Warmer than it Looks

By Scott Pendleton Ranked #1338 - Men's Down Jackets January 4, 2010

I just got back from my first trip with this jacket, a 3 day expedition in the Desolation Wilderness south of Lake Tahoe. This was my first experience with a puffy; before I've just loaded up on fleece. I was looking at this and the Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero and went with this based on the recommendation of a friend. I'm very happy with the choice. It may seem thin, but it was plenty warm during the cold Sierra nights. The hood was wonderful to have as well. I used it both with and without a softshell layered underneath and was plenty warm both ways, even down to 15F in camp.

The fabric seems thin and potentially fragile but I skied through trees with it and walked around wooded camp with it and I have no tears or even blemishes. I was trying to treat it gingerly and not really snag it on anything (as I do with all my stuff), but I did clip a few branches and it was just fine. It also did just fine with water; the sun made the snow somewhat melty during the day and water got on the jacket, but it repelled it just fine. I probably wouldn't take it into a rainstorm without a shell, but wet snow was ok.

I'm 6'2" and 145lbs and the medium is just perfect fit. The length is good, and it's got room for a softshell or fleece underneath but still fits snugly enough. The hood isn't terribly helmet-friendly; I can get it over my Pro-Tec B2 helmet, but it's pretty snug.

View Details: Marmot Ama Dablam Down Jacket - Men's

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