Ok let it be said, that I am a Gear Junkie and have a closet full of Mountain Hardwear, Arcteryx shells & jackets which are the best technical brands available. This is my 2nd LoDown Jacket (the first is pretty beaten up). I also have the Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jacket which is filled with 800 fill down and is light and stuffable. I really like both the Lodown and the Phantom for warmth and comfort. The Lodown can also be used as a good mid layer for a light shell on cold snowy days on the mountain, although a little puffy. Buy it if you want good quality & value and to stay warm.

I realize that this model of the jacket is discontinued, and MH has a new one out this year. I am writing this under the assumption that MH has kept the current model sizing consistent.

Perfect down jacket for layering (in my opinion). I have a medium at 6' 170 lbs. If I was going to wear as an outter layer, I would have returned for a large. However, I plan to use this with a midweight base layer, or maybey a sweater underneath and the MH Exposure II parka over the outside. As a cold weather mid layer the medium is perfect for me. I hate having a mid layer that is big and bulky under a shell.

In summary...if you are going to wear mainly as a layering piece - go with your typical size from MH. If you are going to wear as an outter layer, size up 1.

Hope this helps!

I finally have the coat that "almost" does it all! To make it better I would recommend sealing the seams on the inside of the coat. The pit zips are wonderful, they are what down jackets have always needed!, They work fast in removing that unwanted build up of heat that down jackets are famous for gathering so quickly! The inside/outside nylon fabric feels "literally" as soft as climbing into my Mountain Hardwear down sleeping bag. Soft and cozy may not be words that "real men" use? but I know of no other words to describe this jacket? There's just enough down feathers to insulate against very cold weather, even with just a t-shirt underneath (even a cotton t-shirt on casual day's), But not too much down that makes everyone that see's you think that you need to see Jenny Craig. A real winner. I'm afraid of M/H discontinuing this coat someday? So I will most likely purchase another (maybe two) to put away if/when this happens. I could ramble on and on about this jacket but it would all sound the same! I am very happy I made this purchase and it's worth buying at any price. Don't wait too long for a "close out sale" or a better deal somewhere else! you will be happy you made this purchase at any price, Guaranteed!! oh' yeah! one last important issue! I am five foot eleven inches tall with a medium size athletic build. I always wear a size large in everything made by Mountain Hardwear for the upper body. For some reason when fitting for the LoDown, a large felt like I was trying to wear my kids coat, so I bought an XL and it fits perfect. If I were to wear multiple layers underneath then even the XL may be too small? A good example for sizing this coat would be. If you wear a size large in Mountain Hardwear's famous "tech jacket" (doesn't everyone have at least one of these?)then you WILL BE an XL in this M/H LoDown Jacket.

I live in Northern California and do a reasonable amount of camping and hiking in late October through the winter where the temps quickly drop to the mid 30's when the sun begins to go down.

I was looking for a light, non-Michelin Man jacket to keep me warm. I investigated the MH Sub Zero jacket but decided it would be overkill for what I was looking for (i.e. potentially too HOT for regular use.)

This jacket is JUST RIGHT!

The Lowdown has proven to be absolutely PERFECT! I can wear as little as a T-shirt under it, or wear progressive layers and be completely comfortable and toasty warm. I'm amazed by this jacket's efficiency.

A hood would have been a nice addition to the jacket, but I'm really nit-picking; the Lowdown is a TREMENDOUS jacket.

I'm 6'1" 185 lbs. and I bought an Extra Large (I read that the Lowdown runs on the smaller side than normal sizing). The XL for my frame is just right; not too big, not too small.

This jacket is a BARGAIN (and I'm pretty finicky about my camping/hiking equipment.)

Ok let it be said, that I am a Gear Junkie and have a closet full of Mountain Hardwear, Arcteryx shells & jackets which are the best technical brands available. This is my 2nd LoDown Jacket (the first is pretty beaten up). I also have the Mountain Hardwear Phantom Jacket which is filled with 800 fill down and is light and stuffable. I really like both the Lodown and the Phantom for warmth and comfort. The Lodown can also be used as a good mid layer for a light shell on cold snowy days on the mountain, although a little puffy. Buy it if you want good quality & value and to stay warm.

Pros...Best jacket for the price-point I've ever purchased...hands down! This jacket kept me warm at temps below 0 Fahrenheit (even with with only a t-shirt on). Built for cold, dry climates. I've taken it on a couple of ski trips already, and I haven yet to be disappointed. If you get too hot with a sweater underneath, then just release the pit zips. No need for a heavy base layer or wind stopper with this coat.

More obvious Cons...Don't wear this jacket during times of moderate to heave snow fall; and never during rain, unless you wear a shell over the top. in wet conditions you will become a walking-sponge without a waterproof shell. This is a great layering jacket for super cold/windy days on the mountain. Not as puffy as the Phantom or Sub-Zero, but still keeps you warm.

I don't like bulk when I ski, so I just use this before and after the mountain and for backpacking. If you are looking for a layering jacket, or just a coat to wear around town, this is a great MH buy and worth well more than you will pay for it.

Great Jacket and plenty warm alone with midweight base layer. Just used it this week at Mary Jane Ski Area in CO in temps 5-10 degrees and had to open the pit zips on the lift. I'm 6'5", 210 and I went XL and the arm length is fine

ok, i do a lot of climbing, hiking, and camping. this jacket has kept me very warm and also have been very durable for me as well. i would say that this is a very safe purchase.

This jacket is perfect for dry cold days. I'm 5'6" and 150lb and I wear a medium. It keeps me warm with just a t-shirt on down to mid to low 30's. Would highly recommend it for the price..

My first down jacket and it's a WINNAH! My go-to jacket when the temps are mid 30's in the beautiful North West. Jacket runs one size smaller. Regularly wear a Medium but had to go up to a Large (5'7", 160, broad shoulders). Was originally looking at the TNF RedPoint Optimus, but the pit zips and the lo-price of this jacket won me over. Not too puffy and the brown color is very stylish. Only con is that the shell is not rip-stop nylon. *** Back County is the fastest at shipping your order and their customer service is THE BEST!

This is the lightest, warmest jacket I've ever worn. It's also super collapsible. I'll probably buy another one to hike the AT. Kudos to MH!

I wear this jacket every day (Jackson Hole, WY) in temps from -5 to 40*F ... it's fantastic. Keeps me nice and warm if I'm not being active, the hand pockets are lined with microfleece so they warm up hands if you're not wearing gloves...and packs nice and small for throwing in a pack, to put on when you take breaks skiing, etc.

This is a good jacket, especially for the money. I generally don't wear it for skiing because its down and I prefer Primaloft when I ski. That being said, this is a good winter jacket and will definitely keep you warm. It fits well, but seems to run a little bit small.

I got this jacket on sale and absolutely love it. I have used it in temps ranging from low 30's on up. It blocks wind great, and has plenty of pockets. I can't say enough about the cuff and collar design, it is perfect. The stuff sack is also nice for storage/packing.