High End Outdoor Clothing

5 Nancy H
[ I bought this to replace a 20+ year old jacket that the zipper finally gave out on. This was the closest thing I could find that was warm, lightweight and not bulky or restrictive

4 sjakober
I 've been an avid backcountry skier for over a decade and this will be my first season guiding, so insulating jackets are usually put to good use. In the PNW the temps can get very cold but are generally moderate compared to somewhere further inland, so sometimes a 'light' puffy is just what you need. I ordered a medium and found the fit to be good- a little loose in the chest but great length( which is usually my issue with mediums; I 'll order larges just to get longer sleeves). Love the elastic sleeves on this jacket- not too tight but secure and can still stretch over gloves, watches, etc. My general experience with stretch down has been very positive; mostly due to the added durability. I 'm not afraid to brush up against trees or rocks, carry firewood, or set this jacket down on a rough wooden bench. The pockets are roomy and do n't snag as much as other jackets I 've owned, and the fact that this packs into its own pocket makes it easy to pack along on backcountry trips. I think the versatility and durability of this jacket makes it a great jack- of- all- trades for the multi- sport athlete and a solid addition to a ski bum's jacket collection.

4 KellyVentures
I ’ m a backcountry Ski Patroller that teaches Outdoor Emergency Care and Avalanche Classes in the Rocky Mountains. I need my gear to perform both while patrolling and teaching classes, which usually involves temperature extremes and a lot of transitions between high output activities like skinning and digging and rest periods during transitions and lecture/discussion. I also need gear that is durable and can withstand several days in a row of use and abuse. The Stretchdown light jacket has turned into an everyday staple for me whether I ’ m on the hill or just heading into town. This good looking jacket has the warmth of a normal down jacket without the swishy noises or constricting fit that I ’ ve found in some others. It moves with me while I ’ m skinning or shoveling and, as with most down jackets, this one packs up small so I can easily stash it in my pack when I get warm. I ’ m usually a fan of hoods on most of my jackets, but as a layering piece in the field I actually really like that this one doesn ’ t have a hood, so it has a slimmer profile under my shell and is less bulky. I think this jacket is a great choice for someone looking for a lower profile down jacket for winter layering while skiing, snowshoeing, etc. that can also be worn as an outerwear piece that is comfortable and stylish in the spring/fall. Because of its weight and packability, it ’s a great choice for camping or backpacking year round, too.

4 HKing
I am an adventure supervisor at a therapeutic boarding school in Northwest Montana, and I use this jacket to lead hiking, biking, and climbing trips in cool temperatures. I also took this jacket camping with me in Glacier National Park when the temperatures got down into the teens, so I was able to compare its warmth to some of my other jackets. Although it loses some of its warmth without a hood, it kept me surprisingly warm in those low temps. Overall, however, I found that the biggest positive to this jacket is the durable material! The stretchdown feels more resistant to nicks and tearing, and I can see this jacket lasting a long time. It's also a plus for me that the down is RDS certified-- yay for animal welfare! I would not bring this as my only puffy jacket when backpacking because I would need the extra warmth that a hood brings. However, this layer would be really great for climbing in moderately cool temperatures because of how durable the material would be on the rock, or as a bonus layer to stuff in a pack for a little extra warmth. I gave this jacket four stars, mostly because of the fit. I am 5' 5 '', 120lbs, and I ordered a small because I normally like to layer underneath my puffy jackets. However, a small is too big on me even with layers underneath, and it also has a boxy fit around the shoulders. I would order an XS next time for sure!