New down jacket

[snowsparkle2]

Hi all - I really want to get a down jacket this coming winter. Something light to take touring but nice & toasty warm for freezing refuge evenings. Anyone got any suggestions for brands / types and also for what things to look out for, like length, is it good to have a hood etc ?

 

[SnowHot]

Funny that you should bring this up since I'm looking for a nice down vest to replace my aging quilted northface vest, to layer under my shell for the same reasons.

I've seen some beautiful down jackets that have me
This one in particular
https://www.backcountry.com/store/LLE0060/Lol%EB-Mimi-Jacket-Womens.html

 

[SkiNurse]

Cloudveil's Down Patrol Jacket: $299 (alot of times SAC & Altrec have it for ALOT cheaper)
A portable furnace of warmth whether lapping up the hill or circling around town, this shelled puff parka dials up heat on bitter days. Windstopper® matte-face fabric barriers out elements, while 650-fill, high-purity down preserves heat in cold climates and retains loft over the long haul. A removable powder skirt, zip-off hood and mesh-lined pit zips add function when skiing through cold inversions at the area, while a spiral quilt pattern, hidden zip hand pockets and offset back logo present an identifiably feminine appearance. Stow pockets–internal for electronics and dual-entry for spare goggles–complete the package.

I don't own one, but I know of several people that do and LOVE it. The key here is that it is a down jacket WITH PIT ZIPS!!! I just didn't know about this when I bought my...

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero (which I really love!..except has not pit zips)

Whether you're summit bound or anticipating record low temperatures, Mountain Hardwear's Sub Zero Jacket with 650-fill down insulation is the warmest jacket you'll find outside of an 8,000-meter, full-body mountaineering suit. It's a perfect frigid weather companion for backcountry snowshoeing, skiing and alpine climbing, especially if you prefer wearing your own hat or if you often wear a helmet. If the down insulation wasn't enough, the handwarmer pockets are lined with fleece fabric for enhanced comfort. The Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Jacket also comes with a stuff sack for storage or packing during warmer weather. If other jackets leave you in the cold, this is a roast-toasty solution to your winter weather woes.
Soft, downproof 55-denier Polyester Z-rip face fabric treated with a DWR finish
Durable 75-denier x 155-denier textured Nutshell taslan nylon reinforcement fabric along shoulders and sleeves
Thermally efficient 650-fill down insulation
Downproof 100% nylon taffeta lining
Zippered fleece-lined pockets
Adjustable Velcro® cuffs to help seal in warmth around wrists
Zip chest pocket and interior zippered pocket
Convenient stuff sack included
Weight: 1 lb. 7 oz. (652 g.)

 

[SnowHot]

The cloudveil is on sale on Backcountry also. Another of those I was drooling over
https://www.backcountry.com/store/CLV0186/Cloudveil-Down-Patrol-Jacket-Womens.html

 

[Robyn]

I really like my North Face Vegas vest.

But for a down jacket I'm drooling over a Patagonia down sweater.

I also like this one from North Face.

 

[ski now work later]

I just bought that down sweater in natural from Backcountry.com (with my Epic discount) to wear under my Cloudveil RPK jacket in colder temps -- I'm pretty excited about it -- very comfortable and should give me good, lightweight insulation on those colder days. I could have really used that in Montana last February.... The green that you posted is super pretty....

 

[Robyn]

Green is my color. Love green. As indicated by the kelly green capris I'm wearing as I type. :D SNWL, you'll have to let me know how it works for you. I might pick it up closer to winter but I also want to see what The North Face is offering this winter as I have a source. ;)

 

[ski now work later]

I am the queen of neutrals, especially browns, but I love green and orange too

And I'm a big North Face fan. Here's my new NF parka for cold, non-pow days on the East Coast. I wear NF freedom insultated pants most of the time too. NF's new website appears to have their winter stuff up and they've revamped the site, so you might want to check it out since you have a discount connection....

 

[ski diva]

SNWL, that is a gorgeous jacket.

 

[Robyn]

Actually, they've revamped the site but it's still last year's stuff. It was discussed in detail at dinner last night. :D Supposedly this season is going to have some really great stuff! That jacket is beautiful! I'm often a neutral kinda gal but I'm trying to break out of the habit. In fact, one of my goals with my weight loss is to buy myself some not black ski pants. Maybe even patterned!

 

[ski now work later]

aw shucks. Thanks Ski Diva. I really like it and it has all the great features of a ski jacket with some nice stylin' (pit zips, goggle pocket, pass clip, high neck that's easy to zip with soft liner, iPod pocket, and a hood that is big enough to fit over my helmet). You'll be seeing it plenty this Winter at Okemo!

Robyn, thanks for the tip on the stock shown on the NF site. I like wearing a dark jacket with light bottoms, and patterned pants sound great. Go for it! I too suffered from the black ski pant habit and now I've just got my black Cloudveil RPK ones left and a pair of black NF freedom insulated pants that I'm saving for my stepdaughter to use or for me for local snowshoeing etc. There was a defect in the gaitor of the RPK pants and Cloudveil is going to replace them for me soon, and I'm waiting to see if that pant will come in another color other than black this season and ask for that color instead if it looks good with my RPK jacket which is a darkish sage green.

I'm heading to NYC tomorrow to see my family, taking my girls, and we'll be hitting some of my favorite clothing and handbag stores. So I've definately got clothing on my mind today~:p

 

[SnowHot]

SNWL, I love that Cloudveil Sweater. I thought about getting the vest version of it.
Usually I prefer a vest to avoid adding arm bulk inside the jacket.

Do you know how much the sleeves add to arm bulk on the down sweater?
This one may be worth while to go beyond my usual vest.

 

[Robyn]

SH, I'm generally the same and the only reason I want the Patagonia down sweater is for those frigid days, like -10 degrees, and more warmth is more important than irritating bulk. I know some people who wear full Nuptuse down coats under their shells and I just don't think I could do that.

 

[ski now work later]

My Cloudveil RPK jacket is pretty roomy under the arm area as is the down sweater but when I tried both on together, it didn't feel stuffed at all and I had great mobility. Of course, I haven't tried skiing with it yet! The sweater has a trim fit in the body as does the jacket, good for staying warm and dry.

The down sweater is super light. If I could afford it, I'd own both the sweater and the vest as I think they would both be very useful.

 

[oragejuice]

Try Patagonia's new stuff. They really amped everything up for this year's ski line, I'll probably be getting some (after I figure out how to get it cheaper... =P)

The Rubicon Rider Jacket is a nice lighter weight down jacket, I've tried it on, it's pretty nice. Just enough warmth, but its not terribly bulky, like most down tends to be. or... if you want to spend entirely too much money, be incredibly warm, and look HOT, check out their Primo Down Jacket. Woooooooo. Yum.

I don't have any Patagucci ski wear, YET. But I do have a Salomon down ski jacket. I believe this years version is called the "Addicted Down Jacket". It's huge, its warm, and I'm actually worried that it's going to be too much warmth! (Got it on summer sale, 40 bucks!!)

 

[SnowHot]

Oragejuice:
The Salomon Addicted jacket is amazing in style and price!
https://www.backcountryoutlet.com/o...l?CMP_ID=SH_FRO002&CMP_SKU=SAL1115&mv_pc=r126

 

[perma-grin]

Robyn, you are going to love the Down sweater! I got two of them last year, I wear them under my black soft shell with my patrol vest over it on a daily basis, and even under my ski school jakcet on really cold days. They are very versatile I have yet to over heat in them. I took them with me on vacation because they packed down so small. A bonus was that they were cozy enough to wear around town. I have the black and the green but I would like to pick up one more color for a spare.

 

[Robyn]

Okay, so I guess I'll definitely add that to the list of items to purchase this year. Hopefully bonus levels are around the same as last year!

 

[oragejuice]

Oragejuice:
The Salomon Addicted jacket is amazing in style and price!
https://www.backcountryoutlet.com/o...l?CMP_ID=SH_FRO002&CMP_SKU=SAL1115&mv_pc=r126

Ya! That! It's FREAKING comfortable too!

 

[Gloria]

SNWL, I love that Cloudveil Sweater. I thought about getting the vest version of it.
Usually I prefer a vest to avoid adding arm bulk inside the jacket.

Do you know how much the sleeves add to arm bulk on the down sweater?
This one may be worth while to go beyond my usual vest.

I have a down sweater and I would say the sleeves add less bulk than a typical fleece. I am a sleeve freak, I can't stand too much bulk or slack, and I think the down sweater is perfect. I would hasten to add that if you are worried about bulk, I would look for something without a hood unless you are going to use it as a stand alone piece or it will drive you nuts wearing under a shell.