Ultralight down jackets are easy to carry while backpacking but can need some modifications for extra warmth. Here are our recommendations!

Planning a backpacking trip is an exercise in balance.
How do you bring what you need, but not get overly weighed down by your pack? What is the happy medium between roughing it and being comfortable enough to keep going?
Every item gets scrutinized when it's decision time.
If you're planning a backpacking trip in chilly weather (Iceland, anyone?) you might be wondering if ultralight down jackets are the answer. Here's what we've learned from experience, along with some brand recommendations!
The Highlights
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What Does Ultralight Mean?
Generally down jackets marketed as “ultralight” seem to weigh around 10 ounces or less. These jackets are typically marketed to backpackers who are attempting to cut their pack weight.
Pros of Ultralight Down Jackets
The biggest pro is (quite obviously) the weight! When you’re hauling all your gear on your back, every ounce counts.
These jackets are often extremely packable, sometimes even with the option of folding into their own pockets.
Since they’re so light and compact, they can often also be easily stored on attachment cords outside of a daypack or running vest.

Downsides of Ultralight Down Jackets
The biggest con is likely the (lack of) warmth factor. Despite offering surprising amounts of warmth given their weight, these jackets simply aren’t going to be warm enough for extreme winter conditions.
Additionally, the down itself has a few potential issues. Some people are allergic to down, and some prefer to avoid animal products.
Also, down loses some of its insulating ability when it gets wet, so in very wet conditions, a synthetic jacket may perform better.
Another con is that, like many “ultralight” products, these jackets can be pricey.
How to Make Ultralight Down Jackets Warmer
A good layering system will help immensely in cold conditions.
We’ve found that pairing the down jacket with warm base layers and a wind-proof outer layer can make all the difference.
My favorite cold weather layering system is a long sleeved alpaca top as a base layer, a down jacket as my middle layer, and a rain coat as my outer layer. I pair all this with winter hiking pants and a thick wool hat.
See my post on women's camping clothing for specific brand recommendations.

Temperature Limitations for Ultralight Down Jackets
This will depend a lot on how sensitive to cold you are, so it’s hard to give exact numbers.
That said, in general, we’ve found that when temperatures dip consistently below freezing and we’ll be in the elements for an extended amount of time, it’s too cold for ultralight down.
I recently tested out a few different ultralight jackets on a wintry trip to Chicago, where the “feels like” temperature was near zero Fahrenheit. My experiment was short-lived and I quickly switched to the heavy jacket I’d brought along as backup.
On a recent backpacking trip in Iceland we experienced temperatures mainly in the high-30s to mid-40s (Fahrenheit). In general (combined with the layering system mentioned above), we stayed warm enough as long as we were careful to put on rain gear when needed to stay dry.

Of course, whether the sky is clear and sunny versus cloudy, rainy or extremely windy can make a big difference too.
Favorite Ultralight Down Jacket Brands
Overall Favorite
Montbell Superior (women's and men's)
- Versatile fit: Fit easily over (my) hips. I liked the adjustment option to tighten the hip area (and prevent wind from blowing up your back) with adjustment pulls in the pockets.
- 800 fill down, highly packable. Comes with stuff sack, does not pack into own pocket.
- 10-denier ripstop nylon (lightweight, possibly delicate). Likely wouldn’t wear while bushwhacking or hiking through thorny bushes.
- Ultralight, great backpacking option (6.2 ounces, 7.3 ounces with hood)
- Interior pocket in addition to zipped exterior pocket. I love the interior pockets for keeping my phone warm overnight.
- Available with or without hood. Hoody version includes hood adjusters.
- Warm yet breathable. Despite having similar stats to the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer, I felt that this is a much warmer jacket.

Most Compact
Montbell Plasma 1000 (women's and men's)
The Montbell Plasma has very similar stats to the Montbell Superior, except that it's even lighter and more compact. It's also pricier and (in my opinion) draftier (so, not as warm).
See the photo below of both the Plasma and Superior packed into their stuff sacks. Both of the jackets pictured below are a women's large.

If you're extremely limited on space and your budget allows it, this might be a good option.
Favorite Jacket for Mild Weather
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer (women's and men's)

- 800-fill down, highly packable. Can pack into own pocket.
- 10-denier x 10-denier ripstop nylon
- Ultralight, great backpacking option (6.9 ounces, 7.8 ounces with hood)
- Available with or without hood. Hooded version does not have an adjustment to keep the hood in place.
- Packs down nicely within one of its own pockets

I did not find this jacket to be as warm as the others on our list, and felt like it was draftier. However, that could be a good thing if you want a more breathable jacket. My husband doesn’t get cold as easily as I do, and was able to wear it in colder temperatures than I would choose to.
It can also be nice for town days, when you’re walking in and out of heated shops or restaurants (and if it’s not bitterly cold outside).
Warmest Ultralight Down Jacket
Katabatic Gear Tarn Down Jacket (women's and men's)

- Weighing in around 10 ounces (for the hooded women’s version), this jacket weighs a bit more than other jackets on our list
- 10-denier fabric
- Less compact than some on our list, it does not pack into its own jacket and did not come with a stuff sack
- Interior pockets (perfect for keeping a phone warm overnight) in addition to the zipped exterior pockets
- SO WARM (compared to others on our list). This one is warm enough that you could likely push the temperature boundaries of what I’d normally use an ultralight jacket for. If we return to Iceland or another cold weather backpacking destination where the temperature will range from 30-50 degrees Fahrenheit for the whole trip, I’ll likely bring this jacket.
- Despite having a certain amount of waterproofing, when I tested wearing this jacket in a snowstorm, the jacket became absolutely soaked through (though I stayed warm!). I definitely still recommend adding a rain coat on top of this jacket if it’s wet out.
Favorite Parka for Travel (Women’s)
Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Parka (women's)
- Technically this parka is above the "ultralight" weight mentioned above, but not by much. And there’s a lot more coat here! If you want more coverage than just your torso, this is a nice option.
- 20-denier nylon
- Women’s cut only, although there is a shorter version of the coat available in a men’s cut.
- Fairly warm, similar to the Montbell Superior. I wouldn't wear it in sub-freezing temperatures if I had to be out in the elements for a long time.
- Very hip friendly, pockets didn’t bulge when unzipped
- I like that you can unzip the bottom of the zipper if you need more room at the bottom
- Has a handy inside zippered pocket
- Only 14 ounces, making it extremely lightweight and packable for a parka!

I’d likely use this more for in-town travel more than backpacking, but it’s fairly versatile.
Ultralight Synthetic Down
Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket (women's and men's)
- Weighing in around 8 ounces (depending on if you get the men’s or women’s version)
- Good in more damp conditions since it's synthetic
We haven’t been able to test this one because our sizes have been out of stock recently, but it has great reviews!
Although ultralight down jackets aren't the answer for every cold-weather situation, they can help out quite a bit on the trail. I hope these tips help you find your best combination of gear.
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