As the temperature starts to drop, it’s time to start breaking out the cold weather gear. From wool hats to down jackets to thermal underwear, the key to staying warm in the winter is layering. A down vest is a great option to keep your core warm. But how do you find the best down vest for you?
One of our big goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to help make your life easier when it comes to gearing up for the outdoors. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to choose a down vest and show you our selection of some of the best models.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FIND THE BEST DOWN VEST
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DOWN VEST 101
3 THINGS TO CONSIDER TO FIND THE BEST DOWN VEST
1. DOWN FILL POWERS
Every down vest has a special fill power that often ranges from 500 upwards to 900 fill. These numbers reference the volume or a number of cubic inches one ounce of down occupies. The higher the number, the more loft the vest has meaning it will be warmer. The highest available down fill is 900, but most down vests will be between 650 and 800 fill.
2. BOX BAFFLE DESIGN
There’s a reason why every down vest or jacket is quilted. Without the stitching, the down feathers would fall to the bottom leaving you cold.
Sewing box baffles into a vest is the best way to optimize the loft and the warmth of the down fill. Box baffles are three-dimensional cubes of rectangles sewn into the top layer of the vest.
Alternatively, some companies utilize the sewn-through method where the outer material is sewn directly to the inner lining.
Box baffle construction sometimes makes vest heavier and more expensive, but the advantage is the vest will be much warmer. The best down vests will feature box baffles or a mix of box baffles and sewn-through baffles.
3. FIT
Why do you want a down vest? For extra warmth for winter hiking or to wear around town? Down vests used to be bulky and not very stylish, but with recent technology changes, down vests have retained their warmth, but reduced their bulk. Down vests have become stylish. If style and fit are important to you, look for a low profile down vest with fun colors.
Photo by http://ift.tt/2f1Vgpf
DOWN VEST REVIEWS
TOP 10 BEST DOWN VESTS OF 2016
ARC’TERYX CERIUM LT
BEST FOR: Perfect as a mid-layer around town or for outdoor activities
WOMEN’S VERSION: Arc’teryx Women’s Cerium LT
DOWN FILL: 850-fill European white goose
FEATURES: Water repellent finish, full front zip with chin guard, zippered hand pockets, packable, elasticized hem
PROS: Excellent design and fit
CONS: Expensive
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR GHOST WHISPERER
BEST FOR: Around town and cold weather outdoor activities like climbing
WOMEN’S VERSION: Mountain Hardwear Ratio
DOWN FILL: 800-fill power Q.Shield down
FEATURES: Highly compressible and packs into its own pocket, easy single-pull drawcord hem, zip pockets, built-in carabiner loop to attach stuffed jacket to harness
PROS: Lightweight, warm, and low-profile
CONS: Not as warm as other down vests
PATAGONIA DOWN SWEATER
BEST FOR: Layering for winter sports
WOMEN’S VERSION: Patagonia Women’s Down Sweater
DOWN FILL: 800-fill goose down
FEATURES: 100% recycled outer polyester fabric and liner, contoured fit, internal zippered chest pocket, Zippered handwarmer pockets
PROS: Great lightweight down vest with a contoured slim fit stylish on and off the slopes
CONS: Down feathers might leak
THE NORTH FACE NUPTSE
BEST FOR: Layering around town
WOMEN’S VERSION: The North Face Women’s Nuptse
DOWN FILL: 700-fill power goose down
FEATURES: Internal zip chest pocket, zippered hand pockets, hem cinch cord, stows in chest pocket, zip-in compatible with complementing North Face garments
PROS: Flattering relaxed fit that keeps you warm
CONS: Bulky fill
32 DEGREES PACKABLE
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Small budgets
WOMEN’S VERSION: 32 Degree Women’s Packable
DOWN FILL: 650 fill power down
FEATURES: Standing collar, zip front closure, zip pockets, packable into pouch
PROS: Great quality for a small budget
CONS: Not as much down as other name brands
OUTDOOR RESEARCH TRANSCENDENT
BEST FOR: Layering when the temperatures start to drop
WOMEN’S VERSION: Outdoor Research Aria
DOWN FILL: 650-fill power goose down
FEATURES: Brushed tricot collar lining, internal front stormflap, zippered Napoleon pocket, two zippered hand pockets, drawcord hem
PROS: Compact, lightweight, and great for most outdoor activities
CONS: Fits slender frames better than wider frames
REI CO-OP
Check out the latest price on:
REI
BEST FOR: Layer for winter hiking
WOMEN’S VERSION: REI Women’s Co-Op Down Vest
DOWN FILL: 650-fill power down
FEATURES: Nylon shell with water repellent finish, packable into left-hand pocket, zip hand pockets, full-length front zipper
PROS: Non-bulky warm vest at a budget-friendly price
CONS: Loose down feathers and is not slim fit
KUHL SPYFIRE
Check out the latest price on:
REI
BEST FOR: Men who work outside in the cool weather
WOMEN’S VERSION: KUHL Spyfire
DOWN FILL: 800-fill power goose down
FEATURES: Outer fabric is downproof and water repellent, larger baffles on front and back for warmth, reinforced shoulders and collar, elastic binding on armholes, zip chest and hand pockets
PROS: Warm, packable, and fits well
CONS: Not puncture resistant
COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR BIG FLASH FORWARD
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Warmth and style on a small budget
WOMEN’S VERSION: Columbia Sportswear Women’s Flash Forward
DOWN FILL: 650-fill power down
FEATURES: Zippered hand pockets, binding at arm holes and hemline, standing collar
PROS: Great fit at a budget-friendly price
CONS: Average quality down
EDDIE BAUER DOWNLIGHT STORMDOWN
Check out the latest price on:
Eddie Bauer
BEST FOR: Men who want lifetime quality and warmth
WOMEN’S VERSION: Eddie Baur Women’s Downlight StormDown
DOWN FILL: 800-fill stormdown
FEATURES: Tricot-lined zip hand pockets, packs into left-hand pocket, windproof 50% recycled 20D ripstop fabric
PROS: Great mid-weight layer with a classic fit with lifetime guarantee
CONS: Fit is not designed for slender bodies
Now We’d Love To Hear From You! What Do You Think Is The Best Down Vest?
Disclosure: The Adventure Junkies is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. We also use other programs like REI, LeisurePro and others to keep our site independent. You can read more about how do we review here.
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