who's wearing the very best down jacket?

[nova]

I am shopping for a down jacket with the following features- warm enough for the desert southwest in winter (sub zero ish....), lightweight, highly compressible, and tough exterior. It is to be used while climbing, camping, and drinking whiskey. I do not care about fancy zippers, high tech taped seams, or pockets on the arms. All I need is a really nice jacket that will keep me warm and not get all fucked up when I wear it. Any suggestions on what I should try and find? Feathered Friends seems like my best bet, is anyone wearing their lightweight jacket? Thanks for your help...

[catbirdseat]

Lightweight and tough are often opposing requirements.

 

I have a down jacket that I got at a thrift store for $5. It has a canvas shell, so it can take a lot of abuse. It's not the lightest jacket around, but it's great for the desert.

 

[olyclimber]

Like down sleeping bags, but the best seem to be either Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. Both companies make great, function oriented, warm jackets.

 

I have a Western Mountaineering jacket because I got a good deal on it, but I could have gone with either. If you're looking at a Feathered Friends jacket, go for it! They make great stuff.

[Hendershot]

Pradagonia's summer sale ends today, they had their lightweight down sweaters at 50% off. Still for the best weight to warmth ratio, WM & FF are the leaders.

[selkirk]

Picked up a Millet something or other at Second Ascent last spring and have been very pleased

[rob]

I've got a hooded FF helios, I absolutely love it

[crackers]

FF's fabrics win my vote, but for tailoring, valandre's shoulder detail is the tops.

 

 

[DanO]

Campmor has a good deal on down jackets, I had

one, but found when wet no good, so don't use

it, should work fine in dry areas-as you know.

[layton]

Whoever it is, he or she is possibly having the most fun.

[nova]

Cool, thanks everybody for the advice. Good gear DOES mean more fun (for me anyway...), although the warmest lightest jacket probably won't eliminate the misery of another northern hemisphere winter. I think I'll make my way over to Feathered Friends this afternoon!