Jackets

Recent Jacket Reviews

Mountain Hardwear Men's StretchDown DS Hooded Jacket

I don't recommend this jacket for hiking or backpacking. Warm jacket, heavy, and bulky without hood cinch. I prefer my winter hiking gear/clothing to have some color, jackets and mid layers to be on the bright side. This jacket stands out and looks good but it is not practical for hiking/camping in the mountains. It is just way too bulky. It is very warm with very deep pockets for your hands and cell phone. I thought about trying it above treeline but with no cinch cord for the hood, it would blow… Full review

Eddie Bauer First Ascent Peak XV Parka

A full featured alpine/expedition parka advertised good to -30° F. At its $249 sale price this parka was a great value from its $499 MSRP.  I bought this parka both for bitter cold alpine skiing and as a "camp parka" when winter camping. The size large fits me well at 190 lbs, 5' 10" tall. MATERIALS: It compares most closely with Patagonia's Fitz Roy alpine parka both in design and down fill quality. the PEAK XV Parka will not pack quite as small as the Fitzroy  and other similar alpine parkas… Full review

Patagonia Men's Nano Puff Bivy Pullover

Most importantly it is a pullover, I simply prefer the pullover style for comfort and ease of wearing. I paid full price in New York while on holiday as my big down parka was simply too warm for a New York winter. Also I thought it might make a suitable LW midlayer for an Alaskan winter trip that has now been cancelled. I keep it in my day pack for ski touring in Australia's High Plains as a "just in case layer." Upside is the light weight and compactness, the downside is that 60GSM is not warm… Full review

Eddie Bauer Men's First Ascent Downlight Hooded Jacket

A light and well made 800 fill down jacket for 3-4 season use. Very packable and good for layering or extending sleeping bag warmth. I bought this 800 fill down "puffy" on a 50% off sale because I needed it for higher altitude three-season camping. Mine is a nice "electric blue" color., the one you see here in my avatar where I'm holding my grandson. I've had mine for six years and it shows no signs of wear from skiing, backpacking, and around-town use. Its down maintains excellent loft, despite… Full review

Pacific Trail Men's Pac Tech Terrain Jacket

Best outdoor jacket I have ever owned. I need another one! This jacket is very comfortable and can be adjusted to fit almost anyone. It has excellent water and wind resistance and in colder weather, I would layer it on top of anything else I was wearing and it would still fit great. It did an excellent job of blocking wind and moisture of almost any level, from severe rain and snow storms. It did a fantastic job of keeping in body heat, and was rugged enough to wear for nearly any outdoor event… Full review

Lowe Alpine Triple Point Ceramic Jacket

Super quality, smart looking. I have owned this jacket for now...21 years!!!! It looks exactly like the day I got it for my birthday (I don’t). I’ve only used it for hiking and city walking so not heavily used, but still, the jacket is completely as new and I still love wearing it on a cold, windy, rainy day. It never lets my down. Damned thing that they don’t produce it any longer. Full review

Rab Batura Jacket

Looking for a durable, seriously warm, water resistant down jacket and weight isn't a deal-breaker? Rab’s Batura II may just fit the bill. Bought the Batura II in XL size(containing nearly 480g fill-weight of down) in the Black colour with Horizon (Red) details for planned autumn/winter sub-polar and mountain expeditions. Down The Batura II uses over 450grams fill-weight(in size Large) of 800 fill-power(by US standards. Equating to approx. 743 fill-power per EU rating) of RDS certified, Fluorocarbon-free,… Full review

Carhartt Duck Traditional Arctic Quilt-Lined Coat

Perfect for outdoor work or chores. Rugged quality construction, long life expected. Zippers are brass and well made. A perfect outer shell for labor or chores. Tough enough to camp or work in rugged conditions. Full review

Rab Men's Xenon X Jacket

This is the best warmth-for-weight ratio synthetic jacket I have found. Totally windproof, and RAB has made this jacket with VERY few seams so the wind can't even find a way in through the Pertex Quantum. It has Primaloft Gold Active 60 grams, with double in the chest area to create hand warmer pockets. I can truly say, if you like the Pat Nano, YOU WILL LOVE THIS. This jacket seals up every cuff, collar, and seam up against your skin, and combined with the tailoring of it having few seams to begin… Full review