Down jackets

[Christy]

Does anyone wear down skiing? Here in the PNW we are told never buy down (sleeping bags, jackets, etc)--it's too wet here. I know there are water resistant fabrics but sales people have told me you have to spend a lot ($500+) to get a down coat that is really water resistant (but still not waterproof). But do people in drier climes wear them skiing or are we all wearing waterproof shells these days?

I'm mostly just curious but I also really want one, and maybe I can justify the purchase if I can wear it on ski vacations to drier places.

 

[Robyn]

There are people around here who wear down regularly. I don't because I need layers or I'll overheat many days. Although, I'm hoping for a down sweater for Christmas to add into layers when appropriate.

 

[LilaBear]

I have Down jackets for wearing around the resort, love them. They are already full of warm air when you put them on, and stay that way. I know they are useless when they get wet, but I would have thought that there are some modern technical materials covering down jackets that are great in all but a torrential downpour?

I do wear a down sweater when skiing, and in the minus 14F with more windchill on Sunday I was actually warm around my core, I had a baselayer and a down sweater under my ski jacket, which also has some padding. I am a cold person but I was surprisingly snug. I also find that they self-regulate and I am at the perfect temperature everytime I wear it (except one super hot, bright sunshine day when I had to unzip!). I just got some down gloves too, not sure if I'll wear them skiing, but boy were they lovely on the commute this morning in still arctic temps.

So what happens in PNW that makes is so wet? I have been rained on in Vermont, twice, but other than that I don't seem to need more than water resistant clothing when skiing.

 

[MaryLou]

Does anyone wear down skiing? Here in the PNW we are told never buy down (sleeping bags, jackets, etc)--it's too wet here. I know there are water resistant fabrics but sales people have told me you have to spend a lot ($500+) to get a down coat that is really water resistant (but still not waterproof). But do people in drier climes wear them skiing or are we all wearing waterproof shells these days?

I'm mostly just curious but I also really want one, and maybe I can justify the purchase if I can wear it on ski vacations to drier places.

For real cold weather, I love them. But if it's wet, it can't be THAT cold, so I don't know if it's really an issue. I bought my DD a Skea puffy down coat at an amazing price last year, it's very stylish and warm. She also has a windproof (waterproof?) shell that she uses alot with many layers if it's not frigid. I've never been to the PNW, so I don't know what the ski weather is like, I don't think it would be 'one quiver' type of coat, but one you'd wear under certain conditions. She overheats if she wears it and it's not real cold though. Somedays I'm completely envious (and mad I didn't grab the one in my size) - it looks so darn soft and warm.

 

[MaryLou]

I have Down jackets for wearing around the resort, love them. They are already full of warm air when you put them on, and stay that way. I know they are useless when they get wet, but I would have thought that there are some modern technical materials covering down jackets that are great in all but a torrential downpour?

I do wear a down sweater when skiing, and in the minus 14F with more windchill on Sunday I was actually warm around my core, I had a baselayer and a down sweater under my ski jacket, which also has some padding. I am a cold person but I was surprisingly snug. I also find that they self-regulate and I am at the perfect temperature everytime I wear it (except one super hot, bright sunshine day when I had to unzip!). I just got some down gloves too, not sure if I'll wear them skiing, but boy were they lovely on the commute this morning in still arctic temps.

So what happens in PNW that makes is so wet? I have been rained on in Vermont, twice, but other than that I don't seem to need more than water resistant clothing when skiing.

What's a down sweater? Sounds incredible... I use my down comforter on my bed 10 mos/year - like you said, great at temperature regulation.

 

[Robyn]

A down sweater is a lighter weight down jacket that's great for layering. A lot of Divas have the one from Patagonia.

 

[MaryLou]

A down sweater is a lighter weight down jacket that's great for layering. A lot of Divas have the one from Patagonia.

Like a down shell...I'm literally picturing this sweatery thing with down in the middle lol. Nice...

 

[Gloria]

It depends on the exterior shell. Most that are similiar to the one Robyn posted are water resistant and the shell is designed for lightweight and compressible properties. Many brands make a downfilled jacket for skiing that has a water proof exterior shell. Some are around $600 like the primo down, others are less expensive. TNF makes a handful of styles I think for one.

 

[Christy]

Okay Lila and Robin you guys just sold me on a down sweater. I didn't even really know about those because stores here just don't have much down. Is there anything I should look for when buying one? I'll check out that Patagonia one first.

So what happens in PNW that makes is so wet?

Well I'm not a climatologist but this is a marine climate. We're near the coast, our weather usually comes in from the ocean, and our snow is often wet and heavy ("cascade concrete") which means that we get wet when skiing.

 

[Christy]

Ooohhh ebay has these new for $159/no shipping and they have that cool green color...I just need to try on a Patagonia jacket somewhere so I know my size with them.

 

[Robyn]

The Patagonia is the best I know of (and the one on my Christmas list). Check out Backcountry.com for deals, click through this site to help TheSkiDiva out. Can't remember what discounts are going on right now but Backcountry has a great return policy if you don't like it.

A couple of people at my run on Sunday had the Patagonia one on as a warm up jacket. I went over to pet their dog and mentioned that I really wanted one. They said they'd never been cold in it. Considering they had on running tights and it was -15 wind chill I think it's a pretty big endorsement.

 

[amanda]

Two friends that I was skiing with on Sunday had down on under their ski jackets. At lunch they both had to air out their down jackets because they were wet even though they were underneath water proof outer layers.

 

[Robyn]

Two friends that I was skiing with on Sunday had down on under their ski jackets. At lunch they both had to air out their down jackets because they were wet even though they were underneath water proof outer layers.

Wow, that really surprises me. Were they possibly wearing too many layers so they were sweating? Were they full down jackets or down sweaters?

 

[amanda]

They were down jackets, but they were relatively light weight (not full scale puffy jackets). I don't know if they were sweating, but the moisture I could see on the jackets was definitely melted snow not sweat. Their jackets were visibly wet on the outside. I think maybe it had something to do with the fact that is was a powder day and there was snow everywhere.

 

[Robyn]

Actually, then I'd blame that on their outer layers not the down. Snow doesn't get into the down unless there's a problem with the outer layer whether that's snow seeping through the fabric/zippers or coming up under the bottom of the jacket.

 

[ski diva]

More on down sweaters: I have one from EMS that's actually Prima-loft, instead of actual down, and it's really light and warm. Fits great under a shell.

You can find it here.

 

[amanda]

I don't know about the quality of their outer layers. But I do know that the only people in the group that were wet were the ones wearing down.

 

[Christy]

There are hardly any size smalls of the sweater to be found! Only in black at a few sites (backcountry.com does have it for $160 in black). But I really like the poppy and leaf...

 

[Robyn]

Try calling Patagonia. They say on their website they'll check their stores for you and ship ground for free if they do. 1-800-638-6464. I agree, I love those colors.

 

[Christy]

Good idea though Patagonia seems to be the only store in the country that isn't having a sale right now...their's are $200+tax. Maybe they will after xmas?