Patagonia Down Sweater is a great lightweight down piece. I'm going to assume you realize that it's hoodless and that it's a sweater, not a full-on jacket. I've found it works well down into the 30's for me, layered over midweight long underwear and under a windbreaker (Patagonia Houdini.)

Last year, they also made a hooded version for a while. I got one, and it's also very nice.

I also tried an older version of the Montbell Down Inner. I don't think it's quite as warm as the Patagonia piece - and I'm not sure it's meant to be. I think it's more of a Polartec 200, while the Down Sweater is more of a Polartec 300, if that makes any sense. I also didn't like the fact that the hood on the Montbell jacket didn't have any drawstrings or tightening system, so it didn't keep your head as warm as it could have. Finally, the Montbell jacket was cut a bit smaller than the same size Patagonia piece.

The Montbell was OK, sort of, but the Patagonia is great.


Edited by Glenn (06/15/10 03:30 PM)