UKH

My first post, and would appreciate any help.

As described in the title, I am after a down jacket that will pack small. This will be used after running when I have to wait at train stations etc and get cold quite quickly. Small (and lightish) are preferable as running with it in my small trail rucksack. Ideally, it will be a little shower proof too.

PS In terms of budget, definitely not more than £200, ideally a bit lower. All suggestions welcome.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

PHD Designs (British company!) will be a good place to start:

https://www.phdesigns.co.uk/

In reply to Kingtubby100:

Montane fireball or Alpkit Heiko might suit? Both pack very small for easy carrying., but neither have hood.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

Try Montbell. They do some superlight down jackets.
https://euro.montbell.com/

In reply to Kingtubby100:

I've been using the Alpkit Heiko for this very purpose. It's not down but has been perfectly warm so far this year, with temps down to around 0 degrees on occasion(Commuting between North Essex and London)
As the chap above mentions there's no hood but i wear a bobble hat anyway. I have a 15L running sack and can get jeans, shirt, socks, pants and jacket in it comfortably.

Excellent budget wise too.
Hope that helps.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

What about the Quechua x-light from decathlon?

It is a light down / synthetic hybrid with a showerproof coating. It doesn't have hydrophobic down though so you wouldn't want to wear it in prolonged or heavy rain.

The best thing? The price. Just £30 at full price. Sometimes available for less than £20.

Mine has held up well to a year's worth of abuse when out bouldering, climbing and running. I find I use it far more than my other, much more expensive jacket.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/x-light-m-padded-jacket-ora-id_8397256.html

Great ideas..I will check these out, I am not far from a decathlon and may give it a go....I have used alpkit before and liked their rucksacks (functional but bombproof)

In reply to Kingtubby100:

+1 for the quechua - great value, surprisingly warm and mine also took a fair beating as a daily use jacket for the full winter in the van in Spain, and still in good enough condition for someone to nab it when I left it at the crag

In reply to Phil79:

The Montane fireball jacket does have a hood (the pull over / smock version doesnt) and is very light.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

Patagonia Ultralight Down Sweater

In reply to SDM:

I've got a Quecha from Decathlon and it has become my go-to jacket for lots of occasions

In reply to SDM:

I would pay the extra £10 and go for the Full Down jacket

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/full-down-m-down-jacket-blue-id_8397298.html

They're claiming 800fp down this season. Design looks a little different to the one I've had for a few years, which I take skiing in a small MTB hydration pack (with water, goggles, camera, etc).

In reply to captain paranoia:

I looked at the Full Down when I bought my x-light. There was some disadvantage to it that made me decide against it. I think maybe the old version wasn't showerproof but I can't remember for sure.

In reply to captain paranoia:

Any detail on the provenance of the down?

In reply to galpinos:

In the description. By-product of food.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

I've tried a few over the years and have found the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer to be the warmest and most compact I've used, but it is extremely pricey. (I noticed some 30% off sales on it recently but even so its expensive).

In reply to Kingtubby100:

On a totally unrelated note, Step It Up by King Tubby is one of my favourite dub tunes. The bassline is epic.

One thought I have about wearing a down jacket after running is that body sweat and oils might not do the down any good, and might mean the jacket needs cleaning fairly often?

In reply to Kingtubby100:

youtube.com/watch?v=3g-ZwqQj1Fs&

In reply to SDM:


They were knocking them out at £22 in January, and I thought I ought to get a 'spare'. But they must have fiddled with the design, as the hood was tight on the back of the head, and the upper arms were made for body-builders. I took it back, even at £22. I do have a few down jackets, and didn't really need a spare...

I bought mine four years ago, when it was sold under their Wed'ze skiing brand. I've used it a lot, and been very happy with it.

As noted above, the design looks different this year; upper body baffles are slightly angled.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

I have a Mountain hardwear Ghost light which I bought for half price. Also a no longer available "Something light" by Decathlon. The MH is lightest and the Dog's. However the Decathlon is my go to as it was £39.99 its light, fits, is warm and I don't worry about sharp tools etc. Decathlon down jackets all have differing qualities of down, model compared to model, be careful.

Good Running

Thanks all, I will go to the decathlon tonight and have a try.
Timmd, nice link

In reply to Kingtubby100:

Arguably the best value by far is the unfashionable (by outdoor standards) Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/men

I have the gilet version - it weighs virtually nowt, is very warm, has hydrophobic down, packs down to a tiny size and is much cheaper than most of the 'outdoor orientated' brands.

One of the most useful pieces of kit I have, and used for exactly the same purpose you have in mind.

Cheers,
Col

In reply to Kingtubby100:
I think I look funnily at dub fans who don't have King Tubby among their favourites.

In reply to captain paranoia:

Missed that, good to know. I've always been skeptical of the provenance of the down in some of these cheap down products, especially the more fashion orientated ones like uniqlo.

In reply to galpinos:

Yes, it's changed how I look at Decathlon down products.

In reply to Kingtubby100:

I use a Arcteryx nuclie fl for just what you describe, ideal light and compact and warm enough for three seasons

In reply to Kingtubby100:

All, just as an update, based on the recommendations here, I purchased both the decathlon down jackets. I think post run, the £39 one is a bit smaller in the bag and lighter, the other one maybe slightly warmer. Both great for the money and have used both in the recent cold weather.