Chasing for a ladies' down coat? We can help. We assessed more than 80 of the market's best models and acquired the best 10. Equipped with every kind of weaponry, we put every contender through a progression of no holds barred testing amid the coldest months. Our analyzers went the extent that Antarctica, putting each model to a definitive test. We consolidated in general encounters with particular and comprehensive tests to completely look at the contrasts between the contenders. We fixated on execution in warm catching capacity, how well they repulsed wet winter climate and their level of sturdiness. We likewise scored every contender as indicated by their relative weight and compressibility. Regardless of what sort of winter you live in or plan to movement to, our far reaching survey causes you disregard the showcasing and aides you to the correct item for the conditions.
As new as 2018, our survey incorporates 10 of the best contenders available. Deposing the past Editors' Choice out of the blue, the Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody stole the show. Following firmly behind, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer remains a noteworthy 4.5 ounces and wins our Top Pick as a ultralight contender, which likewise gives a momentous measure of warmth. The Rab Microlight Alpine is our best decision for when difficult situations arise, while the REI Magma 850 is a take for $189.
Best Overall Women's Model
Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody - Women's
Editors' Choice Award
$525.00
at REI
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Down fill: 850 fill control goose down, with Coreloft engineered protection | Weight: 10 oz
Unbelievably light
Minimal
Warm
Packs a different yet joined stuff sack
Glove-accommodating hood and sew alterations
Costly
Lighter weight textures can be delicate
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody is an awe-inspiring contender. It was by a wide margin the hottest coat in this audit, puffing up to double the space of the normal rivalry—however pressing down similarly as little. The ultrawarm neckline guarantees this is a serious climate prepared model and makes it feel more like an undertaking parka than a lightweight down coat, without the mass and weight. This was the main coat in this survey we could take ice moving as our solitary warm coat—the others were no place close sufficiently warm. We cherished everything about this coat—the shape was thin and athletic, and it permitted magnificent opportunity of development when we made some climbing moves in it. This is significantly more costly than a large portion of the coats in this survey, yet as we probably am aware, you regularly get what you pay for. This model will have an upbeat home in our bunch of protecting layers for a long time to come.
Read audit: Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody
Top Pick Ultralight Competitor
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's
Top Pick Award
$209.97
(40% off)
at Backcountry
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Down fill: 800 fill control Q.Shield down, and Responsible Down Standard affirmed | Weight: 4.5 oz
Unfathomably light
Conservative
Warm for its size and weight
Packs into its pocket
No real way to secure the hood
No chest take
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer was at long last expelled for the current year from our Editor's Choice honor by the Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody. In any case, it is as yet a reasonable honor champ, gaining our Top Pick as Best Ultralight show. It is one of the hottest coats we tried for its amazing light weight. It is made of exceedingly compressible 800-fill down, and amazingly solid for rough outside utilize—we even shake moved in it when pre-winter temps dropped in the desert. This is an extraordinary remain solitary layer for direct temps and is anything but difficult to layer when you're out midwinter; this makes it hard desert on any experience, urban or outside. The coat is styled for the ardent outside individual and looks smooth and jazzy if that is your stick. It stuffs into its hand stash and has a circle that is anything but difficult to clasp to an outfit. This was our most loved for dusk risings of desert towers when speed and low weight are basic to getting to the rappels previously dull—regardless you need to search sharp for those delightful nightfall summit shots. In case you're hoping to dump the hood, this hoody is likewise accessible in the Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket - Women's.
Read survey: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's
Best On a Tight Budget
REI Co-operation Magma 850 - Women's
Best Buy Award
$93.83
(half off)
at REI
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Down fill: 650 fill shut down, Responsible Down Standard guaranteed | Weight: 6 oz
Reasonable
Excellent materials and assembling
Exceptionally lightweight
Simple to layer under shell
No hood
Harder to spruce up
The REI Co-operation Magma 850 is an extraordinary coat, particularly at the cost. The Magma is a nearby contender for the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer, and we speculate that in the event that it came in two alternatives—one with a hood—it might have given the Ghost a keep running for its cash. This coat is extremely lightweight and thin, making it simple to layer underneath a hard shell or bigger down coat; along these lines, it's a very flexible coat. You'll wind up going after it as additional protecting amid the unforgiving winter months, and amid midsummer milder undertakings when you don't require as much protection. It's so light, tough, and minimized that you'll be fed to have it with all of you all year, and at the cost, that makes it an extraordinary esteem.
Read survey: REI Co-operation Magma 850 - Women's
Top Pick for Poor Weather and Rough Use
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket - Women's
Top Pick Award
$218.99
(20% off)
at MooseJaw
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See all costs (2 found)
Down fill: 750 fill control European Hydrophobic goose down | Weight: 9 oz
Strong
Climate safe
Athletic cut
Great development
Adaptable
Hand takes flare out when unfastened
Isolate stuff sack is anything but difficult to lose
The Rab Microlight Alpine is a standout amongst the most sturdy pieces we've ever looked into. Presently, with a couple of meticulous updates, it's considerably more agreeable and useful than previously. With the new polymer (rather than wire) hood overflow, you don't look silly when you neglect to twist it into shape. The people at Rab have likewise refreshed the coat's fit, extending the chest box and decreasing the sides. This makes the coat somewhat less square shaped, which causes it progress from mountain to town exercises. In the current all year's of field tests, we saw a ton of compliments around town, and additionally in the mountains. It is smooth and sharp. This coat is somewhat heavier for its size, however it seals out climate so well we believe it's justified regardless of the couple of additional ounces. We cherish the marginally longer arms, and the decrease guarantees the sleeves avoid your direction, notwithstanding when shake climbing. The Microlight is light and compressible with 750 fill control hydrophobic down and confronts light rain and wet snow superior to most with its Pertex outside. We valued the new stuff sack, which makes it simple to movement with, however we would have favored it on the off chance that it were bigness hitched to the pocket so it won't drop out when we open the pocket. As a dependable all-around entertainer, the Rab coat acquires our Top Pick for Weather Resistance and Durability. This contender will be dependable from town to summit. This incredible hoody is likewise accessible in a coat! In case you're hoping to dump the hood, look at the Women's Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket.
Read audit: Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket - Women's
Contrast select up with 5 items
Score Product Price Our Take
80
Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody - Women's
$525
Editors' Choice Award
We adored this coat for winter sports where light weight and warmth extremely matter, for example, ice climbing and ski visiting.
76
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's
$350
Top Pick Award
This coat is a fantastic protecting layer or independent coat for milder temperatures, an astounding decision for the individuals who esteem light weight.
72
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket - Women's
$275
Top Pick Award
We keep on adoring the Microlight Alpine hoody for its sturdiness and flexibility in our bunch of mountain attire.
69
REI Co-operation Magma 850 - Women's
$190
Best Buy Award
The Magma is warm for its weight, yet not a major coat for cool conditions; it is appropriate as a layering coat or as an independent coat for warm summer trips.
67
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody - Women's
$279
Patagonia has made this incredible down sweater for quite a while, and it keeps on being an extremely helpful, broadly useful down coat, proper for most uses, however best for none: a genuine Jill-of-all-Trades.
63
Marmot Quasar Nova Hoody - Women's
$275
This is a lightweight down coat which is sufficiently flexible for some open air exercises, yet not suggested for wet climate.
58
KUHL Spyfire Hoody - Women's
$260
A phenomenal mix of style and capacity; it is a greater amount of a urban coat that can confront direct mountain utilize.
56
Canada Goose Hybridge Perren - Women's
$775
Warm, strong, and bounty in vogue, just not sufficiently adaptable for most climbing or open air exercises.
55
REI Co-operation Down Jacket - Women's
$100
Better than average for decently cool temperatures, it's best seen as a decent down coat for those uncertain on the off chance that they truly require one.
53
The North Face Aconcagua Jacket - Women's
$160
This is an incredible coat for around town as it is too overwhelming and cumbersome to legitimize carrying on any backwoods experience.
Investigation and Test Results
The more profound in the forested areas or the mountains you go, the more imperative the things you convey with you progress toward becoming (and how much those things weigh). Having the proper rigging and attire in the mountains is basic to having a decent time, and a protected coat can be the contrast among summit and surrender, celebrating and enduring. Down coats extend comprehensively from lightweight and packable to rock solid undertaking parkas. In this audit, we center around the specialized lightweight class. The coats in this survey are commonly incredible remain solitary protection for milder atmospheres, such as spring and fall in the desert or energetic mornings on foggy northern shorelines. They may likewise fill in as a protecting layer for light vigorous exercises in bone chilling situations, or to wear under a shell coat in harsh climate. This survey expects to enable you to locate the correct coat for your utilizations, yet in addition to outfit you with the learning to assess coats for yourself whenever you're perusing at an open air store.
Feeling hip and useful with an up-to-date and moderate down coat in the Pacific Northwest (the Magma).
Feeling hip and useful with an up-to-date and moderate down coat in the Pacific Northwest (the Magma).
Sorts of Insulated Jackets
The down versus engineered question will most likely never be a simple one to reply. Indeed, even the best engineered filaments are no counterpart for the glow to-weight proportion of normal down quills. In any case, when down gets wet, it should be a pasta feast when you've come up short on white gas- - it's essentially pointless. We speak more about engineered, down, and hydrophobic down in our Buying Advice Article. In case you're keen on hydrophobic down models, look at the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded and Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket surveys.
We extricated a little example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down from one of our test coats. We assessed the look and feel of the treated down and splashed it with water to perceive what occurred. This is previously.
We extricated a little example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down from one of our test coats. We assessed the look and feel of the treated down and splashed it with water to perceive what occurred. This is previously.
After years and long stretches of utilizing these coats, wearing them crosswise over landmasses and for a wide range of exercises, we have concocted an assessment of which coats are best at what, and we have granted some to exceptional execution. Look at the outline above to see where each down rival in our audit positioned in by and large execution.
An example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down in the wake of being splashed with water. Notice how the water is beading up on the down instead of splashing into the strands.
An example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down in the wake of being splashed with water. Notice how the water is beading up on the down instead of splashing into the strands.
Warmth
Down is estimated by the measure of room taken up by an ounce of down plumes. Since down protects by catching air and holding it set up for your body warmth to warm up, the more space you can get, the better. This implies a higher numbered fill control is of higher quality. For instance, 850 fill shut down fills 850 cubic crawls for each ounce of down.
This likewise implies a 550 fill coat, similar to The North Face Aconcagua can be similarly as warm as a 850 fill coat like the REI Magma- - it'll simply be bulkier. In any case, the most well-known misguided judgment is that a higher number means hotter when in actuality a 550 fill coat can be hotter than a super thin 850 fill ultralight coat.
Taking a break from moving in the midwinter sun in the comfortable and tough Rab Microlight.
Taking a break from moving in the midwinter sun in the comfortable and strong Rab Microlight.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody fled with our Editors' Choice honor since it has the most space, and gives high warmth to the weight. In any case, the slimmer Rab Microlight Alpine.
Down is a definitive in protection: it has the most astounding warmth-to-weight proportion and is exceedingly compressible. A lightweight down coat is an unquestionable requirement in each outside lady's quiver. Here we are getting all way of life y in the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody on the ocean ice of Antarctica.
Down is a definitive in protection: it has the most elevated warmth-to-weight proportion and is very compressible. A lightweight down coat is an absolute necessity in each outside lady's quiver. Here we are getting all way of life y in the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody on the ocean ice of Antarctica.
The majority of the coats in this survey are intended to be lightweight, specialized protecting layers. A large portion of them have down in the 750-850 fill control extend and give brilliant warmth and space to the weight. These coats are streamlined for the mountains, which is a testing exercise in careful control of lightweight, strength, and warmth.
The hood fits easily over a protective cap when shake climbing and the general plan of the Microlight Alpine kept us toasty.
The hood fits serenely over a head protector when shake climbing and the general outline of the Microlight Alpine kept us toasty.
Contingent upon your best need, you will probably locate a decent match among our honor victors, and we urge you to see the positioning graph and each audit.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody was super warm independent from anyone else yet in addition enabled us to wear additional warm layers underneath for those additional chilly days.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody was super warm independent from anyone else, yet additionally enabled us to wear additional warm layers underneath for those additional chilly days.
Weight
No engineered fiber has coordinated down to its unbelievable warmth-to-weight proportion.
The Co-Op Down Jacket from REI is a straightforward model that won't use up every last cent. What's more, it's lightweight to boot!
The Co-Op Down Jacket from REI is a straightforward model that won't use up every last cent. What's more, it's lightweight, to boot!
You will most likely recollect forget your first down resting sack; did it upset the manner in which you felt about conveying gear on your back? For some, the interest in lightweight down items connects to expanded bliss in the boondocks. In the event that you are hoping to shave ounces, the featherweight Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's is the undeniable decision.
Scooping is diligent work in a chilly place: an awesome assignment for the lightweight Magma.
Scooping is diligent work in a cool place: an extraordinary assignment for the lightweight Magma.
Weighing just 4.5 ounces, it's the lightest in our armada. The Arc'teryx Cerium SV is significantly more great for its glow to weight proportion. It measures 10 ounces and is the hottest in the cluster. The REI Magma is likewise generally lightweight yet not as warm. The same can be said in regards to the REI Co-Op Down.
Keeping warm with hot tea and the Marmot Quasar Nova Hoody on an early season ice climbing trip.
Keeping warm with hot tea and the Marmot Quasar Nova Hoody on an early season ice climbing trip.
In case you're searching for a decent around-town down coat, the weight may not be a basic factor in your choice. Be that as it may, since down is extraordinary compared to other materials for lightweight, warm coats (and resting packs, quilts, booties, and so on.), we think this is an essential metric for passing judgment on the nature of a down coat. The best coats were those with the most elevated quality fill shut down (800 or more), which additionally covers with our next rating metric.
The Ghost Whisperer was the most compressible coat in this survey.
The Ghost Whisperer was the most compressible coat in this survey.
Compressibility
The nature of the down variables to a great extent into the compressibility of a coat. Once more, the higher the quantity of the down fill, the more compressible it will be. This is another imperative metric in case you're wanting to bring this coat into the boondocks—or when all is said in done, in the event that you intend to bear it a considerable measure. The past metric ought to be your first need, yet the span of the coat, when pressed, can likewise be an imperative thought. All in all, a lightweight coat is compressible (on the grounds that it must utilize high caliber down, for example, 800 fill and higher), yet a few coats may be made of thicker materials which makes them pack into a bigger bundle. Furthermore, the pocket every one packs into characterizes how enormous the stowed bundle will be the point at which you go to cut it to the back of your outfit.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV and the REI Co-operation Magma were the most compressible with 850 fill down, trailed by the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. Both the Magma and Ghost are thin and light in the first place, and the high caliber down enables them to get super little. A little compacted measure is perfect for climbing, hiking, or even bicycle driving where pack space is a product. On the off chance that compressibility isn't as imperative to you as a portion of alternate measurements in our test, we'd recommend investigating the Rab Microlight Alpine or Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody.
The Rab second from the upper right in orange was an acceptably compressible coat.
The Rab,second from the upper right in orange, was an appropriately compressible coat.
Highlights
This classification is a catch-just for the easily overlooked details we enjoyed or didn't care for about the coats, from pockets and hoods, to draw lines and very much put delicate downy patches. As a rule, we like models with tough plastic zippers that don't twist or crimp after some time (strange, yet plastic zippers are substantially more strong than metal ones). Fix drawcord snaps are vital to keeping cool drafts out. A little wool or innovative astounding in the opportune place goes far in advancing opportunity of development.
Be that as it may, a coat didn't must have a great deal of highlights to score very in this classification. The Ghost Whisperer has not very many highlights, however Mountain Hardwear kept the ones that mean an advanced climbing layer. It got high checks for watchful determination of key highlights. All in all, we cherish hoods since they include warmth. We likewise acknowledge chest pockets for simple entry while climbing—and in light of the fact that it helps keep fundamental things, similar to tidbits or gadgets, warm and open.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer packs down so little you scarcely see it cut to the back of your bridle.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer packs down so little you scarcely see it cut to the back of your bridle.
Arc'teryx stole the show again in this classification with subtle elements, for example, a different stuff sack circumference hitched into the chest stash. This component implied we could convey it on the back of our saddle without dread of catching the coat's material while chimneying up a long shake course, and when we opened that chest pocket to recover our telephone or tidbits, the stuff sack wouldn't drop out. The Cerium was the most astounding scorer in the group with the Rab Microlight putting second.
Solidness
The solidness of a coat's material is essential when spending over $200. Textures are, all in all, exceptionally strong nowadays, however there are a couple of things to focus on. Lower denier evaluations commonly mean lower weight however less solidness, yet texture isn't the main strength concern.
In our tests, the lightest textures wound up being the most delicate. On the off chance that it is critical to you to have a lightweight coat, it may be worth giving up a little strength. The North Face Aconcagua beat our graphs and gave a staggeringly sturdy texture made of 50D nylon; the Aconcagua is extreme. The Canada Goose Perren is another first class demonstrate that offers rough material that will hold up to some genuine maltreatment.
Beautiful and tough Canada Goose makes a decent coat. The Perren additionally best our outlines as being a standout amongst the most strong in the cluster.
Jazzy and tough, Canada Goose makes a pleasant coat. The Perren likewise best our outlines as being a standout amongst the most strong in the bundle.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer is an astonishingly tough coat for the weight—the texture opposed catching and scraped area while climbing. On the other hand, the Rab Microlight Alpine performed exceptionally well and earned our Top Pick grant for its strength and dependability in blend with climate opposition. The most sturdy coats in this survey were not our general best scoring coats. This is to a great extent on the grounds that to a great degree solid textures have a tendency to be heavier. In the event that weight and compressibility are less an issue for you, in any case, and you need an incredible around-town coat that will confront long periods of utilization, look at the Canada Goose Hybridge Perren, an exceptionally snazzy urban use down coat, or the super tough The North Face Aconcagua
The Aconcagua is made of strong texture (it earned the most noteworthy score in our test) however drop quality 550 fill down.
The Aconcagua is made of solid texture (it earned the most noteworthy score in our test), yet let quality 550 fill down.
Water Resistance
In a coat or dozing pack, it isn't simply the that does the protecting—it is the little air pockets caught by those down filaments. Sadly, once down gets wet every one of the filaments stick together, so it loses its space and consequently its glow. On the off chance that you plan on being in to a great degree wet conditions, engineered protection might be best since it doesn't have this same issue and holds some protecting properties when wet. In any case, in the event that you do have a down coat, or esteem the weight funds of down over engineered, you will welcome some level of water opposition so that in the occasion you do get somewhat moist, you don't solidify.
The Aconcagua repulsed water like well water off a duck's back.
The Aconcagua repulsed water like, well, water off a duck's back.
Arc'teryx has presented their Down Composite Mapping, an innovation where they coordinate Coreloft manufactured protection in high-hazard territories, for example, sleeves, shoulders, and hoods. In past surveys, these coats remained wetter longer in light of the fact that the engineered protection would retain water which would then hole into the down and the shell texture. In this round of testing, be that as it may, notwithstanding dribbling ice climbs couldn't figure out how to get the Cerium's sleeves wet (which is one of the zones most inclined to dampness)
The greater part of the coats in this survey are treated with some DWR (tough water repellent) covering on the outside texture to keep water from dousing through the material and hosing the down, however they are not intended to swap the requirement for an appropriate rain or hard shell over your down coat. The KUHL Spyfire adopted an intriguing strategy utilizing DWR covered delicate shell over the shoulders, which we discovered exceptionally successful for beading up and revealing insight rain. The North Face Aconcagua was a best entertainer when it came to water opposition. Not hesitating, it has a slick feel that enables water to globule up and move appropriate off. We valued this when we got captured in storms and the chill began to sneak in. The Arc'teryx Cerium earned a similar score when it came to water obstruction, and completed a dynamite occupation of shielding us from the components. It was our most loved model to wear when ice climbing or winter exploring.
Post-climb sluggish fall morning in Zion National stop ideal for the Arc'teryx Cerium SLâ€"we didn't audit this "Super Light" rendition of the Cerium down coat in this round of testing however we adored its "Serious Weather" cousin the Cerium SV.
Post-climb languid fall morning in Zion National stop, ideal for the Arc'teryx Cerium SLâ€"we didn't audit this "Super Light" adaptation of the Cerium down coat in this round of testing, yet we adored its "Serious Weather" cousin, the Cerium SV.
A standout amongst the most captivating parts of this audit was the proceeded with chance to try out a few coats with treated hydrophobic down: in a useful sense, despite everything we can't state we see a major contrast in the field. Water repellent textures still appear to have the most effect in a down coat's water opposition. We took these coats ice climbing and ski visiting to test the water opposition. Trickling ice climbs offered an astounding genuine chance to watch the coats' water repulsing capacities. At last, most coats performed to our desires, with the Marmot Quasar Nova falling behind altogether with how effortlessly the spend material wet and drenched through to the down.
Style
The coats in this survey utilize sewn-through confuse development rather than box-astounds, which are normally held for endeavor parkas.
The sewn-through outline is more affordable to create, lighter and enhances simplicity of development. A few organizations differ the sizes of its puzzles to augment portability and protection. We were exceptionally awed with this arrangement. Under the arms, they put littler confounds which facilitates development of the arms and middle. Littler bewilders, be that as it may, likewise implies more join, and subsequently diminishes its glow. Since these littler perplexes are just under the arms, the zone is frequently shielded from the breeze and generally secured by the arms themselves.
Flip failures and a down coat? Why not? The Magma is smart enough to wear out on easygoing trips in the wake of exploring and is sufficiently dressy to look great on a night out on the town with the young ladies.
Flip failures and a down coat? Why not? The Magma is sufficiently snazzy to wear out on easygoing trips in the wake of exploring and is sufficiently dressy to look great on a night out on the town with the young ladies.
By and large we felt that the fit and the outline of the sewn confuses are the essential segments of style. Regardless, puffy down coats make a lady look, well… puffy. In any case, some look superior to other people. The state of the coat additionally adds to Style focuses. Be that as it may, style can't trump work, in our commentators' assessments. In this audit, we valued the style of the KUHL Spyfire which was a noteworthy mix of style while remaining enough "mountain prepared" and the easygoing style of the REI Magma. In any case, as you probably are aware, style is abstract - and on the off chance that you don't care for the look of a specific coat, you probably won't be slanted to wear it. So help yourself out and examine the measurements for a model that performs as indicated by your needs and needs, and fulfills your own taste.
End
Lovely nightfalls in cool spots: why we possess down coats.
Excellent dusks in cool spots: why we possess down coats.
We trust we've possessed the capacity to enable you to limit your best decisions and make a last determination of a coat for your wintertime exercises. Look at the related articles beneath for more winter motivation! Legitimately thinking about down coats is vital. After some time the down will get canvassed in soil and oils making it lose its space and in this manner lose its glow. To clean your coat, we suggest utilizing a specific cleaner, for example, ReviveX Down Cleaner or a comparable item from Nikwax to securely clean the down and reestablish its space.
As new as 2018, our survey incorporates 10 of the best contenders available. Deposing the past Editors' Choice out of the blue, the Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody stole the show. Following firmly behind, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer remains a noteworthy 4.5 ounces and wins our Top Pick as a ultralight contender, which likewise gives a momentous measure of warmth. The Rab Microlight Alpine is our best decision for when difficult situations arise, while the REI Magma 850 is a take for $189.
Best Overall Women's Model
Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody - Women's
Editors' Choice Award
$525.00
at REI
See It
See all costs (4 found)
Down fill: 850 fill control goose down, with Coreloft engineered protection | Weight: 10 oz
Unbelievably light
Minimal
Warm
Packs a different yet joined stuff sack
Glove-accommodating hood and sew alterations
Costly
Lighter weight textures can be delicate
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody is an awe-inspiring contender. It was by a wide margin the hottest coat in this audit, puffing up to double the space of the normal rivalry—however pressing down similarly as little. The ultrawarm neckline guarantees this is a serious climate prepared model and makes it feel more like an undertaking parka than a lightweight down coat, without the mass and weight. This was the main coat in this survey we could take ice moving as our solitary warm coat—the others were no place close sufficiently warm. We cherished everything about this coat—the shape was thin and athletic, and it permitted magnificent opportunity of development when we made some climbing moves in it. This is significantly more costly than a large portion of the coats in this survey, yet as we probably am aware, you regularly get what you pay for. This model will have an upbeat home in our bunch of protecting layers for a long time to come.
Read audit: Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody
Top Pick Ultralight Competitor
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's
Top Pick Award
$209.97
(40% off)
at Backcountry
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Down fill: 800 fill control Q.Shield down, and Responsible Down Standard affirmed | Weight: 4.5 oz
Unfathomably light
Conservative
Warm for its size and weight
Packs into its pocket
No real way to secure the hood
No chest take
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer was at long last expelled for the current year from our Editor's Choice honor by the Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody. In any case, it is as yet a reasonable honor champ, gaining our Top Pick as Best Ultralight show. It is one of the hottest coats we tried for its amazing light weight. It is made of exceedingly compressible 800-fill down, and amazingly solid for rough outside utilize—we even shake moved in it when pre-winter temps dropped in the desert. This is an extraordinary remain solitary layer for direct temps and is anything but difficult to layer when you're out midwinter; this makes it hard desert on any experience, urban or outside. The coat is styled for the ardent outside individual and looks smooth and jazzy if that is your stick. It stuffs into its hand stash and has a circle that is anything but difficult to clasp to an outfit. This was our most loved for dusk risings of desert towers when speed and low weight are basic to getting to the rappels previously dull—regardless you need to search sharp for those delightful nightfall summit shots. In case you're hoping to dump the hood, this hoody is likewise accessible in the Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket - Women's.
Read survey: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's
Best On a Tight Budget
REI Co-operation Magma 850 - Women's
Best Buy Award
$93.83
(half off)
at REI
See It
Down fill: 650 fill shut down, Responsible Down Standard guaranteed | Weight: 6 oz
Reasonable
Excellent materials and assembling
Exceptionally lightweight
Simple to layer under shell
No hood
Harder to spruce up
The REI Co-operation Magma 850 is an extraordinary coat, particularly at the cost. The Magma is a nearby contender for the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer, and we speculate that in the event that it came in two alternatives—one with a hood—it might have given the Ghost a keep running for its cash. This coat is extremely lightweight and thin, making it simple to layer underneath a hard shell or bigger down coat; along these lines, it's a very flexible coat. You'll wind up going after it as additional protecting amid the unforgiving winter months, and amid midsummer milder undertakings when you don't require as much protection. It's so light, tough, and minimized that you'll be fed to have it with all of you all year, and at the cost, that makes it an extraordinary esteem.
Read survey: REI Co-operation Magma 850 - Women's
Top Pick for Poor Weather and Rough Use
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket - Women's
Top Pick Award
$218.99
(20% off)
at MooseJaw
See It
See all costs (2 found)
Down fill: 750 fill control European Hydrophobic goose down | Weight: 9 oz
Strong
Climate safe
Athletic cut
Great development
Adaptable
Hand takes flare out when unfastened
Isolate stuff sack is anything but difficult to lose
The Rab Microlight Alpine is a standout amongst the most sturdy pieces we've ever looked into. Presently, with a couple of meticulous updates, it's considerably more agreeable and useful than previously. With the new polymer (rather than wire) hood overflow, you don't look silly when you neglect to twist it into shape. The people at Rab have likewise refreshed the coat's fit, extending the chest box and decreasing the sides. This makes the coat somewhat less square shaped, which causes it progress from mountain to town exercises. In the current all year's of field tests, we saw a ton of compliments around town, and additionally in the mountains. It is smooth and sharp. This coat is somewhat heavier for its size, however it seals out climate so well we believe it's justified regardless of the couple of additional ounces. We cherish the marginally longer arms, and the decrease guarantees the sleeves avoid your direction, notwithstanding when shake climbing. The Microlight is light and compressible with 750 fill control hydrophobic down and confronts light rain and wet snow superior to most with its Pertex outside. We valued the new stuff sack, which makes it simple to movement with, however we would have favored it on the off chance that it were bigness hitched to the pocket so it won't drop out when we open the pocket. As a dependable all-around entertainer, the Rab coat acquires our Top Pick for Weather Resistance and Durability. This contender will be dependable from town to summit. This incredible hoody is likewise accessible in a coat! In case you're hoping to dump the hood, look at the Women's Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket.
Read audit: Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket - Women's
Contrast select up with 5 items
Score Product Price Our Take
80
Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody - Women's
$525
Editors' Choice Award
We adored this coat for winter sports where light weight and warmth extremely matter, for example, ice climbing and ski visiting.
76
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's
$350
Top Pick Award
This coat is a fantastic protecting layer or independent coat for milder temperatures, an astounding decision for the individuals who esteem light weight.
72
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket - Women's
$275
Top Pick Award
We keep on adoring the Microlight Alpine hoody for its sturdiness and flexibility in our bunch of mountain attire.
69
REI Co-operation Magma 850 - Women's
$190
Best Buy Award
The Magma is warm for its weight, yet not a major coat for cool conditions; it is appropriate as a layering coat or as an independent coat for warm summer trips.
67
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody - Women's
$279
Patagonia has made this incredible down sweater for quite a while, and it keeps on being an extremely helpful, broadly useful down coat, proper for most uses, however best for none: a genuine Jill-of-all-Trades.
63
Marmot Quasar Nova Hoody - Women's
$275
This is a lightweight down coat which is sufficiently flexible for some open air exercises, yet not suggested for wet climate.
58
KUHL Spyfire Hoody - Women's
$260
A phenomenal mix of style and capacity; it is a greater amount of a urban coat that can confront direct mountain utilize.
56
Canada Goose Hybridge Perren - Women's
$775
Warm, strong, and bounty in vogue, just not sufficiently adaptable for most climbing or open air exercises.
55
REI Co-operation Down Jacket - Women's
$100
Better than average for decently cool temperatures, it's best seen as a decent down coat for those uncertain on the off chance that they truly require one.
53
The North Face Aconcagua Jacket - Women's
$160
This is an incredible coat for around town as it is too overwhelming and cumbersome to legitimize carrying on any backwoods experience.
Investigation and Test Results
The more profound in the forested areas or the mountains you go, the more imperative the things you convey with you progress toward becoming (and how much those things weigh). Having the proper rigging and attire in the mountains is basic to having a decent time, and a protected coat can be the contrast among summit and surrender, celebrating and enduring. Down coats extend comprehensively from lightweight and packable to rock solid undertaking parkas. In this audit, we center around the specialized lightweight class. The coats in this survey are commonly incredible remain solitary protection for milder atmospheres, such as spring and fall in the desert or energetic mornings on foggy northern shorelines. They may likewise fill in as a protecting layer for light vigorous exercises in bone chilling situations, or to wear under a shell coat in harsh climate. This survey expects to enable you to locate the correct coat for your utilizations, yet in addition to outfit you with the learning to assess coats for yourself whenever you're perusing at an open air store.
Feeling hip and useful with an up-to-date and moderate down coat in the Pacific Northwest (the Magma).
Feeling hip and useful with an up-to-date and moderate down coat in the Pacific Northwest (the Magma).
Sorts of Insulated Jackets
The down versus engineered question will most likely never be a simple one to reply. Indeed, even the best engineered filaments are no counterpart for the glow to-weight proportion of normal down quills. In any case, when down gets wet, it should be a pasta feast when you've come up short on white gas- - it's essentially pointless. We speak more about engineered, down, and hydrophobic down in our Buying Advice Article. In case you're keen on hydrophobic down models, look at the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded and Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket surveys.
We extricated a little example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down from one of our test coats. We assessed the look and feel of the treated down and splashed it with water to perceive what occurred. This is previously.
We extricated a little example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down from one of our test coats. We assessed the look and feel of the treated down and splashed it with water to perceive what occurred. This is previously.
After years and long stretches of utilizing these coats, wearing them crosswise over landmasses and for a wide range of exercises, we have concocted an assessment of which coats are best at what, and we have granted some to exceptional execution. Look at the outline above to see where each down rival in our audit positioned in by and large execution.
An example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down in the wake of being splashed with water. Notice how the water is beading up on the down instead of splashing into the strands.
An example of DownTek treated hydrophobic down in the wake of being splashed with water. Notice how the water is beading up on the down instead of splashing into the strands.
Warmth
Down is estimated by the measure of room taken up by an ounce of down plumes. Since down protects by catching air and holding it set up for your body warmth to warm up, the more space you can get, the better. This implies a higher numbered fill control is of higher quality. For instance, 850 fill shut down fills 850 cubic crawls for each ounce of down.
This likewise implies a 550 fill coat, similar to The North Face Aconcagua can be similarly as warm as a 850 fill coat like the REI Magma- - it'll simply be bulkier. In any case, the most well-known misguided judgment is that a higher number means hotter when in actuality a 550 fill coat can be hotter than a super thin 850 fill ultralight coat.
Taking a break from moving in the midwinter sun in the comfortable and tough Rab Microlight.
Taking a break from moving in the midwinter sun in the comfortable and strong Rab Microlight.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody fled with our Editors' Choice honor since it has the most space, and gives high warmth to the weight. In any case, the slimmer Rab Microlight Alpine.
Down is a definitive in protection: it has the most astounding warmth-to-weight proportion and is exceedingly compressible. A lightweight down coat is an unquestionable requirement in each outside lady's quiver. Here we are getting all way of life y in the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody on the ocean ice of Antarctica.
Down is a definitive in protection: it has the most elevated warmth-to-weight proportion and is very compressible. A lightweight down coat is an absolute necessity in each outside lady's quiver. Here we are getting all way of life y in the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody on the ocean ice of Antarctica.
The majority of the coats in this survey are intended to be lightweight, specialized protecting layers. A large portion of them have down in the 750-850 fill control extend and give brilliant warmth and space to the weight. These coats are streamlined for the mountains, which is a testing exercise in careful control of lightweight, strength, and warmth.
The hood fits easily over a protective cap when shake climbing and the general plan of the Microlight Alpine kept us toasty.
The hood fits serenely over a head protector when shake climbing and the general outline of the Microlight Alpine kept us toasty.
Contingent upon your best need, you will probably locate a decent match among our honor victors, and we urge you to see the positioning graph and each audit.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody was super warm independent from anyone else yet in addition enabled us to wear additional warm layers underneath for those additional chilly days.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV Hoody was super warm independent from anyone else, yet additionally enabled us to wear additional warm layers underneath for those additional chilly days.
Weight
No engineered fiber has coordinated down to its unbelievable warmth-to-weight proportion.
The Co-Op Down Jacket from REI is a straightforward model that won't use up every last cent. What's more, it's lightweight to boot!
The Co-Op Down Jacket from REI is a straightforward model that won't use up every last cent. What's more, it's lightweight, to boot!
You will most likely recollect forget your first down resting sack; did it upset the manner in which you felt about conveying gear on your back? For some, the interest in lightweight down items connects to expanded bliss in the boondocks. In the event that you are hoping to shave ounces, the featherweight Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hooded - Women's is the undeniable decision.
Scooping is diligent work in a chilly place: an awesome assignment for the lightweight Magma.
Scooping is diligent work in a cool place: an extraordinary assignment for the lightweight Magma.
Weighing just 4.5 ounces, it's the lightest in our armada. The Arc'teryx Cerium SV is significantly more great for its glow to weight proportion. It measures 10 ounces and is the hottest in the cluster. The REI Magma is likewise generally lightweight yet not as warm. The same can be said in regards to the REI Co-Op Down.
Keeping warm with hot tea and the Marmot Quasar Nova Hoody on an early season ice climbing trip.
Keeping warm with hot tea and the Marmot Quasar Nova Hoody on an early season ice climbing trip.
In case you're searching for a decent around-town down coat, the weight may not be a basic factor in your choice. Be that as it may, since down is extraordinary compared to other materials for lightweight, warm coats (and resting packs, quilts, booties, and so on.), we think this is an essential metric for passing judgment on the nature of a down coat. The best coats were those with the most elevated quality fill shut down (800 or more), which additionally covers with our next rating metric.
The Ghost Whisperer was the most compressible coat in this survey.
The Ghost Whisperer was the most compressible coat in this survey.
Compressibility
The nature of the down variables to a great extent into the compressibility of a coat. Once more, the higher the quantity of the down fill, the more compressible it will be. This is another imperative metric in case you're wanting to bring this coat into the boondocks—or when all is said in done, in the event that you intend to bear it a considerable measure. The past metric ought to be your first need, yet the span of the coat, when pressed, can likewise be an imperative thought. All in all, a lightweight coat is compressible (on the grounds that it must utilize high caliber down, for example, 800 fill and higher), yet a few coats may be made of thicker materials which makes them pack into a bigger bundle. Furthermore, the pocket every one packs into characterizes how enormous the stowed bundle will be the point at which you go to cut it to the back of your outfit.
The Arc'teryx Cerium SV and the REI Co-operation Magma were the most compressible with 850 fill down, trailed by the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. Both the Magma and Ghost are thin and light in the first place, and the high caliber down enables them to get super little. A little compacted measure is perfect for climbing, hiking, or even bicycle driving where pack space is a product. On the off chance that compressibility isn't as imperative to you as a portion of alternate measurements in our test, we'd recommend investigating the Rab Microlight Alpine or Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody.
The Rab second from the upper right in orange was an acceptably compressible coat.
The Rab,second from the upper right in orange, was an appropriately compressible coat.
Highlights
This classification is a catch-just for the easily overlooked details we enjoyed or didn't care for about the coats, from pockets and hoods, to draw lines and very much put delicate downy patches. As a rule, we like models with tough plastic zippers that don't twist or crimp after some time (strange, yet plastic zippers are substantially more strong than metal ones). Fix drawcord snaps are vital to keeping cool drafts out. A little wool or innovative astounding in the opportune place goes far in advancing opportunity of development.
Be that as it may, a coat didn't must have a great deal of highlights to score very in this classification. The Ghost Whisperer has not very many highlights, however Mountain Hardwear kept the ones that mean an advanced climbing layer. It got high checks for watchful determination of key highlights. All in all, we cherish hoods since they include warmth. We likewise acknowledge chest pockets for simple entry while climbing—and in light of the fact that it helps keep fundamental things, similar to tidbits or gadgets, warm and open.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer packs down so little you scarcely see it cut to the back of your bridle.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer packs down so little you scarcely see it cut to the back of your bridle.
Arc'teryx stole the show again in this classification with subtle elements, for example, a different stuff sack circumference hitched into the chest stash. This component implied we could convey it on the back of our saddle without dread of catching the coat's material while chimneying up a long shake course, and when we opened that chest pocket to recover our telephone or tidbits, the stuff sack wouldn't drop out. The Cerium was the most astounding scorer in the group with the Rab Microlight putting second.
Solidness
The solidness of a coat's material is essential when spending over $200. Textures are, all in all, exceptionally strong nowadays, however there are a couple of things to focus on. Lower denier evaluations commonly mean lower weight however less solidness, yet texture isn't the main strength concern.
In our tests, the lightest textures wound up being the most delicate. On the off chance that it is critical to you to have a lightweight coat, it may be worth giving up a little strength. The North Face Aconcagua beat our graphs and gave a staggeringly sturdy texture made of 50D nylon; the Aconcagua is extreme. The Canada Goose Perren is another first class demonstrate that offers rough material that will hold up to some genuine maltreatment.
Beautiful and tough Canada Goose makes a decent coat. The Perren additionally best our outlines as being a standout amongst the most strong in the cluster.
Jazzy and tough, Canada Goose makes a pleasant coat. The Perren likewise best our outlines as being a standout amongst the most strong in the bundle.
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer is an astonishingly tough coat for the weight—the texture opposed catching and scraped area while climbing. On the other hand, the Rab Microlight Alpine performed exceptionally well and earned our Top Pick grant for its strength and dependability in blend with climate opposition. The most sturdy coats in this survey were not our general best scoring coats. This is to a great extent on the grounds that to a great degree solid textures have a tendency to be heavier. In the event that weight and compressibility are less an issue for you, in any case, and you need an incredible around-town coat that will confront long periods of utilization, look at the Canada Goose Hybridge Perren, an exceptionally snazzy urban use down coat, or the super tough The North Face Aconcagua
The Aconcagua is made of strong texture (it earned the most noteworthy score in our test) however drop quality 550 fill down.
The Aconcagua is made of solid texture (it earned the most noteworthy score in our test), yet let quality 550 fill down.
Water Resistance
In a coat or dozing pack, it isn't simply the that does the protecting—it is the little air pockets caught by those down filaments. Sadly, once down gets wet every one of the filaments stick together, so it loses its space and consequently its glow. On the off chance that you plan on being in to a great degree wet conditions, engineered protection might be best since it doesn't have this same issue and holds some protecting properties when wet. In any case, in the event that you do have a down coat, or esteem the weight funds of down over engineered, you will welcome some level of water opposition so that in the occasion you do get somewhat moist, you don't solidify.
The Aconcagua repulsed water like well water off a duck's back.
The Aconcagua repulsed water like, well, water off a duck's back.
Arc'teryx has presented their Down Composite Mapping, an innovation where they coordinate Coreloft manufactured protection in high-hazard territories, for example, sleeves, shoulders, and hoods. In past surveys, these coats remained wetter longer in light of the fact that the engineered protection would retain water which would then hole into the down and the shell texture. In this round of testing, be that as it may, notwithstanding dribbling ice climbs couldn't figure out how to get the Cerium's sleeves wet (which is one of the zones most inclined to dampness)
The greater part of the coats in this survey are treated with some DWR (tough water repellent) covering on the outside texture to keep water from dousing through the material and hosing the down, however they are not intended to swap the requirement for an appropriate rain or hard shell over your down coat. The KUHL Spyfire adopted an intriguing strategy utilizing DWR covered delicate shell over the shoulders, which we discovered exceptionally successful for beading up and revealing insight rain. The North Face Aconcagua was a best entertainer when it came to water opposition. Not hesitating, it has a slick feel that enables water to globule up and move appropriate off. We valued this when we got captured in storms and the chill began to sneak in. The Arc'teryx Cerium earned a similar score when it came to water obstruction, and completed a dynamite occupation of shielding us from the components. It was our most loved model to wear when ice climbing or winter exploring.
Post-climb sluggish fall morning in Zion National stop ideal for the Arc'teryx Cerium SLâ€"we didn't audit this "Super Light" rendition of the Cerium down coat in this round of testing however we adored its "Serious Weather" cousin the Cerium SV.
Post-climb languid fall morning in Zion National stop, ideal for the Arc'teryx Cerium SLâ€"we didn't audit this "Super Light" adaptation of the Cerium down coat in this round of testing, yet we adored its "Serious Weather" cousin, the Cerium SV.
A standout amongst the most captivating parts of this audit was the proceeded with chance to try out a few coats with treated hydrophobic down: in a useful sense, despite everything we can't state we see a major contrast in the field. Water repellent textures still appear to have the most effect in a down coat's water opposition. We took these coats ice climbing and ski visiting to test the water opposition. Trickling ice climbs offered an astounding genuine chance to watch the coats' water repulsing capacities. At last, most coats performed to our desires, with the Marmot Quasar Nova falling behind altogether with how effortlessly the spend material wet and drenched through to the down.
Style
The coats in this survey utilize sewn-through confuse development rather than box-astounds, which are normally held for endeavor parkas.
The sewn-through outline is more affordable to create, lighter and enhances simplicity of development. A few organizations differ the sizes of its puzzles to augment portability and protection. We were exceptionally awed with this arrangement. Under the arms, they put littler confounds which facilitates development of the arms and middle. Littler bewilders, be that as it may, likewise implies more join, and subsequently diminishes its glow. Since these littler perplexes are just under the arms, the zone is frequently shielded from the breeze and generally secured by the arms themselves.
Flip failures and a down coat? Why not? The Magma is smart enough to wear out on easygoing trips in the wake of exploring and is sufficiently dressy to look great on a night out on the town with the young ladies.
Flip failures and a down coat? Why not? The Magma is sufficiently snazzy to wear out on easygoing trips in the wake of exploring and is sufficiently dressy to look great on a night out on the town with the young ladies.
By and large we felt that the fit and the outline of the sewn confuses are the essential segments of style. Regardless, puffy down coats make a lady look, well… puffy. In any case, some look superior to other people. The state of the coat additionally adds to Style focuses. Be that as it may, style can't trump work, in our commentators' assessments. In this audit, we valued the style of the KUHL Spyfire which was a noteworthy mix of style while remaining enough "mountain prepared" and the easygoing style of the REI Magma. In any case, as you probably are aware, style is abstract - and on the off chance that you don't care for the look of a specific coat, you probably won't be slanted to wear it. So help yourself out and examine the measurements for a model that performs as indicated by your needs and needs, and fulfills your own taste.
End
Lovely nightfalls in cool spots: why we possess down coats.
Excellent dusks in cool spots: why we possess down coats.
We trust we've possessed the capacity to enable you to limit your best decisions and make a last determination of a coat for your wintertime exercises. Look at the related articles beneath for more winter motivation! Legitimately thinking about down coats is vital. After some time the down will get canvassed in soil and oils making it lose its space and in this manner lose its glow. To clean your coat, we suggest utilizing a specific cleaner, for example, ReviveX Down Cleaner or a comparable item from Nikwax to securely clean the down and reestablish its space.
