View Full Version : Cheap down jackets/puffy layers...
I want to buy a down jacket but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Anyone know of any great deals? I have heard about the Costco kids one for $29.99 but even in X-Large that is not going to fit me. I saw a nice women's one at Sam's Club the other day for $24.99. Now I just need to find a deal like that on a men's.
I realize that for less than $50 bucks I am not going to get the equivalent of a Patagonia jacket but I will be happier to get something cheap as long as it is down, light, and packable.
Here is what I have found so far...
Cabelas $64.99
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=944920
(http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=944920)White Sierra - $69.99
http://www.amazon.com/White-Sierra-Devils-Dance-Jacket/dp/B0046O7JO6/ref=sr_1_303?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1326837258&sr=1-303
(http://www.amazon.com/White-Sierra-Devils-Dance-Jacket/dp/B0046O7JO6/ref=sr_1_303?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1326837258&sr=1-303)Marmot - $104.99
http://www.rei.com/product/833269/marmot-zeus-half-zip-down-jacket-mens-2011-closeout
Also, try your local goodwill store. With the exception of TNF stuff, which all the city folks know about, you can sometimes get great deals. I recently spent $7.50 and picked up an Eddie Bauer down jacket in perfect condition.
Often, city folks will view the true backpacking garments as having flimsy shells and will bypass them.
The jacket I picked up is perfect for in camp use (with the exception of not having a hood).
Half zip jackets are not very user friendly.
P.S. Wear a windshell over your down jacket when you're near a campfire. A small hole in a windshell isn't as big a deal as a small hole in a down garment.
Year before last I got a down jacket for about $50 shipped from Lands End. I bought a large. It weighed just under 16 oz. After two years use it's holding up well.
Starting around now they have sales. The first sale won't be the best. You can sign up for email alert to new sales. That's what I did.
http://www.landsend.com/?OVMTC=Exact&site=&creative=3269255582&OVKEY=lands%20end.&url_id=36493682&adpos=1t1&cm_mmc=36493682
Goiod luck in your bargain hunt
Go to sierratradingpost.com and use a 35% off coupon. I see a bunch of deals there now on Mountain Hardwear and a few other brands. I actually got a SD Gnar Hoody for only $80 a few months back.
quilteresq
01-18-2012, 12:22
Beware of cheap down jackets. I have a very cheap, but very warm down and feather vest. It's plenty warm, but it sheds ALL over me, the car, everything.
Check your area REI for upcoming attic sales. If you get there early you can find some great deals. Can be a headache.. but if there are multiple items you're looking for, you'll probably at least find a few of them highly discounted.
Also, if there is a particular item you're looking for, check trailspace.com - you can search for the item and it will list lots of sites that have it (for cheap!). You may get lucky. Good luck chief!
Found a Nautica brand down puffy compressible jacket at Sam's Club for $29.99. I bought it, can always return it. It weights 22 oz in size xxl, has a polyester shell and real down according to the tag, does not say what loft down it is (550, 800, etc). I think I am going to give it a whirl and see. Feels pretty darn warm.
Keep in mind this is 22 oz, 1lb 6oz in a size xxl. Most of the quotes for puffy jackets are for size large in men's. I actually bought an xxxl, xxl, and xl to try with various layers. It seems like there is a 2-3 oz difference between sizes so in size large I would guess this jacket would weight about 18 oz. That's really not that bad.
Geartrade.com has several both mens/womens for under 50 bucks. Also they have a few patagonia down sweaters vest and jackets for 70 including shipping, not 50 but close. Id pay the extra 20 and get a good name like patagonia (And I did). The off brands are usually heavier too.
I justg ordered a berghaus Furnace for $70! www.deptofgoods.com (http://www.deptofgoods.com) can have some great deals if you stalk the outlets pretty often. you can filter everything but what's 70% off, 65% etc. steepandcheap.com has good deals too.
Tenderheart
01-20-2012, 13:17
How about L.L. Bean? Their stuff is very reasonable.
Have you tried Tj Max and Marshalls? I know earlier in the season I got a women's down sweater there for $50. It weighs 8.5 oz (women XL), is full front zip, and has 550 down.
UNIQLO makes a "Down Ultra Light Jacket" which is $80 with a full front zip and stuff sack, and in the large size weighs 8.8 oz. I've used it on a 3-day winter trip (lows around 25) and loved it.
kevperro
01-20-2012, 20:46
UNIQLO makes a "Down Ultra Light Jacket" which is $80 with a full front zip and stuff sack, and in the large size weighs 8.8 oz. I've used it on a 3-day winter trip (lows around 25) and loved it.
That one looks attractive. You confirmed that weight on a scale? That is in the Montbell/Pantigonia weight range so if it is real I'd say that even with unknown amounts of down fill it looks like a winner.
Yes, confirmed on my digital Salter. Without the included stuffsack it's 240 grams, or 8.5 ounces. They don't quote the amount of fill, just claim that it's 90 percent down, and if I recall correctly from the hangtags, 550 fill power. Fully lofted, one sleeve flattened out on a table gives me a hair over 1 inch in thickness. And note that this is the hoodless jacket, not the hooded parka model.
cheers,
Steven
brian039
01-20-2012, 21:36
Here is what I got: http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11021464&emssrcid=GoogleBase:PS11021464
$60 and this one ships for free too.
patagonia down hoody for $120 with 15:oo minutes left.
kevperro
01-21-2012, 19:42
Yes, confirmed on my digital Salter. Without the included stuffsack it's 240 grams, or 8.5 ounces. They don't quote the amount of fill, just claim that it's 90 percent down, and if I recall correctly from the hangtags, 550 fill power. Fully lofted, one sleeve flattened out on a table gives me a hair over 1 inch in thickness. And note that this is the hoodless jacket, not the hooded parka model.
cheers,
Steven
Looks poofy to me. Especially for only 8.5 oz.
Rangerman40
01-22-2012, 22:42
Not sure if you have a dicks sporting goods around you but you can get a Marmot Zues for 75 bucks right now.
Be wary when buying bargain down apparel or you might get something that's heavy and bulky without the moisture benefits of synthetic insulation. That said, don't be scared of buying a women's down jacket. Buy it if it fits, is light, and the price is right. The Uniqlo jacket looks like a good way to go, but might be difficult to acquire.