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unshavenman
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A Patagonia down sweater is wonderful for the shoulder seasons and can be inserted into a small pillow case to make a down pillow.
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flopnfolds
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After cross country skiing a down jacket is always what I put on first when I get back to the car/chalet/tent. It feel luxurious after a good ski.
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TheBrownLeader
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I bring a down vest as well as a polar fleece. The Fleece is what I wear, and the down vest is usually used as a pillow in my hammock, or, if I get cold, I shove it in the sleeping bag over my chest and it warms me right up.
I also like having it around for just in case... I feel like with the heavy fleece, a down vest, and a good rain jacket (not to mention a smartwool base layer) I can survive almost any weather.
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luft
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I have a two down coats and a pair of down pants. I bring the lighter Montbell down coat and the pants on almost all trips. They compress down to nothing and I like them in the morning and at night when I am sitting around camp and get chilly. I don't bring them in July or August as I find my fleece and rain coat suffice in any cooler temps at that time.
The heavier down sweater type jacket I wear around town in the late fall/winter. Too warm if I am doing any work with it on.
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NotSoFast
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I've had the same North Face down coat since 1995 and it has held up well. That being said, it has not received a great deal of use because it's way too warm for any level of activity. It is great for cold evenings and mornings on shoulder season trips but gets packed up as soon as I start moving. Packs small. Makes a good pillow.
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OldFingers57
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For going canoeing I take along my Patagonia Nano Puff jacket. It's synthetic so I don't have to worry about getting it wet like I do my down sweater jacket. It packs down just as small as the Patagonia down sweater jacket and I feel it is just as warm.
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mastertangler
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I have a Montbell goose down jacket with a hood which is awesome. I would not trip without it....period. Packs down to the size of 2 fists and weighs almost nothing. Comes with its own teeny stuff sack which I keep in the pocket.
Comes in very handy early in the morning or in the evening. I also wear it to bed if its going to be a cold one.
Not something I want to walk through the woods with but for a warm layer it can't be beat. A little pricey but has held up very well so far.
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CanoeKev
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quote kanoes: "My jackets are goose up. A lot lighter than down."
What is "goose up"??
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CanoeKev
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quote DeuceCoop: "quote CanoeKev: "quote kanoes: "My jackets are goose up. A lot lighter than down."
What is "goose up"??"
Sorry, but if you have to ask you can't afford it; kind of like unobtainium. "
Sorry, I'm a bit mentally challenged!
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toddhunter
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Down is by far way warmer and more windproof (which most people overlook) than anything I've used. Does not matt. Too warm for activity, but oh so nice otherwise. Go for the goose.
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DeuceCoop
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quote CanoeKev: "quote kanoes: "My jackets are goose up. A lot lighter than down."
What is "goose up"??"
Sorry, but if you have to ask you can't afford it; kind of like unobtainium.
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Frenchy19
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Marmot Zeus today at REI for as low as $104. Today last day for and additional 25% off sale price, plus, if you are a member, you will get an additional $20 gift card.
Zeus at REI
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buz
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I have down vests and one serious down coat. The vests work perfectly for outdoor active moving things, curling, xcskiing, etc, when layered up with what is appropriate, no sweating at all.
My down coat is another matter. I downhill ski in it, layered under a shell, and am warm no matter the temp. I walk in the neighborhood in it when it is real cold, and go to non active events in it. That is it, it is too warm to like go to the store in when it is cold out. No matting issues ever. But I also do not let them get wet,ever, except for washing.
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Alan Gage
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I don't have any down clothing. I just add layers under a hard shell coat/jacket until I get the warmth I want/need. If I'm active that's kept me warm down to -20, though I don't make a habit of spending a lot of time out when it's that cold.
Last winter I was in Minneapolis and unexpectedly spent the night with friends. Wanted to go for a walk but it was quite cold and I hadn't brought any warm weather clothing. I borrowed his down coat/jacket and was very impressed by the warmth it offered. Very lightweight and comfortable without feeling bulky or confining, as multiple layers sometimes can. Now I'm pondering the same questions as you. I'm not planning to run out and buy one but if a deal comes along....
Alan
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NotLight
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I have an LL Bean 850 puffy down jacket. I hand wash it it the laundry tub with Nikwax down wash, and then air dry in the dryer with tennis balls. I wash it about 3 times a year. It is very slowly using down. That's ok because its temperature range just gets warmer and you use it in warmer weather. I'm guessing it will stand up to 20-30 washings.
In my opinion, the 850 down puffy jacket is too bulky and compresses too easy to layer. I think the primaloft is better for layering. But just my opinion. You can also use the primaloft in warmer weather - so it's kind of more versatile.
I also have a big down long coat. I can't imagine how long it would take to wash and dry, so I have it dry cleaned once a year. You are supposedly not supposed to do that. It's kind of a pain. Easier to layer non-down stuff I think.
Neither jacket gets matted or has any issues. I'll get 7 years out of the puffy jacket, and 30 years out of the long down coat (more rugged material).
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carmike
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For me, if I'm not active, down is the way to go. It's WAY warmer than other materials, especially if you compare its bulk and weight.
There are *always* sales on down gear...I'd never spend full price on it. Heck, I saw Patagonia stuff at Sam's Club the other day. Or check Steepandcheap or massdrop or any of the other great gear sites. No reason to pay full price.
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kanoes
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pinetree? is the purpose of this thread just to generate conversation? from what ive read, you have a lot of experience outdoors. I find it hard to believe you are clueless about down.
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Pinetree
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Its both for conversation and yes I have lot of outdoor experience to go with getting older but still going. I do have a Mountain western sleeping bag I love.
I do lack completely use of down in clothes worn in outdoor activities. Just looking if down should be something I should own for winter activity. I did start this thread for mainly down outerwear but it expanded which is completely find.
Some of the down jackets look so warm in cold weather,but never tried one wondered if anyone has much experience with it.
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schweady
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Always good to discuss some of these things that seem so cut and dried but have actually continued to evolve in interesting ways. I have seen a lot of new names for treated down fill lately and wondered if they offer any real advantage.
"There are a bunch of different brands of hydrophobic down on the market — DriDown, DownTek, Nikwax Hydrophobic Down and Primaloft's Gold Down Blend (a 70/30 mix of down/synthetic) being the most widely used."
-- a quote from a page outlining this guy's crazy experiment from a year or so back.
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yellowcanoe
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Yes. But only for sitting around a campfire outside.
Not for anything active. I just use a wool shirt, wool underwear and a tightly woven cotton anorak (for wind blockage) when active outside below freezing. That works well for me to below zero, too.
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Moonpath
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+1 for what yellow canoe says. JG
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AJ2008
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I recently bought a Rab Neutrino Endurance after obsessively researching jackets. I am thus far very impressed, although it hasn't gotten really cold yet I have had it out on a very windy (25+ MPH) 16 degree day recently. What impressed me the most was how wind proof it was. The hood also kept my bald head warm without a stocking cap. I am also very impressed with how durable the Pertex Endurance outer material is. My naughty dog with her big paws and nails has jumped up on me many times now with it on and not a mark. With all that said, it is too warm for strenuous activity in single digit+ degree weather. I tend to run a little hot and it's fine for a nice hike, but if you start to get your heart rate up, I sweat like crazy. I think it is perfect for 0 degrees and below, with layering and going on a hike or sitting around camp etc. It's also quite weather resistant, rain and snow bead up nicely.
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muddyfeet
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SunCatcher
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I have a Patagonia down sweater I bought cheap as older style and color.
I love it ! Pack it in a dry bag stuffed, shake it and hang it comes back well when in the woods. Throw in dryer to fluff back up. Not waterproof so where an outer rain gear still works great. Many trips. No complaints. When you are doing a lot of physical activity you can sweat to much. But for light activity and hanging around or chilly mornings hard to beat. 
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mc2mens
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I have 5 down jackets, 2 down vests and one down sweater. For cold weather they can't be beat.
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Moonpath
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I have a couple of patagonia down hooded sweaters. They have held up well and keep you warm down to about 25 degrees. They are very lightweight which is nice. I also have one of their down vests I use at time. The key thing is that you do not want to use down in wet weather. Otherwise, it is a great insulator for the weight. JerryG
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SevenofNine
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I own a lightweight down jacket from Eddie Bauer I picked it up on sale. It's quite warm for it's weight and packs smaller than fleece so I bring it on trips. I find it's good for around camp but even with moderate activity I tend to start to get sweaty so I am cautious to use it only when I'm sitting around. Makes a nice pillow as well. :-)
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muddyfeet
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quote schweady: "Always good to discuss some of these things that seem so cut and dried but have actually continued to evolve in interesting ways. I have seen a lot of new names for treated down fill lately and wondered if they offer any real advantage.
"There are a bunch of different brands of hydrophobic down on the market — DriDown, DownTek, Nikwax Hydrophobic Down and Primaloft's Gold Down Blend (a 70/30 mix of down/synthetic) being the most widely used."
-- a quote from a page outlining this guy's crazy experiment from a year or so back.
"
I've seen firsthand what happens when regular down gets wet, and I am aware that there are some treated downs out there that are supposed to be water resistant, but that article has some pretty convincing evidence as to just how effective they are! I'm impressed and would think that treated down would have no trouble holding up to body condensation.
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yellowcanoe
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Just a tale
We packed our down sleeping bags in compression dry bags. Or what used to be compression dry bags.. We forgot to inspect the liner.. After ten years they liner had developed tears..
So the first night after a monsoon we had sopping wet down. We had landed at a chickee in the Everglades about three hours before sunset. Its always windy in the Everglades so after hanging the bags and also tying them to the chickee supports we were pleased that by bedtime the bags were almost dry.
Of course we had warmer weather down bags with less thickness and the low was in the 50's not colder so dampness did not matter at all.
There is hope for a sodden down item
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deerfoot
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I have two REI down bags purchased for myself and girlfriend (now wife of 41 yrs) in 1973 which are still functional and used if a bit ratty looking. Also have an REI down jacket from the late 1970's which is still in service. I have kept it long enough that it is now retro.
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carmike
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I have two down coats and two down sleeping bags. I love the stuff, but...
...if I'm active outside, as in snowshoeing, XC skiing, hiking, it's too warm and I get sweaty. The down really earns its keep when I'm just sitting around outside, like at a sporting event, winter camping near a fire, winter camping sleeping, etc. For activity, I avoid wearing down.
Just my .02.
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Pinetree
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quote carmike: "I have two down coats and two down sleeping bags. I love the stuff, but...
...if I'm active outside, as in snowshoeing, XC skiing, hiking, it's too warm and I get sweaty. The down really earns its keep when I'm just sitting around outside, like at a sporting event, winter camping near a fire, winter camping sleeping, etc. For activity, I avoid wearing down.
Just my .02. "
That is what I was wondering,down to me doesn't sound right when doing active outdoor activities when perspiration will be involved?
Good down probably can't be beat when inactive?
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Pinetree
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Just curious does anybody use a down jacket and does it hold up or get matted?
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yellowcanoe
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Sometimes. I have the same down sleeping bag from 1965. Its on the trip in a compression bag. It does not get matted except when I wash it.
Washing and letting old sneakers pound on it during the dry cycle gets the mats out.
Same for down vests.
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butthead
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Marmot Zeus, pre waterproof down, 800 fill. Packs small fluffs up beautifully, never had trouble with down matting. If I do will fix as described by YC (I like tennis ball as beaters).
butthead
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Pinetree
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I do have a western Mountain sleeping bag that I really like and treat with tender care and it has done me well.
I have no vests or down jackets and wonder if a person is better off staying with polar fleece for outdoor warmth and dryness?
Them down jackets look so warm at times?
Yes I am worried about wetness and matting in a jacket?
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OldFingers57
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I've got two down jackets. One I use a lot is a Patagonia down sweater jacket, the other I use just during the winter is a Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero jacket. My down sweater jacket gets used year round and does not show any signs of matting. I do take care of them though and wash them regularly and also store them hung up.
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Savage Voyageur
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I have one season on my Columbia turbo down jacket. It is so warm and is not matted or loosing it's loft.
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Pinetree
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quote OldFingers57: "I've got two down jackets. One I use a lot is a Patagonia down sweater jacket, the other I use just during the winter is a Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero jacket. My down sweater jacket gets used year round and does not show any signs of matting. I do take care of them though and wash them regularly and also store them hung up. "
Special washing technique?
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Captn Tony
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Last summer purchased two down sleeping bags and Gunsmoke & I loved them.
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Captn Tony
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We store the bags up packed & hanging up to keep them fluffy.
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kanoes
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My jackets are goose up. A lot lighter than down.
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OldFingers57
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quote Pinetree: "quote OldFingers57: "I've got two down jackets. One I use a lot is a Patagonia down sweater jacket, the other I use just during the winter is a Mountain Hardwear Sub-Zero jacket. My down sweater jacket gets used year round and does not show any signs of matting. I do take care of them though and wash them regularly and also store them hung up. "
Special washing technique?"
I just use Nikwax Down Wash in a commercial front load washer and then dry them with some clean tennis balls in commercial dryer. I dry them on low and go slow and occasionally stop the dryer to break up any clumps of down by hand.
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butthead
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Far as active use wearing a down jacket. Last week wore mine for a brisk walk into town 1 1/2 mile one way to local hardware store, dry 31 degrees long sleeve wool undershirt and cotton t-shirt. Had to take it off in the store and had it unzipped the walk home. Anything more active and it is too warm!
butthead
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Blatz
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quote butthead: "Marmot Zeus, pre waterproof down, 800 fill. Packs small fluffs up beautifully, never had trouble with down matting. If I do will fix as described by YC (I like tennis ball as beaters).
butthead"
+1 on the Marmot Zeus great jacket and they seem to be more affordable than the other comparable brands
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Pinetree
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Well I had to look it up- what the heck is a chickee- well now I know. You learn something everyday.
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cgchase
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I have a marmot Zeus down jacket and it's awesome. Of all my jackets, it is the smallest/lightest/warmest. I keep it in a dry bag so it won't get wet and usually I don't need it .. but when I do, it's fantastic to have . .and not much weight to carry. Never had a problem with compression but I keep it hanging in my closet when I'm not on trips.
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Blatz
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quote butthead: "Marmot Zeus, pre waterproof down, 800 fill. Packs small fluffs up beautifully, never had trouble with down matting. If I do will fix as described by YC (I like tennis ball as beaters).
butthead"
The best and more reasonably priced than most. Just got a new one after 8 years of good use from my old one. REI garage sale $130
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Pinetree
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Ancient topic but still relevant and I still don't own a good down jacket but I think it would be nice and good looking.
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NotSoFast
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I have two: A North Face I bought almost 20 years ago, what was then their Guide series (I think). Packs small, can be zipped into my North Face shell. So warm that it's overkill for most situations, and I hardly use it. Couple years go my wife bought me a lightweight down jacket from Eddie Bauer; it's not technical, more fashion than anything, but it is quite warm and weighs almost nothing. I use it frequently, layered under a windbreaker.
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