There聮s a good reason why you can聮t find the Moonstone Lucid down jacket. Moonstone聴well, Moonstone has folded its tent. Which is too bad. That was a fine brand that dated back many years. And their newer stuff was quite good.
Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket
Alpine Light Down JacketThe Patagonia Micro Puff is available, though, in the Pullover model ($148; patagonia.com). I think this is a great piece聴very trim, layers well, and packs lots of warmth with its synthetic-fill insulation. During the winter months you can find the same thing in a zip jacket with a hood called the Micro Puff Hooded Jacket ($180). It聮s not on the Patagonia web site right now; however, some online sleuthing might uncover one for you now, if you are interested in doing so.
There are several other excellent choices in a light non-fleece insulating piece. A new item in the Montbell women聮s lineup, the Alpine Light Down Jacket ($150; montbell.com) weighs less than ten ounces and stuffs down to the size of a softball, yet packs lots of warmth due to its 800-fill down. This might be the piece you should get, as it聮s going to be a little warmer than the Micro Puff, and slightly lighter. It won聮t perform quite as well in wet weather due to its down fill, but to me that聮s a secondary issue. Worn under a Gore-Tex or similar jacket it would be fine, even in cold rain.
Another choice is Mountain Hardwear聮s Compressor PL Jacket ($165; mountainhardwear.com). It聮s a full-zip, hoodless piece聴available in women聮s cut聴that uses PrimaLoft One insulation. Like the Micro Puff or Alpine Light Down Jacket, it聮s a great layering piece. It also works well as a standalone, as it has a nearly windproof nylon shell. I like PrimaLoft because it聮s soft, warm, and works very well when wet.
Have a great trip!
The Gear Guy reports from , the bi-annual gearapalooza in Salt Lake City. Check out his top picks for gear to watch in 2007.