Temperature Ratings of Insulated Jackets

Comments

1. Brandon says

   February 21, 2020 at 4:45 pm

   Where’s Fission SV fitting in this warmth chart?

   • Canberk Köksal says

     February 21, 2020 at 5:05 pm

     Hi Brandon, Fission SV is added to chart.

     Because my site is using a cache, you might not be able to see the updated chart when you refresh this page. In that case, try reloading the page through Shift + F5 keyboard shortcut.

     Hope this helps.

2. Benoit says

   April 19, 2020 at 11:15 am

   Where would you put the macro puff hoody in the chart?

   • Canberk Koksal says

     April 19, 2020 at 3:34 pm

     Thank you for your comment Benoit! Macro Puff is just added into the chart.

3. Stuart says

   August 31, 2020 at 5:03 pm

   Hi, I was just wondering if/when you may be able to include the new Patagonia DAS Light Hoody and the re-released Patagonia DAS Parka on the charts above..?

   Additionally, I noticed that you included the OR Refuge, but any chance that the Refuge Air will be included as well? Just curious.

   Thanks!

4. Stuart says

   September 3, 2020 at 6:50 pm

   Hi, I was wondering if you would be able to rank/add Patagonia’s new DAS Light Hoody and re-released DAS Parka to the list…?

   Additionally, while you did include the OR Refuge, just out of curiosity, where would the OR Refuge Air sit on the list?

   Thanks!

5. Kristine says

   November 22, 2020 at 6:38 pm

   Hi. I’m not seeing wool blend options in this lineup. How would something like Icebreaker’s Stratus (180g merinoloft) compare to down/synthetic as far as warmth?

6. fernando says

   November 27, 2020 at 9:48 am

   Hi from spain, first of all thanks for your wonderful page.

   Do you know the Outdoor Research Ascendant?
   In what temperature range is it?
   Like the atom lt?
   Thank you!!

   • Canberk says

     November 27, 2020 at 12:12 pm

     Thank you for your comment and kind words Fernando.

     I was going to review the Ascendant, but then I couldn’t find the product page of its men’s version at outdoorresearch.com. Seems like the only available option now is women’s counterpart.

     Do you know what happened to the men’s version? I contacted the OR about this and now waiting for their response.

7. Alexander says

   December 7, 2020 at 12:32 am

   There’s an error in your math in the example of Eos versus Transcendent. 141 x 700 is over 98000, much more than what you state, and more than Eos.

   Also, if you converted to ounces your calculations would have units of cubic inches rather than some odd cu. In. * Gram / Oz

   Otherwise looks like a good resource and looking forward to reading through all this.

   • Canberk says

     December 8, 2020 at 12:37 pm

     Thank you for your comment Alexander!

     That’s a great catch, thank you for paying attention to the post. The incorrect numbers of the calculation was actually the “141 x 700”, though. The correct values for the Transcendent are 116 x 650 (source: https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/mens-transcendent-down-hoodie-268084#eyJvcl9zaXplIjoiNzIifQ__) as mentioned.

     The typo is now fixed, but the placements and results stay the same. You might not be able to see the edited version of the page right away. Because my site uses caching, and it might take a few days until it’s purged.

     I’ll check out your comments about the units and will make edits accordingly.

     Glad you found this post helpful.

     Thanks!

8. Andrew says

   December 10, 2020 at 8:15 pm

   Rab has now changed their 750 down in the Microlight Alpine to a 700 totally recycled down. This is from their site:

   “Insulation: Recycled 700 fill-power down Nikwax hydrophobic (water-resistant) finish (153g Size L)”

   The old jacket was :

   “750FP R.D.S Certified European Goose Down (143g/5oz in Size L)”

   Thanks for this great information!

9. zhaoyuan miao says

   December 17, 2020 at 6:47 pm

   Thank you for the depth review. Helps a lot. I hope there is a donation button to appreciate your hard work and researching

   • Canberk says

     December 23, 2020 at 11:59 am

     Glad it was helpful for you.

     Yes, you can this donation button: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=EVA3S7ME6LZB6&currency_code=USD

     I’m flattered, appreciate it, thanks!

10. Jc says

    December 27, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    I mean great article. This is how everything should be written. As much info as possible.
    I’d say the only thing missing is how down fill powder is created/made. I’m very curious how a duck feather can go from 600 to 850fp. Is it a different part of the feather or do they do something to the feather. I would love to see that added to this Article.

    • Canberk says

      December 28, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      Glad to hear it was helpful for you JC.

      They don’t do anything to the feather. It’s all natural. In most cases, the difference is mostly due to the genetics of ducks.

11. Michael Kyle says

    January 6, 2021 at 6:27 am

    I Don, t see anything from the Canada goose line in any list, just wondering why?

    • Canberk says

      January 6, 2021 at 8:06 am

      Currently I’m on this. Gathering information, analyzing products, etc. They’ll be added soon.

12. Jeff Wile says

    January 15, 2021 at 10:19 pm

    Simply Amazing !
    i’ve been hunting and pecking tryying to find this type of information for a purchase(s) and stumbled upon your site.
    you have spend a loooooot of time putting this together. the “sales” sites almost never have enough information upon which to make a good decision by making comparisons! it’s been quite frustrating to have to spend hours looking for data like this and the manufacturers aren’t really forthcoming with this data.
    Simply Amazing ! thank you so much for all of your work.
    i immediately copied it all off in case i don’t find this again.

13. jeff Wile says

    January 15, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    i forgot to add that it’s time to replace all of my outside gear as it all is 50, or so, years old, and is totally disintegrating. prices have changed in that time ! –it makes me groan when i see the price tags, but it was well worth it, waaay back when, to do research in what i was buying and to obtain the best that i could. this really helps me thru the labryinth of finding what i want.
    these next purchases, i figure, will be my last as i’m 68 and probably won’t be around for another 50….but maybe my kids or grandkids can wear what i leave behind. when i got my first gear there were no stores to buy anything in. outside clothing and equipment was not anywhere to be found, at least for someone living in Northern Wisconsin. my first boots came from a garbage can ! they had holes in the bottoms but were warm and rugged ! thanks again.

14. Ted says

    January 26, 2021 at 2:23 pm

    Amazing research! Thank you. As mentioned above, would be very curious to know where the new Patagonia DAS parka sits, also the Black Diamond Belay (Stance) Parka or whatever they keep renaming it to – definitely interested in the synthetics that push the low temp limits.

15. Jon says

    March 3, 2021 at 7:31 pm

    Hi Fantastic information and research, thank you, can you add the Rab Valiance please?

    Thanks

    Jon

16. John says

    May 24, 2021 at 9:46 am

    Awesome work! Reading this all the way in South Africa. We basically buy one brand nationwide. This helped quite a lot with figuring out what I need. You’re soo technical. It’s inspiring
    I’m in awe.

17. Debra says

    June 23, 2021 at 11:33 pm

    What a great review, so much research..thank you. whilst this lists the minimum temperature the parkas are rated for what is the maximum temperature. Would a 650 rating be good for 5 – 15 degrees Celcius for example

18. Sylvester says

    October 2, 2021 at 5:40 am

    Arc teryx has Agrium on their website now. Where would that sit in the chart?

19. Matthew says

    October 11, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    Hi ! I am super cold natured and usually wear an insulated Carhartt hoodie and thermal jacket in 40 degrees weather. Usually a North Face Nuptse. Can you recommend a good jacket I can wear without having 3 to 4 layers under it. A lot of the times I wear an insulated Carhartt suits bibs and jacket over this. I do wear insulated underwear all winter.

    Thank you!

20. nobody says

    October 11, 2021 at 6:38 pm

    Please add Eddie Bauer Peak XV. (Great value at once a year 60% off sale).

21. GARTH MCMURTREY says

    October 31, 2021 at 1:28 am

    Great work! The trouble is that many of the selections you have listed are not available. Very disappointing because I get all excited then I can’t get one. I suppose it’s lots of work to keep up with the market and remove pieces that go out of production.
    thanks for your work!

22. Fil says

    November 2, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    Very informative article, but you missed off one of the main factors that affect the warmth of a down jacket…construction!

    3 identical jackets, with the same face fabric, fill weight and fill power, will not be the same warmth depending on construction. If one is stitch-through, one box wall and one is over lapping baffles, then the warmth (and cost) will vary.

    This is why jackets like the Berghaus Ramche 2 down jacket (my favourite jacket I own) weighing 456 grams with only 183g of 850fp down is rated to minus 20 / minus 25 degrees C, as it has overlapping insulation meaning it is much warmer than heavier, higher fill weight jackets.

    Construction is one of the key things I look for as it is a better indicator of warmth than FW x FP alone.

    That aside, some very informative and detailed descriptions and analysis.

23. Murali says

    November 24, 2021 at 8:49 am

    Hi,
    RESPECT for a detailed research and review. Stumbled upon this while researching for jackets.
    I have a question if I may, for synthetic jackets I see that the least temp for sameg/m2 isn’t the same for jackets with coreloft(arc tryx kappa) vs. those thermatek (arc tryx Dually). is this a case of one tech being better than other or is it a function of the overall jacket build?
    In corollary, can it be assumed that jackets with same g/m2 ratings would be equally warm irrespective of technology?

    • Canberk says

      November 24, 2021 at 10:48 am

      Hi Murali,

      Thank you.

      Good question. The difference is actually caused by a combination of both of the reasons you mentioned – tech differences and overall jacket build (mostly the nature of face fabrics).

24. Sylvester says

    November 29, 2021 at 5:17 am

    Hi, thanks a lot for the comprehensive testing/analyses. Would you mind adding Mountain Hardwear or Mammut insulation jackets? They are also regarded as high quality products (especially the EigerExtreme line)

25. Francesco says

    December 2, 2021 at 9:26 am

    Hello. Thank you so much for sharing this amount of information. I don’t see in this list some Scandinavian or other European outdoor clothing brands (except RAB). When possible, can you review some of these? I don’t have any versus American brands. I had a Tommy Hilfinger and PME Legend jacket (both stolen in a discotheque), and I’m planning to buy a new jacket: I like Patagonia, Marmut, Columbia (who has acquired Mountain Hardware), The North Face and others; but some Nordic brands are great, too. For example, Fjallraven makes his own products instead of using Gore-tex etc. Sorry for my English, I’m Italian.

    • Canberk says

      December 9, 2021 at 10:23 am

      Thanks Francesco. I’ll take your comments into consideration and see what I can do. Great to hear you found my site helpful.

26. james xie says

    December 3, 2021 at 5:06 am

    medium sized cerium lt has 102g 850 power fill down with Arato 10 face fabric. kole has 72g 750 power fill with 20D nylon. why temperature chart of cerium is -2* and kole is -12*? and how about agrium which has 117g 850 power fill down with Arato 15 fabric? thank you.

    • Canberk says

      December 3, 2021 at 10:12 am

      Hi James,

      As I explained earlier into the article, this difference is caused by additional synthetic insulator use.

      Best,
      C

27. Jim Meek says

    December 11, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    Thanks for this great information. As a hiker who lives in the southeastern US (and not in, say, Jackson Hole), I struggle to know how to make adjustments from reviews often written for more aerobic activities in colder climates. Note: Almost exactly half the US population lives south of about 37° latitude, roughly the line from the North Carolina-Virginia border, across northern Oklahoma, to central California (about Fresno). While some of us head to New England or Colorado for winter skiing, lots of others are just trying to figure out how to stay comfortably warm while active in the outdoors nearer home.) The information on your site helps.

    I noticed that your temperature ratings no longer include the Outdoor Research Refuge or Transcendent (and perhaps others). I assume this is because OR is no longer making these two jackets. I’d like to encourage you to keep orphan items in your list for a bit longer. Outdoor gear sites are still selling these jackets new, and lots of us with limited means look for good used gear online, so it would be helpful to keep archived data In your rankings for a few years (or start a third table for discontinued items?). Thanks.

28. STEFANO says

    April 11, 2022 at 12:55 am

    About down insulation you’d to consider other elements and in particolar the ratio between down and feathers and the baffle construction.
    Higher percentage of down mean more warmth. The right calculation should be fill power x fill weight x ratio between down and feathers. For example, Feathered Friends Rock and Ice parka, in size medium, has 20,5 oz, fill down 900, ratio 0,96 (96% down 4% feathers), Rab expedition 8000 m jacket has, in size medium, 19 oz of down 850, with a ratio of 0,90.
    Another important element is the baffle construction: a box baffle jacket is far warmer than a serena through jacket with the same fill power and fill weight. The construction is important also for synthetic cloths because stitch through cause cold spot.
    The least but not the last, the material of the outer layer and the type of insulation. Some are waterproof and windproof, others are water resistant and windproof, others water and wind resistant, others more breathable and only slightly wind resistant, like the patagonia nano air or the arc’teryx atom. Matetials like fullrange and polartec alpha are very permeable to wind