$80 850 fill down puffy!

TxAg

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Nov 5, 2019
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I stumbled upon the Decathlon Forclaz Trek 100 down puffy the other day thanks to an ultralight hiking group (full writeup here). Just got mine in the mail and was so impressed with the quality/value I had to share it here. Decathlon is apparently the largest European sporting goods company in the EU and just now getting into the US market.

Some key specs of the jacket are below. Keep in mind their sizing is European, so go up 1 size. I snagged an XL that fits just as well as all my large outerwear. I test fit a base layer and Patagonia R1 under it just fine. Hem also has a cinch to allow it to be taken in when wearing just a single layer underneath. The dark ivy green is a really nice muted color for hunting.

  • 4.1 oz of 850 Down Fill (US Standard)
  • 10.83oz
  • 38% of weight is down
  • 15D Polyamide - Water resistant
  • 85% Grey duck down / 15% Grey duck feather
  • Stuffs into hand pocket

For $80 I'm incredibly impressed with this piece and highly suggest anyone else in the market for a puffy check it out. Stitching is very clean and no feathers/down are poking through. I appreciate that the baffles extend past the elastic wrist cuff to help mitigate cold spots when wearing gloves/mittens.


FORCLAZ_20DOUDOUNE_20KAKI_20TREK_20100_20DUVET_20H_20_7C_20PSHOT_3a419787-8b4a-4001-9601-de304...jpg
*Disclaimer: My hair is probably not as nice as this model, so I did everyone a favor by using stock pictures.
 
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Deli

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Apr 17, 2020
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I'm on a few backpacking forums and people have mentioned selling their $250 ghost whisper jackets for these since they found them just as good. If I didn't already have a bunch of puffies, this would be high on my list. Thanks for sharing the quick review.

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SteveTX

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Was actually looking at these the other day after reading some review on gearjunkie.com. Haven't found a green XL in stock anywhere though...
 
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TxAg

TxAg

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Was actually looking at these the other day after reading some review on gearjunkie.com. Haven't found a green XL in stock anywhere though...
Sign up for the alerts. I was in the same boat as you and assumed it wouldn't come back in stock until the fall, or worse, after hunting season. Within a week I got the notification it was available so I grabbed it real fast. I'm guessing they are getting in small batches based on how fast it sold out after my purchase.
 

SteveTX

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Dripping Springs, TX
Sign up for the alerts. I was in the same boat as you and assumed it wouldn't come back in stock until the fall, or worse, after hunting season. Within a week I got the notification it was available so I grabbed it real fast. I'm guessing they are getting in small batches based on how fast it sold out after my purchase.
Thank you sir!
 

5MilesBack

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I'm on a few backpacking forums and people have mentioned selling their $250 ghost whisper jackets for these since they found them just as good.
After my wife brought home a bargain bin Costco 800-fill goose down jacket for $15 a few years ago, I scoffed at first. But after trying it out and felt it was warmer for only a 2oz weight penalty, I sold my KUIU Superdown jacket and bought another Costco one at full $30 price. They've been great, and just as Costco always does.......haven't had them back since.
 

rclouse79

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Dec 10, 2019
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I bought one. I like it for a spring/fall jacket, but was honestly hoping it would be warmer when I bought it.
 

rclouse79

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@ rclouse -- did you buy this specific jacket? Did you find the temperature ratings not accurate?
I bought it based on a spreadsheet someone posted on here a while back. It definitely seemed like the most bang for your buck. I think I am just a wimp, and am used to my giant down jacket that is like a zero degree sleeping bag for your torso. Living in Arizona for thirteen years ruined me.
 

gelton

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I bought it based on a spreadsheet someone posted on here a while back. It definitely seemed like the most bang for your buck. I think I am just a wimp, and am used to my giant down jacket that is like a zero degree sleeping bag for your torso. Living in Arizona for thirteen years ruined me.
Reading some of the reviews it seems some people agree with your assessment. I have been using a synthetic puffy that came with a Marmot parka for 10+ years. It isn't the warmest so I am always looking for an upgrade.

The thing is many of the high-dollar hunting puffy's have the same complaints about their warmth...except the Kryptek Ghar, I have heard good things about them but like most things from Kryptek its hard to find the weight.
 
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Based upon their size chart I am confident I would need a 4xl. I normally wear a 2xl but their 3xl says 48-53 and the model looks to me stuffed in that jacket with just a T shirt.

Looks like Sitka sizing too me.


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Vandy321

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Feb 5, 2019
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23 degrees in a 4.1oz puffy...nope, not static anyways.

Still for that price, I'd bet it's an excellent jacket for early fall and spring temps. No way I'd pack this to keep me warm even in sept though, 4.1oz is thin.

I'm going to snag one.
 
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I picked up a port authority puffy jacket on here in the classifieds a while back. $25 I think. Hoodles but very warm and versatile.

I just hate how fragile ultralight puffys are. I owned montbell and western mountaineering puffys and sold them. I was always paranoid of ripping them up.

My port authority is black and is rocking black duct tape patches to cover the snags and ember holes fro the fires.

I will replace it with another when this one is unservicable.
 
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TxAg

TxAg

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I'll be using it as part of a layering system, rather than an outer layer a lot of folks like to use their puffy for. It will probably permanently reside under my Arc'teryx shell with a base layer and potentially an R1 under it. I was more concerned about the overall weight, % of weight as down and compressibility than strictly warmth. I know there are much warmer puffys out there, but they aren't $80 or 10oz.
 
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