Best Ultralight Jacket - Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Review

#ultralight #Montbell
My experience with the Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka.
Here is a link of this jacket as part of a Montbell layering system:
• Montbell Ultralight La...

[@GinaGee]

Great review. Thanks!

[@naturenate7117]

Thanks Gina G! I'll have more to come!

[@andrewmoore7586]

Excellent video, hitting all the issues imaginable, while adding many personal aspects to the parka ~ you sold me!!😎🇺🇸

[@naturenate7117]

Well thank you! I’m glad you found it useful, you won’t be disappointed! Best Ultralight jacket that isn’t custom made 🤙

[@rosswarnke9186]

@@naturenate7117 hey there would it be good enough to wear to armwrestle with it on or maybe rub back to back with it on as another person had one on

[@naturenate7117]

@@rosswarnke9186 Haha well that is a great question, yes to both. Arm wrestle and bear style back rubbing approved, although not approved for tree rubbing

[@rosswarnke9186]

@@naturenate7117 hey do you have a puffer jacket that you would wear as. We back to back rub with and a place to do it

[@naturenate7117]

@@rosswarnke9186 I don't know if that jacket exists

[@samgraham9754]

Handy to now know that it really delicate, i absolutely obliterated my Rab Valiance jacket, i still have it but it's been sewed up and lost lots of down about 2 years of owning it. Still i do like the look of the plasma! Thanks for your review! Sam

[@naturenate7117]

Pair it with a wind shell and it is a great combo!

[@hanskirk-hiking9697]

Great jacket - Montbell rocks 💁

[@naturenate7117]

Montbell is incredible. I couldn't believe all that jacket offers after I first picked one up. So light, my mind was truly blown! And it is still a fully functional jacket with all the usual features.

[@PhilippUnterreiner]

Thanks for the great review. Also worth mentioning, the L is a good 5 cm longer on the waist compared to the M and fits much baggier on the body.

[@naturenate7117]

Glad you liked it, and thanks for that info! The large is definitely much baggier, a good thing to be aware of for anyone looking into the Plasma Alpine jacket.

[@rssin23]

@@naturenate7117 i am also looking at this but not much of reviews that cover sizing. Whats your chest size, whixh size did you get and what all can you layer underneath.

[@naturenate7117]

@@rssin23 My chest size is 39-40in and the medium vest fists snugly but not too snugly. I can still wear a non-baggy base layer underneath it without a problem!

[@jesseduncan1140]

i guess Im quite randomly asking but does anybody know of a good site to stream newly released movies online?

[@blakekaleb7837]

@Jesse Duncan flixportal :)

[@marvin00073]

Nice Parka! I bought the Sweater in 2014 just to see what 1000FP was like.

[@naturenate7117]

It is pretty incredible stuff and if you wash it with the Nikwax Down Wash, it will give it life again. My jacket was as puffy as when it was new after washing it.

[@marvin00073]

@@naturenate7117 Thanks for the tip! I will break out mine soon. It’s 47 degrees in D.C. today. The coldest temperature so far.

[@florindagonzalez5700]

I'm a nurse. And, the way these hospitals are set up...I think this set up would be an excellent warm system.

[@naturenate7117]

Well it is certainly an excellent warm system! Thanks for everything you do!

[@kylestyer8240]

This guys not messing with cold!

[@naturenate7117]

Gotta keep from getting too cold! I've had a few close calls this winter already... Got some frost nip on my hands but they are mostly better now!

[@kevans2337]

Great video, thank you. Can you tell me what pants you are wearing ?

[@naturenate7117]

Thank you Kris Evans! And yes the are an amazon buy. Here's the link to my video on them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noK7np-ie6pmZ5Y From there, there is a link to the amazon page, thanks!

[@fbswampfox]

Does it wear out underneath backpack straps? I know the material is really thin.

[@naturenate7117]

Generally, it is too warm to really hike with anyway, unless you are doing some winter excursions. That being said, all you really need to protect it is a thin nylon wind shell. It is a combo I use often.

[@fer557]

Hello, I am going to Yosemite for first time in March, avg. temps should be around 57-30F. I just need a jacket to keep me warm while I am there, staying in hotel, and doing extremely light trail walking. Would this jacket be fine or do you recommend something else? The weather where I am from usually doesn't go below high 40s in winter so I don't have much experience with colder weather, thanks.

[@naturenate7117]

This jacket would be more than adequate for your needs in this situation, and will likely be on the warm side of things for your needs. If you are getting your heart rate up at all it will probably be too warm truthfully. I use this jacket in 20-30F if I am being completely sedentary. If you like this style of jacket though Montbell makes a lighter version called the Plasma 1000 Down Jacket. It might be better for your needs. If you really don't want to get cold at all, the jacket in the video would provide that for you.

[@fer557]

@@naturenate7117 thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it! I’m going to order a lighter jacket from them.

[@naturenate7117]

@@fer557 Glad I could help!

[@seanbarrett209]

What's the difference between the 1000 fill Plasma Parka and the 1000 fill Plasma Jacket in terms of comfortable temps?

[@naturenate7117]

The Parka has twice as much down, so I would say about twice the warmth. I would use the Plasma as a summer and maybe a 3 season jacket depending on location. Or as part of a layering system in the winter. The Plasma Parka is definitely a 4 season jacket. I was just wearing it to ski in the full moon last night.

[@andrewazorian2786]

How have you cared for it over the years? Ive been curious about the best ways to treat them so they retain their lofr and last as long as possible

[@naturenate7117]

Mine has heard up great over the years. Loft is still great, I have washed it a time or two with the appropriate down wash and it has really maintained it. Every time you wash down gear it looses some feathers, so do it only when needed. I just keep my jacket hanging and fully lofted, it keeps it in great shape.

[@andrewazorian2786]

@@naturenate7117 great, thanks for the insight

[@rssin23]

Hi, great review. Whats your chest measurement. I am also looking at it but I am right in between sizes of M and L.

[@rssin23]

@@naturenate7117 Hi Nate, I am also a 40inch chest and height us 6ft. I just want to layer underneath it a think base layer and a medium weight fleece, like the patagonia r2. I think medium should be fine, what do you think as we have the same chest size and you have tried both the sizes of large and medium in the plasma? BTW, you should make more videos.

[@naturenate7117]

@@rssin23 So I just tried out the medium with two layers underneath, it should have been similar to the setup you are speaking of. I think it will work for you as long as both of those layers are pretty form fitting. I actually didn't feel constricted at all minus a small amount in the armpit region. Also, those two layers underneath did not impact the loft of the vest at all. So, the medium should work well unless your under layers are not form fitting or if you want a more relaxed fit! And thank you! I am open to suggestions on videos if you have any ideas/input of what you'd like to see.

[@rssin23]

@@naturenate7117 you have been super helpful, I ordered the medium in Navy. I personally like gear reviews, backpacks, clothing, general hiking gear, camp gear. Most such gear reviews are just about the features but don't cover real world usage. Your video stood out to me because it covered the real world usage of how you layer, how's the jacket, what sizing you got. Plus I think you have good screen presence and voice. Definitely looking forward to more reviews.

[@rssin23]

Currently I am looking at sleeping pads, sleeping bags and camp cooking systems. If you want to share your gear and usability on them in these it would be perfect.

[@naturenate7117]

@@rssin23 Well thanks! I definitely use my gear (almost daily) and think that is what needs to be shared!

[@pgreenx]

What cottage industry jacket is better?

[@naturenate7117]

So really how they have the Montbell beat is in the down to weight ratio of the garment. Some of the jackets these companies make are 60% down by weight, whereas montbell is in the 30-40% range. You will sacrifice some of the features however. Some cottage companies are: goosefeetgear, timmermade, and nunatakusa.

[@naikrosh]

For sizing reference .. you height and weight please?

[@naturenate7117]

6'2" and 165lbs. The large has extra chest and stomach room on me.

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

😊 nice jacket but to thin for me

[@naturenate7117]

It is easy enough to keep it safe, but definitely not for all purposes. Most jackets beat it on the durability side haha

[@oeil_2_lynx]

what’s the beanie sir?

[@naturenate7117]

It is a handmade one...

[@oeil_2_lynx]

@@naturenate7117 I see, you made it yourself?

[@naturenate7117]

@@oeil_2_lynx My friend did, I wish I had those skills haha

[@user-wi1dd2dj8z]

Hi i dont know english well ,so i know your weight and jaket size

[@naturenate7117]

160 pounds, I wear a size large but there is definitely extra room for layering underneath the jacket for me. I could wear a medium but the sleeves would probably be too short!

[@sylvainjean9444]

This down jacket is very warm and very light but above all it is extremely fragile. The outer fabric is so thin and fragile that it does not resist the slightest encounter with a rock or a tree branch. Even the pointed part of the feather manages to pass through the fabric. I am very disappointed by the fragility of this down jacket and I do not recommend its purchase for an instant outdoor practice. She is just fine in the evening during a bivouac. Sorry for my English it's not my language.

[@naturenate7117]

I have never had issues with the fragility of the jacket, it is a very thin nylon but that is to be expected with such a low weight jacket. I keep mine covered with a nylon wind shell in most situations and that is enough to keep it protected from sticks and rocks. But using ultralight equipment definitely requires a different style in the outdoors.

[@chrish9502]

Hey, is it really that fragile? Was thinking about getting this for the city but don’t want to worry about backpack straps wearing it down, or catching it on a chair

[@naturenate7117]

It would probably serve you just fine, but realistically there are better jackets for the purpose you described. If you really want a jacket that packs away well and you don’t notice it in your pack, it is awesome. You would have to catch it just right to tear it in the city and backpack straps probably wouldn’t hurt it until years of use. That being said, you would still have to be more conscious of it compared to other jackets.

[@chrish9502]

@@naturenate7117 thanks for the reply. Is it actually warm down to the 20s? I recently purchased a MB Light Alpine Down which is theoretically supposed to be slightly warmer, but I’m questioning whether even this will get me through a december. But then again, I’m new to down!

[@naturenate7117]

I am usually wearing a warm under layer with mine, like a fleece or a merino wool long sleeve. This makes a huge difference. I also live in a place that is a dry cold, which I now realize great changes my perspective on the warmth of the jacket. I would test the comfort level of your current jacket before getting another so that you can get an idea. Also, make sure you are storing down in a place that it can stay fully lofted (puffed up). Long term compression of down will really decrease its overall warmth and limit its lifespan.

[@saminthewoods]

Durability is a huge factor. Nice jacket, but not for this guy. What are the cottage companies?

[@naturenate7117]

Ultralight is easy to work around, just wear a nylon shell or some other piece of clothing over it. However, I wouldn’t go around building shelters in it or anything unless totally necessary. And if durability is your main concern a down jacket isn’t really the right arena to be in... Oil skin/oil cloth/waxed canvas is pretty much the most durable thing you can buy. I’ll do some video on it. But some cottage companies are: goosefeetgear, timmermade, and nunatakusa. These are all ultralight stuff though.