My old down jacket has seen better days, even though it has been a favorite piece of gear for all sorts of adventures. I'm looking at replacing it with a new one. The modern hydrophobic treated down is really remarkable, and some of the new tech fabrics are great, too.

Being that a big use of this jacket will be sitting in camp on shoulder-season canoe trips, do you think I should get one with or without a hood? Hood will be warmer, but a little heavier/bulkier. And canoeing, I will always have my rain jacket (with hood) along which could be layered over the down, but may be more comfortable layering over a hood-less jacket. What do you think?

I prefer them without a hood -- I can always add a hat if my head gets cold.

And even if you don't need the hood up, down it provides more insulation to the neck area and that will keep you warmer.

i have 3 patagonia down jackets, pullover's and zip, without hoods. i have enough jackets to last my lifetime, but if i were to do it again, it would be with a hood.

carmike: "I prefer them without a hood -- I can always add a hat if my head gets cold. "

Yes, not a fan of down hoods unless it is winter. I would be hard pressed to do a trip without my down jacket which stuffs to a double fist size. Very handy and sometimes I even sleep in it. I always keep the stuff sack in a pocket.

For shoulder season I always bring my Patagonia Down Sweater. It packs down small and layers nicely under my shell. I've never felt the need for a hood since I bring a hat as well. FYI, the ultralight version of the Down Sweater stuffs into it's inside pocket and creates a rectangular pillow which is also useful.

One of my down jackets is the lightweight sort with a hood. I don't use the hood when active, but it's sometimes nice to have it when I'm just sitting in camp. I doubt the hood adds more than an ounce or two.

I too weighted this question and I bought the one that did not have a hood from Columbia. The time I did not need a hood outweighed the times I did need one.

I went with a hood on mine. No regrets and I'd do it again. It packs into its own pocket so small and light weight....why not have a hood?

I have both, but prefer jackets with hoods if i might be sitting around a cold camp. If the weather is going to dip below freezing, I bring my
Montbell jacket. It's very light but warm. If it's going to be in the 30's/low 40's, I'll bring my Sierra Designs jacket.

I have 2 Patagonia sweaters; one with and one without a hood. I only use the hoody in winter. For my paddling trips, I take the hoodless for my early June trip and bring a wool hat. No need for a hood.

mc2mens: "I have both, but prefer jackets with hoods if i might be sitting around a cold camp. If the weather is going to dip below freezing, I bring my
Montbell jacket. It's very light but warm. If it's going to be in the 30's/low 40's, I'll bring my Sierra Designs jacket. "

I have a lightweight down jacket with a hood and I'm glad it's there if I need it. It zips up real high with the hood up and blocks the wind real nice. There's negligible weight or bulk with it. It's nice on a blustery cold day for sure.

TomT: "

mc2mens: "I have both, but prefer jackets with hoods if i might be sitting around a cold camp. If the weather is going to dip below freezing, I bring my
Montbell jacket. It's very light but warm. If it's going to be in the 30's/low 40's, I'll bring my Sierra Designs jacket. "

I have a lightweight down jacket with a hood and I'm glad it's there if I need it. It zips up real high with the hood up and blocks the wind real nice. There's negligible weight or bulk with it. It's nice on a blustery cold day for sure. "

And I have one WITHOUT a hood, and wish mine DID have one. I have to add a hat and it's still not as warm as an attached hood would be. It goes without saying, if it's cold enough for the down jacket, you might very well need to cover up the neck and head better to decrease heat loss?

mc2mens: "I have both, but prefer jackets with hoods if i might be sitting around a cold camp. If the weather is going to dip below freezing, I bring my
Montbell jacket. It's very light but warm. If it's going to be in the 30's/low 40's, I'll bring my Sierra Designs jacket. "

Eeeegads! Can I take my previous comments back? ;-)

I have the same Montbell jacket that Mc2mens has.......and come to think of it it does have a hood! I like it very much. I knew Mc2mens and I had to have SOMETHING in common!!.......and now we know.

I was in the same boat, wore out my old one, yet couldn't bear to throw it away. Being to cheap to buy the popular name brands, I shopped Ebay and found one, like new, for $30.00 including shipping. It came from Georgia, of all places. I guess it gets cold there too. No hood. I frequently sleep in it, as my ultra light 30 degree bag only keeps me warm if I do sit ups in it all night.

Definitely hood. A hood adds more warmth per ounce than a hat.

I have a puffy without a hood; next one will be hooded. Opinions seem to vary on this question . . . :).

mc2mens: "I have both, but prefer jackets with hoods if i might be sitting around a cold camp. If it's going to be in the 30's/low 40's, I'll bring my Sierra Designs jacket. "

There's a real nice sale on this jacket if anyone is interested. This is similar to what I bring but I really like how this one packs up into a pocket with a zipper. That's a nice feature to have for what we do.

Without hood...

The warmth of your body heats your neck and head. Always go with a hood.

Marmot Zeus without a hood. Best puffy jacket out there for the money.

I have had a few (and still do) both with and without. Absolutely, a hood is worth the weight and is a better combo than just a hat when cold.

I run cold when I am not moving, so it is very beneficial for me. I have slept more than a few nights in my jackets and a hood keeps the hat in place!

I like this
https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?p_id=2301237&gen_cd=1
8.4 oz with hood. Comes with a stuff sack and is IMO perfect for canoe country.

The only reason I see for getting a puffy without a hood is if you expect to pair it with a shell most of the time that is hooded.


John

Pretty good split on this one! I think I'll go with a hood, and if it gets in the way then I have an excuse to get another jacket :) . Hard to shop for these online when you're between two sizes, though.

muddyfeet: "Pretty good split on this one! I think I'll go with a hood, and if it gets in the way then I have an excuse to get another jacket :) . Hard to shop for these online when you're between two sizes, though.


"

Get the Montbell..........excellent coat but not overkill. The hood is so out of the way and discreet I forgot it was even there. Sometimes I sleep with it on and the hood is definitely handy. Sometimes I wear the hood during the day but it warms you up pretty quick and I have to drop it. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Only a couple ounces more.

Blatz: "Marmot Zeus without a hood. Best puffy jacket out there for the money."

Got that right, and often found on sale, Camp Saver

If it's cold enough I'll add a separate hood/balaclava which turns with my head better than a built in hood, like this

butthead

Without, but I hate hoods. They interfere with peripheral vision and hearing.

If you like hoods, get one with a hood, if you don't get one without a hood. What the heck kind of question is this. Seriously....

nooneuno: "If you like hoods, get one with a hood, if you don't get one without a hood. What the heck kind of question is this. Seriously...."

There ya go.

No hood. I use a merino wool buff if needed instead of a hood.

nooneuno: "If you like hoods, get one with a hood, if you don't get one without a hood. What the heck kind of question is this. Seriously...."

Dissing the OP's question is plain not cool. I've enjoyed this thread and Buttheads link to that crazy hood thingy was worth the price of admission alone.

TomT: "

nooneuno: "If you like hoods, get one with a hood, if you don't get one without a hood. What the heck kind of question is this. Seriously...."

Dissing the OP's question is plain not cool. I've enjoyed this thread and Buttheads link to that crazy hood thingy was worth the price of admission alone.


"

yup, I'm with Tom. We don't need the thread police determining which subjects are worthy of discussing. There is another site for that.

Actually the hood on my Montbell stays so out of the way I forget that its even there until I need it. Obviously I cannot comment on other designs. If they were big and bulky obstructing side vision and flopping over that would be an irritant.

Not trying to be the thread police it just boils down to some decisions are purely personal and I don't see how opinions expressed on either side could help the op, it's not like an opinion on a water filter or a stove where first hand experiences could be helpful. Hoods are beyond a doubt warmer but you either like them or you don't. Unless maybe the OP searches for a removable hood....

No hood.. The Butthead hood is not crazy.. Lots of people here wear them as it turns as you rotate your head and stays snug . Hoods attached to the jacket don't turn when you turn your head and you get drafts or a cold ear and restricted vision.

I live in an area where winter mountaineering stores abound. And of course winter hikers,

And for when you need windproofness or have a cold head while sleeping there is this in a lovely puke green

yellowcanoe: "No hood.. The Butthead hood is not crazy.. Lots of people here wear them as it turns as you rotate your head and stays snug . Hoods attached to the jacket don't turn when you turn your head and you get drafts or a cold ear and restricted vision.


I live in an area where winter mountaineering stores abound. And of course winter hikers,

And for when you need windproofness or have a cold head while sleeping there is this in a lovely puke green "

When winter camping, I prefer a hooded down jacket and a balaclava or three. They tend to get clammy from breathing through them all day/night.

+1 for no hood. I have a hoodless Patagonia Nano puff and it's an outstanding jacket. I have a hood on my shell which i can wear over a wool knit hat if im cold. Having hoods on both the nano puff and the shell would be sorta wonky IMO, and down on your head can get hot quick. I tried both out before deciding and im glad i landed where i did.

I went through the same thing you are going through. When i asked all my tripping buddies, they were split 50/50. The reality is, you cant go wrong!

It’s kinda like the “tastes great!” “Less filling!” argument.

TomT: "It’s kinda like the “tastes great!” “Less filling!” argument. "

Ha!

mastertangler: "

mc2mens: "I have both, but prefer jackets with hoods if i might be sitting around a cold camp. If the weather is going to dip below freezing, I bring my
Montbell jacket. It's very light but warm. If it's going to be in the 30's/low 40's, I'll bring my Sierra Designs jacket. "

Eeeegads! Can I take my previous comments back? ;-)


I have the same Montbell jacket that Mc2mens has.......and come to think of it it does have a hood! I like it very much. I knew Mc2mens and I had to have SOMETHING in common!!.......and now we know. "

I have this jacket as well and really like the hood. It keeps my neck warm while sitting in camp.

I sleep in a Enlightened Equip down quilt and there isn't a hood on it so will often wear my hooded Montbell to bed if the temps are going to dip down lower than 30 degrees.

My wife and I both have Patagonia down sweater jackets (hoodless) and the Patagonia Nanopuff jackets (with hoods). After having the hoods it is nice to have them when needed. They give you some warmth around your neck as others have said. Plus you have the option to either use the hood or not. We have found ourselves wishing we would have gotten the down jackets with the hood now.

My puffy is just part of a layering system. It has no hood, the hood would be attached to a shell.

Hood!