Ultralight Puffy Vest

[9.1]

I'm in the market for something like the Kuiu Super Down LT Puffer Vest. I like that it has 850FP hydrophobic down and weighs only 6 oz. Is there any other vest that can compete with these specs for layering under a jacket for extra warmth?

Edit: added a table to summarize info from the thread on hydrophobic (which apparently might just be a marketing gimmick) 800+FP down vests

Vest	Weight (oz)	Fill Power	Fill Weight (oz)	Pricing
Kuiu Super Down LT	5.7 (L)	850	1.4	$230
Stone Glacier Grumman	7.2 (L)	850	3.05	$170-190
First Lite Brooks	8.5	800	3.5	$190
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer	5.6 (M)	800	1.7	$156-$260
Rab Mythic	5.8 (M)	900	1.8	$235

 

[WeiserBucks]

SG Grumman vest

 

[9.1]

SG Grumman vest

Good call. I wrote that off for being heavier and having a sheen, but it appears all the extra weight is in the additional down.

 

[WeiserBucks]

all the extra weight is in the additional down.

Nailed it.

 

[handwerk]

I'm happy with my FL brooks down.

 

[nnmarcher]

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer vest is 800fp and 5.6oz. I have no experience with it though


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[cowdisciple]

Feathered Friends makes some very cozy down vests. 7oz total with 2.2 oz of 900 fill power down.

 

[thegrouse]

I have the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer vest. Very light

 

[Streamers&7wts]

I have both the SG Grumman and an Arcteryx Cerium LT vest. I reach for the Cerium more often. The SG has a snug taper at the waist for some reason, it’s a common complaint.

 

[teph45]

I love my Patagonia nano puff vest. I wear it every day in cool and colder temps. Perfect for layering when it gets COLD outside and if I dont need it I can tuck it away in my pack. It just works for me.. hiking and every day use.

 

[9.1]

Feathered Friends makes some very cozy down vests. 7oz total with 2.2 oz of 900 fill power down.

I have both the SG Grumman and an Arcteryx Cerium LT vest. I reach for the Cerium more often. The SG has a snug taper at the waist for some reason, it’s a common complaint.

I love my Patagonia nano puff vest. I wear it every day in cool and colder temps. Perfect for layering when it gets COLD outside and if I dont need it I can tuck it away in my pack. It just works for me.. hiking and every day use.

These all look like nice vests, but I don't think they come with hydrophobic down.

 

[nnmarcher]

These all look like nice vests, but I don't think they come with hydrophobic down.

I think a number of companies have moved away from the treated down intentionally. Brad at Argali posted this video recently based on his experience developing sleeping bags:

 

[9.1]

I think a number of companies have moved away from the treated down intentionally. Brad at Argali posted this video recently based on his experience developing sleeping bags:

That's really interesting. That's showing a different result from the 90-minute Kuiu test in this video:

Maybe hydrophobic down is just a marketing gimmick and not something I really need to worry about for an extra-warmth layer. That would open up a ton of other options.

 

[nnmarcher]

That's really interesting. That's showing a different result from the 90-minute Kuiu test in this video:

Maybe hydrophobic down is just a marketing gimmick and not something I really need to worry about for an extra-warmth layer. That would open up a ton of other options.

I wish I had enough experience to comment on which worked better for me. I have not dealt with wet down much before and I'm not even sure if my jackets/quilts are treated or not.

I'd be interested to hear if anyone else can comment on their preference for treated/untreated.

 

[thegrouse]

Western Mountaineering does not use it. I believe their website has results of their testing

 

[sheepfiend]

I like my Rab Mythic- they make good stuff.

235$

From website:

• Weight166g/5.8oz (Size M)
• Centre back length(Size M): 72cm / 28.3inch
• Insulation900FP European Goose Down with Nikwax Fluorocarbon-Free Hydrophobic Finish (50g / 1.8oz, Size M)

 

[Walker6]

Western Mountaineering Flash Vest is advertised at 5oz. Had one for 10 years. Light, compact, and warm. It’s a nice piece of gear. Mine’s an XL. I’ll weigh it later if I get time.

 

[Erict]

Another option that may fit your needs - For $199, you could get a SG Grumman jacket, have the sleeves tailored off and have a hooded vest. I have the jacket and anyone with even the most basic sewing machine skills could do this in 10 minutes. I imagine you could even make "detachable" sleeves. Good luck!