Good deal on a lightweight down jacket for women

[trecile]

I just got this super lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo. It was only US$29.99 on sale. I bought the large size so that I can layer it.
It only weighs 6.4 ounces/181 grams, and packs down into a very small stuff sack.

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/product/women-ultra-light-down-compact-jacket-419779.html

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I just got this super lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo. It was only US$29.99 on sale. I bought the large size so that I can layer it.
It only weighs 6.4 ounces/181 grams, and packs down into a very small stuff sack.

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/product/women-ultra-light-down-compact-jacket-419779.html

View attachment 93346 View attachment 93347

Yours looks like a good option, @trecile.
I took a very lightweight down jacket on one of my caminos in 2017. Very lightweight, compressible, and never wrinkled when stuffed away...it was great and from K-Mart(believe it or not) for about $30 on sale. I was very careful to not get it wet...the only reason I usually prefer synthetic on the Camino. I still wear it occasionally locally on chilly days.

 

[Sara_Dhooma]

I just got this super lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo. It was only US$29.99 on sale. I bought the large size so that I can layer it.
It only weighs 6.4 ounces/181 grams, and packs down into a very small stuff sack.

It is a favourite of ultralight backpackers on a budget. Other featherweight down puffy jackets can run hundreds of dollars (eg. Mountain Hardware's Ghost Whisper jacket). Uniqlo also makes the jacket in men's sizes.

A great buy for chilly Camino nights!

 

[nilesite]

I love Uniqlo - and also use it on planes when it's chilly.

 

[Marbe2]

What kind of fill does it have? Didn’t see any indication on the add on the fill power. When purchasing a down jacket one wants a rating of at least 550-600 for cold weather (30s F.) For me, to bring a down jacket, it would need to be the major heating system. As @Camino Chrissy suggests down can be problematic in wet weather. So from my perspective it may not be the best choice in colder, and often wet weather for Caminos. But certainly, for the price, this jacket might work fine for more casual needs.

Down vs. Synthetic: Which Insulation is Right for You? - REI Co-op Journal

Ever wonder what makes your sleeping bag warm? An REI Employee explains the differences between the insulation options for sleeping bags.

www.rei.com

 

[NualaOC]

Those jackets are great and they don't need the same careful handling/laundering as the 'premium' ones. I I use mine as an extra layer in the evenings/early mornings and under a light rain jacket. I'd never bring a fancy expensive one on a Camino.

My best Uniqlo bargain was this hoodie a couple of years ago- it was reduced to UK £4.90 in some colours, so I bought two of them. A really good piece of Camino kit - very light and packable, but still warm enough on my Spring and Autumn Caminos.

 

[trecile]

My best Uniqlo bargain was this hoodie a couple of years ago- it was reduced to UK £4.90 in some colours, so I bought two of them. A really good piece of Camino kit - very light and packable, but still warm enough on my Spring and Autumn Caminos.

I've got a couple of those hoodies, and have brought them on the Camino too. On my first Camino I used it along with a Uniqlo merino wool sweater. Those two layers, along with my rain gear were perfect for my August/September Camino.

 

[lt56ny]

I just got this super lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo. It was only US$29.99 on sale. I bought the large size so that I can layer it.
It only weighs 6.4 ounces/181 grams, and packs down into a very small stuff sack.

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/product/women-ultra-light-down-compact-jacket-419779.html

View attachment 93346 View attachment 93347

Not to interject from a male perspective who comes from having zero knowledge of women's camino clothes or this jacket. When I walked in November and December I bought a great down jacket from REI. It cost $80US dollars, incredibly lightweight. When I wasn't wearing it I hung it from the back of my pack. It was rain resistant but I can't say how much as I always put on my Pancho when it started to rain. It was great against the wind as we had pretty intense winds much of the Camino. It kept me warm in high winds and temperatures about freezing. I also wore a medium layer top. When I warmed up and the temperature warmed up I could walk in the top and take the jacket off. The only downside to it was it didn't have a string to tighten the hood but that was not a real problem at all. For the price and what you get it was a great deal I thought. For a fall camino it is probably not needed unless you are from a hot weather location and like my wife and others I know start thinking they have frostbite at about 50F.
The jacket is discontinued. But this jacket looks like a carbon copy of the one I bought based on the look and description. I am sure there is a women's coat that is similar.
REI Co-op650 Down Hoodie 2.0 - Men's$82.93 Compared to$119.00You save 30%(62)62 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars

 

[trecile]

There are lots of down jackets available, but generally they are in the 10-14 ounce/285-400 gm range.
As @Sara_Dhooma said, a jacket this light usually costs hundreds of dollars.

Women's Ghost Whisperer/2™ Jacket

A sustainable reimagining of our best-selling ultralight down jacket

www.mountainhardwear.com

Plasma 1000 Down Jacket Women's

Based on our highly successful EX Light Down Jacket, with the Plasma we take it to the next...

www.montbell.us

Superior Down Jacket Women's

The revolution continues. Montbell forever changed the landscape of the backcountry apparel world...

www.montbell.us

 

[taigirl]

I just got this super lightweight down jacket from Uniqlo. It was only US$29.99 on sale. I bought the large size so that I can layer it.
It only weighs 6.4 ounces/181 grams, and packs down into a very small stuff sack.

https://www.uniqlo.com/us/en/product/women-ultra-light-down-compact-jacket-419779.html

View attachment 93346 View attachment 93347

 

[taigirl]

I took a similar jacket from Uniqlo - mine has a stand up collar. It was fine. I walk Sept/ Oct so barely wore it but it worked as a pillow on the airplane. Handwashed it when I go home - as good as new.

 

[taigirl]

I took a similar jacket from Uniqlo - mine has a stand up collar. It was fine. I walk Sept/ Oct so barely wore it but it worked as a pillow on the airplane. Handwashed it when I got home - as good as new.

 

[topazy]

I have the same jacket. It does exactly what you'd expect from a lightweight jacket of that kind of fill power - it's not going to be as warm as some of the high end jackets, but it'll do the job as long as you're not in extreme conditions (with suitable layering, obviously).
Also I love Steep & Cheap or Moosejaw for outdoor brands on a budget

 

[trecile]

I've been using this jacket on walks so thought that I'd report back on it. We haven't been having really cold weather here, but it's probably about as cold as anything that I would experience on a Spring through Autumn Camino - the coldest day that I wore it the temperature was around 35F/2C, but usually it's been between 40F/4C - 48F/9C. I wear it over a long sleeve merino T shirt, and if it's rainy it fits comfortably under my raincoat. At these temperatures it's perfect. If it's sunny and I'm walking uphill I often have to take it off and just wear the merino shirt.

 

[Faye Walker]

For those in Canada: LOLË brand makes a packable jacket called the "Emeline" --- I have a few versions; some use a synthetic fill that I like for damp weather, and some models use a down fill that they rate as >700. Over a merino base layer and a sweater, I have walked in these to roughly -14C.
The weight is about 90 grams!!! So: ultralight, and I get mine on sale when they hit between $60 and $85 CAD.
I own't link because you can google, and because you might easily find one on a discount site like SAIL, Last Hunt, Atmosphere etc.

Side note: Decathlon has arrived in Canada and I've ordered several merino pullovers from them for myself and other family members. Soft, durable enough so far, and the fit is nice: fitted but not squishy... and no synthetic fibres in them. Roughly $65 CAD.

 

[trecile]

The weight is about 90 grams!!

Wow! That is super light, and a 60-85 CAD is a great price for something so light.

 

[Faye Walker]

Wow! That is super light, and a 60-85 CAD is a great price for something so light.

Yeah -- regular price can be up to about $180 for these jackets, but I can't pay that. There's a big price variation on the down versions vs. the synthetic fill.... like I said: I like both, and I always buy on deep discount so: last year's colours or features...
But they always have 2 zip outer pockets, 2 interior open pockets, elasticized cuffs, and a hood.

Right now Last Hunt has only the reversible version with the synthetic fill -- and the reversibles are always more expensive. I don't buy those ones... but it's a *sample* https://www.thelasthunt.com/products/lole-emeline-reversible-jacket-womens-llll-loe-luw0665

And this is the one I was able to buy about 4 weeks ago from a different site (Atmosphere I think) for $89. https://www.sail.ca/fr/lole-manteau-emeline-pour-femme-969045 -- with the down fill.

 

[trecile]

Honestly, I'm a little doubtful that the stated weight of 90 grams is accurate. I just don't see how it's possible, especially with a hood.

Buy Emeline Jacket from Lole - Sport - Women's Apparel - Lolë

www.lolelife.com

 

[henrythedog]

Many well-known brands have got this covered, but please make some basic enquiries as to the ethical standard of down supply to your chosen manufacturer. Sadly, animal welfare has a cost and it’s difficult to believe that the very low prices which one sometimes sees are from supply chains where the treatment of the birds from whom the down is sourced would be uppermost in their minds.

To be clear: I eat meat and wear clothing and footwear derived from animals. I try to choose sources which can assure me that the animals concerned are not knowingly abused before they are killed.

 

[donalomahony]

It is a favourite of ultralight backpackers on a budget. Other featherweight down puffy jackets can run hundreds of dollars (eg. Mountain Hardware's Ghost Whisper jacket). Uniqlo also makes the jacket in men's sizes.

A great buy for chilly Camino nights!

Hi Sara! Hope you are well in these strange times!

 

[Faye Walker]

Honestly, I'm a little doubtful that the stated weight of 90 grams is accurate. I just don't see how it's possible, especially with a hood.

Buy Emeline Jacket from Lole - Sport - Women's Apparel - Lolë

www.lolelife.com

View attachment 94795

Agreed! So I went and got my scales... my XS came in at 200 g, and my S came in at 310... and now I wonder if it's a grams per square X that it stated in some fine print on the site somewhere.
All that said, as I'm not an ultra-light person, and because I like the company's commitment to recycling materials, and because it's Canadian and we don't have a *lot* of Canadian clothing companies anymore...
I was really happy with the performance of my down Emeline jack ton the CP in Nov. 2019.

 

[trecile]

Agreed! So I went and got my scales... my XS came in at 200 g, and my S came in at 310... and now I wonder if it's a grams per square X that it stated in some fine print on the site somewhere.

200 g is still very lightweight, especially for the price. I woukd be very happy with that.