Feathered Friends Helios Down Jacket Review

"The Helios is the warmest 14oz you can pack. The cut is close, yet still allows a full range of arm movement without riding up. The 1.6oz nylon taffeta shell is sewn through and filled with 700+ goose down. It can shrink to the size of a volleyball when packed in its stuff sack, yet when you pull it out on chilly evenings, no pile jacket will come close to being as warm. Wear it under a shell or by itself. Cozy lycra bound down filled pockets warm your hands, while lycra trim at the waist and cuffs seal out drafts. The hand warmer pockets are the best I have ever seen. They really hold out the drafts. A draft flap backing the zipper as well as a small zippered inside chest pocket round out the features. The shell tends to leak down, but it also comes is a Dryloft shell that may be more resistant to leakage. The Dryloft version is a little heavier coming in at 15oz. The lightest, simplest, warmest down jacket around. Great for keeping warm around camp."

"I purchased a baby blue large in 800 fill and it is the finest down piece I own. Super craftmanship, fits snuggly (I'm 6'2 185) and it's unique! When I camp, my friends try to steal it away on cold nights because it is light, warm, and feels oh so soft."

"This is my favorite piece of camping equipment. It is LIGHTWEIGHT and extremely WARM and compresses to a very small size in the included stuff sack. Also love the pocket design that warms up cold hands very quickly.

I am 6'0" with a very long torso and the size L is just barely long enough. Length goes to slightly below the waist. Very close cut, but I have no trouble adding light layers underneath. I weigh 165 and am just on the verge between size L and size XL.

In order to save weight, a very light weight nylon fabric is used. So, a concern of mine is snagging the jacket and leaving a trail of feathers behind. The internal zip pocket is pretty small and I would like a larger pocket,

Given all of that, I would not hesitate the buy this jacket again. In fact, I would consider marrying this jacket if I was not already married."