ashenThere are a specific set of requirements for any travel destination and clothes appropriate for the climate of the particular destination is at the top of the list. Cold weather is mostly associated when travelling to European countries. North America, Canada and especially Scandinavian countries too are a few extremely cold yet magnificent destinations to experience. Which is why in this post we will provide you with the reviews of ultralight packable down jackets of our choice. After going through it all you can separate out the best ultralight packable down jacket that aligns with all your travel requirements.
But what exactly is a “packable” down jacket? and how is it different from a regular winter jacket?.. Well the name answers most of it. What packable means is that this particular jacket is super friendly in the backpack and compresses easily without occupying too much space saving you quite some time. Yes they do keep you warm but these are quite small unlike a regular winter jacket hence quite comfortable to have on your body even for a lengthy duration.
What you need to know before buying a packable down jacket
Its important that you know how we chose these jackets and you can be aware of these criteria while making your selection. Therefore lets see what to look in a down jacket beforehand.
Lightweight
The title speaks for itself and this shouldn’t come off as a surprise. After all we are looking for ultralight packable down jackets. Just a couple of things that you should be aware of when looking out for the lightest jacket possible. If the thread used in the manufacture of the jacket is of heavier weight consequently the jacket becomes heavier. Although these types of fabric is associated with durability it still means the jacket will be heavy. Now if you want the lightest jacket, then it is probably made out of light thread which means they are prone to abrasion and tears in comparison with the heavier threaded jackets. Therefore our suggestion is to choose something in the middle neither too heavy nor too light.
Jacket Size
Seems pretty obvious right? But here’s the thing. This fact is so overlooked when choosing jackets. It shouldn’t be too loose nor too tight. The wisest choice is to get something slightly bigger than your size, that way the jacket has space for the extra jerseys you are wearing. Additionally there are different styles out there in the market. Do you want it with or without a hood or perhaps you would like to fit it around your waist.
Warmth level
There are two types of down in jackets. Namely Goose down and Duck down. Goose down is considered as the best insulator in the world. And it is the first criteria of warmth. Hence widely used in jackets, blankets etc. Its also lightweight and compressible of the two. Next is the fill power. As the jacket gets lighter, it means that the down composition is less. To compensate that, fill power is used to balance the warmth levels. The amount of cubic inches an ounce of down makes at its maximum loft is the fill power rating. Which means a higher rating is better. You can take a look at this guide here to learn more about fill power and down. The other type duck down isn’t as compressible and lightweight as goose down.
With these criteria in mind lets proceed for the best ultralight packable down jackets for men and women and see what fits you best..
RAB Neutrino Pro Jacket- Best Women’s ultralight packable down jacket with hood
- 530g/18.7oz
- 800FP Ethically-Sourced European Goose Down
- Helmet compatible down filled hood with wired peak
- Pertex Quantum Pro outer fabric
Our first choice for women’s down jacket. Weighs only 530g which is acceptable given they have another women’s jacket weighing 585g which is made out of Pertex Endurance material, but the rest of the features been the same. The hood is filled with additional warmth to keep your ear temperatures at optimum while also been helmet compatible. The hood also features adjusters that are concealed. The specialty of this jacket is that its sole purpose of design is for mountain climbing.
The material is suitable for the cold alpine winters and the Pertex Quantum Pro outer fabric is specifically for shielding you against wind drifts and snow. Another feature that makes this jacket stand out is its stylishness that perfectly fits the likes of women. Apart from these the jacket also has an internal pocket which is zipped for safekeeping valuables and essentials. If warmth and comfort are your priorities while enjoying your trip in the cold mountains, then this jacket is definitely a worthy choice. Plus it comes in three glamorous colors.
Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody
- XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL sizes
- 305 g / 10.8 oz, 15 x 12 x 2 inches
- 850-fill European goose down
- Premium 850 fill-power
- 100% Nylon(DWR)
Another top notch well recognized down jacket for both men and women. Arc’teryx Cerium LT Hoody has a great weight to warmth ratio. Highly versatile, streamlined and a minimalist design that is very well suited for exploring cold destinations with warmth. Integrated with moisture resistant outer face fabric, It is highly compressible, lightweight, well insulated and extremely breathable.
Made with highly crimped multi-denier siliconized polyester yarn, the 100% polyester staple fibre is what brings about the high compressible nature and the excellent loft retention. Features elastic hem and cuffs with adjustable hem drawcord and a stuff sack. Present with a chin guard, Two hand pockets with zippers, Internal zippered security pocket and down insulated stormhood.
The cons been the well anticipated price tag, which is reasonable given the excellent build quality packed with lightweight and durability. Its trim fit with center back length of 72 cm. However some users complain that it is a bit tight in some areas and can cause discomfort. Therefore choose the correct size aligning with your measurements.
Mountain Hardwear Women’s Ghost Whisperer
- 800-fill down power
- 8 oz
- Ultralightweight
Some users have commented as the “Perfect jacket for ultralight backpacking”. 7D ripstop nylon shell treated with DWR hence excellent windproof and water repellent. Down fibers are infused with a permanent water repellency, hence specifically for usage during heavy precipitations as it keeps the insulation going well. This is a trim fit jacket so you might be unable to have a bunch of layers underneath. Therefore keep a good eye out for the appropriate size.
In terms of being stylish, this jacket comes in a variety of colors. Hand pockets with zip, Hem with interior toggle for easy adjustment and definitely lightweight. Suitable for hiking even in extreme weather conditions the Ghost Whisperer is great ultralight packable down jacket for women. Just be mindful when selecting your size or else it will be a too tight fit.
Patagonia Women’s Ultralight Down Jacket
- Nylon ripstop
- 800 fill quality
Patagonia is a leading brand in the market for down jackets. Their products are extremely durable and well manufactured. DWR and lightweight and warm making it ideal for snowy winter days to wear while outside. Its not for hiking given that it lacks a hoodie. Slim fit style making it ideal for women.
Patagonia has many down jackets of this style made out of polyester, goose down and no hoodie. The downside with Patagonia is that most of their products aren’t cheap and its the same for jackets. Also these packable jackets lacks hoodies. Nevertheless they are still regarded as good winter jackets to keep you warm during your travels.
RAB Neutrino Pro- Best ultralight packable down jacket for men
- Pertex Quantum Pro outer fabric
- 800 fill power
- 230g European Goose Down
- 605g/21.3oz
Although been a little inclined to the heavier side the Rab Neutrino Pro is the best ultralight packable down jacket for men without a seconds thought. You can be hiking the alpine peaks during the most challenging weather conditions and yet you will be totally contended with the heat and warmth of this jacket. The hoodie is also helmet compatible.
It has a baffle design which sets off a fashionable vibe while giving you all the heat you need. You can be assured about the consistent heat because of the outer material been Pertex Endurance. You have handwarmer zipped pockets and an internal pocket to stuff your valuables. Th price is a bit expensive, but given its weight to warmth ratio you can agree that it is a worthy durable purchase.
Eddie Bauer Men’s jacket
- Nylon shell with 650 fill Premium Down insulation
- StormRepel DWR finish
- Responsible Down Standard (RDS)-certified down insulation.
- 9.9 oz
The Eddie Bauer Men’s down jacket is an excellent choice for those who prefer to opt for a jacket without a hoodie. Yes we know that most people would see it as a con, but hey choices differ. This jacket is wind and water resistant hence perfect even for stormy winters. The neck collar is higher for optimum warmth. It has elastic cuffs and drawstring hem to minimize the heat loss as much as possible.
Features zipped hand pockets on either side and an internal pocket. They have over five colors for you to choose from. And it is well packable and can be folded into the left hand pocket once used. Its a not too slim, not too relaxed fit and you can afford to have a layer or two underneath. However please make sure of your measurements before purchase.
Wantdo Men’s – A budget men’s packable down jacket
- 80% duck down
- Multi Pockets
- 7.7 oz
- Nylon shell and lining
Finally a great ultralight packable down jacket for men on a tight budget. Made out of 20D nylon and 80% duck down for good water resistance and appropriate warmth. Features an attached hood with reversed front zipper, hem seal and nylon elastic cuffs. The extra benefit here is the integration of multiple pockets that comes in handy if you are used to carrying a lot of little stuff with you. Two outside hand pockets, two inside pockets and a chest pocket all zippered.
What’s more there is a media port for the earphone wires as well. There is an opening on the inner pocket and a small loop on the left shoulder to hold the wires while running or walking. It has four different colors on top of all these extra gigs. Lastly there is an included pouch to pack the jacket for easy carrying. People even comment on this jacket as a great companion for an active lifestyle. It is a great jacket for the price, lightweight and extremely durable and can even allow you to pack every essential thing such as batteries, torches in it for a couple days camping!
Rokka&Rolla Men’s lightweight jacket
- 100% Polyester
- 3M High-tech filler
- 90% white duck down and 10% duck feathers
- Multiple color options
This highly versatile, budget friendly and durable provides better insulation, extra warmth with its 3M High-tech filler. Shell fabric for water resistance, optimum comfort with the high density synthetic and finer yarns. Also features an adjustable hood, elastic banded cuffs and hem for minimal heat escape. Two zippered hand pockets and inner pocket near the front zipper are included as well.
The Rokka&Rolla jacket is available in seven stunning colors for you such as dark grey, dark khaki, green geometry etc. There is a pouch embedded through the collar and the cool thing is that you can use this to convert this jacket into a travel pillow to rest your head during lengthy travels. Overall a great budget ultralight down jacket for men who desire warmth, protection, fashion in one package.
Summary
We believe that this article serves you as a pretty comprehensive guide on choosing the best ultralight packable down jacket for you. However there is one specific point we purposefully missed out until now. And that is maintenance. Each jacket has different instructions for washing, drying etc. in accordance with its specifications. Therefore make sure to thoroughly check the tags.
Generally it is advised to wash it inside out with hands in cold water and leave it to dry. And also make sure to leave it out of the pouch when you aren’t traveling so that the shapes and sizes remain intact.
