MontBell Ultralight Down Inner Parka - Men's - 2009 BCS

weighs nothing, the ballistic nylon is damn near windproof and feels great against the skin (which means it works over a t-shirt around town too), packs small, and the cut is perfect for active wearers. It's reasonably down proof, though it is a delicate piece. I'm 6'1 205 pounds and the large is perfect.

For comparison,
It is every bit as warm as my mountain hardwear compressor, but much lighter
It is slightly warmer than my Arc'teryx Atom LT hoody, though not as durable
The Patagonia down sweater is more durable, but I chose this piece over the patagonia because it is lighter, more comfortable, and it layers way more comfortably (ie has a more athletic cut to fit under shells).

I quite like this parka. It's good for around the house, and going to the shops. It's very light and very warm. The cut and fit are great too. People comment that it's like a sleeping bag. I think that's because of the nylon shell, and how soft it is.

Unfortunately, it's as rugged as a sleeping bag... I wore it under a raincoat and had a 15 kg pack on, and it damaged the fabric high on the back. It stretched and created some small holes in it. The other issue I have is with the down coming out through the jacket - i'd count at least 12 feathers pushing though in the first week or so. The advice that came with the jacket, was not to pull them out but to push them back in. This is nearly an impossible task when it's near a seam and it too time consuming and frustrating. So I've been quite annoyed at such advice and see it as a design flaw.

I recommend this jacket for uses suggested above, but have reservations for many other practical uses such as hiking. If I were Mont-Bell, I'd redesign the jacket with a thicker nylon or some inner fabric that the feathers can't work though so easily.

Oh, I'm 6' 2" and bought the large.

hands down montbell has the competition beat. don't even waste your time looking at other jackets. the weight beats most of its competitors by being twice as light with more fill. this...is where its at. love it.

I just received this jacket yesterday in the mail. I am actually replacing the regular Down Inner jacket with the parka simply because I felt like I might need the hood. I am planning an AT thru hike which is why I decided to go with the parka rather than the regular jacket.
I got the XL and it weighs 9.7 oz on my scales in the stuff sack, with the stuff sack actually being 0.2 oz of that total weight. As far as fit, it fits me the same as the jacket version, only it has a hood. I am 5'10" and 200 pounds and the XL leaves plenty of room to layer my Capilene 2 long sleeve and my R1 under, although it doesn't feel baggy by no means when I am just wearing a t shirt. As well, it layers under my GoLite Tumalo jacket without compressing the down and lowering the warmth factor!
The hood on it is quite baggy, but it has an adjuster on the back which enable me to adjust the hood back, as well as an elastic cord with a plastic/rubbery cord lock on each side of the front of the hood. All of these adjusters allow the hood to fit comfortably, whether with or without a hat/helmet.
It does have a draw cord in the bottom which allows the bottom to be sealed off from the wind, but I am probably going to remove that and save a little weight (even if it is 0.5 oz) and I do not plan on using it anyway.
The one thing I do not like about this jacket is the color. The brown just doesn't cut it for me and the Rust color was only available in Small, which I am not... So, I went with the Olive Green. It is army green. And I was really very happy with the color of the jacket version, black. I wish that this parka was also offered in black. And while color is not a big deal (in the backcountry) it does have it's affect on how well I like something. I am hoping that the Army green grows on me, if not I will swap it for another color at the end of the year when they start carrying the jackets again. It's not like I will get to use it before then anyway.
Overall, MontBell knows how to make a jacket. These jackets are above and beyond the other jackets I have tried and highly recommend any of their jackets. These things are soft against the skin, and so light that it will feel like a puff of warm air is following you around rather than wearing a jacket. As well, this jacket with it's wispy 15D nylon shell will block way more wind than my NF Softshell...
Bottom line, if you are considering, stop and just do it. You will be happy you did!

Buy this jacket over the hoodless version. The hood adds so much warmth for the weight, it's well worth it. Sizing - I'm 6'2 180lb, somewhat built. XL was definitely the size for me. Sizing up is a good idea. You want to be able to layer some things underneath it without compressing the down from the inside.

This jacket has been a joy to own and wear. Every time I put it on I smile inside. It is the nicest piece of clothing or gear I have ever owned in my life. It just feels very good to wear, especially due to the light weight. The fabric does feel delicate, and I try not to wear it without a shell. It was designed as an "inner" layer so I use it that way. I do wear the jacket alone sometimes during quick rest stops and things like that, but I would never use it as an outer layer for hiking. I'm tempted to use it as an "around town" kind of jacket, but I just love it so much and I would be heartbroken to snag and rip it on some pointy object.

I might just be more cold tolerant than most, but this jacket keeps me warm down to about 0*F (when not moving) when used with my other layers. My layering is: synthetic t-shirt, Marmot Driclime, down jacket, rain shell. If it's getting down to 0*F, I also have a full face balaclava which adds a ton of warmth. However, if I was expecting daytime temperatures of 0*F, I would bring a more substantial jacket.

Other people have complained about lack of features, but they are missing the whole point of the jacket. The MontBell "inner" line of jackets are minimalist insulation layers, meant to keep you warm and not much else. The vast majority of the time, this jacket sits in my pack, takes up space and adds weight. It comes out briefly during rest stops or at camp (or if the weather is much colder than expected). So, the vast majority of the time, those zippers would just be adding useless weight to my pack. This jacket shines because of its ability to weigh less and take up less space than other insulation layers (fleece, etc).

My only gripe about the jacket is that it could use a drawcord to cinch the hood down. The hood is enormous and can easily catch the wind and rob you of heat. However, my rain jacket (which I am often wearing over the MontBell) has a hood with a drawcord so I can cinch it down that way. So maybe it doesn't actually need a drawcord on the hood after all.

Awesome jacket. If you are looking for something to keep you warm and not much else, this is what you want. It is much lighter and takes up much less space than a fleece of comparable warmth. If you are looking for an all-purpose jacket, you should probably look elsewhere or be prepared to layer something over it.

I'm 6'1', 175 lbs and ordered the Large which fits fine w/plenty of room for some layering. I think the waist may have been too short had I gone with the Medium. Super soft and nice to the touch fabric and like everyone else has already said, this jacket weighs next to nothing, yet is a nice insulating layer. The 'open' pockets do allow for cold air to enter but unlike so many other reviews, THE HOOD IS ADJUSTABLE! In addition to a good insulating layer it also folds down extremely small which will be good for me to stash inside my pack as a 'just in case' I need some extra insulation item. Overall, a really jacket.

This will be the warmest lightest layer in your arsenal. Under a hardshell and over a base layer I have been comfertable down to 15, and with a few more layers I would take it down much colder. It has saved me from hypothermia several times in the mountains. Definitely get the hooded jacket... it is much warmer! They fit tight to make them more thermally efficient, but it is not uncomfertable. If you like a larger fit then get a size larger than you normally wear.

Last week up in the Sierra's at 11,000 feet, lows in the high teens or low 20's, with a base and a light fleece under this jacket as the 3rd layer, I was toasty and with its' ultra light weight, free to move.

Outrageous value.

I have had this for 2 winters.

This is what it is labeled as, an inner parka, good down to around 25*-30* with no wind and 2 layers underneath. Sitting around to medium activity.

On Windy days/nights, better have a shell.

Too warm above 40 with a medium base layer.

Pockets are prone to catch snow, cause they are open and shallow. I sewed a zippr on both.

Runs small.

This is not a sit-in-camp puffy; it's for layering, or if used as your primary insulation and it's cold out, for keeping you toasty when you're moving. It has half the loft of the Light Down Parka- but is remarkably breathable. If you're looking for a piece with a lot of loft and a groovy michelin-man feel, go with something with much higher loft.

The cut is athletic, with front pockets, a cinch cord at the waist, adjustable hood (which I have fit a climbing helmet into), comes with a stuff sack. Construction is sewn-through. The fabric is tissue-soft, does not repel water at all, but breathes and dries very quickly. By itself this garment will block some wind, but won't block *all* the wind- for that, you'd want an outer layer of some sort.

It's light and compactable enough that it's always in my pack when I need it. It warms whatever you put it under up by a surprising amount.

I bought this thinking it was thicker, therefore I had to return it becuase I just didnt have enough money to buy another thicker jacket.

But when I did have it, the jacket was amazing. The hood had a nice cut and fit my head well. it doesn't even feel like you have anything on.

For a mid layer this thing would be incredible but the durablity for being your outside layer I question. But thats with a lot of down coats.

All in all I want this thing back. and over just a t shirt it kept me super warm out side in sub 30 degree weather, but i wasnt outside for super long.

Just received this inner parka a few weeks ago and took it into the smoky mountains for a 4 day backpacking trip on the AT. it's early in the year and temps hovered between 27-33 degrees with strong winds. Every rest i pulled this out of my Nalgene bottle on the side of my pack and kept my body temps very warm. In the evenings as it cooled more i had brought a Patagonia Nano storm (their nano thermal built into a hardshell) which is ultra warm as well. I never even unpacked it. The Montbell kept me toasty without a firepit around all the way til bedtime. I really like the fact that this truly feels like a long sleeve shirt, has a great fit, and i made sure to get the hooded version and i'm glad i did, if you get any chill down your back just pop the hood and all the heat gets trapped in nicely. I'm back in Chicago and throw this on over a plain cotton TShirt and in 30 degree temps with no aerobic activity i stay warm. Blocks out high wind and the hem cords at the waist and around the hood allow this thing to be fitted perfectly. i'm 170lbs 5'11'' and the Medium is perfect. Haven't had to use it in any wet weather so i can't speak to the water shedding ability.

I was looking for an extra light jacket to toss in my pack. Compared this to similar items from Patagonia and Mountain Hardware and this won the weight issue hands down. If it weren't for the warmth you can't even tell you are wearing anything at all. Down shedding is a concern with such light fabric but I think I can handle it with some extra care.

A very very very light parka, I got it for winter camping so light is good, however, these parka's are (I believe) made in China and are not American sized,they seem to run at least 1 size smaller than US made. I got a medium that fits like a glove, barely enough room under it for a base and second layer. I am 5'8" 140lbs. Regular 37" chest. No zips on the pockets let in blowing snow.

I love this piece. It is exactly what I was looking for - something lightweight and packable for Spring and Fall trips where my winter puffy is overkill. Something that is small and light that mostly lives in the pack until you need it. I had on a recent White Rim mtn. bike trip where the weather deteriorated from the forecast and it totally saved my ass. I was warm, even though it was cold, windy and raining on and off. One thing that surprised me is that the hand warmer pockets don't have zippers. It hasn't been a problem, and in retrospect, it is designed as a layering piece, so no zippers makes sense. I just didn't expect it. All in all, this piece rocks - and in earthy tones too...

I have had mine for close to 3 years. My wife has the rei, my brother has the mountain hardware (down sweaters). The montbell is the lightest. Definitely must layer with a shell as the montbell fabric feels very delicate, though no rips, snags or tears to date. Only criticism is the feathers poke through and it can be irritating on your arms if you are wearing a short sleeve top.
The sizing runs a little small.

Greatest jacket ever. I never go on a trip without compressing this jacket into a corner of my suitcase. It is incredibly light, but warm and looks great. Great for travel or going to the gym. 5'10" and 155 lbs. The M fits well. The jacket is fitted rather than full.

Great parka, lightweight, compactable, warm and good price quality ratio

I am 171 lbs at 5'-10" (chest 39"). The medium size is an absolutely perfect fit! I read many reviewers that said the medium would run small on me; They were flat wrong! It is true that I won't be able to wear heavy layers under the UL Down Inner Parka (why such a long name?!), but that isn't necessary for it's intended niche.

Performance while hiking (with and without a pack) is excellent. Had this parka completely unzipped on my last walk at 40F (in full sunshine calm condish).

The only reason it scored 4 stars with me is because of some down leakage. All makers state that they have come up with a "down-proof" shell... don't believe it.
And speaking of the denier 15 shell; Wear an outer shell over this if you're bushwacking; Otherwise you might not return with much of a parka.
Weight: My medium registered 8.something ounces on my digital scale.

I wore this jacket nearly every day on a recent trip to Europe in late Novemeber.
It was incredibly warm and worked well with my Marmot Sharp Point to keep me warm as I walked and stood around cities in the low 40s with only blue jeans, a t-shirt and the UL Parka and my SP.
I threw it in my bag during the day and when the sunset I had a great layer to throw on. Its ability to be stuffed to a small sack was great for all-day outings when the temperature would drop 20 degrees over the day and the wind would pick up by night fall.
My only qualm with it is that it is constantly loosing feathers. When warn underneath my SP, the SP would have feather sticking to it. Even now, you can see feathers coming through the a few of the thread holes. I'm not sure about its durability, but it was handsdown the warmest thing I brought. This with a fleece and a waterproof Precip was more than enough to keep my upperbody warm while standing around in temperatures in the 20s.

I traded up from a Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero and am happy with the change. The MontBell is lighter, packs into a very small stuff sack (included), and I like the hood. Only thing I would like to see changed is a zippered pocket somewhere. As far as fit goes, it seems to fit pretty true-to-size for me...I have the large and am 6 ft., 170 lbs. and it fits just right.

This jacket is without a doubt ultralight and ultrawarm. IMO to get 5 stars: add zippers to exterior hand pockets and add a pocket inside the jacket.