Okay, got the Nomad and it is so warm! I can't even believe it. I had purchased the Heli Arctic at first and ended up returning it because, believe it or not, it was too warm! Then I ordered the 3 in 1. It is a lot smaller than the Heli... and I was thinking, when I saw it, is this going to keep me warm??? Well, I tried it on as soon as I got it and it was already cold enough in Chicago, where you didn't even want to be standing outside... So I was out for 45 minutes talking to a neighbor and I was so warm. It didn't even bother me that I was out in such cold weather. When I got in the house and took the jacket off, I was sweating and I rarely sweat! I guess I answered my own question that night about the warmth of the jacket. So the jacket can be work with the down or without. I have tried all three ways and all are very sweet. It is definitely a unisex jacket. I'm pretty short, so it covers me well. I did have to roll up the sleeves but again, I'm 5 ft. 2 in. and with any jacket I get, I find myself rolling up the sleeves. I give this jacket 5 ***** stars. It you live in a very colder climate than Chicago, get the heli, if it isn't that serious, get the Nomad. It's been pretty cold in Chicago and this jacket is just fine. I feel that anything else would be a bit too much and you might find yourself not getting much use out of a heavier jacket. By the way, this is a heavy jacket. Nothing like the Heli, but it is not a typical weight by any stretch of the imagination. Something that most people probably don't think about.
Now to write a comment about backcountry. this place is great. I even called them on Thanksgiving to ask a question about my Nomad and someone answered! I felt pretty silly calling on a holiday, but I got my question answered. I love the live chats you can have with a gear head and they really do take the time to answer all of your questions! I recommend backcountry.com when ordering... and they have a great, GREAT return policy to boot.
Happy Shopping!