Gear Institute's 2012 Insulated Jacket Reviews: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
THE GOOD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Ultra light鈥攍ightest in the test.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Highly packable鈥攁bout the size of an orange.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Very warm for its weight.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Good weather protection for this category.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Excellent value.
THE BAD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅犅 Lack of breathability hurts versatility.
THE VERDICT
When we struggle to find something negative to say about a product we know we've found a winner. The Ghost Whisperer Down delivers on everything we look for in a down sweater鈥攍ightweight, warmth, packability鈥攁t a price that's right in the middle of the category.
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Gear Institute's 2012 Insulated Jacket Reviews: Canada Goose Hybridge Lite Hoody
Canada Goose Hybridge Lite Hoody is an ultralight hooded down jacket with breathable side panels and plenty of high-quality down for warmth
THE GOOD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Very light and packable.
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Good breathability.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Super warm hood.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Lots of pockets.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Stretches to fit over layers.
THE BAD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Price is far higher than we鈥檇 expect.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Fits a little small.
THE VERDICT
Combining the best of every jacket on this page, the Hybridge Lite Hoody was best in class in almost every category, except one of the most important ones鈥攑rice. At more than $600, it's twice as expensive as any other jacket here.
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Gear Institute's 2012 Insulated Jacket Reviews: Rab Generator Stretch Jacket
The Rab Generator Stretch Jacket is a hybrid piece, combing synthetic fill and softshell panels to create a jacket best used for warmth in active or more aerobic activities
THE GOOD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Best breathability in the test.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Insulation made from recycled materials.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Best of test for layering under a shell.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Attractive look.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Good performance in damp conditions.
THE BAD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Not as warm as other jackets in test.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽No hood.
THE VERDICT
Though not as warm as other jackets in our test, the Rab Generator Stretch can't be beat on versatility. Sitting around camp, we were warm enough to kill a chill, but while hiking, the breathable soft shell panels along the sides kept sweat to a minimum. The good precip and wind resistance were appreciated, as was how easily it slips under a hardshell.
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Gear Institute's 2012 Insulated Jacket Reviews: Smartwool PhD SmartLoft Full Zip Jacket
The Smartwool PhD SmartLoft Full Zip Jacket is down-puffy style jacket, but with insulation made from wool
THE GOOD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Very warm.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Best next to skin comfort.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽More casual, less technical look.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Good weather protection with glossy exterior and DWR treatment.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Great price.
THE BAD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Nearly twice as heavy as other jackets in this category.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Not very packable, too bulky.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Slick-looking exterior will not appeal to everyone.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Less fitted style doesn't work as well as a mid-layer.
THE VERDICT
We found the Full Zip Jacket worked best around town as an outer layer in cool weather. Despite its slimish profile this jacket packs a surprising amount of warmth, but it鈥檚 not nearly as light as a down sweater, and felt more 鈥渦rban鈥 than 鈥渆xpedition.鈥 The design is not as conducive to layering under an outer shell, or for packing when weight and bulk is a concern.
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Gear Institute's 2012 Insulated Jacket Reviews: Ibex Aire WI Sweater
The Ibex Aire WI Sweater is an eco-conscious down puffy that uses wool's natural performance attributes in a casual, easy-wearing design
THE GOOD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Green cred: recycled nylon shell, wool interior.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Slim, attractive fit.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Machine washable.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Wool insulation is warm when wet and naturally moisture wicking away from the body.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Made in Canada, eh!.
THE BAD
聽聽聽 鈥⒙犅 聽Fairly heavy for the category.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Not as compressible as down or synthetic.
聽聽 聽鈥⒙犅 聽Less “puffy” than other jackets tested.
THE VERDICT
The Aire ditches the bulging insulation in a your typical down sweater for a slimmer profile. But it still packs the same warmth as its down brethren and layers well under a shell and over baselayers. If you like the idea of a down puffy, but don't want to look like Pop-Eye, this is your best choice in the test.
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