Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#109034 - 01/09/09 07:33 AM down jacket compression
grit Online   content
member

Registered: 01/11/02
Posts: 214
Loc: Happy Jack, AZ
I recently purchased the MH Phantom down jacket and am wondering if there are any adverse effects, specifically the compression of the down at the shoulders (resulting in reduction of loft, warmth), when wearing a backpack over the jacket?

Top
#109036 - 01/09/09 08:16 AM Re: down jacket compression [Re: grit]
Pika Online   content
member

Registered: 12/08/05
Posts: 1814
Loc: Rural Southeast Arizona
In my experience, wearing a pack over a down jacket will reduce the loft; clearly where the pack rests and where the shoulder straps ride, less clearly through tension on the outer fabric from the shoulder straps compressing the underlying down.

For me, the only time I wear my down jacket is in camp. Even in moderate sub-zero weather, if I am exercising at all, I sweat; I'm sure that the sweat condensing in the outer down layers reduces the loft and I also think this is progressive over several days. Things may be different at temperatures nearer -30 to -40 though.
_________________________
May I walk in beauty.

Top
#109053 - 01/09/09 01:02 PM Re: down jacket compression [Re: Pika]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
I think this post sums things up well. The down will compress, especially under the straps and up the back, and at some point will become moist from sweat. I won't, however, be damaged and will bounce back.

Since I see you're in Minnesota I won't use my standard, "Why would you backpack in a down jacket?!?" but will suggest that fleece or even fiberfill are a better choice on the go, saving the down stuff for camp. But I don't hike in sub zero weather, so what do I know?

Whoops!--MN/NM/NH/HI--disgraphia kicking in today. Okay, unless you're above 12k feet, forget about backpacking wearing down entirely :-)


Edited by Rick_D (01/09/09 02:31 PM)
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#109063 - 01/09/09 02:20 PM Re: down jacket compression [Re: grit]
hikerduane Offline
member

Registered: 02/23/03
Posts: 2124
Loc: Meadow Valley, CA
NM not MN.:) Hike a little faster, if it gets that cold, I am usually on my snowmobile, hotfooting it somewhere to spend the night when it gets that cold, then I wear activity subject gear and put the good stuff on when camp is reached.

Top
#109065 - 01/09/09 02:44 PM Re: down jacket compression [Re: hikerduane]
kbennett Offline
member

Registered: 10/27/03
Posts: 820
Loc: north carolina
It won't hurt the jacket. However, most hikers don't wear down while on the move.
_________________________
--Ken B

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum