Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket

Photo: Logan Watts, Bikepacking.com


Sure, it may have been the third consecutive hottest year on record, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t need a nice jacket if you live (or are traveling to) somewhere cold this winter. Montbell’s Plasma 1000 jacket is an expensive one, but for good reason.

Made from 7-denier “ballistic airlight” nylon fabric (with DWR finish) and insulated with 1000-fill-power goose down, this featherweight jacket keeps you comfortable in sub-freezing temperatures while weighing less than 0.3 pounds. The whole thing compresses down small enough to fit into the included stuff sack, which itself fits easily into most everyday bags.

The design is pretty minimal though, with no hood, adjustment cords, or even pockets to speak of. Depending on your use case, the lack of these features may not work so well for you. If you’re alright with such tradeoffs, the Plasma 1000 is a great jacket for traveling light and still keeping toasty warm with.

Get it in one of three colors β€” Primary Blue, Black, or Mojave Desert β€” for $269 at Montbell.