Toasty warmth and durability earn this piece 5 stars and a place in my pack. I've taken this bad boy to AK and Patagonia over the past year and it's been awesome. This is a good expedition/winter camping jacket. Packs down small enough to haul around for day touring and then makes a great pillow at night. Key piece in the winter arsenal.

TOP QUALITY, GREAT WARMTH
The Mountain Hardwear Subzero SL Jacket is extremely warm, wind resistant. and nearly waterproof - due to the Conduit SL Laminate Shell. This is the "current best bet" for any of you Gear Heads, who were thinking of buying the Moutain Hardwear Subzero SL PARKA.
Mt. Hardwear after years of great sales of the Mt. Hardwear Subzero SL Parka - has discontinued it - because they think they can even improve upon - they have told me in phone calls. The improved PARKA version will be out in a few months. For now, the Mt. Hardwear Subzero SL JACKET should suffice and do a great job for most winter days. It is top quality, and will keep you warm down to minus 20 wind chills at least.

TOP QUALITY, GREAT WARMTH
The Mountain Hardwear Subzero SL Jacket is extremely warm, wind resistant. and nearly waterproof - due to the Conduit SL Laminate Shell. This is the "current best bet" for any of you Gear Heads, who were thinking of buying the Moutain Hardwear Subzero SL PARKA.
Mt. Hardwear after years of great sales of the Mt. Hardwear Subzero SL Parka - has discontinued it - because they think they can even improve upon - they have told me in phone calls. The improved PARKA version will be out in a few months. For now, the Mt. Hardwear Subzero SL JACKET should suffice and do a great job for most winter days. It is top quality, and will keep you warm down to minus 20 wind chills at least.

I got this one 7 months ago and I love it !

I've been using it on top of Glaciers here in Iceland and up there is -25°C, didn't get cold.. never.
This is simply the best down jacked I've ever had or tested, and the price is not bad, a jacked like this would cost around $640 here in Iceland !

I bought the Conduit SL for the coldest part of the winter and it has exceeded all expectations. I've worn it with temperatures as low as -20 F and as high as 30 F. Although it was incredibly warm at the low end, I didn't feel overheated at the higher end. The material seems to be very durable as I put this jacket through some abuse over the past ski season especially while skiing through trees. Wish it was a bit longer but I didn't notice anything adverse about that regarding deep powder days.

The SubZero SL has proven to be a very consistent performer. Always very durable, great fitting and excellent warmth. I love the cuffs, the fleece lined pockets and THE HOOD IS AWESOME! Has kept me warm (warm enough) in neg 25 temps and high winds, while layered over a softshell. Make it a part of your winter arsenal. Sizing: I'm 6ft 185 and wear a Large. It fits a tad bit large, but I use as an outer layer in cold conditions, so perfect!

This jacket is amazing. Its super warm , it packs down small yet fluffs back up quickly, and its get just enough waterproofing to make it so that you don't have to worry when the snow or even sleet starts to fall. I use this jacket for belay duty while ice climbing, and its awesome for after you've made camp for the night on a peak. I even use this to sleep in on alpine climbs so that I can afford to bring a lighter sleeping bag. The hood is also amazing almost beyond description. With all of that said, the only downside to this jacket is that the down has a tendency to migrate a bit. It tends to move to the top of the arms, or to the sides of the jacket if you are sitting down. Its not super bad though, and I've never gotten cold because of it. Overall, I give it 5/5 stars!

But I could not due to it's poor zipper design. I had a terrible time getting the zipper started and experienced so much frustration that I decided to just stop using it. Thanks to BC's policy, I sent it back. It is very warm and cozy - not light weight but definitely a jacket you are glad you have with you on a cold day.

Bottom line - if your good with zippers, then maybe this is the jacket for you.

Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Hooded – This beast of a jacket has withstood the penetrating cold of snowblowing, where every single ice crystal zeros in on exposed skin like a band of flesh eating missiles. This jacket shrugged it off like nothing, keeping me warm to the point of heat exhaustion. The collar buttons up tight around a balaclava, the sleeves fit under winter gloves and seal well with or without gloves. The pockets are fleece lined and warm. My favorite part is the armored sleeves. The tougher nylon on the sleeves protects the jacket from tearing on branches or ice. Good thinking on MHWs part. I would like them to contrast it with black, like they did in years past, but each season changes colors. This thing cuts through Alaskan winters with ease, and is super lightweight in so doing. Packs down to a small size, although I use the stuff sack for my Thermarest.

This jacket is fantastic. I originally had the Phantom, but its lack of windproofing and a hood inspired me to get this jacket instead. I am 5'9" and 150 pounds, and the M fits great, not too short or too baggy. And now to address some of the many complaints in the other reviews. The zipper is fine, I have no idea what anyone is talking about there. Plastic teeth, metal slider, YKK, and the top part of the zipper kind of seats in the bottom part so that you can zip it more easily. The hood does zip on, the snaps must have been an older model. The "nylon band" problem has been fixed too. One person complained about the style, and to that I'd just say that it is a damn good-looking jacket if you're looking for a burly down jacket. It's not a fashion accessory, it's a tool, but the colors look good and the logos are tastefully placed. Anyone who knows outdoor gear will know that you are rolling with the best. As far as warmth goes, 40 degrees is about the warmest you can wear it in comfortably, and I've been down to zero with no base layer, khakis on the bottom, and no problem at all. I love this jacket, just had it on a week-long camping trip in the desert (freezing every night) and it was fantastic, plus didn't get beat up on rocks, bushes, etc. Highly recommended.

okay, well i would give this jacket 5 stars except for one major thing. But before that let me talk about the pro's of the jacket. The conduit sl material lives up to the reputation of being wind and water resistant. Keep in mind that this is no gor-tex pro and should not be used as so. 650 fill is adequate for the most extreme weather that marquette mi can offer, including temps in the -15's with windchills of up to -30 or 40. The hood is well designed, and unlike the parka it zips on and off which makes it better. the cinched waste does not compare to a powder skirt, but it is not supposed to.This jacket is not made for those deep pow pow days. The double zip feature is perfect because it is very convenient for belaying.And now to the MAJOR con. The zipper of this jacket is extremely frustrating. I have talked to a local shop owner who has reported numerous sub zero sl jackets being warrantied for faulty zippers.My jacket somehow got zipped up unevenly and jammed. when i went to unzip the jacket i blew out 3 teeth on the left side of the jacket. luckily it was near the bottom and i can still wear it for now. these blown out teeth are a major problem though. Backcountry has awesome customer service and will replace this zipper at with no problems, but still, come on? For close to 300 dollars quality should not even be an issue. By all means, buy this jacket, but beware of major zipper issues. They are prevalent and will ruin your day.

Since I just answered a question on this jacket, figured I'd write a review too. Use it all the time in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I pack this (with some Prima-Loft pants and a bivy shelter) as my alternative to a sleeping bag on winter traverses and SAR missions. My serious climbing friends (i.e. Mt. Everest) make fun of me for carrying a down parka in our humid NH climate, but I make sure to keep it dry and prefer it as my upper layer. I've worn it to 20 below and still been comfortable. Never worn it above zero.

This is a great warm, I gotta have heat cause it is freezin outside jacket.

I like the fit. It is cut short to wear with a harness. I like that. Non-climbers might not. If you have a tall torso it might be too short. If thats the case look at the Subzero Hooded Parka. For me with a 19" torso, its perfect.

Good warm hood. Nice soft fleece in hand pockets. High cut on pockets. The Conduit shell makes it possible to use it in a wet snow you might wet out other down.

Too warm to hike in. This is a keep wam when I aint moving coat. As a photographer that is really where it shines. When I hike into a location in predawn light I do not wear this. Its when I get to location and will be standing for 2-3 hours waiting for light that this makes the difference.

I also own the TNF Hooded Redpoint Optimist jacket. That is much lighter than this, they compliment each other well in my kit.

Warm. toasty. Priced right too.

If my sleeping bag wasn't as good as it is then I'd sleep in this jacket for sure. comfortable and as compact as you could ever hope for. At -7 deg C with only a base layer underneath, this kept me warm. Adjustable sleeves and waist stretchy is perfect to keep a snug fit.

okay, well i would give this jacket 5 stars except for one major thing. But before that let me talk about the pro's of the jacket. The conduit sl material lives up to the reputation of being wind and water resistant. Keep in mind that this is no gor-tex pro and should not be used as so. 650 fill is adequate for the most extreme weather that marquette mi can offer, including temps in the -15's with windchills of up to -30 or 40. The hood is well designed, and unlike the parka it zips on and off which makes it better. the cinched waste does not compare to a powder skirt, but it is not supposed to.This jacket is not made for those deep pow pow days. The double zip feature is perfect because it is very convenient for belaying.And now to the MAJOR con. The zipper of this jacket is extremely frustrating. I have talked to a local shop owner who has reported numerous sub zero sl jackets being warrantied for faulty zippers.My jacket somehow got zipped up unevenly and jammed. when i went to unzip the jacket i blew out 3 teeth on the left side of the jacket. luckily it was near the bottom and i can still wear it for now. these blown out teeth are a major problem though. Backcountry has awesome customer service and will replace the jacket, but still, come on? For close to 300 dollars quality should not even be an issue. By all means, buy this jacket, but beware of major zipper issues. They are prevalent and will ruin your day.On another note, I just replaced this jacket with a Montbell Ultralight Synthetic,hopefully it stands up to the sometimes burly mqt winters...

The Sub Zero SL Hooded Jacket is a great part of the MHW line of products. I live in Colorado where temps can get way down there. I haven't had the chance to test this jacket out in sub zero conditions, but it kept me nice and toasty at about 15 degrees the other night when my wife and I took the dogs for a walk. The hood is definitely a must. I used to have the Sub Zero Jacket but traded up for this one and I am very happy with the addition of the hood, plus it zips off easily if you don't feel like having it attached. The jacket is noticeably puffier than the Sub Zero Jacket, however the fill near the elbows does seem to disburse into other areas when resting your elbows on hard surfaces. A couple of notable things for those thinking about buying this jacket is that it doesn't really need the dual zipper and it is a pain every now and then. Also, I'm 6'1" 190 lbs. and I went with the XL. I had the L in the Sub Zero without the hood and wasn't satisfied with the length in the back. When leaning over the back would lift over my waist sometimes exposing skin in cold conditions. Take mine and others' advise on sizing up for this jacket, you will appreciate it. All in all I love this jacket...I just wish it was available in the same colors as the Sub Zero.

I originally bought the un-hooded version, but I returned in favor of this one. The reason being that, if it's cold enough for me to want to wear a down jacket, it's cold enough for me to want to have a hood too. There was nothing wrong with the other jacket, but having the hood adds that extra warmth I was looking for and eliminates the draft down the neck on windy days. Definitely worth the extra cash. Besides, it looks way better with the hood on.

It's a bomber jacket. Everything is perfect. The fit isn't too long. Comes right below my waist, about mid-buttocks. I'm 6'2" about 200lbs and I have the large. These jackets tend to run a little bigger because they are designed to have layers underneath. But unless you're standing around in subzero temps, this jacket is plenty warm on it's own.

I've also worn it in temps as warm as 45deg or so, and was equally comfortable. The power of down!

I originally bought the un-hooded version, but I returned in favor of this one. The reason being that, if it's cold enough for me to want to wear a down jacket, it's cold enough for me to want to have a hood too. There was nothing wrong with the other jacket, but having the hood adds that extra warmth I was looking for and eliminates the draft down the neck on windy days. Definitely worth the extra cash. Besides, it looks way better with the hood on.

It's a bomber jacket. Everything is perfect. The fit isn't too long. Comes right below my waist, about mid-buttocks. I'm 6'2" about 200lbs and I have the large. These jackets tend to run a little bigger because they are designed to have layers underneath. But unless you're standing around in subzero temps, this jacket is plenty warm on it's own.

I've also worn it in temps as warm as 45deg or so, and was equally comfortable. The power of down!

A long time ago, I determined that I was never getting a down jacket because I didn't want to look ridiculous. However, when I took up winter mountaineering, I quickly realized that sitting around camp after dark gets pretty chilly, even with a few layers of polar tec and a shell or two. So, I broke down and borrowed an old 500 loft EMS puffy from the outing club. I was sold. After shopping around a lot, I settled on the Sub Zero (the hood was a big selling point).

This jacket has exceeded my expectations in every way. I took it up Mt. Washington in February and was toasty warm for our summit lunch break. Well, my arms and torso were warm, my exposed face and hands nearly froze. I was able to wear the hood over my helmet and not feel like the jacket was getting pulled up. The internal mesh water bottle pocket is sized to hold a nalgene perfectly and the intrnal zip pocket is great for storing the included stuff sack. The hand pockets have a brushed lining and are totally inside the insulation to maximize warmth. I like the reinforced material (Conduit SL) on the shoulders, neck, and arms, but wish they used the nylon instead of Conduit on the inside of the collar.

I'm 5'10" and about 145# and the medium fits just right. I can zip off the hood and wear it with just a tee shirt underneath when I'm going to class or put the hood on and layer it over a baselayer, vest, fleece and softshell when I need to.

With this jacket, I'm glad I finally made the switch to down jackets. A really excellent purchase.

Every time I pull this jacket out of my pack for a belay I get giddy. Its such a well constructed and thought out puff that will keep you warm in almost any condition. -10 degrees fahrenheit with a windchill? No problem. Pop up the super warm down hood and you'll feel like your a cookie baking in your mama's oven. The fit is quite nice for climbing, but a bit short in length for mountain use, but that's why they make the parka version. The shorter length is perfect for winter climbing as its really easy to get to your harness. And if you really need to dig for gear way back on your harness the double zipper is a clutch feature. If you need a wintertime belay puff, this is it right here, you cant get much better for the price. Yeah you could shell out another $150 for an arc'teryx, but you really don't need to, because this jackets got all that bang for a smaller amount of buck.

BTW, I'm 6' 4" and about 185lbs and the XL is perfect in length and girth and fits over all my outer gear with zero issues.

By far the best down jacket I`ve ever used.
I recieved this jacket just before the worst winter temperature set in, and I loved it from the very first moment I put it on!
I`ve worn this jacket on some of the coldest places in Scandinavia, and it never fails!

Pro`s:
Very warm, even in -30 Celcius.
Large pockets lined with fleece to keep your hands warm.
NIce and warm detachable hood
Can be compressed to save space in your backpack.

Cons:
Slighty short in length, this is more of a bomber jacket than a parka.

Other than that, I would recommend it to people looking for a comfy and warm jacket to keep them from freezing on hikes and other activities.

Thought the jacket was quite good.. wasn't sure at first if the yellow colour was too much ... but yep it all worked out ok ..am visible but it is not an over the top jacket ..anyway .. the sizing was also correct goes to shows that the sizing chart works

First let me say that I didn't keep this jacket. It is a cool jacket and I would have kept it if the front wasn't so much shorter than the back. I understand why the front is shorter, however that's not what I wanted so I had to look elsewhere. If it would have worked for me I would have been totally satisfied. The jacket is great.

Wow is all I can say. A lot of thought went into this jacket and not only is it stylish but it also has all the technical features I'd want in a jacket. Durable material, Extra durable material at the shoulders, fantastic fit with our without layers, phenomenal hood, velcro adjustable cuffs, very light and very packable. Don't hesitate, this one is a winner.

Sub Zero is the second I buy. They behave in an excellent way in cold weather. Previously I bought the Sub Zero Parka and now buy sub zero hooded by a question that Parker was too long, they used to go to several mountains over 5000 meters and also on the summit of Aconcagua. Very shelters and also waterproof. Worth every penny you pay

This jacket is great. I took it up for an overnight trip to Camp Muir on Rainier. I bought the XXL. it fits well over my base layer, soft shell and Tech shell... if you're into that. Hood is zippered onto the jacket and is large enough to fit a helmet underneath.

I bought this jacket for a mountain climbing trip in case of bad weather (under normal conditions I would wear a fleece and a GoreTex shell). In the end, due to bad weather, we didn't even go to the summit, but I wore the jacket all the time in camp at night, and whenever it would get chilly. I have no doubt it would stand up to windy subzero conditions, but even as a mobile comforter, it is a great buy!

So far I have used the coat snowboarding 15 times this season. I have never had to wear anything else besides a long sleeve t-shirt with temps hitting -10F. The hood is unreal, its like being in a bomb shelter. If anything its a little to bulky but hey, your not going to get cold with it on. Once it hits 40F or above you cant ride with this coat on, even without layers. I am 6ft 2in 230lb, and I have a XXL. Its the perfect size of slightly to big:)

I love this jacket. I wear it all winter when around camp. The Conduit keeps the down dry and loft up even in heavy wet snow. It fits well, packs well, and has lots of smart bells and whistles. If there was one thing I would change, I would add a touch more down to make it even warmer. Much below zero and it struggles.

After looking at several down jackets online, I decided on this. I wanted something that would be very warm, compress easily, and had a down hood. It was all this and more. I am 6'2", 195 lbs. and the L fits me very well. Like all MH gear it runs short (which makes it all the better to accommodate a harness) but keep in mind if you go larger it mostly gets bigger in the torso. Very warm, very light, and stands up well. I give it five stars and I can be pretty picky about gear.

THis jacket is definitely 5 stars worthy... great construction and advanced fabric treatment. Fit is generous. I'm 6'-4", 225 lb., with long 36" arms and the XL is perfect. Love it and can't wait for a blizzard to hit. Only criticism would be for MH to line to chin/collar with the same soft microfiber used inside the pockets.

I live in Russia, Siberia. Strong winds, temperatures around -30F and high humidity are usual for us. Yesturday i tested this jacket in -35C ( -31F ) and i was really toasty and warm with only thin cotton sweater under a jacket.
Best down jacket i have ever owned and totally the warmest one!

I am 62 years old. This is the warmest jacket that I have ever worn!

I really can't believe it that people I know come up to me and comment on the jacket. People really respect the Mountain name. Two are actually going to buy my exact jacket. One is sking in CO. the other is going to MN. for a vacation. The jacket is a homerun so far. I purchased it because of the reviews. You can really wear just a long sleeve tee shirt under the jacket. Plenty warm even in the low 20's. I hope to test the H/2/O effectiveness when I use the snow thrower.

I bought a sub-zero last year and couldn't be happier with it. I live in the centre of Canada and spend a lot of time outdoors in -30 - 40C plus wind. There is a version of this jacket with a longer waist that I picked out and although I have nothing to compare it to I would highly recommend it. I'm 6 ft, 200lbs and a large fits perfect.

This jacket has kept me warm in some cold situations but I am unimpressed by two things: 1, the zipper only lasted me about 1 year before it got stuck and ultimately ruined several of the zipper teeth and 2, the jacket is too short! I can't tell you how many times I've bent over to pick something up off the ground while in the backcountry and have this jacket expose half my back to the freezing wind. Other than those nuances, I think this jacket works well and would probably in the end recommend it to a friend.

Used this for climbing Mt Ranier.......worked great in the cold snowy weather...very comfortable. Zipper is a little temperamental though.

Great jacket

This is a well-made jacket, however the zippers on the one I ordered were absolutely terrible. Trust what other reviewers said-- I couldn't zip the jacket! This is without gloves and with warm hands indoors-- imagine being out on a hike in the wind and snow. Also, angle of pockets is too steep-- you need to be a yogi to bend your arms and get your hands inside.For my money, I would get the parka-- you get a bit more coverage on the waist and the zippers work great. The jacket looks better than the parka (is a monotone, hidden chest pocket) but jacket's got some major flaws.

Firstly, I love it to death, and it keeps me toasty now that Ithaca, NY has gone from 40 to near zero at night. I'm a very tiny dude (5'4") and not built, so I ordered a small. That was probably a mistake...if you want to put it over your other layers while belaying or striking camp, buy a size larger than you need. My men's small is fine for around Collegetown, but there is no way I'll fit it over my hard-shells - I should have gone a medium. Additionally, cinching the waist cord made it go - the fabric at the back to which the bungee cord was sewn tore away - within the first 3 weeks (bought it 4 weeks ago). So relying on the lifetime guarantee there. The 'small' on me goes just to the waist, just barely, so it's not keeping the butt-cheeks warm..although climbers may appreciate this (or not?). I think others have commented on the rest..fleece handwarmers, great loft, good in the details save ONE!! The zipper is a pain to use..normally takes 4-5 tries to get it to work..making sure the zippers are right down the bottom. Disappointing for a $300 jacket. The hood is great..don't buy the version without. The neck can be a bit tight if you're wearing e.g. a softsthell hoodie or fleece with a high neck underneath..cough cough. Otherwise I love it. Can't comment on rain, although you won't want to use it in above freezing anyway. Just be aware that a 'small' really is very small, although I can't comment on mediums. I guess I can always wear it as a super mid-layer! Compacts to size of summer down sleeping bag, w/ about the same weight.
tight lines!

SO I think I figured out the zipper, I noticed if you hold the coat tight and make the zipper tight then the zipper seems to snap ( so to speak) and zips right up. I recently got the mens small because they were out of the womens med and the mens is great. The color is way better than the womens and it is so light weight and super warm. I live at 9000 ft we get several feet of snow and this coat is the only one I would say is bomber!! Thanks Hardwear!!

This is my first ever down apparel. After reading other reviews, I decided I must try on some before I buying. I agree the zipper is a little on the awkward side, but it's do-able. I just hope it's something that won't change when my hands are freezing and touch is a little more unmanageable. The Velcro overlaps are somewhat of a nuisance when unzipping, but I just bet they will be much appreciated in the wet or cold windy conditions. So I tried the Sub Zero jacket on. It seemed to eliminate all these issues. So why the Sub Zero SL hooded jacket? I tried it on and it felt warmer for some reason. I think it is the lining material inside the jacket- it really doesn't have any more down than the Sub Zero. It seems a little puffier as well? Anyway, then I put the hood up-wow! $100 more for a hood and a little water resistance? In spite of this, it suddenly seemed worth it (to me). With the hood up it is way warmer. I occasionally find myself with friends up in higher, colder conditions with astronomy gear. We don't have a lot of moving around, so there is nothing worse than being really cold and standing still trying to focus with numb cheeks and fingers. This jacket fits the bill perfectly. It also will beat the full body gear when it comes to the occasional breaks necessary when drinking too much hot coffee. A last comment on the length of the jacket. Yes, it does seem a little on the short side. With 2-3 more inches in length, and made somewhere else besides China, this jacket would be a six star jacket. With all this in mind, it is a warm, easy to move in, well made jacket that has a lot of pluses- stuff-able,Velcro sleeves, removable hood, water resistance, cords to tighten the fit as needed and what appears to be a more wear resistant fabric than some.