Go Hardcore

By Barry Blalock Ranked #447 - Men's Down Jackets November 26, 2009

This jacket is tough and completely windproof. I live along the Front Range in Colorado and the winters here are super windy, avg. wind speed is 55mph. This jacket blocks the wind and keeps you super toasty warm on single digit days. I've belayed in this jacket with great aplomb, I never felt the 25 degree morning air.

Also, it is super light, like alien light. I think MontBell has their flagship puffy with this jacket. The shell is super strong, light, and very weatherproof, almost like a softshell. The insulation is amazingly warm, even with a long sleeve capilene 1-2 on I could be stationary for a while before I felt the cold. Nice weatherproof zippers to keep out moisture.

The fit is athletic, I feel like. I am 5'10", 195 and the Large is so friggin money on me. Enough room to fit on a medium baselayer, and if it's super cold, a midweight insulation layer like polartec power stretch.

Do NOT try and hike in this thing. You'll over heat immediately and be miserable. This is a stationary jacket due to it's warmth. Use it wisely and take it with you everywhere. It stuffs down to the size of a 1L Nalgene bottle with further possible compression available. Be sure, says the tag, to deflate slowly, due to the welded baffles and WindStopper fabric air takes longer to compress outwards, go fast and you'll blow out a baffle. No bueno.

I like this more than my old favorite MHW Sub Zero Down jacket. It's just as warm but weighs literally ounces and is far more packable. Plus the Brick Red is like a salsa color, super dope.

Enjoy!

View Details: MontBell Permafrost Light Down Jacket - Men's

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