#2301211
Updated 05/28/18 (EST)
Review Date: May 26, 2018
A puffy jacket is an essential piece of clothing for every CDT hiker: while the trail is exposed to the sun during the day, nights can be cold. I like the 6.2 ounce Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak, which balances an extremely light weight with warmth and price. With a full hood and a kangaroo pocket to keep hands warm, this jacket is something hikers will wear almost every day.
from Liz "Snorkel" Thomas
Josh Mathe recently reviewed the EX Light Down Anorak for Backpackers.com. Read what he has to say about one of our most popular down jackets and why they've awarded us their Budget Pick for the Ultralight Backpacker!
"What do you want from a piece of cold weather clothing when you’re moving light and fast through the backcountry? Easy: light, packable, and warm. The Montbell EX Light Down Anorak delivers these three essentials in spades, and includes a couple other cool features that make this bad boy pretty darn impressive. (The jacket is actually unisex so that gender assignment is simply poetic license.)
Even at a modest price point, there is no other jacket I’ve found that offers a warmth to ratio like the Montbell EX Light Down Anorak (6.2 oz and 900-fill goose down). This makes it the clear Budget Pick for the Ultralight Backpacker. While there are technically cheaper down jackets on the market, you’ll need your backcountry gear to help you survive. The Anorak will do that."
from Backpackers.com
Reviewed in October 2016
Gear Patrol recently added the EX Light Down Anorak to their ongoing list of the "Best Down Jackets" for the 2016/17 winter season. The EX Light Down Anorak joins the Mirage Down Parka, which was originally reviewed by Gear Patrol in 2014.
"The EX Light makes good use of a few simple features, including a half zip, an adjustable hem, and an insulated kangaroo pocket in order to maximize versatility without adding bulk, making it a great choice for any winter activity."
from Gearpatrol.com
Review Date: Dec 15, 2015
AT Section hiker Brent "Wander" Borgemeister has this to say for the Appalachian Trials 2015 Holiday Gear Guide: "At only 6.6oz for a men’s size large, the warmth to weight ratio of this 900 fill down jacket makes it difficult to justify ever leaving the Montbell Ex Light Down Anorak behind, even in spring and early fall. The 7-denier ballistic airlight nylon fabric is incredibly windproof surprisingly water resistant, and with fibers nearly half the width of a human hair, it doesn’t leak down. The hood also provides additional warmth when using a sleeping quilt, allowing your favorite backpacker to also drop weight from their sleep system by ditching their heavy sleeping bag."
Review Date: Oct 20, 2015
Bikepacking.com reviews and explains the importance of ultralight down jackets in this comparison of 5 jackets under 12oz. Ultimately, the EX Light Down Anorak comes highly recommended due to its balance of features, weight and warmth.
"Recommending clothing for bikepacking is a complex endeavor, mined as it is with caveats. Advice rests on conditional elements such as local climate, personal needs, aesthetic preferences, and financial constraints. However, it’s hard to argue the value of investing in an ultralight, compressible, and insulating jacket. This minimal piece of gear can make the difference between staying home, and extending your adventures well into the colder months – keeping you toasty warm in the process."
from Bikepacking.com
Review Date: October 14th, 2015
A gear review from Dylan Niknot of Appalachiantrials.com.
"I have had this jacket for a few months now. I take it hiking, camping and wear it in my day to day life in central and Northern PA. If I’m not wearing it it’s either in my car or my backpack. It really has become my main insulating layer. It is always close by and will continue to be for the rest of this hoodie season."
Reviewed on January 6, 2015
While simple in design and weighs little, the Mont-bell Down Anorak is unexpectedly warm when needed. The jacket packs down small, taking up minimal space and then fluffs up quickly to regain loft when you are ready for it.
Its light weight and small packed size make it a great addition for a weight-conscious hiker looking to reduce what they carry.
from Trailspace.com
