Finest Down Vest for Backpacking & Mountaineering [2024]

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This can be a evaluate of the most effective down vests for mountain climbing and backpacking in 2024.

Down mountain climbing vests have been rising in reputation not too long ago, much more so than Ultralight Down Jackets.

Not solely are vests light-weight, however additionally they assist to maintain your torso heat. As a result of being sleeveless, a down mountain climbing vest means that you can have far more mobility and freedom. 

Let’s check out the most effective down vests for mountain climbing and backpacking in 2024. 

How We Examined

All of the Down Vests on this evaluate have been extensively evaluated and researched by the knowledgeable writer who has a few years of expertise in Through-Mountaineering, Backpacking, and Mountaineering. The analysis, testing, and expertise of the writer have mixed to give you the Finest Down Vests for 2024. Learn the Assessment Coverage for additional particulars.

Finest Backpacking Down Vests 2024

The perfect backpacking down vests for 2024 are:

Finest Down Vest – General

Patagonia Down Sweater Vest

Weight – 8.9 oz / 252 grams
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non-hydrophobic 800 loft down
Outer material – 20D Recycled Nylon with DWR
Pockets – 2 hand hotter pockets, 1 chest pocket
Execs:
> Makes use of Eco-Pleasant recycled supplies
> Heat
> DWR Water-Resistant end
> Adjustable Wire
Cons:
> Small pockets

Outside lovers from all around the globe depend on the Patagonia Down Sweater Vest. Patagonia locations a robust precedence on utilizing sustainable and ethically sourced supplies.

The puffer vest works nicely as an overlay or further insulation layer on bitterly chilly days, and the colours look implausible. The hem pull string can be utilized to change the hem, to supply a more in-depth match when dealing with chilly or windy circumstances.

The Patagonia Down Sweater Vest will stay dry from the weather and perspiration since each the liner and shell have a sturdy water-repellent end.

General, the Patagonia Down Sweater Vest is without doubt one of the hottest choices in relation to a backpacking down vest.

Finest Mountaineering Vest – Runner Up

Cotopaxi Fuego Down Vest

Weight – 8 oz / 227 grams
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non-hydrophobic 800 loft down
Outer material – 20D Ripstop Nylon with DWR end
Pockets – 2 hand pockets, 2 inside stash pockets
Execs:
> Good inside pocket
> Light-weight
> Rip-stop Nylon
Cons:
> Some folks report that the sizing is a bit small

Excessive-quality supplies are used to create the Cotopaxi Fuego Down Mountaineering Vest, but it’s light-weight. The vest’s 800-fill RDS-certified goose down serves as insulation, whereas the face material is constructed of sturdy 20-denier rip-stop nylon and handled with a DWR end.

The vest has two inside stash pockets, two zippered hand pockets, a drawstring hem, and elasticated bindings on the armholes.

It could possibly simply be carried because the vest packs into its personal pocket for storage. There are six completely different coloration choices for hikers and backpackers searching for a skinny, colourful however extremely heat vest.

General, the Cotopaxi Fuego Down Vest is without doubt one of the finest down vests for mountain climbing and is at an affordable worth.

Finest Ultralight Down Vest

Zpacks Goose Down Vest

Weight – 4.2 oz / 119 grams
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, water-proof 900 loft down
Outer material – 7D Recycled Nylon with DWR
Pockets – 2 hand pockets
Execs:
> Nice heat contemplating the sunshine weight
> Good water resistantance
> Makes use of Environmentally Pleasant supplies
> Extremely Light-weight
Cons:
> Sizes is usually a bit small

The Zpacks Goose down vest is the most suitable choice or anybody wanting the lightest down vest, with the smallest pack dimension. The medium vest weighs solely 4.2 oz / 119 grams, will a fill weight of 1.9 oz / 55 grams of tremendous lofty 900+ water-proof down.

It comes with two hand pockets and an inner chest pocket which is large enough to retailer your cellphone if you find yourself out on the path. The chest pocket will be turned inside out and used to retailer the vest when not in use. There’s a drawstring twine hem, which you’ll be able to simply regulate to make sure the suitable match and cease drafts. The outer materials can also be handled with a PFC free DWR coating which when it’s matched with the water-proof down makes this the most effective vest to maintain you heat in unhealthy climate.

Of all of the down vests on this evaluate, that is my private favourite because of the finest in school heat to weight ratio. The mix of light-weight and small pack dimension makes this good for ultralight backpackers.

General, the Zpacks Goose Down Vest is the most effective ultralight down vest for mountain climbing and backpacking in 2024.

Finest Winter Down Vest

Rab Microlight Down Vest

Weight – 11.1 oz / 317 grams
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non-hydrophobic 700 loft down
Outer material – 30D Pertex Quantum Ripstop Nylon with DWR
Pockets – 2 hand pockets + 1 chest pocket
Execs:
> Light-weight
> Heat
> Nice high quality out material
Cons:
> A bit heavy and hulking
> Not low cost

The Rab Microlight Down Vest is filled with 4.16 oz / 118 grams of 700 loft hydrophobic down. That’s extra fill weight of down than any of the opposite vests on this evaluate, so that is the warmest down vest and can preserve you heat. Whereas it might be one of many warmest vests, a light-weight down jacket that has sleeves would nonetheless preserve you hotter.

The outer shell material is without doubt one of the higher materials on this evaluate, 30 Denier Pertex Quantum Ripstop Nylon with good high quality DWR which can even stand up to mild rain for a really quick time period. The material is thicker and extra sturdy than many of the different materials on this evaluate making it possibility as a chilly climate vest.

It additionally comes with generous-sized hand hotter pockets and a big chest pocket.

Regardless of all of the optimistic issues about this mountain climbing vest, it’s barely heavier and bulkier than many of the different backpacking vests on this evaluate.

General, the Rab Microlight Down Vest is without doubt one of the finest winter vests for mountain climbing that has stage of core heat and retains the burden down and the heat excessive.

Finest Funds Down vest

REI Co-Op 650 Down Vest

Weight – Unknown
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non-hydrophobic 650 loft down
Outer material – Recycled Nylon with DWR
Pockets – 2 hand pockets
Execs:
> Good Full Size Zipper
> Good pockets
> 650-fill down within reason priced
> Fairly priced
Cons:
> Informal match, which isn’t all the time as form-fitting to the physique.

The REI 650 Down Vest is a flexible, heat, and light-weight down vest. Squares of 650-fill down, assist keep the warmth trapped and evenly distributed all through your physique.

The down vest features a full-length zipper that extends to the chin and an elastic hem to assist retain warmth. The REI 650 Down Vest has two sizable zippered hand pockets.

This can be a no-frills price range vest that also manages to make use of recycled and sustainable supplies to create this vest as nicely.

General, the REI Co-Op 650 Down Vest is the most effective price range down vest.

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Down Vest

Weight – 5.6 oz / 159 grams
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non-hydrophobic 800 loft down
Outer material – 10D Recycled Nylon with DWR
Pockets – 2 hand pockets
Execs:
> Good adjustability
> Slim Match
> Makes use of Environmentally Pleasant supplies
> Light-weight
Cons:
> Sizes is usually a bit small

With a median weight of 5.6 oz / 159 grams, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Down Vest claims to be the lightest full-featured physique hotter on the earth. Whereas I’m not positive these claims are utterly true it’s does have a excessive heat to weight ratio. The mix of light-weight and small pack dimension makes this good for ultralight backpackers.

It’s nicely cherished by those that like to pack mild, as you possibly can simply pack this vest into its personal inside pocket. Thus making it easy to hold round. With this down backpacking vest, it has fairly a slim match. Due to this fact, you possibly can simply layer beneath and over this vest as you see match, relying on the climate circumstances you might be dealing with.

Despite the fact that it’s slim, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 options 800-fill RDS-certified down insulation to make sure you keep heat. There’s a drawstring twine hem, which you’ll be able to simply regulate to make sure the suitable match.

To maintain your arms heat, there are two hand pockets that may be zipped as much as retailer private gadgets.

General, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 is a superb ultralight down vest for mountain climbing and backpacking.

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Down Vest

Weight – 10.6 oz / 201 grams
Down Fill Energy  – Responsibly sourced, non-hydrophobic 700 loft down
Outer material – 20D stretch nylon and elastane with DWR
Pockets – 2 hand pockets
Execs:
> Sturdy
> Zipper Pockets
> Sensible choice of colours
Cons:
> Not as adjustable as some others on this evaluate

The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Down Vest is created with a heat 700-fill, RDS-certified down. This supplies obligatory heat throughout these chilly mornings whereas mountain climbing or backpacking.

An unique stretchy and woven material is used on this vest to assist improve its sturdiness but in addition aids in offering additional insulation. Whenever you first put on the stretch-down vest you’ll discover that it may be a tighter match than different vests on this evaluate. It’s the comfortable match that retains you hotter. However that doesn’t imply it is going to really feel tight on you. Stretch vests simply work very nicely outside.

A full-length zipper will be seen on the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Down Vest. There’s additionally a detailed hook and loop fastener on the neck.

This fastening helps to shut the opening across the neck, to make sure no warmth escapes from that space. Moreover, there are two pockets that can be zipped up. That is nice for storing any small gadgets if you are on the go.

General, the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Down Vest is the most effective stretch-down vest for mountain climbing and backpacking.

Down Vest Comparability Desk

Down Vest Consumers Information

When you find yourself searching for a down vest for mountain climbing or backpacking, there are a couple of elements you want to take into account. That is to make sure that you’re buying a high-quality merchandise that may preserve you heat and dry if you find yourself out dealing with the weather.

Sorts Of Down

There are many several types of down fillings on the market. Most corporations use responsibly sourced down, if they aren’t then possibly it’s best to take into account giving them a miss. Many corporations even hint the farm the place your down has come from.

Moreover, down fillings are available in two varieties: regular down and hydrophobic (handled) down. When moist, hydrophobic down outperforms bizarre down by way of heat retention.

This implies you lose so much much less heat with handled down, in comparison with bizarre down. Nonetheless, as quite a lot of producers are creating water resistant shells, this lets you cut back the quantity of heat your down loses as nicely. However the highest high quality hydrophobic down is but to make its manner into down vests. I think it will likely be an excessive amount of longer earlier than they’re seen in all top-tier down vests.

A water-proof or water resistant shell can be preferrred, because it means you possibly can put on the vest in any form of climate with confidence and lose little or no heat. Most down vests have some type of water resistant material, which is aided by a high quality DWR end that assists in stopping water from getting into contained in the vest.

Down Fill Energy

We will decide how a lot heat down gives for its weight by its fill energy. The extra heat it gives, the upper the quantity. Usually, a 600-fill power-down garment should still be hotter than a 900-fill power-down garment, relying on the design of the garment. To be hotter it might want to have extra down stuffed into the vest to permit it to loft to the identical stage as a higher-quality down.

Fill energy for down vests designed for mountain climbing sometimes vary from 600 to 900. Thus, you want to search for down vests with a down fill energy between this vary.

Down vests usually have a greater warmth-to-weight ration than artificial insulation vests. Whereas artificial insulation is bettering it’s nonetheless not so good as down.

Baffle Design

The baffle design, which describes the compartments the place the down is housed, can considerably have an effect on how nicely a down vest performs. All of the down feathers may cluster collectively and fall to the underside of the vest with out these chambers.

The 2 commonest designs accessible are the sewn-through, which sews the 2 partitions collectively. All of the vests on this evaluate use sewn-through baffles.

Field baffle design is considerably higher high quality, however high quality comes at a better price. They insert a further strip of cloth between each layers to create a field that allows essentially the most loft.

Often, Field Baffles retain extra warmth. A down vest that makes use of a field baffle design is far more costly and higher suited to very chilly temperatures or mountaineering.

Weight

Gear that’s light-weight is less complicated in your physique than gear that’s hefty. Because of this, clothes for mountain climbing, trekking, and backpacking is often fairly mild. One of many essential advantages of down vests is that they’re usually fairly mild and can compress and pack into a really small pack dimension. Excellent for backpacking and lighter than a down jacket.

Because of this, it’s best to guarantee your down vest is as mild as doable. This may make sporting and carrying this vest a lot simpler.

Match

Match is sort of a private alternative, however usually, you need a down vest to have fairly a detailed match. That is to make sure that you keep as a lot warmth as doable. The size of the vest and the kind of neck the vest has is essential.

You wish to really feel comfy, however you additionally want to make sure that the vest is fulfilling its function and preserving you as heat as doable. A stretch vest offers the most effective match which can make sure you retain as a lot warmth as doable

Pockets

Pockets are one other private characteristic. Most down vests will characteristic two pockets, on the surface. But, some producers will give you extra pockets by way of exterior and inside pockets.

The quantity of pockets you want in your vest is determined by what number of gadgets and the scale of the gadgets you want to hold in your individual.

Some exterior pockets additionally include zips, which is beneficial if you’re recognized for dropping issues. Nonetheless, it’s best to double-check the form of pockets your chosen down vest has.

Many of the finest down vests have a reversible pocket that’s used to stuff the vest when not in use as few use a stuff sack for storage.

Compression

Because of the nice loft that down-filling has, all down-filled clothes compresses down fairly small. Nonetheless, undoubtedly sure vests will do it extra effectively than others.

You possibly can see why they’re so well-liked amongst hikers and backpackers, contemplating that the smallest a down vest may compress to is roughly the scale of a big orange. The material chosen for the shell and liner, not the down itself, makes essentially the most distinction in packability.

You will discover sure down vests have an inside pocket which you’ll be able to pack the vest into. This makes transporting or storing your down vest a lot simpler, nonetheless, it’s not a necessity.

Conclusion

The perfect down vests for mountain climbing and backpacking in 2024 are:

Incessantly Requested Questions

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