Mountain Equipment's high quality outdoor and trekking gear are made to fit your adventurous life.
When it comes down to searching for a warm, durable down jacket, there are so many options on the market these days. Take a step back and think about what you specifically want out of your purchase. Do you need ultimate warmth in exchange for a sleeker design? Or, do you absolutely need a waterproof or water resistant layer for the trips you will be taking? It's almost a given that you'll want zippers and pockets that can sustain long hikes and years of use. On top of all of this, is Fair Trade and where the materials come from important to you? If you've said yes to any or all of the above, Mountain Equipment is ready to meet your needs. In their Lightline Jacket, you will get the best gear for the price without compromising on anything.
Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket Features & Benefits
A Protective Outer Layer
The DRILITE® Loft 40D outer fabric is totally windproof and highly water resistant. This means it is ready to bag mountain peaks, scale alpine climbs, and sustain intense rain, wind, and snow storms. Often, jackets with a solid, protective outer layer are not breathable, creating a clammy atmosphere inside. But, Mountain Equipment has created their DRILITE Loft to be incredibly breathable. It has a microporous Polyurethane counting on it. This allows the jacket to have a hyrdostatic head of 1500mm. What is this weird term you ask? Hydrostatic head measures the amount of water you could put on top of a fabric before it gets saturated. So, a column of water 150 centimeters tall can sit on the Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket without getting you wet. So, if you're searching for something to keep you both warm and dry, this will be your ticket through the storm.
High Quality Down Warmth
If you're in search of a puffy jacket, you are definitely on the lookout for some down warmth. Weight, down to feather ratio, and fill power are all used to measure down quality and quantity. For down fill weight, the more down and feathers included, the higher the given weight will be. However, the higher the weight, the harder it will be to compress into a small space, such as a backpack. So, a higher weight doesn't necessarily make a better jacket. The quality will be more determined in the next two categories. For this Mountain Equipment jacket, the large size has 296 grams of pure down.
Next up is the down to feather ratio. Down keeps you warm by forming wonderful pockets of air in between it's layers. Down is much warmer than simply feathers, so the higher the first number of the ratio, the better. Each Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket has a minimum of 90 percent down and maximum of 10 percent feathers.
Fill power is our final part of gauging the quality of down. The number of cubic inches that one ounce of down can fill is the fill power. So, the Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket has a 700 fill power. That means one ounce of the down inside could fill 700 cubic inches. The normal range of jackets is between 300 and 900. So, the 700 fill power of this jacket is above average.
Solid Construction & Zippers
If you're spending money on a jacket, you will want it to last. Mountain Equipment understands the need for long lasting construction. Out of that desire, they have fully stitched through every part of the jacket, reinforcing every connection. In addition, they've chosen to include 2-way YKK® moulded front zippers. With the knowledge that zippers are often where the cold gets in, they've included a rear insulated baffle. Because of this, your warmth stays where it should be. So, warmth and long lasting products are the focal point of Mountain Equipment product development.
Adjustable and Fitted Hood & Cuffs
We've all had the jacket where you just can't get the hood to fit happily on top of your head. Whether it's tugging on your neck or doesn't actually keep your cheeks out of the wind. The Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket has built in an adjustable zip-off hood with three panels. So, for days that it is unneeded, simply leave it behind. But, for those blustery days of wind and snow, the three panel construction will sculpt to your head for exceptional fit and protection.
Anytime there is an opening in the jacket, there is the possibility for moisture and cold to seep in. So, Mountain Equipment made each cuff adjustable with velcro. In addition, the hem of the jacket has bungee draw cords to cinch around your waist to keep in the heat. This jacket will keep you all buttoned up because of it's adjustability.
Three Zippered Pockets
On any excursion, one of the simple joys is warming your hands in your pockets. So, Mountain Equipment has provided two zippered pockets on the outside of the jacket. For your keys, wallet, or other essentials, there is a zippered security pocket near the inside of the chest. These three pockets work together to keep your valuables safe and your fingers toasty warm.
Fair Wear Foundation & the Down Codex
With everything that is happening in our world today, it is great to know when you can support solid companies who pay well and have good practices. Mountain Equipment is a leader in the Fair Wear Foundation. After working closely with them for four years, they have achieved a monitoring percentage of ninety one percent. This means that the labor conditions and sustainability have been evaluated in almost all of their factories and supply chains. Delving further in, Mountain Equipment supports living wages, reasonable working hours, safe and healthy working conditions, and the prevention of child labour through their leadership status. So, by choosing Mountain Equipment, you're choosing to support hard working people.
Mountain Equipment cares not only about their workers, but about where their down comes from. Only by-product down from the meat and egg industry is used in every single Mountain Equipment jacket. This perfectly warm down would have otherwise been thrown out. If someone wants to be a Mountain Equipment down supplier, they have to agree to the Down Codex. Their factories, farmland, and slaughterhouses will all be examined for solid, healthy practices. These audits are carried out by the International Down & Feather Laboratory. Thanks to all Mountain Equipment is doing, they are helping save the world, one worker and duck at a time.
What Travelers Are Saying About the Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket
Reviews everywhere are incredibly excited at the price point they find the Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket at. With other jackets of this down quality, you would expect to pay well above five hundred dollars. Mountain Equipment doesn't overdo it on advertising, but instead relies on word of mouth and their products to speak for themselves. This allows for the lower price point. Also, most reviewers mention that the jacket runs small, but is the warmest they've ever owned. In addition, this jacket easily made out top five list of men's winter jackets. Speaking of those, let's look at some alternatives.
Alternative Men’s Winter Jackets
Columbia OutDry EX Gold Down Hooded Jacket
At a lower price point then Mountain Equipment, Columbia's alternative has many of the same features as the Lightline. Adventurers find this jacket well loved with its attached hood, zippered pockets, 700 fill power down, and a waterproof outer shell. The down is also responsibly sourced, so a great alternative for those big hearts out there. This jacket also has bonded, horizontal baffles to keep the down in, a common issue with down jackets. So, think and research well before choosing your down jacket, as there are plenty of solid contenders.
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket
The Rab brand hails from Europe, so they understand the need to stay warm in cold and wet conditions. Their fine tuned Microlight jacket will keep you plenty warm with 430 gram wool and 750 fill power. The down is also hydrophobic, keeping you dry and warm longer. Their construction rivals Mountain Equipments as well. One difference in these jackets is that the Rab hood advertises itself as helmet compatible. So, if you're planning on doing some alpine climbing or other adventure sports, this is a great choice. The pricing is about the same as the Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket as well. One last perk about this jacket is that it packs down tightly into it's pocket for ease of packing if and when you get warm!
Eddie Bauer Downlight Stormdown Hooded Jacket
The Eddie Bauer Downlight Stormdown jacket is a slightly less expensive option. With similar features, it gives both Mountain Equipment, Columbia, and Rab a run for their money. Between the recycled moisture shedding outside to the 800 fill insulation, this jacket holds it's own. In addition, this down has been dry treated so it will retain loft (read: warmth) even when wet. It is also certified to be Responsible Down Standard by the Control Union. Finally, you can even track where the down in your particular jacket comes from. So, with a lower price point and equally as good features, Eddie Bauer's Downlight Stormdown jacket is a great alternative to Mountain Equipment.
With winter fast upon us, a quality, warm, and durable jacket is at the top of your list for all of your future treks.
Whether you decide to go with the Mountain Equipment Lightline Jacket or one of the alternatives, we hope you stay warm this winter. Remember to think through what you want most out of a jacket. Between sustainable sourcing, durability, and nice-to-have features, one of these options is sure to fit the bill.
Related Article: Best Winter Jackets for Men Who Travel
