Seems like the discussion is always about down vs synthetic. I use a merino wool jacket. The Icebreaker hyperia lite is packable, warm, breathable, and odour resistant. I recommend more people look into wool!
That's a great point! Merino gets overlooked a LOT. I've got an Ortovox Zebru (comparable to Atom LT) but it's made with merino and actually VERY comfortable. Ortovox is usually expensive (only got my Zebru because of a sale/coupon combo) but there's other lower priced options as well.
Wool is amazing...and with current technology there are some amazing wool gears that are made for all sorts of needs and situations. The entire UL notion that its excluded from your kit because of weight is nonsense nowadays. Wool simple material that blows away some of the highest UL tech wears and it much cheaper as well. Oh ya and it keeps you warm even when it is wet :)
I wear merino wool as base layer and have merino coat and pants. Weigh your merino coat and compare with weight off these puffy jackets. It is about warmth to weight ratio and pack size.
@@andysponseller5941 My down puffy is 250g, while my merino puffy is 350g. But it isn't JUST about warmth to weight ratio and pack size. My icebreaker hyperia lite packs away into its own pocket and is still quite light, but also has the added advantage that if it gets wet, it still keeps me warm. And odour control with wool is better than down. I don't consider myself UL, more lightweight, but what arin kim said above is right, there is so much emphasis on being UL, that you don't even hear wool being mentioned in these videos. It's always down vs synthetic. I'd like to see these TH-camrs at least mention it as an option.
I went hiking 8 to 10 mile routes this past winter down to about 15*F in a $37 Amazon Basics synthetic hooded puffy. No problems. Base layer and a thin layer under the hoodie. I very much like it.
Down jackets are too hot when going uphill; I get too sweaty and esp with the DWR down jackets don't breathe. And they hold on to stink. Switched to synthetic pluc a light wool layer if needed in the winter and I'm never, ever, EV-AH going back!
Got my Gerry down "jacket" at Costco last year. I think it was $39. Decent fill, good zipper light weight. Packs very small. Kept me warm in 45F over a thin shirt.
Working from home, spending 6 to 8 hours a day on Zoom. Wore the same Smartwool shirt and socks all last week. 🤪 Gotta love wool hiking gear! I'm with you - hoodless. Hike on & be well.
For a little added clarity on down fill power ratings (Dan got it completely right, but here's how the number is chosen)... The number is the volume in milliliters of 1 oz of that down. So 1 oz of 600 down will take up just over half a liter, or 2/3 of the space of 1 oz of 900 which nearly fills a liter. Since the amount of trapped air is what determines the insulation factor, that is why 600 down must be heavier to get the same warmth as 900. You need 50% more by weight (roughly) to trap the same volume of air (create the same loft). But there can be advantages to lower fill power besides price. 600 fill, with so much more material, will be more resistant to compressing under a rain shell, so it may maintain it's insulation better under certain conditions.
Yep. There is actually an online calculator where you can compare fill power with grammage. At least all high quality manufacturers will give you the amount of down that is used. Typically in size large.
I bought a 30 dollar Eddie Bauer puffy jacket from Costco and it is the best jacket I’ve ever had. It’s warm light and has not had a single problem for 3 years. I’ve had some very nice and pretty expensive jackets. My point is the most expensive ones aren’t always the best lol
The arc’teryx Atom Lt is one of my favorite all time jackets. It’s very light and can be worn fall through spring. I know they can be expensive but if you can get one for around $150-$200, it is well worth it. Mine had a hood and I always have a hat on when wearing it so I never have a problem with the hood. My next jacket I get will the be Arc’teryx Cerium lt or a Norrona jacket.
Yeah, I've got kind of a love-hate relationship with hooded jackets. Somedays they're convenient, others they're a complete hinderance. The only down-filled gear I allow in my camping gear is my Exped Downmat - because I know that it's completely waterproof - to the point of being completely *airtight* I don't care how light or packable down is, the fact that it becomes useless the minute it starts raining makes it a liability rather than an asset. Insulation that suddenly stops working in adverse conditions is of no use to me. I tend to use layering all the time as the weather is so unpredictable that it makes more sense to carry a small number of things that can be used to layer-up if required rather than lug something heavy that you might never need. You're warmer with 2 light layers than one heavy layer, anyway, and two light layers can be lighter and pack down better (and can be packed separately if required). Given I'm wearing a light layer already, that's potentially anything from 1 to 3 layers depending on how warm/cold it is.
My favorite jacket is my Arc'teryx Atom Lt. It really is very warm, like you said I've worn mine well below freezing with just a long sleeve t shirt. It's actually comfortable up to 55ish degrees. Pro tip... wear a hat with your hood.. the bill keeps your hood inline with your face.
I really like the Arc'teryx hoods. I have an Atom LT and a Decathlon budget puffy. The hood difference is night and day. The hood on the arc'teryx looks kind of goofy because it's made to fit over a helmet, but when I cinch down the back cord, it sort of cups around my ears and face, hugging it, and I never have to worry about it getting in my field of vision. I can wear it with a t'shirt down to 45 if it isn't too windy, and I've actually worn it as a layer under my old goretex when it was 35 and raining, and snowing a bit when I went up in elevation. Overall it's a great synthetic layer.
I have been very disappointed by Arc'teriyx gear. Rain jacket wasn't waterproof after like 4 times of wearing it. Also a shirt got holes in it after under 3 years, I've worn other synthetic shirts for 5 years without any holes.
Dis Donc! 6. Klasse - if it wasn’t then it’s faulty. I’ve had Arc’teryx jackets last for a decade and I walk in the worst weather in Scotland regularly - perhaps the wettest place on Earth. Lol. Seriously. They are the only truly ‘waterproof’ jackets I’ve ever owned. And I’ve tried them all.
I own and recommend the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket which weighs 4.8 oz / 135 grams, is very warm and packs down to 3.5” x 5”. I believe it is still the lightest full size Down Jacket. (Not many companies use the certified 1000 down)
For me breathability is important for backpacking. Doesn’t take long to work up a sweat when carrying a backpack. I use the Arcteryx gilet all year round and it works perfectly.
Good video overall: You didn’t mention that jackets get wet because 1) Rain, and 2) Sweat. I always seem to get into trouble because I start off with a warm jacket, it heats up outside, and I sweat-usually making my arms cold because the down in may arms seems to get wet from sweat and lose its ability to keep me warm. I have learned the value of having a jacket and a vest, and taking off the jacket as I heat up.
I always pack a light fleece,a light down jacket with hood and a rain shell when i hit the trails and sometimes an extra synthetic t-shirt to change out.
I treat all of my down jackets with a water resistant spray/wash, and I always bring along a rain/wind shell that also is treated at the beginning of every season packs down. My winter camping also includes down pants that are treated with a rain/wind outer shell. You can buy the most expensive highest fill down or synthetic, but the key is to wash properly, and annually waterproof your clothing
There is a big point that was missed. Synthetics are not as warm for a big reason - they are more designed to modulate internal temperatures where as down is just an extremely good insulator. So if you are walking, running or working Synthetic is a better option as it will retain heat, wick moisture and keep you comfortable. However as soon as you stop working quickly you will find synthetics do not work as well to keep you warm. This is where Down works much better. Down is much much more effective at keeping you warm because of how it is structured. So the truth is you want to wear a synthetic while doing things and then throw a down over the top when mot moving. If you watch Alpinists and climbers you see this setup a lot. Softshells or synthetics while out working and then when having a break or belaying out comes the 900 fill puffer and goes over the top.
The fill is not feathers. The down is the soft puffy thing next to the skin of the duck/goose. That keeps it warm. The feathers protect the down from rain
Here's my take on it, and realize I grew up backpacking in the Pacific Northwest. 20 years ago, or even 5 years ago, I would have said a synthetic is a necessary item and take it whenever rain is in the forecast. However, anybody who has used both, or everybody I've talked to who's used both extensively, agrees, the ONLY way in which down is not fully superior to synthetic (other than price) is its loss of loft and insulation when it gets wet. However, today, with current treated down inside modern DWR shells, this advantage is disappearing. Now, I never take synthetic, because treated down in a DWR treated shell, under a properly battened down rain shell, just does not get wet enough to lose it's loft and insulation, even in the wettest conditions. I actually left my everyday carry down jacket outside overnight and it got nearly a half inch of unexpected rain. When I came out in the morning, it was wet, but the down still had pretty much all of its loft. I've hiked all day in the rain and not had my Ghost Whisperer get anywhere near that wet. So, for packability, weight to warmth, comfort (heat regulation vs heat retention), down wins every time. That's IF you can afford treated down and keep the DWR finish on the shell in good condition AND you know how to cinch down your rain shell properly. If any of that doesn't apply to you, then synthetic might be a better insulating layer for you, but only in rainy conditions.
Your forgetting that your losing loft by having a layer over your down jacket but the heat trapping of the rain jacket kinda balance it out so it not very noticeable.
@@TennesseeSlim not very noticeable IF you compare the same jacket not in a shell to being in a shell. But that's not what I was talking about at all. If you compare a 600 and a 900 of the same temp rating, both under a shell, you'll definitely notice the difference. 900 will lose a lot of it's loft, 600 will barely lose any, and therefore be much warmer than the 900. The only way around this is to buy an oversized rain shell to minimize crushing your down, but then you'll be swimming in it when you're not wearing the down, so it won't be much use. I wasn't forgetting anything. Thanks for contributing, though. Next time think it through first, please.
Is that all your gear on the shelves behind you? It looks so freaking organized! You ought to do a video on how you store your gear and set up your storage shelves and containers. Great vid. Love your sense of humor. Keep him coming and best of luck on the 50K!
Mee! Im wearing the same pants and shirt from yesterday lol. My fav jacket is the firstlite brooks down sweater! It has a special turret hoodie that prevents that sight problem and the fill is hybrid, down, synthetic mix. Great with moisture. Expensive at $269 but worth every penny!! Hike on!!
I am wearing the same cloths I won't say how many days lol. So I bought this $50.00 down light weight jacket from Amazon. It has lots of pockets and it is a complete zip up with a hood but the good does not have a string and the good actually stays up in the wind. So that said I wear this thing anywhere from 20 below to 30 above. If it is 20 below I wear a vest over the outside and it really keeps me warm. Also it came with a small bag I can roll up and pack it in. I love this cheap jacket. Thanks for all you do and you and your family stay safe.
My mains to look for is FP and outer fabric material... Then important features as hem draw cord, etc... Synthetics normally I use them as layer on wet conditions under a good Gore-Tex shell. Snowy condition, go for down plus a good merino wool layer
I use a down vest it is amazing an takes up no space or weight. The trick to staying warm is i wear it under a rain coat. If its not real cold I wear it on outside. The vest really works for me. I'm old school don't like big jackets I dress in layers. Down is great wool is best in real cold
A compromise solution to the hoodie problem is to wear a ball cap underneath. Not perfect, but pulls the hood around a bit. Works better for rain gear with hoods.
Full zip, hood for cold weather, full zip, lighter jacket, no hood for warmer weather. My puffys are all down. Cold weather jacket is for camp use ONLY! It gets a waterproof stuff sack and I never plan on wearing it while hiking (base later, microfleece hoodie, and wind or rain jacket are usually enough). Microfleece hoody is year-round clothing. Full zips are mandatory for easily changing out layering choices, and ventilation, year-round. Careful around the campfire with down or waterproof clothing. A burn hole can be a whole lot more than just annoying!
Higher fill power down has fewer feathers and more down plumules. Plumules are puffy. Feathers are flat. Some waterfowl produce fluffier down plumules. There's a lot of information on down fillpower and so forth available on the internet. It's worth a look. Also, there are different methods of "building" down apparel and sleeping bags which are important to know if you want the absolute best product available. With synthetic garments, some insulations do not need to be stitched through to be stabilized between the lining and the outer. The more lines of stitching (down, too) the more the insulation is compacted. Stitching makes for cold spots due to this compression. If you're likely to get wet, buy synthetic. If you're not, and light weight is your ultimate goal, buy down.
So, for me - I never go wrong with packing an Arc’teryx Atom SL and an Atom Lt. Especially with a mid layer (typically Merino wool). The SL is perfect for when you are active and exercising, the LT for when it is balls cold.... and of course like you said... you could layer them. Even hiking in -15F I just used to LT (granted I had a Merino wool mid layer) and I was fine... my beard and nose hair was freezing up... but I was warm where air was not touching. I also love Patagonia Nano Air, but that more just replaces me wearing hoodies casually (they just feel soo comfy), definitely not as good for backpacking... but car camping... take the NanoAir any day
@@HarryKuloh Maybe you need to stop being angry and actually look up the prices of the jackets mentioned. The Atom Lt is 250 - but I got mine for about 160 in a sale. The SL is about 180 and I got it for about 135 in a sale. I have spent money on cheaper jackets - and you know what.... zips broke, insulation stopped working, and they were not durable. In the end, you can decide how you want to spend your own money... I am a much bigger fan of buying things that are well made and last for ages rather than buying a new jacket every few years..
Hey dan, loved the video. I also have the Arc’teryx atom al and I love the hood, do avoid the problem that you have I use the hood adjuster strings on the back to tighten it down to my head. When I do that I have no problems turning my head as the hood will move with me and protect me without limiting my field of vision
As well as making it difficult to see, hoods also make it difficult to hear and make a scratching noise every time you turn your head. But the hood is useful if your sleeping bag doesn't have one
Not all the hoods are identical. There are some very well regulated anatomically cut hoods that literally stick to your head and move with it. Unfortunately, I'm not at all familiar with the US market, but Sivera brand actually does know a thing or two about making good hoods on their down jackets. You can look up its construction and see if you have anything similar on the things you actually can but locally :)
Very informative. I've never had good cold weather gear before, which is weird because I get cold easy. I'm looking forward to getting my kit together for cold weather camping and backpacking
Been shaving my body for a month since quarantine. So I can grow a nice base layer of hair for next winter. Gonna give sasquatch a run for his money& save on buying ridiculous fashion cold weather gear. .Au natural' is the way to go, just like my knuckle dragging ancestors and be ahead of the next fashion curve.
Lightweight synthetic insulation can lose half its lofting ability after being repeatedly compressed for a few months. Squashing it while warm (from the sun or a drier) is most damaging, because it’s made of very fine thermoplastic filaments. Down is much more resilient and will keep its lofting ability much longer, but any puffy jacket or sleeping bag should stay uncompressed as much as possible.
Arcteryx LT Atom. I own 2 (lost a third) . Best mulit-use jacket I own (or owned), with 2 negatives, one fixable. Use it in town and on the trail. For town I can't stand the puffy look and this is not a puffy. I'm not a hoody guy either- hats and shells for head protection. It's warm to about 40 deg without layers if you are moving. Also-and this is just as important- it's not TOO warm in temps up to the 60s like a down fill can be. The side panels are not insulated like other jackets. Negatives: The collar is nylon and cold and uncomfortable against your neck (design flaw). Pro-tip: get a piece of polartec fleece or similiar material and sew it into the collar. I've done this to all my Atom LT's. The other negative is maybe price, but all the best jackets are expensive.
Fill power but also % of down to feathers are cost drivers. As the fill power increases and the feather % drops, that's where you find the most expensive jackets (typically). I saw it on another one of Dan Becker's videos for the Decathlon puff jacket (which I own) is a great value despite giving up an oz. or two to very expensive brands that cost hundreds more. I use to have a Ghost Whisperer, but what Dan spoke about (fire embers) happened when I stepped away from the campsite for a nature brake...an entire sleeve was quite melted and ruined. I still wore the jacket home because I had nothing else, but it needed to be replaced afterwards. The idea to double up down jackets is sound advice, however Dan touched on another way but for different reasons. A hard shell waterproof shell over a puffy is an amazing way to both make a puffy work in wet weather but also boost the warmth by adding a wind block layer to your system. Rain shells typically pack down smaller and are the same weight or lighter and consume less room. Just an easy piece of kit to keep as a backup if the weather changes or you just feel a little bit cold.
I bought myself a down jacket not so long ago and I'm going to use it. Before I just mostly fleece + softshell. Congratulation on your 50K subscribers!
I always thought down was better. But when I got a Patagonia micro puff hoodie with the plumafill synthetic it amazed me. It keeps me comfortable down to the 30s.
We all have too many jackets, some long forgotten in the closet, one I've slightly outgrown I use for stashing bourbon in an inner pocket far from my wife so it has a function. I've ordered 3 Patagonia jackets this fall and will order 1 more justifying each for the things I love to do, golf, hardcore cycling, early morning walks, etc.
Atom LT is my favorite! Worn it in Yosemite on January, with a shell over it. It’s warm and breathable. It’s a delicate jacket, so watch out for tree branches, or any sharp objects. Worth every penny. Pro tip, roll the jacket into its hood, and you just got yourself a pillow.
People. The Arc’teryx Atom LT is a nice jacket. It is not as warm as DB states here. If you go out and wear the Atom LT is freezing temps with only a T-Shirt on you will be cold. The Atom LT would serve as a good mid-layer in Freezing conditions. The Patagonia MicroPuff and Down jacket are much warmer than the Atom LT.
I'm looking for my first backpacking jacket right now. Great video came out at the perfect time for me. Thanks. I've found these decathlon jackets. Can't afford the high end stuff so I look for budget stuff that performs well
👍 I do exactly what you've said in this video & it's a great tip...i take a hoodless GhostWhisperer & an old Mont Bell down gilet, the 2x combined still pack down very small & weigh less than 500g total (sorry I'm English!) & give sooooo much flexibility, even during a sub-zero -C Scottish winter. Great advice & video 😁
Great video Dan! It has definitely been a journey trying to find the right warm layers for myself. I ended up buying an affordable down jacket from Decathlon, and an Arcteryx Aptin Zip Hoodie (simialr to a microfleece) and they work perfectly together! Decathlon even has a knock-off version of the Arcteryx Hoodie that i got for 15 bucks on sale haha
I bought a hooded Torrid synthetic from EE over 2 years ago. It is by far my favorite jacket. Weighs about 8 oz, and is every bit as warm as my Go Lite and Patagonia down jackets. (The down jackets are definitely heavier).
Thanks for explaining the down fill numbers and what they mean! I’ve wondered for years. I knew it meant “loftier” (or not), but your explanation with the feather visual aids was finally my “aha!” moment!
Trying to turn your head with the hood on ,hilarious. I personally hate when I have no perifrial vision, I think I'm being snuck up on. Great video, thanks.
Four years ago I bought a hoodless Cordillera synthetic jacket on REI's site. Weighs 12 ounces, 700 equivalent fill, has fleece lined zippered hand pockets and two huge internal pockets. That thing kept me more than comfortable and warm with only a merino long sleeve standing still while taking pictures in a heavy wind, in falling snow at 25 degrees in the NC mountains. It cost me $53, marked down from $200. Best damn jacket I ever bought for price and not to mention performance. The moral of this story is: spending big bucks on big name, overblown, fancy schmancy gear is not necessary and you should never, ever pay retail. Next jacket I buy will be the Torid Apex and it will probably be used or on sale.
An expensive down jacket is one of my "buyer's remorse" purchases. Any real physical exertion causes the jacket to turn to mush due to moisture. Add the fact you have to protect it from external moisture and they just don't make sense in most cases.
Have always been a down jacket guy. Am going out on the AT this summer where I'm expecting constant rain. Ordered the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex. It is...insanely light and super compressible. I don't know, I may convert to a synthetic hiker before it's over (if moisture is a consideration).
For the record, I still love my Ghost Whisperer, and I've never seen anything on the market that makes me want to invest in an improvement. I save it for the trail, and use a hoodless heavier down for my everyday. But the GW has not been surpassed in any significant way, IMO.
@@TheTrailDancer Agreed. I loved my GW so much that as soon as my everyday carry jacket needed replacing, I went with an MH, but a cheaper model. That one has seen daily wear 3 seasons of the year for nearly 5 years, and it's still in amazing shape. I've had to patch two pinprick holes, both of which were my fault (wearing the jacket near the fire pit). But GearAid tape is awesome - the older patch is a couple years old now and still holding perfectly.
Thanks for the jacket advice Dan. I have been wondering for a while how one goes about picking a puffy jacket. Most hikers on TH-cam state only that most hikers or backpackers do have one, but not how to go about telling which one might work best for me. I had no idea what criteria to use.
I will tackle this. First you have to decide where in your layering system you plan on using the jacket. Some are made to be puffy but still protected by an outer layer or shell. These are generally more breathable. Some can be used as an outer layer as well. That will also give you an idea as to what size because you want the layers to work together. If the jacket is too tight, you will have mobility issues and will not get the full insulating ability of layering. These outer jackets are generally water/wind resistant but less breathable. Then you get to decide hood or no hood. A hood is warmer in cold climates but does have drawbacks, ie visibility and when you don't wear the hood it bags and bulks up behind your neck and you will sweat there. Once you get past those questions you can move on to what kind of insulation. This will be dictated by what type of climate and general activity as well as what weight you want to carry and how compressible you want it to be while in your pack. Down is still about the best for compressibility and warmth for weight, but if you are doing high strenuous activities (sweating a lot) or are in wet conditions, down is not a good choice and synthetics or even wool are more attractive. Wool works and has worked for thousands of years. However, it takes up a lot of space in your pack and it is heavy. Wool is also very durable. Synthetic runs a wide range of weight and compressibility and price in addition to being very breathable, to being water and wind proof if you want to wear it without a shell. The synthetic also dry out faster than the other two and still insulate when wet. Other factors are pockets. Not all jackets have a lot of pockets which may or may not be a big thing for you. Hope this helps.
Good video but here in Canada -12 c isn't considered cold. Maybe if you live in Vancouver it is. My cold spot starts at -20c that is when a winter coat goes on little less if there is a wind.
I am allergic to feathers so I don't have much of a choice. I do have a down jacket I just can't where it a lot. I found out that if you are sitting on a cold bench or outdoor chair your back will freeze. The biggest bummer of being allergic to feathers is when it comes to sleeping bags.
I like down for sleeping bags, where i can use a liner to keep it clean, and synthetic for jackets, which needs to be washed more often, and which i dont have to worry as much about them getting wet as i do with down. The "Primaloft Gold" with "cross core technology" (synthetic insulation that uses small granules of aerogel inside polyester fibers) currently have the best "weight to heat" ratio of synthetic insulation, and is also very "packable". This being said; down is much more durable (if taken care of) than synthetic insulation.
This is now dated but we have a radio personality Rick DiPietro that was talking about after a week his wife was asking him what he was doing with his laundry as she hadn't seen any in the hamper. Apparently he was wearing the same stuff all week as he was broadcasting his radio show from his house.
The best jacket I still have is a TNF Mountain Light and pants from 1995. When it was still made in the USA. Still have my Cats Meow and Cumulo Nimbus tent.
Patagonia Nano Puff pullover style no hood is my go to. Living in the Pacific Northwest synthetic was my choice of fill. I've had it for over a decade and had not failed me. I also picked up Outdoor Vitals Loftek hooded jacket during their Kickstarter but after a year of use, the insulation is settling and I cannot recommend it.
I prefer down jackets for temps below 30, Atom LT for temps above. When it’s below 0, I LOVE my REI Stormhenge. Gotta have a hood. And a hat. And a Buff. Yet I do okay down to freezing without gloves. 🤷🏼♀️
Most down jackets are too short so I also bring a women's down skirt (because they don't make down kilts). It weighs next to nothing but it's a game changer.
so yeah everyone looking for a puff jacket should check out the "Heatkeep" jacket, its syn and packs down in supplied bag to fit in your pocket, super warm and fits in your pocket , costs about 25 bucks,
Around a fire, to avoid sparks burning a hole in my nylon jacket, like to put on my jean or denim jacket over top and flip up the collar. That goes for my stay dry tee shirts. Sparks make a mess of expensive gear...
Nice video but you I think you forgot few important things. The use cases Are you going to use it over or under shell? This as sizing matters a lot how the jacket can keep you warm. You want it to be just about right. Not too tight nor too loose How cold it is used at. These ultralight puffs can work as a mid layer here, close to the arctic line but as a stand alone jacket for breaks. No way. Is it during an activity or just for breaks & camp life If for camp life and breaks my rule of thumb is to have at least 100 grams of down for every 10 degree Celsius step 0 degrees 100g, -10 degrees 200g, -20 degrees 300g and so on How small does it pack or how heavy it is are meaningless if the jacket can’t keep you warm. Even though people say that synthetic puffys will keep you warm even when wet have not truly tested that 😂 At least not on harsh conditions. They do it a bit better but far from great To me a puffy jacket should never be used on any high activity stuff. Especially if you’re in wilderness, outside of cell coverage.
Great video Dan; just started following ya - annnndddd I’m currently wearing the same outfit as yesterday but we are officially out of quarantine in Ga in June 2021 😂
Enlightened Equipment's Torrid APEX somehow breaks the rules. It's under $200, sub 9oz for all the sizes (and hoodless comes in at 7oz), and synthetic while staying really warm.
+1 for the Torrid. It checks all the boxes and the fit is wonderful. The elastic cuffs are the only con, when you take it off you need to tease it over your hands.
Conclusion: It does not matter down natural or synthetic, hood or no hood....I have 4 to choose from, so I bring what the conditions dictate. Well, fine for you.
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Seems like the discussion is always about down vs synthetic. I use a merino wool jacket. The Icebreaker hyperia lite is packable, warm, breathable, and odour resistant. I recommend more people look into wool!
That's a great point! Merino gets overlooked a LOT. I've got an Ortovox Zebru (comparable to Atom LT) but it's made with merino and actually VERY comfortable. Ortovox is usually expensive (only got my Zebru because of a sale/coupon combo) but there's other lower priced options as well.
I'm a merino wool fan! With my shell over it. Works for me
Wool is amazing...and with current technology there are some amazing wool gears that are made for all sorts of needs and situations. The entire UL notion that its excluded from your kit because of weight is nonsense nowadays. Wool simple material that blows away some of the highest UL tech wears and it much cheaper as well. Oh ya and it keeps you warm even when it is wet :)
I wear merino wool as base layer and have merino coat and pants. Weigh your merino coat and compare with weight off these puffy jackets. It is about warmth to weight ratio and pack size.
@@andysponseller5941 My down puffy is 250g, while my merino puffy is 350g. But it isn't JUST about warmth to weight ratio and pack size. My icebreaker hyperia lite packs away into its own pocket and is still quite light, but also has the added advantage that if it gets wet, it still keeps me warm. And odour control with wool is better than down. I don't consider myself UL, more lightweight, but what arin kim said above is right, there is so much emphasis on being UL, that you don't even hear wool being mentioned in these videos. It's always down vs synthetic. I'd like to see these TH-camrs at least mention it as an option.
Always wear a ball cap with a bill under your hood. It keeps the hood out of your eyes and eliminates the vision problem caused by hoods!
Dont forget to make sure you dont get a cap with a cardboard filling cause otherwise it wont hold up in the rain.
I went hiking 8 to 10 mile routes this past winter down to about 15*F in a $37 Amazon Basics synthetic hooded puffy. No problems. Base layer and a thin layer under the hoodie. I very much like it.
Down jackets are too hot when going uphill; I get too sweaty and esp with the DWR down jackets don't breathe. And they hold on to stink. Switched to synthetic pluc a light wool layer if needed in the winter and I'm never, ever, EV-AH going back!
Got my Gerry down "jacket" at Costco last year. I think it was $39. Decent fill, good zipper light weight. Packs very small. Kept me warm in 45F over a thin shirt.
Working from home, spending 6 to 8 hours a day on Zoom. Wore the same Smartwool shirt and socks all last week. 🤪 Gotta love wool hiking gear! I'm with you - hoodless. Hike on & be well.
For a little added clarity on down fill power ratings (Dan got it completely right, but here's how the number is chosen)... The number is the volume in milliliters of 1 oz of that down. So 1 oz of 600 down will take up just over half a liter, or 2/3 of the space of 1 oz of 900 which nearly fills a liter. Since the amount of trapped air is what determines the insulation factor, that is why 600 down must be heavier to get the same warmth as 900. You need 50% more by weight (roughly) to trap the same volume of air (create the same loft). But there can be advantages to lower fill power besides price. 600 fill, with so much more material, will be more resistant to compressing under a rain shell, so it may maintain it's insulation better under certain conditions.
Yep. There is actually an online calculator where you can compare fill power with grammage. At least all high quality manufacturers will give you the amount of down that is used. Typically in size large.
I bought a 30 dollar Eddie Bauer puffy jacket from Costco and it is the best jacket I’ve ever had. It’s warm light and has not had a single problem for 3 years. I’ve had some very nice and pretty expensive jackets. My point is the most expensive ones aren’t always the best lol
The arc’teryx Atom Lt is one of my favorite all time jackets. It’s very light and can be worn fall through spring. I know they can be expensive but if you can get one for around $150-$200, it is well worth it. Mine had a hood and I always have a hat on when wearing it so I never have a problem with the hood. My next jacket I get will the be Arc’teryx Cerium lt or a Norrona jacket.
Yeah, I've got kind of a love-hate relationship with hooded jackets. Somedays they're convenient, others they're a complete hinderance.
The only down-filled gear I allow in my camping gear is my Exped Downmat - because I know that it's completely waterproof - to the point of being completely *airtight*
I don't care how light or packable down is, the fact that it becomes useless the minute it starts raining makes it a liability rather than an asset. Insulation that suddenly stops working in adverse conditions is of no use to me.
I tend to use layering all the time as the weather is so unpredictable that it makes more sense to carry a small number of things that can be used to layer-up if required rather than lug something heavy that you might never need. You're warmer with 2 light layers than one heavy layer, anyway, and two light layers can be lighter and pack down better (and can be packed separately if required). Given I'm wearing a light layer already, that's potentially anything from 1 to 3 layers depending on how warm/cold it is.
My favorite jacket is my Arc'teryx Atom Lt. It really is very warm, like you said I've worn mine well below freezing with just a long sleeve t shirt. It's actually comfortable up to 55ish degrees. Pro tip... wear a hat with your hood.. the bill keeps your hood inline with your face.
I really like the Arc'teryx hoods. I have an Atom LT and a Decathlon budget puffy. The hood difference is night and day. The hood on the arc'teryx looks kind of goofy because it's made to fit over a helmet, but when I cinch down the back cord, it sort of cups around my ears and face, hugging it, and I never have to worry about it getting in my field of vision. I can wear it with a t'shirt down to 45 if it isn't too windy, and I've actually worn it as a layer under my old goretex when it was 35 and raining, and snowing a bit when I went up in elevation. Overall it's a great synthetic layer.
I have been very disappointed by Arc'teriyx gear. Rain jacket wasn't waterproof after like 4 times of wearing it. Also a shirt got holes in it after under 3 years, I've worn other synthetic shirts for 5 years without any holes.
Dis Donc! 6. Klasse - if it wasn’t then it’s faulty. I’ve had Arc’teryx jackets last for a decade and I walk in the worst weather in Scotland regularly - perhaps the wettest place on Earth. Lol. Seriously. They are the only truly ‘waterproof’ jackets I’ve ever owned. And I’ve tried them all.
I own and recommend the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket which weighs 4.8 oz / 135 grams, is very warm and packs down to 3.5” x 5”. I believe it is still the lightest full size Down Jacket. (Not many companies use the certified 1000 down)
For me breathability is important for backpacking. Doesn’t take long to work up a sweat when carrying a backpack. I use the Arcteryx gilet all year round and it works perfectly.
Good video overall: You didn’t mention that jackets get wet because 1) Rain, and 2) Sweat. I always seem to get into trouble because I start off with a warm jacket, it heats up outside, and I sweat-usually making my arms cold because the down in may arms seems to get wet from sweat and lose its ability to keep me warm. I have learned the value of having a jacket and a vest, and taking off the jacket as I heat up.
I had this problem as well, unit is realized, it’s way better to be a little chilly when hiking than burning up.
I always pack a light fleece,a light down jacket with hood and a rain shell when i hit the trails and sometimes an extra synthetic t-shirt to change out.
I treat all of my down jackets with a water resistant spray/wash, and I always bring along a rain/wind shell that also is treated at the beginning of every season packs down.
My winter camping also includes down pants that are treated with a rain/wind outer shell.
You can buy the most expensive highest fill down or synthetic, but the key is to wash properly, and annually waterproof your clothing
There is a big point that was missed. Synthetics are not as warm for a big reason - they are more designed to modulate internal temperatures where as down is just an extremely good insulator.
So if you are walking, running or working Synthetic is a better option as it will retain heat, wick moisture and keep you comfortable. However as soon as you stop working quickly you will find synthetics do not work as well to keep you warm. This is where Down works much better. Down is much much more effective at keeping you warm because of how it is structured.
So the truth is you want to wear a synthetic while doing things and then throw a down over the top when mot moving. If you watch Alpinists and climbers you see this setup a lot. Softshells or synthetics while out working and then when having a break or belaying out comes the 900 fill puffer and goes over the top.
The fill is not feathers. The down is the soft puffy thing next to the skin of the duck/goose. That keeps it warm.
The feathers protect the down from rain
If it grows out of the skin of a bird, it is feathers.
Clothes? I've been naked for weeks 😂😂😂
Here's my take on it, and realize I grew up backpacking in the Pacific Northwest. 20 years ago, or even 5 years ago, I would have said a synthetic is a necessary item and take it whenever rain is in the forecast. However, anybody who has used both, or everybody I've talked to who's used both extensively, agrees, the ONLY way in which down is not fully superior to synthetic (other than price) is its loss of loft and insulation when it gets wet. However, today, with current treated down inside modern DWR shells, this advantage is disappearing. Now, I never take synthetic, because treated down in a DWR treated shell, under a properly battened down rain shell, just does not get wet enough to lose it's loft and insulation, even in the wettest conditions. I actually left my everyday carry down jacket outside overnight and it got nearly a half inch of unexpected rain. When I came out in the morning, it was wet, but the down still had pretty much all of its loft. I've hiked all day in the rain and not had my Ghost Whisperer get anywhere near that wet. So, for packability, weight to warmth, comfort (heat regulation vs heat retention), down wins every time. That's IF you can afford treated down and keep the DWR finish on the shell in good condition AND you know how to cinch down your rain shell properly. If any of that doesn't apply to you, then synthetic might be a better insulating layer for you, but only in rainy conditions.
Your forgetting that your losing loft by having a layer over your down jacket but the heat trapping of the rain jacket kinda balance it out so it not very noticeable.
@@TennesseeSlim not very noticeable IF you compare the same jacket not in a shell to being in a shell. But that's not what I was talking about at all. If you compare a 600 and a 900 of the same temp rating, both under a shell, you'll definitely notice the difference. 900 will lose a lot of it's loft, 600 will barely lose any, and therefore be much warmer than the 900. The only way around this is to buy an oversized rain shell to minimize crushing your down, but then you'll be swimming in it when you're not wearing the down, so it won't be much use. I wasn't forgetting anything. Thanks for contributing, though. Next time think it through first, please.
Is that all your gear on the shelves behind you? It looks so freaking organized! You ought to do a video on how you store your gear and set up your storage shelves and containers.
Great vid. Love your sense of humor. Keep him coming and best of luck on the 50K!
Already did! Here you go.. th-cam.com/video/JnE2H48o43A/w-d-xo.html
Mee! Im wearing the same pants and shirt from yesterday lol. My fav jacket is the firstlite brooks down sweater! It has a special turret hoodie that prevents that sight problem and the fill is hybrid, down, synthetic mix. Great with moisture. Expensive at $269 but worth every penny!! Hike on!!
"Hood up bothers me, should I just put the hood down? No, clearly buying a different jacket is the answer."
I am wearing the same cloths I won't say how many days lol. So I bought this $50.00 down light weight jacket from Amazon. It has lots of pockets and it is a complete zip up with a hood but the good does not have a string and the good actually stays up in the wind. So that said I wear this thing anywhere from 20 below to 30 above. If it is 20 below I wear a vest over the outside and it really keeps me warm. Also it came with a small bag I can roll up and pack it in. I love this cheap jacket. Thanks for all you do and you and your family stay safe.
My mains to look for is FP and outer fabric material... Then important features as hem draw cord, etc...
Synthetics normally I use them as layer on wet conditions under a good Gore-Tex shell.
Snowy condition, go for down plus a good merino wool layer
I use a down vest it is amazing an takes up no space or weight. The trick to staying warm is i wear it under a rain coat. If its not real cold I wear it on outside. The vest really works for me. I'm old school don't like big jackets I dress in layers. Down is great wool is best in real cold
A compromise solution to the hoodie problem is to wear a ball cap underneath. Not perfect, but pulls the hood around a bit. Works better for rain gear with hoods.
Full zip, hood for cold weather, full zip, lighter jacket, no hood for warmer weather. My puffys are all down. Cold weather jacket is for camp use ONLY! It gets a waterproof stuff sack and I never plan on wearing it while hiking (base later, microfleece hoodie, and wind or rain jacket are usually enough). Microfleece hoody is year-round clothing. Full zips are mandatory for easily changing out layering choices, and ventilation, year-round.
Careful around the campfire with down or waterproof clothing. A burn hole can be a whole lot more than just annoying!
My philosophy too!
Higher fill power down has fewer feathers and more down plumules. Plumules are puffy. Feathers are flat.
Some waterfowl produce fluffier down plumules. There's a lot of information on down fillpower and so forth available on the internet. It's worth a look. Also, there are different methods of "building" down apparel and sleeping bags which are important to know if you want the absolute best product available.
With synthetic garments, some insulations do not need to be stitched through to be stabilized between the lining and the outer. The more lines of stitching (down, too) the more the insulation is compacted. Stitching makes for cold spots due to this compression.
If you're likely to get wet, buy synthetic. If you're not, and light weight is your ultimate goal, buy down.
So, for me - I never go wrong with packing an Arc’teryx Atom SL and an Atom Lt. Especially with a mid layer (typically Merino wool). The SL is perfect for when you are active and exercising, the LT for when it is balls cold.... and of course like you said... you could layer them. Even hiking in -15F I just used to LT (granted I had a Merino wool mid layer) and I was fine... my beard and nose hair was freezing up... but I was warm where air was not touching. I also love Patagonia Nano Air, but that more just replaces me wearing hoodies casually (they just feel soo comfy), definitely not as good for backpacking... but car camping... take the NanoAir any day
Oh yeah, $500 jackets no big deal 👎
@@HarryKuloh Maybe you need to stop being angry and actually look up the prices of the jackets mentioned. The Atom Lt is 250 - but I got mine for about 160 in a sale. The SL is about 180 and I got it for about 135 in a sale. I have spent money on cheaper jackets - and you know what.... zips broke, insulation stopped working, and they were not durable. In the end, you can decide how you want to spend your own money... I am a much bigger fan of buying things that are well made and last for ages rather than buying a new jacket every few years..
Hey dan, loved the video. I also have the Arc’teryx atom al and I love the hood, do avoid the problem that you have I use the hood adjuster strings on the back to tighten it down to my head. When I do that I have no problems turning my head as the hood will move with me and protect me without limiting my field of vision
I always used to have that same problem and the first time I used the adjustment cord it literally blew my mind how perfect it works
As well as making it difficult to see, hoods also make it difficult to hear and make a scratching noise every time you turn your head. But the hood is useful if your sleeping bag doesn't have one
Not all the hoods are identical. There are some very well regulated anatomically cut hoods that literally stick to your head and move with it. Unfortunately, I'm not at all familiar with the US market, but Sivera brand actually does know a thing or two about making good hoods on their down jackets. You can look up its construction and see if you have anything similar on the things you actually can but locally :)
Very informative. I've never had good cold weather gear before, which is weird because I get cold easy. I'm looking forward to getting my kit together for cold weather camping and backpacking
Great info on the feather numbers. I always thought it was how many feathers were in each stitched cell.
Been shaving my body for a month since quarantine. So I can grow a nice base layer of hair for next winter. Gonna give sasquatch a run for his money& save on buying ridiculous fashion cold weather gear. .Au natural' is the way to go, just like my knuckle dragging ancestors and be ahead of the next fashion curve.
Lightweight synthetic insulation can lose half its lofting ability after being repeatedly compressed for a few months. Squashing it while warm (from the sun or a drier) is most damaging, because it’s made of very fine thermoplastic filaments. Down is much more resilient and will keep its lofting ability much longer, but any puffy jacket or sleeping bag should stay uncompressed as much as possible.
There’s a new synthetic down called thermoluxe which is better than down
Arcteryx LT Atom. I own 2 (lost a third) . Best mulit-use jacket I own (or owned), with 2 negatives, one fixable. Use it in town and on the trail. For town I can't stand the puffy look and this is not a puffy. I'm not a hoody guy either- hats and shells for head protection. It's warm to about 40 deg without layers if you are moving. Also-and this is just as important- it's not TOO warm in temps up to the 60s like a down fill can be. The side panels are not insulated like other jackets. Negatives: The collar is nylon and cold and uncomfortable against your neck (design flaw). Pro-tip: get a piece of polartec fleece or similiar material and sew it into the collar. I've done this to all my Atom LT's. The other negative is maybe price, but all the best jackets are expensive.
The Atom LT is the best jacket I’ve ever owned. Coupled with my Beta AR shell there’s nothing I’ll ever encounter that combination won’t deal with.
I hate wearing hoods and you demonstrated why very well 😂
🤣😂
The Army trained me to hate hoods on jackets so I like the jackets where the hood hides away in the collar 😉
Try a Berghaus hooded jacket. The adjustments you can make to it. Make it really comfortable
Those who know wear Buffalo, add or remove the hood as you please
@@chrisnagle68 why
I don't think you get wet except you fall in the water. Down jacket is essential water repellent also work with a shell.
Eddie Bauer jackets give all these jackets a run for your money and they do sales more frequently ✌🏽
Fill power but also % of down to feathers are cost drivers. As the fill power increases and the feather % drops, that's where you find the most expensive jackets (typically).
I saw it on another one of Dan Becker's videos for the Decathlon puff jacket (which I own) is a great value despite giving up an oz. or two to very expensive brands that cost hundreds more. I use to have a Ghost Whisperer, but what Dan spoke about (fire embers) happened when I stepped away from the campsite for a nature brake...an entire sleeve was quite melted and ruined. I still wore the jacket home because I had nothing else, but it needed to be replaced afterwards.
The idea to double up down jackets is sound advice, however Dan touched on another way but for different reasons. A hard shell waterproof shell over a puffy is an amazing way to both make a puffy work in wet weather but also boost the warmth by adding a wind block layer to your system. Rain shells typically pack down smaller and are the same weight or lighter and consume less room. Just an easy piece of kit to keep as a backup if the weather changes or you just feel a little bit cold.
Dan is the man. Wanted to learn about down jackets and Bob's Your Uncle.
Straight up good information.. Thanks My first and only puffy jacket is the budget REI model.
Atom LT paired with a buff and an Alpacas of Montana beanie. After having a down jacket wet out I’ll never bring down on the trail again.
I bought myself a down jacket not so long ago and I'm going to use it. Before I just mostly fleece + softshell. Congratulation on your 50K subscribers!
I always thought down was better. But when I got a Patagonia micro puff hoodie with the plumafill synthetic it amazed me. It keeps me comfortable down to the 30s.
I have a Ghost Whisper with hood, love that jacket , very light , and for shtf , I use a m65 with a liner 😆
Don’t forget sometimes a 600 is warmer . Or sometimes out of two 800 fill one has way more down . Like the cerium sv vs the ghost whisperer.
DG so is the cerium or the ghost warmer?
We all have too many jackets, some long forgotten in the closet, one I've slightly outgrown I use for stashing bourbon in an inner pocket far from my wife so it has a function. I've ordered 3 Patagonia jackets this fall and will order 1 more justifying each for the things I love to do, golf, hardcore cycling, early morning walks, etc.
Atom LT is my favorite! Worn it in Yosemite on January, with a shell over it. It’s warm and breathable. It’s a delicate jacket, so watch out for tree branches, or any sharp objects. Worth every penny.
Pro tip, roll the jacket into its hood, and you just got yourself a pillow.
People. The
Arc’teryx Atom LT is a nice jacket. It is not as warm as DB states here. If you go out and wear the Atom LT is freezing temps with only a T-Shirt on you will be cold. The Atom LT would serve as a good mid-layer in Freezing conditions. The Patagonia MicroPuff and Down jacket are much warmer than the Atom LT.
I'm looking for my first backpacking jacket right now. Great video came out at the perfect time for me. Thanks. I've found these decathlon jackets. Can't afford the high end stuff so I look for budget stuff that performs well
@TheMechanic how did you like the Decathlon jacket? Looking at one of their synthetic down jackets now.
👍 I do exactly what you've said in this video & it's a great tip...i take a hoodless GhostWhisperer & an old Mont Bell down gilet, the 2x combined still pack down very small & weigh less than 500g total (sorry I'm English!) & give sooooo much flexibility, even during a sub-zero -C Scottish winter. Great advice & video 😁
Great video Dan! It has definitely been a journey trying to find the right warm layers for myself. I ended up buying an affordable down jacket from Decathlon, and an Arcteryx Aptin Zip Hoodie (simialr to a microfleece) and they work perfectly together! Decathlon even has a knock-off version of the Arcteryx Hoodie that i got for 15 bucks on sale haha
I bought a hooded Torrid synthetic from EE over 2 years ago. It is by far my favorite jacket. Weighs about 8 oz, and is every bit as warm as my Go Lite and Patagonia down jackets. (The down jackets are definitely heavier).
Thanks for explaining the down fill numbers and what they mean! I’ve wondered for years. I knew it meant “loftier” (or not), but your explanation with the feather visual aids was finally my “aha!” moment!
👍🏼👍🏼🙌
Trying to turn your head with the hood on ,hilarious. I personally hate when I have no perifrial vision, I think I'm being snuck up on. Great video, thanks.
ive been subbed since like 8k my dude. the channel is growing quick!
Thanks for explaining the fill ! I swore the number mattered as far as warmth !! Good to know it’s weight/warmth
Four years ago I bought a hoodless Cordillera synthetic jacket on REI's site. Weighs 12 ounces, 700 equivalent fill, has fleece lined zippered hand pockets and two huge internal pockets. That thing kept me more than comfortable and warm with only a merino long sleeve standing still while taking pictures in a heavy wind, in falling snow at 25 degrees in the NC mountains. It cost me $53, marked down from $200. Best damn jacket I ever bought for price and not to mention performance. The moral of this story is: spending big bucks on big name, overblown, fancy schmancy gear is not necessary and you should never, ever pay retail. Next jacket I buy will be the Torid Apex and it will probably be used or on sale.
Eddie Bauer jackets go on sale every year late January/ early February every year for 40 to 50 per cent off. It makes them a great deal.
Eddie bauer crap is never a good deal
Bet me
An expensive down jacket is one of my "buyer's remorse" purchases. Any real physical exertion causes the jacket to turn to mush due to moisture. Add the fact you have to protect it from external moisture and they just don't make sense in most cases.
Have always been a down jacket guy. Am going out on the AT this summer where I'm expecting constant rain. Ordered the Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex.
It is...insanely light and super compressible. I don't know, I may convert to a synthetic hiker before it's over (if moisture is a consideration).
For the record, I still love my Ghost Whisperer, and I've never seen anything on the market that makes me want to invest in an improvement. I save it for the trail, and use a hoodless heavier down for my everyday. But the GW has not been surpassed in any significant way, IMO.
MH is legit!
@@TheTrailDancer Agreed. I loved my GW so much that as soon as my everyday carry jacket needed replacing, I went with an MH, but a cheaper model. That one has seen daily wear 3 seasons of the year for nearly 5 years, and it's still in amazing shape. I've had to patch two pinprick holes, both of which were my fault (wearing the jacket near the fire pit). But GearAid tape is awesome - the older patch is a couple years old now and still holding perfectly.
Thanks for the jacket advice Dan. I have been wondering for a while how one goes about picking a puffy jacket. Most hikers on TH-cam state only that most hikers or backpackers do have one, but not how to go about telling which one might work best for me. I had no idea what criteria to use.
I will tackle this. First you have to decide where in your layering system you plan on using the jacket. Some are made to be puffy but still protected by an outer layer or shell. These are generally more breathable. Some can be used as an outer layer as well. That will also give you an idea as to what size because you want the layers to work together. If the jacket is too tight, you will have mobility issues and will not get the full insulating ability of layering. These outer jackets are generally water/wind resistant but less breathable. Then you get to decide hood or no hood. A hood is warmer in cold climates but does have drawbacks, ie visibility and when you don't wear the hood it bags and bulks up behind your neck and you will sweat there. Once you get past those questions you can move on to what kind of insulation. This will be dictated by what type of climate and general activity as well as what weight you want to carry and how compressible you want it to be while in your pack. Down is still about the best for compressibility and warmth for weight, but if you are doing high strenuous activities (sweating a lot) or are in wet conditions, down is not a good choice and synthetics or even wool are more attractive. Wool works and has worked for thousands of years. However, it takes up a lot of space in your pack and it is heavy. Wool is also very durable. Synthetic runs a wide range of weight and compressibility and price in addition to being very breathable, to being water and wind proof if you want to wear it without a shell. The synthetic also dry out faster than the other two and still insulate when wet. Other factors are pockets. Not all jackets have a lot of pockets which may or may not be a big thing for you. Hope this helps.
Good video but here in Canada -12 c isn't considered cold. Maybe if you live in Vancouver it is. My cold spot starts at -20c that is when a winter coat goes on little less if there is a wind.
I am allergic to feathers so I don't have much of a choice. I do have a down jacket I just can't where it a lot. I found out that if you are sitting on a cold bench or outdoor chair your back will freeze. The biggest bummer of being allergic to feathers is when it comes to sleeping bags.
I like down for sleeping bags, where i can use a liner to keep it clean, and synthetic for jackets, which needs to be washed more often, and which i dont have to worry as much about them getting wet as i do with down. The "Primaloft Gold" with "cross core technology" (synthetic insulation that uses small granules of aerogel inside polyester fibers) currently have the best "weight to heat" ratio of synthetic insulation, and is also very "packable". This being said; down is much more durable (if taken care of) than synthetic insulation.
This is now dated but we have a radio personality Rick DiPietro that was talking about after a week his wife was asking him what he was doing with his laundry as she hadn't seen any in the hamper. Apparently he was wearing the same stuff all week as he was broadcasting his radio show from his house.
The best jacket I still have is a TNF Mountain Light and pants from 1995. When it was still made in the USA. Still have my Cats Meow and Cumulo Nimbus tent.
I did a ton a research before pulling the trigger in a KUIU jacket. Which I’ve already worn in -20 minus and it’s been a great jacket
Great video .....Another tip - I use a down vest under my puffy if it is really cold....
Patagonia Nano Puff pullover style no hood is my go to. Living in the Pacific Northwest synthetic was my choice of fill. I've had it for over a decade and had not failed me. I also picked up Outdoor Vitals Loftek hooded jacket during their Kickstarter but after a year of use, the insulation is settling and I cannot recommend it.
I prefer down jackets for temps below 30, Atom LT for temps above. When it’s below 0, I LOVE my REI Stormhenge.
Gotta have a hood. And a hat. And a Buff. Yet I do okay down to freezing without gloves. 🤷🏼♀️
Thanks for the code Dan! Just ordered myself up an Osprey Sirrius 50L. We will be hitting up the ice age trail next month!!!! Cheers!
Soo helpful Dan. I live in Australia, but it snows where I live. Thanks for the great advice.
Congrats on the 50K, well deserved. Great channel, very informative. Thanks
I was hoping TH-cam would go from 846 to 847 videos on this exact topic 😃
Most down jackets are too short so I also bring a women's down skirt (because they don't make down kilts). It weighs next to nothing but it's a game changer.
I would choose a down jacket with a hood and hope I can use in different seasons
Hey Dan, Thanks for explaining the down fill numbers.
so yeah everyone looking for a puff jacket should check out the "Heatkeep" jacket, its syn and packs down in supplied bag to fit in your pocket, super warm and fits in your pocket , costs about 25 bucks,
Yes because ducks are always hypothermic. The trick is not to get any thermal layer wet. Down or synthetic.
Around a fire, to avoid sparks burning a hole in my nylon jacket, like to put on my jean or denim jacket over top and flip up the collar. That goes for my stay dry tee shirts. Sparks make a mess of expensive gear...
You didn’t talk about DWR Down jacket that solve the wet down jacket problem still comparable and still light weight.
Nice video but you I think you forgot few important things. The use cases
Are you going to use it over or under shell? This as sizing matters a lot how the jacket can keep you warm. You want it to be just about right. Not too tight nor too loose
How cold it is used at. These ultralight puffs can work as a mid layer here, close to the arctic line but as a stand alone jacket for breaks. No way.
Is it during an activity or just for breaks & camp life
If for camp life and breaks my rule of thumb is to have at least 100 grams of down for every 10 degree Celsius step
0 degrees 100g, -10 degrees 200g, -20 degrees 300g and so on
How small does it pack or how heavy it is are meaningless if the jacket can’t keep you warm.
Even though people say that synthetic puffys will keep you warm even when wet have not truly tested that 😂
At least not on harsh conditions. They do it a bit better but far from great
To me a puffy jacket should never be used on any high activity stuff. Especially if you’re in wilderness, outside of cell coverage.
I really like my Arc’teryx wallet shrinker. Down right predatory.
Great video Dan; just started following ya - annnndddd I’m currently wearing the same outfit as yesterday but we are officially out of quarantine in Ga in June 2021 😂
LOL, Since the lockdown I no longer shower and change daily. I don't sweat or get dirty while sitting in my recliner.
Down is my friend...I love the roll down into the coller. I figure if you can't keep your down dry...you need some training
I have a 1000 fill jacket but it's an Eddie Bauer jacket. I also have to evertherm jackets from Eddie Bauer!
I love your attitude do not change.
Enlightened Equipment's Torrid APEX somehow breaks the rules. It's under $200, sub 9oz for all the sizes (and hoodless comes in at 7oz), and synthetic while staying really warm.
+1 for the Torrid. It checks all the boxes and the fit is wonderful. The elastic cuffs are the only con, when you take it off you need to tease it over your hands.
I appreciate your videos. They have helped out a lot. Keep them coming. 😎👍
Same DarnTough socks for 3 days....still.dont stink😜
Conclusion: It does not matter down natural or synthetic, hood or no hood....I have 4 to choose from, so I bring what the conditions dictate.
Well, fine for you.