11 Finest Ultralight Down Jackets for Backpacking [2022] BikeHikeSafari

This can be a gear evaluation concerning the Finest Ultralight Down Jackets 2022.

On this evaluation of the light-weight down jackets I observe that the standard of the down jackets are stepping as much as the following stage.

Many corporations are utilizing high quality materials that repel water and match that with the highest quality responsibly sourced hydrophobic down.

Let’s check out the down jackets for day climbing, backpacking and ultralight via climbing.

Finest Light-weight Down Jackets for Backpacking 2022

The Finest Light-weight Down Jackets for Backpacking in 2022 are:

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Finest Ultralight Down Jacket – General

Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket Assessment

Montbell Plasma

Whole Weight – 135g / 4.8oz
Down Fill Weight – 45g / 1.6oz
Down Fill Energy – 1000 fill ex down
Whole Loft – 1600 cubic inches
Outer material – 21g/m2 7 denier with DWR
Hood – No
Pockets – No
Stuff Sack – Sure
Execs:
> Ultralight
> Finest heat to weight ratio
Cons:
> Not utilizing hydrophobic down
> Non responsibly sourced down
> No Pockets or Hood

With a complete weight of solely 135 grams this is likely one of the lightest down jackets on the listing.

For the hiker searching for out the lightest potential jacket with probably the greatest heat to weight ratios there isn’t any equal. However one of the best in school heat to weight ratio comes at a small price.

The 1.6 ounces of 1000 fill loft down is a a lot greater fill energy than any of the opposite down jackets in reviewed. It’s not hydrophobic down like many different manufacturers nevertheless it does add as much as 1600 cubic inches of loft to maintain you heat.

The jacket makes use of a really skinny shell materials. It’s a very mild 7 denier material which mixed with probably the greatest DWR therapies which does an okay job repelling water. However watch out of this jacket in unhealthy climate and watch out to not get this jacket caught on sharp sticks and branches when climbing. All of this combines to make an extremely light-weight jacket.

How sturdy is the 1000 loft down? Most individuals are inclined to agree that the candy spot for the standard vs sturdy down lies someplace between 750 fill and 900 fill energy loft. I might count on many lengthy years of use out of this high quality jacket if taken care of and washed as wanted.

This ultralight jacket has no frills. That is the non hooded model with no pockets. This retains the general weight down which is the primary motive to think about this extremely light-weight down jacket.

At 4.8 ounces or 135 grams, this can be a true ultralight weight jacket for the gram counting ultralight hiker or somebody desirous to cowl large miles with all of the lightest potential gear. Simply watch out, it will not be as sturdy as the opposite jackets on this gear evaluation. Finest insulated jacket in the marketplace.

General, if you’re searching for the lightest jacket on the listing with one of the best heat to weight ratio this do an excellent job at trapping physique warmth. There may be merely no different insulated jackets that may compete however that is the non hooded model.

Need one thing hotter with pockets and a hood? Take into account the Montbell Plasma 1000 Fill Energy Alpine Down Parka.

Tremendous light-weight and far hotter than it appears. That is the second lightest jacket on this evaluation, however the addition of a hood and pockets elevate the specs a bit greater than Montbell.

Though the Arc’teryx Cerium SL 850 fill down jacket doesn’t use hydrophobic down, it does have a water-resistant outer with DWR Remedy. A number of the excessive moisture areas use artificial insulation as a substitute of down. This results in an excellent stage of water resistance however the lack of hydrophobic down will maintain this jacket from being a favorite moist environments.

The outer materials of the jacket is a number of the lightest of all of the jackets accessible immediately, however not as a lot as Montbell. It’s, due to this fact, a bit extra fragile and care is required to verify it isn’t destroyed by sharp sticks on the path.

General, this extremely mild down jacket makes use of excessive fill energy non hydrophobic down and is likely one of the the higher down jackets. It’s extremely mild and heat sufficient for via climbing all however the wettest of trails. The Arc’teryx Cerium SL could be near the proper extremely mild down jacket for climbing the Pacific Crest Path.

The Feathered Pals Eos has an total weight 10.6 oz / 300 grams. This jacket presents a number of the greatest heat to weigh of any jacket on this evaluation. The 105 g / 3.7 oz of 900 fill energy plus down makes this a terrific down jackets for its heat to weight ratio, to not point out the brand new chest pocket that they added.

Add to that the standard ripstop nylon pertex outer defend shell materials with DWR to dam the wind and unhealthy climate.

The one factor stopping the Feathered Pals Eos Down Jacket from being one of the best on this evaluation is the dearth of hydrophobic down which makes this jacket not as climate resistant as others.

However heat offered for chilly mornings or evening in good climate this jacket makes this jacket a terrific selection. Excellent as an ultralight via climbing down jacket on the Continental Divide Path the place hikers want a barely hotter jacket than on different via hikes

General, the Feathered Pals Eos is likely one of the greatest mild weight down jackets in the marketplace. It feels a lot hotter than the light-weight would point out. Excellent as an ultralight down jacket for via climbing. Using hydrophobic down would rocket this jacket to one of the best extremely light-weight down jacket on this evaluation.

The Macpac Icefall is likely one of the greatest down jackets in the marketplace. This nicely thought out jacket combines the whole lot that anybody might need from a troublesome light-weight jacket.

The outer shell materials is high quality Pertex Quantum is a ripstop nylon which mixes power, light-weight and a water-resistant material. The DWR remedy assists in making this extra water resistance than a lot of the different jackets on this check.

The addition of 800 loft fill energy Hydrophobic down makes for a jacket nicely in a position to face up to the extra a number of the worst climate. Not solely is there hydrophobic down however the areas most certainly to get moist such because the shoulders and cuff space are crammed with Artificial insulation within the type of Primaloft Gold.

The one damaging about this jacket is the dearth of slim match which makes it a bit free across the abdomen space.

This Light-weight Down Jackets could be completely fitted to all however the coldest climbing journeys anyplace on the earth and excellent for via climbing in moist locations such because the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand.

The one factor I don’t like is the reduce of the jacket which is barely massive across the abdomen space. It’s not an athletic match like another jackets. My broader shoulders require me to measurement up giving me approach to a lot room in the course of the jacket.

General, I feel the Macpac Icefall is one of the best ultralight down jacket in the marketplace. Effectively thought out with all one of the best design options potential. One of many high spec Water Repellant Down Jackets reviewed and a private favorite.

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is likely one of the hottest Light-weight Down Jackets among the many extremely mild via hikers of the world. A superb mixture of a number of the lightest materials and no frills designs mix to make this one of many high picks.

The up to date Mountain {Hardware} Ghost Whisperer 2 down jacket doesn’t use hydrophobic down because it had finished beforehand. For my part this can be a transfer backwards nevertheless it has purchased the value down just a little which is optimistic.

Regardless of the dearth of hydrophobic down it does have an excellent DWR end however total this jacket doesn’t fare nicely in damp situations.

One other factor used to maintain the burden down is the elastic on the hood slightly than an elastic draw chord. This helps maintain the general weight. General the jacket works nicely and a high decide for the extremely mild via hiker.

I might like to see the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 return to utilizing hydrophobic down as was the case on the earlier mannequin earlier than this replace.

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is likely one of the lightest top quality jackets accessible. It’s also probably the most packable because it stuffs into its personal pocket. This jacket is greatest suited to extremely mild hikers corresponding to Via Hikers who need the Finest Down Jacket for the Pacific Crest Path. This is likely one of the lightest potential down jackets with an excellent heat to weight ratio.

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Outside Analysis Illuminate Assessment

Weight – 353g / 12.5oz
Down Fill Weight – Unknown
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non hydrophobic, 800 fill energy loft down
Whole Loft – Unknown
Shell material – Climate resistant 10D Nylon with No DWR
Hooded Jacket – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sack – No, Jackets stuffs right into a pocket
Execs:
> Low price (solely simply).
> Nice customer support and guarantee division.
Cons:
> Poor climate resistance.

The Outside Analysis Illuminate is a light-weight down jacket which is likely one of the least expensive top quality jackets in the marketplace and worthy of consideration for these on a finances. The hooded down jacket has a cinch wire to maintain the hood tight throughout the top, heat pockets for arms and probably the greatest warranties within the enterprise.

Having used their guarantee service prior to now I charge them very extremely, one other very optimistic motive to think about this jacket.

The climate resistant shell materials is missing any DWR Remedy and the responsibly sourced 800 loft down will not be hydrophobic. So this jacket performs poorly in something apart from good climate.

Conclusion – The Outside Analysis Illuminate is likely one of the greatest down jackets for these on a finances. It has the whole lot a finances ultralight hiker would need minus something that may add to the general price of the jacket. It could possibly be lighter and just a little extra climate resistant.

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Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket Assessment

Weight – 470g / 17oz
Down Fill Weight – 143g/5oz
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, hydrophobic, 750 fill loft down
Whole Loft – 3750 cubic inches
Shell material – Climate resistant Pertex Quantum 32g/m2 with DWR coating
Hood – Sure
Pockets – Sure
Stuff sac – Sure
Execs:
> Very heat.
> Nice climate resistance.
> High-quality supplies.
Cons:
> Heavy.
> 750 loft down.

The 5 ounces of down creates a large 3750 cubic inches of right down to maintain you heat. Though the Rab Microlight Alpine is barely heavier than the opposite jackets on this evaluation it’s the warmest.

The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket makes use of top quality hydrophobic down, high quality DWR Remedy and probably the greatest within the enterprise outer shell materials materials, Pertex Quantum. This can be a severely climate resistant jacket.

If solely this jacket was utilizing greater loft down corresponding to 800 plus and was just a little bit lighter.

The Rab Microlight Alpine jacket has all one of the best options and all one of the best supplies, if solely the loft of the down was greater than 750 fill it will carry down the general weight and enhance the general high quality to make this one of many one of the best down jackets. I might like to see this jacket embody 800 or 900 fill energy hydrophobic down.

General, Rab makes a number of the greatest outside and this jacket is not any exception. For anybody heading off into chilly damp areas this jacket will probably be a terrific match. Excellent for moist chilly trails corresponding to early season begins on any of the Triple Crown Mountain climbing Trails or the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand.

The Pertex Quantum GL shell material is lighter than my favorite Pertex Quantum. Mixed with 800 loft hydrophobic down and a top quality DWR end this is likely one of the greatest jacket to take open air when the climate turns nasty.

The North Face Summit L3 Hoody is barely heavier than the opposite jackets on this evaluation nevertheless it one of many warmest. Making this higher suited to somebody who feels the chilly or heading into temperatures under freezing.

It packs up barely bigger than the opposite jackets.

General, the North Face Summit L3 is likely one of the higher Down Jackets for these heading into unhealthy climate or wanting one of many hotter jackets. High quality the whole lot on this jacket. The added heat comes at the price of weight and it isn’t probably the most compact of all of the jackets. One other jacket that’s excellent for moist chilly trails or early season begins on any of the Triple Crown Mountain climbing Trails or the Te Araroa Path in New Zealand.

Better of the Relaxation

The next is an inventory of superior Down jackets which might be definitely worthy of a glance:

• Patagonia Down Sweater – The Patagonia Down Sweater is a superb down jacket made with a excessive share of recycled supplies. Good high quality, excessive loft down and with probably the greatest warranties within the enterprise.
• Rab Neutrino – The Rab Neutrino is the massive brother of the Alpine jacket. It’s hotter, bulkier and heavier and higher suited as probably the greatest winter down jackets.
• REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0 – The REI Co op 650 down jacket 2.0 is likely one of the greatest finances down jackets because of the decrease fill energy however for those who can spend just a bit extra then you will get significantly better.
• Arc’teryx Cerium LT – The Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody is a heavier model of the Arc’teryx Cerium SL Hoody which is on this evaluation. Though it’s nice I favor the SL model.

Finest Ultralight Down Jacket for Via Mountain climbing

Most via hikers solely put on a down jacket at evening or very first thing within the morning till the physique has warmed up. Mountain climbing in a down jacket will not be frequent until the climate turns chilly and nasty.

The Finest Extremely light-weight down jackets for via hikers are the Feathered Pals Eos, Arcterex Cerium, Ghost Whisperer 2, Macpac Icefall and Montbell Plasma.

Every are beneath 300g and face up to the tough remedy they are going to be put by. The Montbell Plasma is way and away the lightest making it nice for many who need the lightest jacket and don’t thoughts the dearth of options corresponding to a hood or pockets.

If climbing on moist via hikes such because the Appalachian Path or Te Araroa Path the Macpac Icefall is the stand out selection.

Finest Down Jackets for Wet Climate

With hydrophobic down, high quality DWR repellent and one of the best outer supplies it’s laborious to go previous the Macpac Icefall, Northface Summit L3, Rab Microlight Alpine

The Macpac Icefall and Arcteryx Cerium SL add artificial insulation into the excessive moisture areas that are prone to get moist corresponding to hoods, cuffs and shoulders, however the lack of hydrophobic down actually lets it down in foul climate.

General, the Macpac Icefall is one of the best down jacket for unhealthy climate, carefully adopted by the Rab Microlight Alpine and Northface Summit L3 that are each fairly a bit heavier however are each hotter jackets.

Finest total Ultralight Down Jackets

Ever single jacket on this evaluation might do one thing that may make them the standout winner and best option. Because it stands a few jacket rise to the highest however could possibly be improved.

The Feathered Pals Eos would attain the highest spot if it used hydrophobic Down. It is vitally heat, mild, an excellent match and nice in all however wet climate. The very same may be stated for the Arcteryx Cerium SL.

The Northface Summit L3 and Rab Microlight Alpine would attain the highest spot in the event that they have been lighter in weight. Regardless of being function wealthy, climate resistant and heat, they’re barely too heavy.

Montbell is ultralight in weight however missing in options. That is one of the best decide for the hiker who doesn’t care about pockets, hood or climate resistance and desires the lightest jacket in the marketplace.

Outside Analysis is the most cost effective (solely simply) and is an effective light-weight jacket. Including extra options would add to the value, however would make it a greater jacket.

The Macpac Icefall ticks all of the packing containers for climate resistance, high quality, light-weight and heat. It could take out the highest spot if it had a slim match as it’s too cumbersome across the mid part however nonetheless probably the greatest down jackets on the listing. It’s also tough to entry for non New Zealanders or Australians.

General, I just like the Macpac Icefall for climbing in unhealthy climate. For a mix of heat and ultralight weight I like Arcteryx Cerium SL  and Feathered Pals EOS.

Consumers Information

How to decide on a Down Jacket

The are a number of components it’s good to take into accounts when taking a look at down jackets.

They need to be, light-weight, have an excellent high quality fill energy and fill weight of down and a few type of climate resistance is sweet within the type of Hydrophobic down, water-resistant face material and a DWR end.

One other vital consideration when shopping for a down jacket is that the down is responsibly sourced. The Accountable down normal ensures the down is traceable and sourced from animals that adjust to animal welfare requirements.

Heat of a Light-weight Down Jacket

The Finest Down Jackets for Via Mountain climbing or Bikepacking will probably be a compromise between light-weight and options.

It’s unlikely that almost all light-weight down jackets will probably be utilized by anybody climbing Mt Everest however they are going to definitely be seen on backpacking journeys or via climbing trails such because the Pacific Crest Path, Appalachian Path, Continental Divide Path or Bikepacking the Nice Divide Mountain Bike Path.

All of the ultralight down jackets reviewed listed below are compact, light-weight and heat sufficient for most individuals in temperatures round freezing. For temperatures considerably under freezing further layers will probably be wanted, specifically if at camp and inactive.

What’s Fill Energy and why Is it vital?

All one of the best down jackets ought to have a fill energy of 800 or greater. The quantity 800 fill energy refers to its lofting potential. When you take 1 ounce of down it would increase or loft to 800 cubic inches. 850 will loft to 850 cubic inches and so forth. General, Confused?

The video under does a terrific job at explaining the whole lot to do with Fill Energy.

Water Resistance of a Down Jacket

Down doesn’t like getting moist. It tends to clump collectively and when that occurs it looses its potential to maintain you heat. To stop that from taking place all one of the best down jackets use a tightly weaved outer sheel material to forestall as a lot water as potential from making contact with the down.

Pertex is taken into account probably the greatest outer material however many corporations use comparable supplies that defend water from stepping into the down as a lot as potential.

Some jackets use a small quantity of artificial insulation materials within the areas with excessive contact with moisture corresponding to shoulder and arm cuffs.

Down jackets corresponding to Macpac Icefall and ARCTERYX – Cerium SL Hoody use a small quantity of artificial fill materials within the shoulders and cuffs to forestall excessive moisture areas from wetting out the down.

What’s Hydrophobic Down? And why it’s best to use it in a down jacket

Lately Nikwax has developed a hydrophobic down that resists the overwhelming majority of contact with water, therefore is ready to keep properly lofted if involved with water.

Jackets with hydrophobic down ought to be thought of of upper high quality than these with out. I’ve a choice to make use of a jacket with hydrophobic down nevertheless it hasn’t at all times been that means. It suppliers a safer choice if I’m sporting a jacket in unhealthy climate.

If heading out into unhealthy climate like I skilled on the Appalachian Path and Te Araroa Path in New Zealand, the next jackets could be excellent. The jackets under use hydrophobic down:

1. North Face Summit L3 Hoody Assessment
2. Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket Assessment
3. Macpac Icefall

Watch the loopy video under which demonstrates how good hydrophobic down is.

What’s a DWR Coating and why do I want it?

Consider the DWR end as being like placing a layer of wax on the automotive. It permits the water to bead and run off the material. And like a layer of wax on a automotive it doesn’t final endlessly and ultimately the DWR will put on off and the material will moist out.

The entire corporations besides Outside Analysis use a DWR on the surface of the jacket. DWR stands for Sturdy Water Repellent.

Retreating the outer material with Nikwax TX Direct or comparable will make the material immune to water once more.

restore Ultralight Down Jackets

Ultralight Down Jackets should not probably the most sturdy of outside gear. Using light-weight materials mixed with sharp sticks and branches, a spark from a campfire or a fall in tough terrain can simply harm a down jacket.

A small rip or tear within the material will happen if used for a protracted time within the open air. There are two methods to restore the out material.

The primary and simplest way is to cowl the outlet with some Tenacious Tape. Consider this tape because the superglue of cloth tapes. Lower to measurement a canopy the outlet. Tenacious tape on down jackets are an indication of a nicely used jacket that has spent high quality time within the open air.

The second means is to stitch on a patch over the broken layer of cloth. I favor the primary methodology of utilizing Tenacious Tape as it’s low cost and it really works. I’ve used it many instances of the years to patch small holes.

Finest Options in a Light-weight Down Jacket

What options are vital on one of the best light-weight down jacket for backpacking? For most individuals a hood is tremendous vital. The necessity for a down jacket within the open air is to maintain heat. A hood is likely one of the best methods to do that. The added weight to the down jacket is value it.

Pockets are one other nice function. Any hiker that has been hit by colder than anticipated temperatures will admire warming their arms within the pockets. Typically gloves should not sufficient. Different instances you will have forgotten to carry gloves with you.

A stuff sac is a superb thought to retailer the jacket. In any other case, the flexibility to pack the jacket into certainly one of it’s two zippered hand pockets or zippered chest pocket to make them packable when not being worn. All of the reviewed jackets have some type of storage methodology.

Cinch wire on the hood and backside of the jacket are used to limit the quantity of chilly air coming into the jacket and offering one of the best match. Not all jackets have this function.

Some jackets use easy elastic stitched into the jacket to offer a decent match across the waist or hood. The cinch wire does add a small quantity of weight and value to the jacket however for probably the most half that is thought of nicely value it.

Finest Worth Down Jackets

If the highest quality jacket prices a lot which you could’t afford to spend time open air or are too scared to take the jacket someplace for the concern of damaging it then now we have an issue. A number of the jackets reviewed are very nicely priced and the dearth of some options make them worthy of consideration.

A high quality down jacket will final a few years and if nicely cared for it’s value spending just a little extra now for one thing that can final a few years within the nice open air.

Down Jackets vs Artificial Jackets

Artificial jackets are slowly however absolutely catching as much as down jackets with their heat to weight to packability ratio. Materials like Polartec Alpha and Primaloft Gold are a number of the greatest accessible for the time being however they’re nonetheless not as an excellent as down.

Down additionally has an attractive potential to be compressed and lofted with out damaging the down. The identical can’t be stated for all synthetics simply but. I believe within the subsequent 10 years an artificial product will come alongside that can make down out of date. Watch this area.

Ultimately synthetics will surpass down however the time will not be right here but.

Conclusion

With so many Down Jackets in the marketplace listed below are one of the best ones:

Regularly Requested Questions

One other one of many Finest Mountain climbing Gear Critiques from BikeHikeSafari.

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