[pct-l] down jacket?

[Eric Lee]

Lisa wrote:
>
I am considering purchasing a down jacket (different from a down sweater??)
for a thru hike next year. I am planning on using this for my camp warm
layer and for sleeping, not for when hiking necessarily. I get cold easily
and being cold makes me miserable. I love that down is light weight, packs
down super small and keeps you very warm. I am concerned about it getting
wet, not thrilled about the price tag and wonder if I need a camp jacket vs
finding something  that can be used when hiking & in camp.
>

I think (don't quote me) that a down jacket has a front zipper while a down
sweater is a pull-over.

As Steel-Eye said, a down jacket is not a necessary piece of gear, as there
are various ways you can assemble your layers for warmth.  That said, for me
my down jacket is a really, really nice piece of gear and I'm very glad I
have it.  I use it in camp on cold mornings and evenings while I'm doing
chores, and maybe for the first 20 minutes of hiking while I warm up.  Once
I'm warm and moving, I don't need to wear it even in below-freezing temps.
I also use it inside a loose stuff sack as a pillow at night or can use it
to supplement my 30 degree bag if necessary.

My down jacket is not built for rain and I wouldn't do anything that might
get it serious wet, but then I have other layers for that.  If it's cold
enough that I need to wear the down jacket while hiking and it's also wet
and raining/sleeting/snowing, then I'm probably doing something wrong and
should hunker down in my tent and wait for better weather.

I have the Western Mountaineering Flight jacket and there are two things I
can about it with certainty: it's 10 ounces of pure luxurious warmth, and
it's embarrassingly expensive.  If your budget can stand it, I highly
recommend it.  If you can't afford it, then there are lots of other good
options too so don't worry about it.

Eric