I like to stage my gear for different activities.
My backpacking gear favors light, compressible, sometimes more expensive, and sometimes more fragile gear meant for covering ground efficiently. I’ll use a Montbell puffy, a Katabatic quilt, and a light shelter.
Car camping? The gear is typically heavier, more forgiving, more durable, and less expensive.
But there’s a third rail for outdoor work, whether trail work, site stewarding, or a “go bag” from when I did collateral SAR duty at a previous job.
It’s gear I keep prepacked or staged nearby. Always ready to grab, throw in the vehicle, and go.
My pack is often provided by the organization, or I keep the gear in a separate large stuff sack I can transfer as needed.
I use a heavier but inexpensive shell, a 100 wt fleece pullover that won’t die, and an inexpensive puffy warm enough and compressible enough for the job. It is also something I won’t mind tearing, losing, or forgetting during a potentially confusing shuffle.
This puffy? The 32 Degrees Heat lightweight puffy. You can often find it at Costco in season, third-party retailers such as Walmart or Amazon, and on sale during the fall and winter from 32 Degrees direct.
The price? Often under $30 during sales.
From Joan.
It ends up on local winter day hikes simply because it’s already staged for easy access.
I don’t claim it matches the quality of my Montbell or even the budget favorite, the Decathlon MT100.
The 600 FP down sits at the lower end of acceptable, and the stitching looks a little loose in places after a year or so of use. It is not as light as higher-end puffies, either. My men’s large weighs about 11.75 ounces / 330 g, compared to about 11.5 ounces / 320 g for the Decathlon, now Simond, puffy at around $100.
But, on sale, the 32 Degrees jacket costs about $75 less, even if the quality is not as good. In contrast, the Montbell Superior Down Jacket weighs about 7.5 oz / 215 g for a men’s large and costs about $200.
Note: A women’s version exists, too. The cut tends to look less boxy and a little more presentable for front-country use while selling at similar prices.
From 32 Degrees
As a side note, I purchased this jacket because I already use a slightly longer synthetic parka for cool-to-cold camping, also under $30 and from 32 Degrees, also still going strong after two years. A little sail repair tape, and that one’s good to go too.
From Joan. Cheesecake at the “Edge of Nowhere”
What is it, though? A decent enough jacket for some warmth, something to beat on, or for a person on a budget who needs functional clothing when starting out with hiking, backpacking, or camping. Purchase it during one of the many sales 32 Degrees has during the fall and winter months.
You can do better, but you can also spend more and do far worse.
Others have similar views as well.
Think of it as the Harbor Freight tool of puffy jackets. It won’t win “Editor’s Choice” awards for refinement, but it works well enough, costs little, and you won’t lament too loudly if it gets dinged up.