nova Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Lightweight and tough are often opposing requirements. Â 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. Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Like down sleeping bags, but the best seem to be either Feathered Friends and Western Mountaineering. Both companies make great, function oriented, warm jackets. Â 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendershot Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selkirk Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Picked up a Millet something or other at Second Ascent last spring and have been very pleased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 I've got a hooded FF helios, I absolutely love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 FF's fabrics win my vote, but for tailoring, valandre's shoulder detail is the tops. Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanO Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layton Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Whoever it is, he or she is possibly having the most fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted August 23, 2007 Author Share Posted August 23, 2007 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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