Mountain Hardwear Downtown Down Vest - Women's - 2008 BCS

One of my daughters walked off with my favorite vest so I bought this one to replace it. It fits pretty well, although just a tad tight across the chest, but I think it will be fine (no worse than a sports bra). I love the softness of the collar and pockets. The only thing that would've been nice would be inside pockets, but that's pretty minor. All in all, I'm happy with my purchase and plan to wear it snowshoeing this winter.

First my stats so you can compare for your own needs: I'm 5'11", 130 lbs, and I wear a mid-B-size cup.
I always wear a small vest in all the various outdoor gear brands I've tried on (Patagonia, TNF, other Mountain Hardware items, etc.), because a medium gapes in the armholes and around the waist. This vest fit me everywhere but in the chest, where it smushed my boobs even when layered with only a thin shirt, which is too bad because the hourglass cut is nice, and the slightly puckered armholes were nicely fitted.
I also wasn't crazy about the wavy stitch pattern - it seemed just a bit "off kilter" in my opinion since I prefer more graphic, symmetrical lines. To each their own though.
Also, the brown fleece collar and shoulder lining was very nice and soft. If it had fit well, this would of been a great cold-weather layering piece. Alas, poor me!

I was comparing this vest and North Face's Nuptse down vest. On line I was leaning towards the North Face but when I went to the store and tried both on I ended up buying the Mountain Hardware vest. The medium Mt. Hardware fit like the small North Face but the arm holes on the North Face were too big and the fit was a little off. I also like the fleece lining of the Mt. Hardware vest better. NF Nuptse did not have this. The only thing I loved better about the NF vest was the collar - fit like a warm cozy scarf around the neck but over all I thought the MH vest was a much better fit/look.

I bought the white one, super soft lining, awesome color combo and fits great! I am between a size 10 and 12 so I wasn't sure if I might need a large because I am also 5'9". It also has slight elastic gathering at the top of shoulders so the arm hole isn't so large, and tapers in at the ribcage giving a more form-fitting look.

I ordered and received this vest in the 'winter white' color. I called to find out what the color of the lining was...Mountain Hardware does not tell you that. I was told that the lining color was gray, so I ordered it. I did think the vest was nice, but the lining color is actually brown, which I didn't want, so I returned it. Sure wish the manufacturers would state that little detail - it can save you a lot of problems.

I bought the white down vest. Yes, the lining is brown, but I love the color combo. This is the best vest I have ever bought. It is very warm, and the lining is super soft. It even has the soft lining in the hand pockets. The fit is pretty true to size. I used the sizing chart and bought a medium, and it fits me perfectly. I highly recommend this vest.

This is the first down vest I've bought. Got this in Nov. '08 based on a recommendation online. I do not regret it. I was originally looking at the Cloudveil Inversion vest, but I was worried that my curves would interfere with the cut of the vest. I went to my local outdoor store to try down vests on. They had the Downtown Down and I was hooked when I tried it on. It is extremely lightweight, surprisingly room inside-not crushing the upper chest, and not marshmellow-y puffy. The side cinch cords can easily tailor the waist and I like that the armholes were a little higher--no gapping. The neck can be zipped up tight around your face and along the inside is a softer velour fleece so there is no scratching. This vest is also longer, so it doesn't ride up in the back. I'm 5'3" and I love it! I even wear this vest indoors! I like the stuff sack for easy carrying on the go. The ONLY gripe I have about this vest is that it only came in 3 colors (2 dark, 1 white) this year! I bought a medium white and am trying not get it dirty. However, I still love it!

I've been eyeing this vest for a few months and finally bought it. I love the style and look but the armholds are cut oddly and for some reason there is elastic around the armhole. It's just a little too tight and falls at an odd place. I'm very dissappointed. If it didn't cost close to $100, but rather $50, I'd keep it because the rest of the vest is stylin'.

This vest is fabulous! The lining is SUPER SOFT and cozy and the fit is very flattering. I have the brown and love how it is a little different from other vests. It is very versatile also - I can wear it downtown or with a couple of layers on the ski slopes. It fits pretty true to size - order up if you want to layer underneath.

A must have to layer with tops, sweaters, and sweatshirts for extra warmth and great style. Mine is black with deep brown smooth, luscious, plush lining on the collar and across the upper body and chest. The hand warmer pockets are deep,large and lined with black fleece. The inside chest pocket is deep and very easy to access. All pockets and vest front have lightweight, snag-free zippers. Also the collar lays flat and looks great when not zipped all the way up. I'm a slender 5'5" and size Small is roomy, yet sleek and not too bulky.

Great, soft, cozy, its our 3rd one and we still love it! (My daughter (19) and me. She damaged her 1st one and begged me to find another and I did here! The new ones run smaller through so order a size larger than usual.