The best down belay jacket

By Steepcreeker Ranked #636 - Men's Down Jackets April 1, 2009

Best down belay jacket I have found and I looked all over. Checked out most other brands and their offerings. I am a Marmot kinda guy but this jacket beat out all the competition.

I am 6'2" and 215 the XL fits me great.

This the ideal jacket if you are an rock&ice climber/mountaineer and or backpacker. My XL comes in at 2lbs 5.5oz. If you are looking for an about town jacket/ski jacket I reccomend and own the Marmot Iceland Jacket at 3lbs 3 oz or get the sub zero parka. The sub zero coat is on the short side for wearing a harness so it will not cover your butt. It is a full on climbing parka not a fashion or ski oriented jacket.

The zipper works fine you just need to know how to work a double zipper. Why a double zipper? Try tieing into a rope, putting on your harness, or messing with waist bands with layers on with a bulky jacket and you have to unzip to see what you are doing. If it is a single zip you will need to open it up completely. With a double you only open the bottom. Keeps the heat in better.

The construction is superb and the water resistance a big plus. The hood rules and it has plenty of pockets. Compressablilty is high and the baffling keeps out the cold spots. Down distribution is good in my opinion. Final word xl is 2lbs 5.5oz's of supreme warmth you won't leave behind cause it is too bulky or heavy. It won't do you any good at home or in the car when the cold front rolls in.

Bottom line the best belay jacket for the lower 48 in temps above -20 or so depending on your metabolism. belive me I have looked. Heading to white mountains, rockies, or cascades and this is the perfect companion. For anything above 18-20k you my want to look at the absolute zero or an expediton jacket from marmot or tnf.

View Details: Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Hooded Down Jacket - Men's

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