Mont-Bell U.L. Down Inner Layer

“I am looking to purchase a very light down inner layer weighing under 10oz. Mont-Bell has two that fall into this category, the U.L. Inner Down Jacket weighing 6.9oz for medium and maybe 8-9oz for XL.
http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=70&p_id=2301283

Mont-Bell also has the U.L. Inner Down Parka weighing 7.4oz for medium and probably under 10oz for XL.

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=70&p_id=2301317

The basic difference between these two is that the parka has an integrated insulated hood. My questions to the UL crowd are these, "Should I go with the integrated hood or just use a separate down balaclava?" AND "Is the hood more of a hassle for most applications?"”

“I think I may have this. If so, it is by far one of the best pieces of gear I have ever bought. I use mine with a windproof outer soft shell.

I use a seperate hood with mine.”

“Wounded Knee,
I kind of thought the hood would usually be a hassle. What kind of hood are you using and where did you get it?”

“While hiking I use a beanie like this...



Check REI for these...they have tons of styles and colors. I wear one of these arpund the fire, mainly because I am a dork.

”

“I am a dork too so that hat should work well. I'll probably go one step further and get Red! Thanks for the advice.”

“i'll second that, he is a dork

...and stay away from the balaclavas...they scare the chit out of your hiking partners in the middle of the night”

“You might also look at:

Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket (10.5oz)
http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Jackets%20%26%20Vests&viewpost=2&ContentId=55

Feathered Friends Hyperion Jacket (11oz)
http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Garments/Lt/Hyperion.html

and probably the best lightweight down jacket you can buy:

Nunatak Skaha Down Sweater (9.5oz)
http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/garments/skaha.htm

That being said, Montbell makes some great down gear for the money.”

“Yep, you have that jacket, Wounded Knee as does Yogisan and myself...if the hood had been detachable I would have prefered it with a hood for those cold morning breezes...as it stands, I think all 3 of us have the model without the hood...and, we all love ours...light, packable, warm...perfect for layering, IMHO...I also have the vest and pants...luxury!”

“Ha Ha! I perfer shorts”

“Well after all of this I went ahead and ordered the jacket WITH the hood. It is being delivered by UPS today. I am right on the edge between large and XL so I ordered XL. Hopefully it will weigh around 8.5oz.

In regards to the Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket. A friend of mine has that jacket and loves it but it is much more expensive.”

“I've had a hankering for years to buy the Pantagonia down sweater. I can get 20% off at REI through 10/13, but it is still $160 with the discount. yikes.

I like the specs on the Mont Bell though. Do you guys ever see this on sale anywhere? I will have to do some research.

I am trying to find a way to justify buying one. haha Ok, how about this??? Instead of buying the zero bag I've been wanting, I will use my 15 degree bag and use this down sweater for extra warmth at night if I need it.”

“There ya go Creek. :) Or you can just randomly make suggestions to people to get you one or the other for christmas....your kids could chip in for the bag or something (btw, this is SPS)”

“What the hell SPS? lol ok, what's the story behind the name?”

“Sweetpeastu :)

Umm TAter and I went on the Roan mtn trip in the rain a few weeks ago. He ended up with pneumonia and I fell down on a rocky part of the trail and thought I'd broken my thumb....apparently, Tater decided that "sweet"peastu didn't quite fit me and I reminded him much more of "Bucky" the cat from Get Fuzzy, his (and my) favorite comic strip. Soooo instead of being sweet, I'm more or less an obnoxious, biting, hissing cat.... :) SOooo he started calling me Bucky on the trail and the cats name was "Bucky Katt" on the comic strip :) there ya go.”

“http://www.comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/archive/getfuzzy-20081001.html


http://www.comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/archive/getfuzzy-20081002.html



http://www.comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/archive/getfuzzy-20081005.html
last edited: 10/10/08 8:23:30 AM”

“That's a great story, the kind from which only noble trail names are derived!”

“click on the comic strip link--I just replaced it with one that fully exemplifies my personality...i mean...Buky's personality :)”

“TB, I bought the U.L. Down Parka last year and love it.”

“I think the Patagonia Down Sweater looks awesome.....anyone tried that one? I like the lighter weight. I think my down jacket weighs 22 oz!!!!!”

“OMG!!! Bucky Katt!! I love It!! I will have to look for that cartoon. HILARIOUS!”

“Euro Hike,
U.L. Down Parka came in the mail yesterday and I love it already. Thanks for the comment.”