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310 requests
Product Description
With an innovative design that traps more heat than traditional down jackets, these Mountain Hardwear StetchDown DS jackets will keep you toasty without having to layer up. Its Dynamic-Stretch Knit fabric utilizes stretch-welded channel construction to prevent heat loss at the seams Read More
I would jump on this if it was offered in black. With black coated border collies, plus being a general all around scroungy individual, aka dirt magnet, black is the color of choice.
townsendAgreed, almost any other color and I would have considered it. I have a huge Nuptse from tNF that I have exercised myself out of and need a new insulation layer.
I own the non-hooded version of this jacket in a women's medium. I backpacked with it once--yep, too bulky for backpacking but made a damn lovely pillow when I stuffed it in my sleeping bag's pillow pocket ;) It was March on the WA coast (Ozette) and raining--yep, not for rain but did repel a bit and didn't lose loft, although did cover myself after about 20 min with my rain jacket. Form-fitted, not an over-layering piece.
That being said, I love this jacket for everyday use on cold or windy winter days, but it's for regular use to stay REALLY warm. It is also pretty great to own a jacket that doesn't shed down and feathers and you can't see through the fabric like the Ghost Whisperer, which is also a great jacket but that's your backpacking jacket if you need one (not as warm, though). The bonus for me is that sleeves are long enough without having to order a men's size.
We haven't reviewed the vanilla StretchDown, but we did review the StretchDown RS and StretchDown DS, which have similar construction:
http://engearment.com/gear/mountain-hardwear-stretchdown-ds-review/
http://engearment.com/gear/mountain-hardwear-stretchdown-rs/
Bottom line, @dolkbor is pretty spot on. Not a highly technical jacket, but a good puffy for around town, in-bounds skiing/snowboarding, etc. The welded baffling is the big story with the StretchDown series. No more sewn baffles and no needle holes where down can escape and wind can get in.
I have the non-hooded version, tends to run a bit small, more stream lined cut, so your layering is a bit more hindered. However, very warm and comfortable. Love the jacket, treated down for increased water resistance, but it is tighter then I usually like
ibex-docill second this, its a great jacket but fits tight and form fitted. also more suited to travel and day to day use due to its size and thickness
just to save anyone the time, this jacket is more of a winter sports/around town jacket than a backpacking jacket @ 18oz. The ultralight mountain hardware down jacket geared to backpackers is the ghost whisperer @ 8oz.