Barry
"Well, the 1st thing that comes to mind--- it’s warmer! If your 650 down jacket and 850 down jacket both weigh 12oz, obviously the 850 will have higher loft (if built right)."
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loft only approximately equals warmth. Loft is a first order thing, a finished garment is a higher order design where loft is only a component. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Problem is that the same garment does not have the same weight of down. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> As the loft increases the amount they use decreases. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />Thus end up with the "same virtual stuffing", not more. Manufacturers will say that there is an ideal amount, but then they are trying to save money BY selling you high loft down.

Someone - sorry don't remember who, was making an analogy of one million loft down, means they would use even less of it. Doesn't mean it would be any warmer because the manufacturers would change how they use it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

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Hey - I'm not picking on anybody or anything. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
This was a survey <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />- meaning other people tell us there experience. It seems that high loft down people are happy with it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />Itseems that 650 loft down people are happy with it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />So if the weight is less and the garment is rugged enough for your use and you want to spend the money, - go for the UL high loft model. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> BUT people with 650 down LL Bean jackets are just as happy with them.


Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />