GEAR REVIEW: Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest

By Will Rietveld

A down vest that weighs only 3 ounces? Yes! The Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest is basically their uberlight 4.8 ounce Plasma 1000 Down Jacket minus the sleeves.

New for fall 2016, the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest is insulated with 1000 fill-power down and weighs just 3.1 ounces in size Medium

A down vest is an orphan in a way; it doesn’t have a conventional home, and its an acquired affinity. It’s basically a midlayer, but the choice to buy and use a vest depends a lot on user preference. Some people simply like vests because they provide both warmth and freedom of movement. Or they simply like the athletic/outdoorsy appearance. Others (like me) look at it from a functionality viewpoint.

I see it mainly as a midlayer, and in the case of the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest, an ultralight midlayer that will enable me to cut some weight from my gear kit.

A midlayer or insulation layer is an essential part of a layering system to maintain comfort while hiking and camping. There are times (cool, overcast, windy) when hiking in only a baselayer is too chilly, and wearing a jacket is too hot. The options are donning a lightweight midlayer or wearing a windshirt over a baselayer. I have always preferred the latter; that combination is remarkably warm and versatile, and there are many windshirts that are extremely lightweight like Montbell’s Tachyon Jacket at 1.6 ounces.

Further, the amount of insulation needed depends on a lot of things – age, gender, activity level, weather, and elevation. And the amount and type of insulation needed for hiking can differ from that needed for camping, so versatility is needed.

So how functional and versatile is the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest in meeting these situations and needs?

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Montbell (www.montbell.com)
Model	Plasma 1000 Down Vest
Style	Insulated Vest
Sizes	Men’s S to XXL, women’s S to XL
Insulation	1.1 oz 1000 fill-power down
Fabric	7-denier Ballistic Airlight ripstop nylon shell with standard DWR
Weight	3.1 oz (men’s Medium), 2.8 oz (women’s Medium), measured weight 3.05 oz (men’s Medium tested)
Features	Sewn-through construction, full-height front zipper, stand-up collar
MSRP	$199

Description

As you can see in the first photo and the table above, the Plasma Vest is Spartan. Its only features are a full-height front zipper and stand-up collar. No pockets. That’s the point: it’s designed to be as lightweight as possible.

While I normally wear a size Large in a jacket, I found that a size Medium vest is a good choice. Since its main function is to insulate the torso, a trim fit works well to reduce drafts.

Testing

I tested the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest on three backpacking trips in the Southwestern Colorado mountains and Southern Utah canyon lands. Weather conditions ran the gambit, from mild and pleasant to windy, snowy, and cold.

I wore the vest over a baselayer in wind, while carrying a backpack, with a windshirt over it, in camp, under an insulated jacket, and I wore it in my sleeping bag.

For warmth, the Plasma Vest works best on the trail in cool, cloudy, and windy conditions. As I mentioned, a thin windshirt over a baselayer works great when I am actively hiking, but when its one notch colder adding the vest as a midlayer is the way to go. I personally prefer to wear a windshirt over the Plasma Vest when I use it, for three reasons: 1) the windshirt protects the vest so it doesn’t get damaged, 2) it keeps my arms from getting chilly when it’s cool and windy, and 3) the windshirt holds in the heat, so the combination is much warmer in camp when I am less active. On the trail I can regulate the temperature by opening the zippers.

The same is true in camp. A windshirt over the vest is remarkably warmer, and the combination suffices for insulation for mountain hiking and camping in midsummer. For cooler months, I would also take along an ultralight down jacket, like the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Jacket, and the combination provides loads of warmth for the weight.

The weight savings from using the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest as a midlayer is significant by ultralight standards. The alternative midlayer for a lot of hikers is a fleece pullover, which can weigh at least 8 ounces. So the weight savings is 5 ounces, or more. I personally like a microfleece pullover because it’s durable and versatile, but its warmth to weight ratio is not nearly as good as a down vest.

Assessment

I found the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest to be very functional while cutting some significant weight from my gear kit. For me, it works best in combination with a thin windshirt.

I find that it’s hard to get by without a midlayer while mountain backpacking. There are many times when a baselayer only is too chilly, and donning an insulated jacket over the baselayer is too hot. A midlayer or windshirt over the baselayer is just right for hiking when it’s some combination of overcast, cool, and windy.

While the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest can replace a heavier midlayer in an ultralight gear kit, it doesn’t come cheap; $199 is a lot of money for a 3.1 ounce garment.

However, when you add in the everyday uses for the vest, like social events, and wearing it under a jacket, it becomes a well used piece of gear. In many ways, it’s an acquired use; once you get the vest, you become aware of its many uses, and you get quite attached to it. The Plasma 1000 Down Vest not bulky like many down vests, so it feels uninhibiting, and it can be worn under your normal sized jacket.

This discussion begs a question for readers: do you commonly take a midlayer on backpacking trips, and what do you prefer to take. What is the lightest and most functional midlayer you have found? Post your response in the comments section below.

GEAR REVIEW: Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka

By Will Rietveld

Montbell is a leader in providing down insulated garments that are cutting edge, very lightweight, and reasonable priced. The new Plasma 1000 Down Parka, introduced in fall 2016, is the latest example. The 1000 indicates 1000 fill-power down, and to my knowledge, no other manufacturer can make that claim. Combined with 7-denier shell fabric, this parka provides a lot of warmth for its weight.

At 8.4 ounces (size Medium) the Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka packs a lot of features and warmth in a very lightweight garment. It features 1000 fill-power down and a 7-denier shell. (Montbell photo)

Montbell’s abundance of down jackets can be confusing, but a visit to their website (www.montbell.com) will clear it up. The Plasma 1000 Down Parka is basically a big brother to their extremely lightweight, hoodless, less insulated Plasma 1000 Down Jacket, weighing a mere 4.8 ounces. The Parka version adds more insulation, a hood, zippered hand pockets, and a hem drawcord.

Specifications and Features

Manufacturer	Montbell (www.montbell.com)
Model	Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka
Style	Hooded down parka
Sizes	Unisex XS to XL
Insulation	3.4 oz 1000 fill-power down
Fabrics	7-denier Ballistic Airlight ripstop nylon shell with standard DWR
Weight	8.4 oz (Medium), 8.9 oz (size Large tested)
Features	Sewn-through construction, 2 zippered hand pockets, drawcord hem with 2 adjustors in pockets, elastic cuffs, 2-way adjustable fixed hood, full-height front zipper, stuff sack included
MSRP	$379

Description

From an ultralight backpacker’s viewpoint, I had hoped for another version of the Plasma 1000 Down Jacket with twice as much down. That would have a super high warmth to weight ratio and weigh about 6.4 ounces. Well, we did get a jacket with twice the down, but it came in the form of a featured parka weighing 8.4 ounces (size Medium). Factoring in 0.2 extra ounces of down, the Alpine Down Parka weighs only 1.8 ounces more than my wished-for jacket. Which is remarkable; Montbell managed to add a bit more insulation, an adjustable hood, zippered hand pockets, and a drawcord hem for only 2 ounces.

Front and back views. The puffy parka has sewn-through construction, using a unique sewing pattern designed to promote down loft while keeping the stitching to a minimum to keep the garment as light as possible. The center back length is 28 inches.

 

Front and back of hood. The front of the hood has two simple adjustors that pull the hood in around the face. The back has one adjustor that pulls the hood back, as needed, so it doesn’t cover the eyes.

Hand pockets.  The zippered hand pockets have a lot of room inside: 8 inches deep and 12 inches high.

 

Elastic cuffs. The cuffs are simple elastic to save weight. They fit snugly.

Field Testing

I tested the Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka on three backpacking trips in the Southwestern Colorado mountains and Southern Utah canyonlands. Weather conditions ran the gambit, from mild and pleasant to windy, snowy, and cold.

For me (6 feet, 165 pounds), the parka is a perfect fit. The sleeves are plenty long; I normally require a 35 inch sleeve length, and the sleeves on this jacket are just right. The back of the parka covers my butt.

The parka is cut to provide enough room (for me) to layer over a medium weight midlayer. In the photos above, I am wearing the Parka over the Montbell Plasma 1000 Down Vest, a 3-ounce vest that I will cover in a separate review.

While I love the featureless Plasma 1000 Down Jacket (4.8 ounces, size Medium) for its remarkable light weight, I must admit that I also love the hand pockets on the Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka. In camp I stow a number of needed items in the pockets to keep them handy – gloves, matches, ear plugs, and pinch light – and leave them in the pockets throughout the trip. I close the zippers at night to keep items from falling out.

I typically wear my insulated camp clothing in my sleeping bag at night to extend the warmth of my bag. The Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka works well in that role, its not too bulky, and with the hood drawn over my camp hat, I can often sleep without using the hood on my sleeping bag. This Parka would also be an excellent match for a sleeping quilt or hoodless sleeping bag.

The warmth of a garment is a relative thing; variables include age, gender, and actual weather conditions. For me, as I get older I find that I get cold easier and require more insulation for comfort. But that’s true for most campers in general; we all want to stay warm in the backcountry, and our comfort items are usually some extra insulation and a comfortable sleeping pad. For me, the Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka is just right for summer backpacking in the mountains, where I frequently camp in the alpine zone above 12,000 feet, and for the shoulder seasons in various terrains. This Parka is a bit too light for winter camping, although it would be about right for active pursuits on cold days. For lightweight winter camping, the baffled Montbell Mirage Parka would be a better choice.

The harshest conditions I encountered in my testing were an early September wind/rain/hail/snow storm while camping at 12,500 feet. Wearing the Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka paired with the Montbell Superior Down Pants, I was warm, dry, and comfortable, and enjoyed the experience.

Assessment

The Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka is an ideal insulated garment for the shoulder seasons, high altitude summer camping, for campers who require extra insulation to stay warm, and for sleeping in a hoodless quilt or sleeping bag.

It’s remarkable how Montbell is able to provide so many useful features in an insulated jacket for so little weight, and provide so many choices. For example, comparing the Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka (8.4 ounces, size Medium) to the hooded Ex Light Down Anorak (6.2 ounces, size Medium), for an extra 2.2 extra ounces you get more down, loftier down, hood adjustment, hand pockets, a full-height zipper, and an adjustable hem drawcord.

A case in point regarding the Parka’s extra features is the adjustable hood; it adjusts in front to seal around your face, and adjusts in back to pull it away from your eyes. It doesn’t balloon or blow off in the wind. In contrast, the non-adjustable hood on the Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak fits loosely and blows off in the wind. My solution is to wear my billed cap over the hood to hold it in place. So, a good case can be made that features matter, especially on a parka, and Montbell has a knack for adding functional features with minimal extra weight.

Overall, I don’t have any issues at all with the Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka; it fills its niche perfectly – an ultralight garment for cool weather and shoulder season activities.