to roughly the scale of a Nalgene bottle, making it impressively transportable and simple 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 evaluation. It’s simply the character of the beast. Some fashions carry out a bit higher due to 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, but it surely does function a surprisingly efficient DWR coating. It held up nicely for us in gentle rain, snow, and damp circumstances all through Colorado’s foothills and excessive nation. Would we belief it in really moist circumstances like these discovered within the Pacific Northwest? Not with no rain shell lay excessive. We wouldn’t push it in regular rain, however for mist, drizzle, or gentle flurries, it sheds water simply tremendous.

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 total, the MT100 does a good job defending in opposition to the weather for its weight and worth.

Breathability

Like most ultralight down jackets, the Simond MT100 isn’t constructed with breathability as a high precedence. It’s made to entice warmth, not let it escape. Nonetheless, it handles energetic use moderately nicely for its design. Throughout testing, the jacket stayed snug throughout reasonable motion in cool circumstances, however began to entice warmth shortly 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 free helps a bit with airflow, however as soon as we begin sweating, we unzip or shed the puffer totally.

Whereas it’s not meant for high-output use, the MT100 nonetheless permits for sufficient airflow for informal mountain 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 needs an reasonably priced down layer to toss on for every little thing from shoulder-season hikes to chilly mornings within the storage, the Simond MT100 is a secure 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 means above its price ticket. The underside line: if you need dependable heat on a finances, the MT100 is hard to beat.

What Different Down Jackets Ought to You Think about?

Should you just like the Decathlon Simond MT100 however wish to discover different top-performing choices, try 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 via REI and wish to add a bit to their member dividend. It’s a bit bulkier, has a extra informal minimize, and skips the hood, however nonetheless delivers reliable heat and sturdiness for on a regular basis use and lightweight 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 amazing 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 individuals who desire a down jacket that’s as at dwelling 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, but it surely’s additionally a confirmed performer in harsh circumstances.