I’ve seen a few questions about layering, other jacket suggestions, and down alternatives- so here ya go! I’m wearing a base layer from Kari Traa and a SkyGOAT fleece hoodie (it’s my first official piece of cottage gear and I love it!) on top, and a base layer and my SheFly pants on the bottom. Many of you have mentioned the Decathalon Forclaz! I learned about this jacket just a few days ago, when Rainer told me I probably should have compared my Cerium to that instead 🥲 Anyone who owns it - what do you think of it? If you are looking for a good alternative to down for allergy, moral, or other reasons, check out the Thermoball collection from North Face, anything with Primaloft Gold, or Patagonia’s Nano Puff line!
I have the Forclaz, great jacket for the price (but not really tested it while hicking tbh). Had the early version of the thermoball: great but began to lose "fluffines" after a while
Can't say I've tried an arcteryx down jacket but the decathlon mt100 is definitely amazing value. It's kept me warm in the -5C region and it's very light and packable! Another benefit of it being reasonably priced is that I don't feel like I need to baby it versus a more expensive down jacket. Overall I'm plenty happy with it, and I think it would make for a more interesting comparison to your Cerium!
I’ve owned the Forclaz for 3 years now and it’s a great jacket for little money. It’s kept me warm up to about -5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit). With a thermal base layer it even held until -10/14
I love the fact that we got a new channel with the same Miranda. Often times when people go out on their own, their entire persona changes to something vastly different. The fact that Miranda has maintained the same personality and style throughout both channels warrants high praise to REI for allowing her lots of creativity and to Miranda for being genuinely Miranda no matter what.
I was completely happy sitting on the couch with my blanket, drinking coffee and then I watched your video. Now I must go outside and do a winter hike. Absolutely didn’t need another jacket. I did need the inspiration to get my butt going. Thanks for the video!
The Uniqlo jackets that first came out were SO WARM. 10F and comfy. I sadly lost it and the newer ones have less fill and a bit breezy. Still great for the price.
The Uniqlo jacket is great up to late fall. If you're wearing it in winter, you will need to layer up or add a shell. However, for $60, it's a great purchase.
The Decathlon Trek 100 is $90 and it’s amazing. Even if it isn’t “on par” with its $400 alternative, I’m willing to bet the gap is much smaller in heat and quality. It has 800fp and a nice tapered design for minimizing air gaps, still pretty light (10.2 oz for a medium men’s).
Awww, I feel one thing to mention is these Uniqlo jackets are not made for wind, rain, snow, any element really. Usually I find it really effective to put as a mid layer with a windbreaker type outside. It’s cute enough to wear around if you have to while traveling. I’ve had mine for like 8yrs now. I bring it for long plane rides in case the AC is set too low, to vacation as packable emergency warmth etc. it has came in clutch a few times for that. But I would never trust it for camping or the outdoors as the main warmth keeper… maybe for like a fall hike, maybe. These are made for the city for sure~
I agree with everything you said - except the "made for the city" part. Cities get drizzle, snow, and wind - at least mine does. And Uniqlo jackets are lousy in those conditions. The shell is prone to tears and snags too. Uniqlo is more of a "sitting in the car" jacket. Or a "my house is cold" jacket. Unless you have pets. You don't want to be wearing one of those jackets around a pet. It would be ripped to shreds.
I'm another Decathlon Trek 100 user and I love it. I've been using it for a couple years. I've taken it on multiple camping trips, worn it in winter weather around town, took it on my hike of the first couple pct sections last year and I'm taking it on my pct thru hike this year. The existence of this jacket is a clear demonstration that $400 for a lightweight down puffy is price gouging. I bought the Trek 100 for $80 and it was originally sold for $60.
I have the Uniqlo down jacket and love it for layering. I use a thin waterproof-windproof The North Face jacket over it and together they create a great pair for hiking, skiing and much more. It does add extra weight for backpacking but I'm not an ultralighter and the money I saved were worth the few extra ounces on my back :)
Plus you get more versatility from the combo option. This is exactly what I was wondering as she did this review. (Many thanks). I'm from Oz and we just don't have access to a lot of options AND I just can't justify a heavy expenditure on a jacket I will get VERY little use from. So I may just get stuck with the Uniqlo option cos would rather spend more on waterproofing (I can always layer up)
Same! Esp since I live in a desert area, I can't justify expensive gear just for when I go traveling in winter. So I got a total of 5 light layers including Uniqlo ultralight vest and heattech base. Layers = warmer so this setup works well. And I get to wear more of my favorite things.
I’ve had my Uniqlo ultra light down for several years and it’s held up great. Mine has the thinner baffles unlike the one you tried. Mine is also more form fitting so there’s no drafts. I’ve worn a base layer, merino wool T, zip up fleece and my Uniqlo down and have comfortable in the low 30s
I’m from south Florida and recently moved to Colorado; whenever I would visit Colorado in past I would be freezing due to using brand like Uniqlo or Zara puffer jackets thinking “big jacket should keep me warm” 100% wrong. Not till I found Patagonia/arcteryx I’m not warmer/dryer than ever and will never have to purchase another jacket again due to their ironclad warranty. 100% worth spending the money for a lifetime jacket
A note on the 10 year old jacket, just remember that ten years ago they might have been using a better process that they've since decided to sideline in the name of profits.
Mountain Hardwear kind of did the same thing with the GW. I've got one I bought about 6 or 7 years ago, and I bought a hooded one a year later and the hooded one was a much tighter fit than the previous one. And they were labeled as the same size. Bought a GW vest in XXL as well and same deal, barely fit me. The first jacket I bought, still fits, though I'm a bit more rotund than when I bought it. ☺
A note on the 10 year old jacket, just remember that ten years ago they might have been using a lesser process that they've since decided to upgrade in the name of improvement.
@@jessegpresley Looking at the 10 year old Uniqlo jacket and the newer one, I'm going to go with what I said over what you said. The 10 year old one actually has design that looks like current higher end down sweaters. The newer one looks like a sewing pattern you'd give a home ec student for one of their first projects.
good point! but additionally to that it is definitely another model of down jacket and might have been a pricier one than the one miranda bought now. uniqlo has lots of down jackets.
The thing is, Uniqlo changed their Ultralight Jackets fit 1 or 2 years ago, and NOW it’s shorter and has a boxier fit (and it sucks). The older Ultralight Jacket works as an insulated layer. I bought it for 40-45 EUR, and technically it does the same work as Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Jacket that costs approx 300 EUR
To me it's also how well it holds up after a few washes. I had cheaper items that actually seemed good quality at first but after wearing for a month or washing (according to instructions, like I would also wash the more expensive ones) they would fall apart so there's that
The city can be just as demanding in the cold as the hike. Yes a mountain peak will be much colder and windier. But the sort of hike you took could be very similar to the city. Cities can be very windy. More so than the forest. Trees break up wind while talk building focus them like a wind tunnel. When you hike you generate heat. In the city you might be sitting at a bus stop or waiting for a cab. I think a cheap Uniqlo will last a while if you take care of it. But you won't be very warm. Better to spend $100-$200 and be more comfortable.
So excited for your channel! Also very happy to hear that you were able to keep your intro audio lol I love hearing you say “this is my show, gosh darn!”
So true. Uniqlo jackets are warm - but only until they come in contact with water, snow, or wind. The fabric literally sucks liquid into itself. And in the wind, you can feel cold air come in at every place the needle punctured the fabric.
I have had this one for a couple of years now and this year got a Decathlon Trek 100 for 45€ and I gotta say, it's a huge upgrade for hiking and I would highly recommend going for the Decathlon one over the Uniqlo one.
I think it's a good idea to consider that many stores, Uniqlo included, reduce their quality over time so I'm sure that 10 year old jacket really is great but I suspect if you bought it today, the quality would be noticeably lower. I've read reviews on Uniqlo where they talked about how an item used to be great but when they purchased a new one, the quality was not as good as the older one.
You might want to take a look at the Outdoor Vitals Ventus Hoodie ( $180 ). It weighs 7 ounces, and you can compress it down to a softball without worrying about ruining its ( warm ) synthetic fill. Last April , it kept me warm ( worn over a REI Sahara Sun Hoodie ) in 20-degree Temps with 40 MPH winds throwing freezing rain and snow on me.
Down jackets last forever if you look after them. I bought mine in 1982 and it's still going strong. As for the DWR issue it's easy enough to use a spray to add DWR to the cheap jacket for less than $10. Not perfect, but enough for the snowball test I'm sure.
I own the REI 650. For the price you really can't beat it. My best friend has a ghost whisperer and although I find myself liking his jacket a little more, I think about the price difference and it makes me appreciate how well my REI jacket does for only a $100. I've owned it for a couple of years now and its still going strong!
I bought a Uniqlo down jacket in 2019? And it's interesting to see how the design has changed since then. Mine doesn't have the cinches at the bottom, but is a slimmer fit through the bottom. I like mine! It's great for everyday wear and for taking on short trips. I'm going to take my mountain hardwear jacket on my thru-hike, where I'm trying to optimize warmth and weight, but the uniqlo jacket sees way more use otherwise!
One thing about the Ghost Whisperer is it's more form fitting than it used to be. A bonus too is that Mountain Hardware puts the GW on sale at the end of the season, so you can get one for like half price.
If you’re looking to save some money right now is a good time to buy winter gear from your local outfitter. A lot of places are trying to sell if most there winter inventory. I just picked up a $300 patagonia down jacket for $150. Shop around a little bit and you won’t have to sacrifice quality or $$$
After trying different down coats from layered down Eddie Bauer to a heavy Icelandic coat that had a crooked hood, I wear a small men's Aritzia down that I'm absolutely thrilled with re warmth, design,& cost. Am a small/med female, & a small men's Aritzia down coat is perfect.
I was like, how does this channel only have 67k subscribers!? And then I see it's only like the second video. Totally makes sense. Love your personality and the info. Love that your on your own now. Go girl!
I wear the Uniqlo down vest underneath my Uniqlo down jacket when its -10 Celsius and below. Both for about $100. All good. I never travel without my down vest. It looks good and functional. It also rolls up in a pouch you can use as a pillow on the plane.
OK...but you missed a key point on the Arcteryx Cerium Jackets (or vests)...on top of the shoulders and in the pit area Arcteryx uses synthetic fill. This allows the Arcteryx to release vapor in those high sweat areas without compromising warmth. Also having synthetic in the shoulder area means that there is no concern about the loft under the backpack shoulder straps. So, besides the fit there are a lot of reasons to go with Arcteryx; it's just a better technical jacket. Of course if you want the absolute lightest weight to warmth ratio...get a MontBell Plasma 1000.
I think the cerium outer fabric is too fragile to wear whilst wearing anything other than a very small light pack.i own the cerium sv and would only put it on when I stop to warmup
@@waichungsham1578 I used the Cerium SL Vest in Northern Florida on the Florida Trail and had no issues with it. If you're not hiking through brambles the fabric is plenty good enough. Besides...it seems to me that most hikers love new gear all the time anyways, so why not use and abuse what you have...the next new shiny thing is just around the corner.
An important note would be to mention that this is also a good reason to get something designed for exercise or outdoor use, as that's a lot of the benefits being seen in the nicer jackets. The Uniqlo clearly isn't bad, especially for in and out of buildings or pedestrian commuting, but suffers for hiking and backpacking because it just isn't designed for it. Seems likely to be fine on a budget for moderate snowy cold, day hikes, shorter trips, etc, and when layered well, but it's just not going to be "best use."
I've had the Uniqlo one for a while, and recently picked up a Marine Layer one which has become my go to. But for durability and a layer the Uniqlo is great (although all my experience has been city wear, not hiking wear)
Hugely informative. Keep in mind Arcteryx warranty is incredibly disappointing. After gently washing a T shirt only 5 times the reflective logo wore off. Refused to replace it. Originally said it was general wear and is acceptable. When pushed offered only a 20% discount on a new one. Declined the offer. Said finally they would repair it but I would have to pay postage. Patagonia and TNF have either repaired or replaced worn gear. Postage paid.
I have a Uniqlo down jacket and have used it for around 7 years and it hasn't failed me. I will say it's definitely water repellant and not waterproof. It didn't last on a hike with nonstop drizzle in the PNW and got pretty soaked. But if you use it with a rain shell on top it's perfect! It keeps me pretty warm and protects well against wind. I take it on me for hikes even though it's not advertised for that kind of activity. I will say though that the design of my older one is a lot different than the one Miranda was testing. Not as boxy, it has a more form-fitting design (but still roomy enough) and has elastic at the hems of the sleeves and torso rather than the pull to adjust like her version did. It also is not as short as hers. I like using my Uniqlo down for hikes because it's so packable, warm, and comfortable. It's not perfect, but if you use it with a system it's great
The website “32 degrees” has a 650 fill down jacket that’s 39 dollars when it’s on sale and they have sales all the time. I’ve never seen it at full price. I’ve had mine for several months now and I’ve tested it out in temperatures well below freezing and it’s worked very well for me. I just checked and it’s still on sale! they have five colors to choose from as well.
Thank you for the review. I also believe that down jacket's functionality correlates to its retail price, besides that I also pay attention to its down to feather ratio and what type of down they use. I was interested in the Uniqlo jacket but haven't bought it. I guess it would be warm enough for me because the temperature where I live is always above 0 celsius. I have one great down coat literally from 15 years ago when I lived in a much colder place where it goes to minus 20 in winter, which I still love but hardly have any chance to wear it. It's of great quality tho, and I feel like it could live to next decades.
I bought a uniqlo ul down puffy for my grn mtn 4 day bkpking trip last Oct. Temp ~30-40F + wind chill + drizzle. Wanted a UL but didn't want to wear my brand new arc'teryx puffy on trail. Can confirm it wasn't as warm as my arc'teryx puffy, but it's so amazingly light. Works good with a windbreaker, but very bad under a poncho. Like shown in vid, try not to get it wet.
Where I live is much warmer, usually 0 degree in winter. I just need to wear a base layer and a heated jacket. Tha't enough. The most comfortable and warm heated jacket is from ARRIS which I bought a few years ago. Highly recommend it!
My all-time favorite and warmest down vest is a $20 vest from either Costco or Sam's Club that I bought bc I liked the color. It's 10-12yo, and I reach for it before I reach for my Arc'teryx vests all the time. Also, something about throwing on a $20 vest as opposed to a $200 vest is easier to contemplate when doing stuff in cold, crummy weather. That said, you can pry my Arc'teryx down jacket from my warm, dead body. For me, there is no other down jacket.
Good point abiut wet dawn and sintetic inslutation. I have a military PrimaLoft jacket and it is so warm and handy! Unfortunately, it doesn't work well in the city - it stands out in the crowd despite its olive color.
I have a $400CAD Helly Hansen winter jacket for about 5 years now. I live in Northern Canada, it serves me great in winter No complain. I still wear it during summer time because the air flow design is great, i dont feel hot either. Best $400 I ever spent. I might be bias, because i learnt from young age, the best way to dress for winter is to dress in layer.
First hiking jacket I bought was Millet Track Hoodie soft shell. It cost around 130 dollars at that time. Then someone advised me to buy the Decathlon Trek 100 (which is similar to the Arcteryx in specs) for winter hikes so I did. It cost around 60 dollars. First time I wore it I took it to a -15 C snow climb but I wore the soft shell first. I switched to the down jacket at the peak, and didn't notice any difference in heating properties. A few times I took it with me as a backup for the soft shell. I planned to wear it under the soft shell in these cases, but I ended up never using it. From that moment on, the Trek 100 is in its pocket in my wardrobe. Soft shell is so much better. It can withstand some light rain, it has 3 pockets, all pockets are vents, it can be worn in autumn and winter. I also use it for skiing. So a thumb down for down jackets from me. I recently bought a 10k mm hard shell from Black Diamond. A much better option for a backup than a down jacket.
I bought my Uniqlo down about 7-8 years ago and it’s still going strong. I’ve hiked in it a few times and found it was too warm when hiking and sufficient when resting, but never in snowy cold weather. It’s been fine for fall and early spring hikes. I mostly wear it around the city. Also my jacket looks more like Frank’s. It is shiny, not boxy, with smaller rows of stitching.
For anyone shopping for jackets, REI also makes an 850 fill down jacket for ~$200 ish. I got one on sale for less than that too. Just something to think about!
Decathon forclaz 100 or trek 100 is a duck down jacket that cost 80$cad and 50$ in sale, for the price and weight it's an amazing jacket Happy to see you back and free !
Loved this video! I felt like you did a good job of highlighting what made the arcteryx warmer, which is helpful to us viewers when we consider what to look for in a down jacket (regardless of which brand options we have). It also seemed like you and Reiner were just having a fun time together, and there were more signature Miranda jokes which I absolutely love!!! Can't wait to see more from you and your team as you take this new leap into independent videos 😁
I absolutely loved this video. Good job Miranda! I love how you compared to one of the most expensive, and I loved how you had an REI option as well as the famous Ghost Whisperer. That’s a great start to being an independent blogger. I personally bought that Arc’teryx last winter in anticipation that I would need it for my backpacking needs in the summer. My backpacking season was so warm I didn’t get to put the Arc’teryx properly to the test, but it does fit better, and feel both more durable and warmer than any of the less expensive down jackets I’ve bought in the past. So, my cheap options are for “every day” wear around (easily replaceable), and my Arc’teryx is reserved for those times that I need an ultralight jacket that performs extremely well. Thank you for making this informative video.
Would love to know what pants you’re wearing on the hike! Winter hiking bottoms are always a challenge for me. Thanks for all you do to help get everyone outside!
I’m wearing Go There pants from SheFly, and a Kari Traa base layer underneath! I feel you on hiking layers though - I feel like I have to size up my winter hiking pants in order to fit a base layer under.
I've got an REI down and a canada goose. Both are good, but if it's super cold out i will wear my canada goose any day. I was once mountain biking and temps dropped to 40 deg. I had a t shirt underneath my canda goose and i was very warm. Best part too is that my canada goose can be packed into a small footprint
One reason I’m wary of cheap priced down products is the likely hood that the down feather are not responsibly sourced. Iv had an Arc’teryx hooded down jacket for 8 years now and only this year has is shown signs of wear. (Tiny rips likely from bushes,dogs or moving are the climbing crag) DWR coating still work great. I got caught in a bunch of rain two nights ago and I couldn’t find a stop wear the water didn’t bead and shed off. Would like to mention that if you do buy products with weak or no DWR you can treat them after market at home. Needs to be reapplied more often then ones that come with a good DWR to start but it is an option. I will say I only spent $400 on it because I was fortunate enough to have a good paying career at the time. Now that I’m not in the line of your and making less I definitely would look at MEC and REIs products. Even if/when I go back to electrical and make good money again I likely will replace my current down jacket with something more around the $200 range whenever that day comes. I use my current jacket all year round for hiking,snowshoeing, snowboarding, rock climbing and around town. That’s one of the perks of paying a bit more and from a reputable company, they last so much longer then quick fashion companies.
My Arc'teryx hooded down jacket was still $250 at a half price sale years ago. I splurged. It's my go to jacket every cold day to the point of wearing it out. It goes under a Burton GoreTex shell for extreme cold and running the snowblower. It's super light. It regains loft after washing. It has polar fleece instead of down on the top of the shoulders and ends of the sleeves - the spots where down would get wet and lose loft. I can't imagine what a new one costs now, or if they even make this model, but it's been great.
I have the Uniqlo ultralight parkas and I take them on only trip. I’ve also found them used on resale sites and I try to keep extras in the cars because of their versatility. I’ve worn them on camping and backpacking trips but they do need to be used with the understanding that if you are seeking a lot of warmth, they would just be part of a layer. If it happens to get cold when camping, I’ll add it to my sleeping bag for that little extra warmth. If you want only one super-warm high-end piece, I can understand using the Arc’teryx; however, having the Uniqlo’s around and as an inexpensive option makes for great utility. I won’t stress if I get a hot ember on it or if there is a tear. I would however, get very upset if I damaged an expensive coat like Arc’teryx.
I found a $60 down jacket at Costco. I treated it with waterproofing (both down and shell) and now I have an $80 down jacket that still doesn’t perform like my 10 year old synthetic Columbia!😂 That said, I bought it as a stuffable layer for my daily commute during spring and fall. I often leave the house and it’s 0C and by the afternoon well into sweater only territory!
Haha, yesterday I skied at Snoqualmie wearing my 9 yo Uniqlo down jacket similar to the one you tested. But I wore it under my Arc’teryx shell. Perfect combination for chilling outdoor activities.
Okay I have a cerium and I think the biggest thing for me on the arcteryx is the fit. It really fits the shape of my body really well and it allows for a full range of motion. For example, when you lifted your arms with the uniqlo jacket the bottom of the jacket raised up. On my cerium I can raise my arms above my head and the bottom of the jacket doesnt even move. I think it is the high arm holes that do this but either way there has been a lot of thought in all their products to preserve range of motion. I think because they are a more climbing focused brand. But uniqlo in general is awesome pretty much every tshirt I own is uniqlo!
For city quick trip use it may be worth it. But I'd want something more water resistant and a wee warmer. Currently using as an every day a Paradox 650 down jacket I got at Costco and it's been great for 5 years, but on like a -15C with blowing snow, and just miserable it isn't cutting it. I take the parka. Same if I know I'll be driving in bad weather. I want a jacket that would keep me warm if I had to be stuck in my car all night because of highway accidents or something. Which happens here. On fall trips I take the down jacket and a rain jacket and later up that way I can stay dry and warm and its been a winning combo as both pack small, and I ALWAYS need both at some point during the 7-10 days.
I sold my Ghost Whisperer after getting an EE Torrid. The flat sheet insulation stopped the thin spots in the baffled down from making cool spots. I sold the Ghost for a stupid price and that definitely made the Torrid nicer!!
This is why I prefer synthetic fabric in the cold - down is useless when it gets wet, and my experiences with "treated down" has been mixed. If a jacket constantly lets cold air in, that's not good. Defeats the purpose of the jacket. Arcteryx makes great gear, but it's priced accordingly.
Not winter but… I used the Uniqlo as my sole jacket for a huge chunk of travelling in colder climates in 2022 (until I got home end Nov) which includes some hiking in sometimes rainy conditions. Definitely colder than I’d have liked to be and the down migrated from the shoulders to my wrists many times. But I survived haha.
yes! i have not watched the video yet (although the first seconds seemed intriguing!), but i am so happy that finally there is a review of uniqlo items for hiking/backpacking! i have been watching gear videos for many years now and i am always wondering where the uniqlo things would fit in when different brands are being compared.
This is so timely because I am going on REI's Catskill overnight backpacking in February and I have been circling around the jackets for at least 2 weeks now and contemplating whether I should just use the jacket I always wear. This video is helpful. I do have the Uniqlo vest which I had for 5 years and plan on taking because it does keep me very warm; standing 30+ mins for NYC transportation in the cold is a good test. 🤣
Oh my gosh I hope you have so much fun!! I’m actually looking at getting the Uniqlo vest - it seems like an awesome layer!! And yeah, that bitter NYC wind cuts deep 🥶
Thanks, @@MirandaGoesOutside Those winds do indeed. I think you will really like the vest. It comes with a baggy to put the vest in so that's helpful when trying to be space conscious. Have an awesome day!!
@@MirandaGoesOutside i have been thinking about getting one of their vests too! but i dont know if i should choose a thicker or thinner one or what is actually important in a down vest. if you choose the correct one, please let us know which one to get! :)
I would be very interested to see how your opinions might change if you were to wear a wind proof layer outside the down. I wonder how much of the heat loss of the Uniqlo is the fact that it’s outer fabric is so thin.
I ended up with an Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket in Large-Tall, I'm about 5'11. I love that the jacket covers my bum and actually goes 1/2 way down my thigh. It also has fairly long sleeves and a tight fitting hood. It's a little loose around the bottom, but the cords to tighten that up are difficult to work with but manageable. It's about 11oz in this size. Water proofing isn't the best, but i did get it for 90 Cad on sale, about 67 USD. Overall I like it for the price.
Great first episode of your new channel! Love having more of Rainer in the video as his sense of humor works so well with yours. Excited for what is to come!
There wasn’t any mention of this in the video that i recall, but both are responsible sourced down so that’s a plus 👍 I was curious if that’s how the Uniqlo was less expensive but that’s not the case. I have the REI 650 and I love it, I also recently go the REI Magma Down which is 850 fill power and that would be closer to the Arcteryx, normal price was $250 I think but it was on sale for $130 recently, heck of a steal if you can still find them! I assume they are discontinuing this years design and will come out with a new one next year. Anyways, great video! Love the snowball test!
Love my mountain hardware ghost whisper. Bought it on sale for 50% off in Tomatoe red back in 2016 and it's still going strong even after I slid down most Mount Washington in November of 2018 on my butt and wetted out all the down in the bottom section.
You get what you pay for. I've got the same Arcteryx jacket. Purchased in 2017. the zipper broke in 2022.... I sent it to Arcteryx support to get repaired. It was taking to long. they offered me to either wait it out or take a $350 gift card... Boom brand new jacket.
Yup Ghost whisperer is great but the Patagonia sweater down jacket is better...just a touch heaver but better. I have both. You can make any down jacket you have the best by just using it as a layer under a super thin wind & rain shell.
I bought my Uniqlo jacket on sale. It’s my first down jacket as I’m rarely near snow. I do live in San Francisco where in the late fall it can go from hot (85-90) and drop down to the high 50’s with dense fog that feels almost like a drizzle. Of course I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to wear my down jacket in this light rain and dragged it out of my pack. I was doing a 2 hour walk, involving lots of hills when the fog dropped. The jacket kept me warm and I arrived home dry (after 1+hour walking in it). I hung it up and it was ready to wear the next day. It scrunches up small and is light weight but next time I’ll wear my waterproof windbreaker over it. If I need more I’ll probably get an REI…..At least now I know what to look for!!
I love my Uniqlo jacket for city and/or travel use because it’s not too warm. Like I’m comfortable wearing it outside then also while walking through the train station or wherever. It wouldn’t be a great hiking jacket for me, partly because the arms are a little short. I also like the Uniqlo down vest for adding a smidge of warmth where a full jacket would be overkill.
I'm kind of fascinated that neither LL Bean nor Lands End even get a shot, nor are they mentioned in any comments I have seen. But I have both a Lands End down vest and down coat (not lightweight jacket for hiking, but a heavier, full length coat), and both are durable and very warm. In fact, I've had the coat for more than 15 years and it still looks as good as when it was new.
I have a "wantdo" down jacket off Amazon, was only 40$. It is light wt and had all the features I wanted, fit well, unlike the one you had, that was short, this one was normal length, so I got 2. I have had it for many yrs, wash it and it is like new again. Did not have large areas of no down as the one you had either.
It's obvious that the old Uniqlo was of higher quality than the one you tested. What I like about my (older) Uniqlo is that it's not actually that warm. I get hot easily, especially when moving (and in winter I'm generally moving when outdoors), so I've found that it keeps my warm but not too hot in everything from skiing in 20F to hiking in 55F. If there's rain, then I trade it out for a light rain jacket, if there's snow, then I put a light rain jacket over it.
A couple of quick points related to the Cerium. There are costs that are factored into the retail price of the garment related to, but not limited too, being a bluesign certified product and the use of RDS certified down. Should that be enough to justify the delta in retail pricing? No. But it should be part of the equation when determining which garment is better.
I have fallen deep in love with my new Outdoor Vitals novapro jacket, that's just $250. It is a bit heavier at around 13 Oz, but it has a hood and has 850 fill hyperdry down that is responsibly sourced and a small percentage of synthetic loftec that helps stabilizes the loft when wet. The coolest part of it, though, is they created a special fabric that has prewoven fill panels which then allows the jacket to only have seams on the sides and down the arms where the coat is generally stitched together--so no tiny airholes all over (they claim 10,000 less stitch holes). Hands down, it is the best coat I've ever owned.
so curious why there is such a throwback to down jackets. I'm still skiing in a full synthetic northface I bought in 2007 that and snow pants I can pretty much just fall down in a pile of snow and take a nap. More often than not I'm figuring out how much to unzip the vents than worrying about being cold. Was super pricy tho... Love Snoqualmie! Love your channel!
As you discovered proper fitting has a LOT to do with the comfort and "usability" for the conditions. Wearing the uniqlo in the city means you are driving which means the shorter length and boxier cut is better in the car with short outside movements between car and stores. The around the hips, tapered waist would be less comfortable in the car, and be very hot, especially with the quantity of fill and loft of the Arcteryx.
I wear a Uniqlo down vest in the winter. Keeps me toasty indoors and the fit is much snugger than yours. Love it :D Zero water proofing. I suppose you could coat it yourself...
1 of best investments has been Icebreaker hoodie, long sleeve T and short sleeve T. Wore the long sleeve and hoodie in freezing temps n been fine- with gloves, hat n scarf of course
If you're in Canada looks like the MEC Northern Light Hoodie is the good 'budget' option ($150 on sale). I have the MEC Airstream which is very similar, but it seems they replaced it with the Northern Light. But it's synthetic like the Arcteryx Atom LT. That could be another test for you: Synthetic Vs Down
A glaring difference between the two, the Cerrium has a hood which adds a chunk to the cost because. Personally I’m a fan of Rab jackets and they have amazing hoods.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
I’ve seen a few questions about layering, other jacket suggestions, and down alternatives- so here ya go!
I’m wearing a base layer from Kari Traa and a SkyGOAT fleece hoodie (it’s my first official piece of cottage gear and I love it!) on top, and a base layer and my SheFly pants on the bottom.
Many of you have mentioned the Decathalon Forclaz! I learned about this jacket just a few days ago, when Rainer told me I probably should have compared my Cerium to that instead 🥲 Anyone who owns it - what do you think of it?
If you are looking for a good alternative to down for allergy, moral, or other reasons, check out the Thermoball collection from North Face, anything with Primaloft Gold, or Patagonia’s Nano Puff line!
I have the Forclaz, great jacket for the price (but not really tested it while hicking tbh). Had the early version of the thermoball: great but began to lose "fluffines" after a while
Can't say I've tried an arcteryx down jacket but the decathlon mt100 is definitely amazing value. It's kept me warm in the -5C region and it's very light and packable!
Another benefit of it being reasonably priced is that I don't feel like I need to baby it versus a more expensive down jacket.
Overall I'm plenty happy with it, and I think it would make for a more interesting comparison to your Cerium!
I just hiked in the whites wearing the decathlon forclaz vest (and slept in it). I was too hot hiking and it was 21f.
I’ve owned the Forclaz for 3 years now and it’s a great jacket for little money. It’s kept me warm up to about -5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit). With a thermal base layer it even held until -10/14
Thanks! 😊
I love the fact that we got a new channel with the same Miranda. Often times when people go out on their own, their entire persona changes to something vastly different. The fact that Miranda has maintained the same personality and style throughout both channels warrants high praise to REI for allowing her lots of creativity and to Miranda for being genuinely Miranda no matter what.
I was completely happy sitting on the couch with my blanket, drinking coffee and then I watched your video. Now I must go outside and do a winter hike. Absolutely didn’t need another jacket. I did need the inspiration to get my butt going. Thanks for the video!
The Uniqlo jackets that first came out were SO WARM. 10F and comfy. I sadly lost it and the newer ones have less fill and a bit breezy. Still great for the price.
The newer ones come in multiple lofts! You can get a lighter version or one that’s loftier with more warmth and wider baffles.
The Uniqlo jacket is great up to late fall. If you're wearing it in winter, you will need to layer up or add a shell. However, for $60, it's a great purchase.
The Decathlon Trek 100 is $90 and it’s amazing. Even if it isn’t “on par” with its $400 alternative, I’m willing to bet the gap is much smaller in heat and quality. It has 800fp and a nice tapered design for minimizing air gaps, still pretty light (10.2 oz for a medium men’s).
Just chiming in here, this jacket is indeed awesome.
Got my Trek 100 last year....love it.
I've heard about that one from Dan Becker. It really seems like the best cheap puffy !
I like Decathlon!
Ditto! Love my Trek 100 down jacket
Awww, I feel one thing to mention is these Uniqlo jackets are not made for wind, rain, snow, any element really. Usually I find it really effective to put as a mid layer with a windbreaker type outside. It’s cute enough to wear around if you have to while traveling. I’ve had mine for like 8yrs now. I bring it for long plane rides in case the AC is set too low, to vacation as packable emergency warmth etc. it has came in clutch a few times for that. But I would never trust it for camping or the outdoors as the main warmth keeper… maybe for like a fall hike, maybe. These are made for the city for sure~
I agree with everything you said - except the "made for the city" part. Cities get drizzle, snow, and wind - at least mine does. And Uniqlo jackets are lousy in those conditions. The shell is prone to tears and snags too. Uniqlo is more of a "sitting in the car" jacket. Or a "my house is cold" jacket. Unless you have pets. You don't want to be wearing one of those jackets around a pet. It would be ripped to shreds.
I'm another Decathlon Trek 100 user and I love it. I've been using it for a couple years. I've taken it on multiple camping trips, worn it in winter weather around town, took it on my hike of the first couple pct sections last year and I'm taking it on my pct thru hike this year. The existence of this jacket is a clear demonstration that $400 for a lightweight down puffy is price gouging. I bought the Trek 100 for $80 and it was originally sold for $60.
I have the Uniqlo down jacket and love it for layering. I use a thin waterproof-windproof The North Face jacket over it and together they create a great pair for hiking, skiing and much more. It does add extra weight for backpacking but I'm not an ultralighter and the money I saved were worth the few extra ounces on my back :)
Plus you get more versatility from the combo option. This is exactly what I was wondering as she did this review. (Many thanks). I'm from Oz and we just don't have access to a lot of options AND I just can't justify a heavy expenditure on a jacket I will get VERY little use from. So I may just get stuck with the Uniqlo option cos would rather spend more on waterproofing (I can always layer up)
That’s what I do as well!
Same! Esp since I live in a desert area, I can't justify expensive gear just for when I go traveling in winter. So I got a total of 5 light layers including Uniqlo ultralight vest and heattech base. Layers = warmer so this setup works well. And I get to wear more of my favorite things.
Congrats on the first episode of the new era!! It really is your show now. So excited for you & the crew.
I live through Canadian winters so quality even if its costs a lot more. I did have several jackets same price points as Uniqlo, similar problems.
I’ve had my Uniqlo ultra light down for several years and it’s held up great. Mine has the thinner baffles unlike the one you tried. Mine is also more form fitting so there’s no drafts. I’ve worn a base layer, merino wool T, zip up fleece and my Uniqlo down and have comfortable in the low 30s
"This is my show gosh darn" is back! I'm so excited for this
I’m from south Florida and recently moved to Colorado; whenever I would visit Colorado in past I would be freezing due to using brand like Uniqlo or Zara puffer jackets thinking “big jacket should keep me warm” 100% wrong. Not till I found Patagonia/arcteryx I’m not warmer/dryer than ever and will never have to purchase another jacket again due to their ironclad warranty. 100% worth spending the money for a lifetime jacket
A note on the 10 year old jacket, just remember that ten years ago they might have been using a better process that they've since decided to sideline in the name of profits.
Mountain Hardwear kind of did the same thing with the GW. I've got one I bought about 6 or 7 years ago, and I bought a hooded one a year later and the hooded one was a much tighter fit than the previous one. And they were labeled as the same size. Bought a GW vest in XXL as well and same deal, barely fit me. The first jacket I bought, still fits, though I'm a bit more rotund than when I bought it. ☺
A note on the 10 year old jacket, just remember that ten years ago they might have been using a lesser process that they've since decided to upgrade in the name of improvement.
@@jessegpresley Looking at the 10 year old Uniqlo jacket and the newer one, I'm going to go with what I said over what you said. The 10 year old one actually has design that looks like current higher end down sweaters. The newer one looks like a sewing pattern you'd give a home ec student for one of their first projects.
good point! but additionally to that it is definitely another model of down jacket and might have been a pricier one than the one miranda bought now. uniqlo has lots of down jackets.
The thing is, Uniqlo changed their Ultralight Jackets fit 1 or 2 years ago, and NOW it’s shorter and has a boxier fit (and it sucks). The older Ultralight Jacket works as an insulated layer. I bought it for 40-45 EUR, and technically it does the same work as Fjallraven Expedition Pack Down Jacket that costs approx 300 EUR
To me it's also how well it holds up after a few washes. I had cheaper items that actually seemed good quality at first but after wearing for a month or washing (according to instructions, like I would also wash the more expensive ones) they would fall apart so there's that
The city can be just as demanding in the cold as the hike. Yes a mountain peak will be much colder and windier. But the sort of hike you took could be very similar to the city. Cities can be very windy. More so than the forest. Trees break up wind while talk building focus them like a wind tunnel. When you hike you generate heat. In the city you might be sitting at a bus stop or waiting for a cab. I think a cheap Uniqlo will last a while if you take care of it. But you won't be very warm. Better to spend $100-$200 and be more comfortable.
Love the Arcteryx Cerium. Been wearing it for about 50 days a year every year for the past 6 years. Still as good as new.
So excited for your channel! Also very happy to hear that you were able to keep your intro audio lol I love hearing you say “this is my show, gosh darn!”
Can you guys do a whole down “puffy” jacket show down, comparing multiple brands? And different steps between down levels?
So true. Uniqlo jackets are warm - but only until they come in contact with water, snow, or wind. The fabric literally sucks liquid into itself. And in the wind, you can feel cold air come in at every place the needle punctured the fabric.
I have had this one for a couple of years now and this year got a Decathlon Trek 100 for 45€ and I gotta say, it's a huge upgrade for hiking and I would highly recommend going for the Decathlon one over the Uniqlo one.
I think it's a good idea to consider that many stores, Uniqlo included, reduce their quality over time so I'm sure that 10 year old jacket really is great but I suspect if you bought it today, the quality would be noticeably lower. I've read reviews on Uniqlo where they talked about how an item used to be great but when they purchased a new one, the quality was not as good as the older one.
58 seconds in and already got the giggles… so excited to see what’s to come for you and the team!
You might want to take a look at the Outdoor Vitals Ventus Hoodie ( $180 ). It weighs 7 ounces, and you can compress it down to a softball without worrying about ruining its ( warm ) synthetic fill. Last April , it kept me warm ( worn over a REI Sahara Sun Hoodie ) in 20-degree Temps with 40 MPH winds throwing freezing rain and snow on me.
I just ordered a Ghost Whisperer last night. Mountain Hardwear has a few colors on sale for 60% off on their website, so I grabbed one.
Down jackets last forever if you look after them. I bought mine in 1982 and it's still going strong. As for the DWR issue it's easy enough to use a spray to add DWR to the cheap jacket for less than $10. Not perfect, but enough for the snowball test I'm sure.
Loved the podcast episode that you and Kyle did! Great to hear some fun stories! & great video, too, Miranda!!
I own the REI 650. For the price you really can't beat it. My best friend has a ghost whisperer and although I find myself liking his jacket a little more, I think about the price difference and it makes me appreciate how well my REI jacket does for only a $100. I've owned it for a couple of years now and its still going strong!
look out for sales! i have purchased 3 GWs over the years (2 for gifts, one for myself), and never paid more than $150.
I bought a Uniqlo down jacket in 2019? And it's interesting to see how the design has changed since then. Mine doesn't have the cinches at the bottom, but is a slimmer fit through the bottom. I like mine! It's great for everyday wear and for taking on short trips. I'm going to take my mountain hardwear jacket on my thru-hike, where I'm trying to optimize warmth and weight, but the uniqlo jacket sees way more use otherwise!
One thing about the Ghost Whisperer is it's more form fitting than it used to be. A bonus too is that Mountain Hardware puts the GW on sale at the end of the season, so you can get one for like half price.
That’s what I did! Last seasons color, for much cheaper!
What was the total cost at half price?
@@edgarmiranda5270 Somewhere around $170 pre tax.
Totally happy with my Decathlon down jacket. 59€ ( Germany ) and running it for 3 years now.
If you’re looking to save some money right now is a good time to buy winter gear from your local outfitter. A lot of places are trying to sell if most there winter inventory. I just picked up a $300 patagonia down jacket for $150. Shop around a little bit and you won’t have to sacrifice quality or $$$
After trying different down coats from layered down Eddie Bauer to a heavy Icelandic coat that had a crooked hood, I wear a small men's Aritzia down that I'm absolutely thrilled with re warmth, design,& cost. Am a small/med female, & a small men's Aritzia down coat is perfect.
I was like, how does this channel only have 67k subscribers!? And then I see it's only like the second video. Totally makes sense. Love your personality and the info. Love that your on your own now. Go girl!
I wear the Uniqlo down vest underneath my Uniqlo down jacket when its -10 Celsius and below. Both for about $100. All good. I never travel without my down vest. It looks good and functional. It also rolls up in a pouch you can use as a pillow on the plane.
OK...but you missed a key point on the Arcteryx Cerium Jackets (or vests)...on top of the shoulders and in the pit area Arcteryx uses synthetic fill. This allows the Arcteryx to release vapor in those high sweat areas without compromising warmth. Also having synthetic in the shoulder area means that there is no concern about the loft under the backpack shoulder straps. So, besides the fit there are a lot of reasons to go with Arcteryx; it's just a better technical jacket. Of course if you want the absolute lightest weight to warmth ratio...get a MontBell Plasma 1000.
Arcteryx advantage: testing in real world conditions.
I think the cerium outer fabric is too fragile to wear whilst wearing anything other than a very small light pack.i own the cerium sv and would only put it on when I stop to warmup
@@waichungsham1578 I used the Cerium SL Vest in Northern Florida on the Florida Trail and had no issues with it. If you're not hiking through brambles the fabric is plenty good enough. Besides...it seems to me that most hikers love new gear all the time anyways, so why not use and abuse what you have...the next new shiny thing is just around the corner.
An important note would be to mention that this is also a good reason to get something designed for exercise or outdoor use, as that's a lot of the benefits being seen in the nicer jackets. The Uniqlo clearly isn't bad, especially for in and out of buildings or pedestrian commuting, but suffers for hiking and backpacking because it just isn't designed for it. Seems likely to be fine on a budget for moderate snowy cold, day hikes, shorter trips, etc, and when layered well, but it's just not going to be "best use."
I've had the Uniqlo one for a while, and recently picked up a Marine Layer one which has become my go to. But for durability and a layer the Uniqlo is great (although all my experience has been city wear, not hiking wear)
Hugely informative. Keep in mind Arcteryx warranty is incredibly disappointing. After gently washing a T shirt only 5 times the reflective logo wore off. Refused to replace it. Originally said it was general wear and is acceptable. When pushed offered only a 20% discount on a new one. Declined the offer. Said finally they would repair it but I would have to pay postage.
Patagonia and TNF have either repaired or replaced worn gear. Postage paid.
I have a Uniqlo down jacket and have used it for around 7 years and it hasn't failed me. I will say it's definitely water repellant and not waterproof. It didn't last on a hike with nonstop drizzle in the PNW and got pretty soaked. But if you use it with a rain shell on top it's perfect! It keeps me pretty warm and protects well against wind. I take it on me for hikes even though it's not advertised for that kind of activity.
I will say though that the design of my older one is a lot different than the one Miranda was testing. Not as boxy, it has a more form-fitting design (but still roomy enough) and has elastic at the hems of the sleeves and torso rather than the pull to adjust like her version did. It also is not as short as hers. I like using my Uniqlo down for hikes because it's so packable, warm, and comfortable. It's not perfect, but if you use it with a system it's great
The website “32 degrees” has a 650 fill down jacket that’s 39 dollars when it’s on sale and they have sales all the time. I’ve never seen it at full price. I’ve had mine for several months now and I’ve tested it out in temperatures well below freezing and it’s worked very well for me. I just checked and it’s still on sale! they have five colors to choose from as well.
Thank you for the review. I also believe that down jacket's functionality correlates to its retail price, besides that I also pay attention to its down to feather ratio and what type of down they use. I was interested in the Uniqlo jacket but haven't bought it. I guess it would be warm enough for me because the temperature where I live is always above 0 celsius. I have one great down coat literally from 15 years ago when I lived in a much colder place where it goes to minus 20 in winter, which I still love but hardly have any chance to wear it. It's of great quality tho, and I feel like it could live to next decades.
I bought a uniqlo ul down puffy for my grn mtn 4 day bkpking trip last Oct. Temp ~30-40F + wind chill + drizzle. Wanted a UL but didn't want to wear my brand new arc'teryx puffy on trail. Can confirm it wasn't as warm as my arc'teryx puffy, but it's so amazingly light. Works good with a windbreaker, but very bad under a poncho. Like shown in vid, try not to get it wet.
Thanks!
Love the energy, super-positive vibe and knowledge you bring to the community. Much success in your new endeavor!❤❤❤
Where I live is much warmer, usually 0 degree in winter. I just need to wear a base layer and a heated jacket. Tha't enough. The most comfortable and warm heated jacket is from ARRIS which I bought a few years ago. Highly recommend it!
My all-time favorite and warmest down vest is a $20 vest from either Costco or Sam's Club that I bought bc I liked the color. It's 10-12yo, and I reach for it before I reach for my Arc'teryx vests all the time. Also, something about throwing on a $20 vest as opposed to a $200 vest is easier to contemplate when doing stuff in cold, crummy weather. That said, you can pry my Arc'teryx down jacket from my warm, dead body. For me, there is no other down jacket.
Good point abiut wet dawn and sintetic inslutation. I have a military PrimaLoft jacket and it is so warm and handy!
Unfortunately, it doesn't work well in the city - it stands out in the crowd despite its olive color.
I have a $400CAD Helly Hansen winter jacket for about 5 years now. I live in Northern Canada, it serves me great in winter No complain. I still wear it during summer time because the air flow design is great, i dont feel hot either. Best $400 I ever spent.
I might be bias, because i learnt from young age, the best way to dress for winter is to dress in layer.
First hiking jacket I bought was Millet Track Hoodie soft shell. It cost around 130 dollars at that time. Then someone advised me to buy the Decathlon Trek 100 (which is similar to the Arcteryx in specs) for winter hikes so I did. It cost around 60 dollars. First time I wore it I took it to a -15 C snow climb but I wore the soft shell first. I switched to the down jacket at the peak, and didn't notice any difference in heating properties. A few times I took it with me as a backup for the soft shell. I planned to wear it under the soft shell in these cases, but I ended up never using it. From that moment on, the Trek 100 is in its pocket in my wardrobe. Soft shell is so much better. It can withstand some light rain, it has 3 pockets, all pockets are vents, it can be worn in autumn and winter. I also use it for skiing. So a thumb down for down jackets from me. I recently bought a 10k mm hard shell from Black Diamond. A much better option for a backup than a down jacket.
I forgot to add that the soft shell is around 600 grams, whereas the Trek 100 is 290 g. But I'm no ultralighter so I don't care about that.
I bought my Uniqlo down about 7-8 years ago and it’s still going strong. I’ve hiked in it a few times and found it was too warm when hiking and sufficient when resting, but never in snowy cold weather. It’s been fine for fall and early spring hikes. I mostly wear it around the city. Also my jacket looks more like Frank’s. It is shiny, not boxy, with smaller rows of stitching.
For anyone shopping for jackets, REI also makes an 850 fill down jacket for ~$200 ish. I got one on sale for less than that too. Just something to think about!
I have both the men's & women's version. Great jackets, very warm & comfortable. Good quality for the price, especially if you snag them on sale!
Yeah, would love to see a comparison with the REI one
Decathon forclaz 100 or trek 100 is a duck down jacket that cost 80$cad and 50$ in sale, for the price and weight it's an amazing jacket
Happy to see you back and free !
I just got the womens decathlon trek forclaz on sale for $60 from Walmart and loveeee it. I plan on bringing it on my AT thru hike in 2024.
Loved this video! I felt like you did a good job of highlighting what made the arcteryx warmer, which is helpful to us viewers when we consider what to look for in a down jacket (regardless of which brand options we have). It also seemed like you and Reiner were just having a fun time together, and there were more signature Miranda jokes which I absolutely love!!! Can't wait to see more from you and your team as you take this new leap into independent videos 😁
I absolutely loved this video. Good job Miranda! I love how you compared to one of the most expensive, and I loved how you had an REI option as well as the famous Ghost Whisperer. That’s a great start to being an independent blogger. I personally bought that Arc’teryx last winter in anticipation that I would need it for my backpacking needs in the summer. My backpacking season was so warm I didn’t get to put the Arc’teryx properly to the test, but it does fit better, and feel both more durable and warmer than any of the less expensive down jackets I’ve bought in the past. So, my cheap options are for “every day” wear around (easily replaceable), and my Arc’teryx is reserved for those times that I need an ultralight jacket that performs extremely well. Thank you for making this informative video.
I’ve just found your videos today and I’m totally hooked. Love your down to earth personality and authentic self. Looking forward to more
It feels like this video addresses the lack of quality of fast fashion without ever mentioning fast fashion. And it's so bad for the environment.
Would love to know what pants you’re wearing on the hike! Winter hiking bottoms are always a challenge for me. Thanks for all you do to help get everyone outside!
I’m wearing Go There pants from SheFly, and a Kari Traa base layer underneath! I feel you on hiking layers though - I feel like I have to size up my winter hiking pants in order to fit a base layer under.
@@MirandaGoesOutside the cold butt is a real struggle 🤣 thank you!!
I've got an REI down and a canada goose. Both are good, but if it's super cold out i will wear my canada goose any day. I was once mountain biking and temps dropped to 40 deg. I had a t shirt underneath my canda goose and i was very warm. Best part too is that my canada goose can be packed into a small footprint
One reason I’m wary of cheap priced down products is the likely hood that the down feather are not responsibly sourced.
Iv had an Arc’teryx hooded down jacket for 8 years now and only this year has is shown signs of wear. (Tiny rips likely from bushes,dogs or moving are the climbing crag) DWR coating still work great. I got caught in a bunch of rain two nights ago and I couldn’t find a stop wear the water didn’t bead and shed off.
Would like to mention that if you do buy products with weak or no DWR you can treat them after market at home. Needs to be reapplied more often then ones that come with a good DWR to start but it is an option.
I will say I only spent $400 on it because I was fortunate enough to have a good paying career at the time. Now that I’m not in the line of your and making less I definitely would look at MEC and REIs products. Even if/when I go back to electrical and make good money again I likely will replace my current down jacket with something more around the $200 range whenever that day comes. I use my current jacket all year round for hiking,snowshoeing, snowboarding, rock climbing and around town. That’s one of the perks of paying a bit more and from a reputable company, they last so much longer then quick fashion companies.
My Arc'teryx hooded down jacket was still $250 at a half price sale years ago. I splurged. It's my go to jacket every cold day to the point of wearing it out. It goes under a Burton GoreTex shell for extreme cold and running the snowblower. It's super light. It regains loft after washing. It has polar fleece instead of down on the top of the shoulders and ends of the sleeves - the spots where down would get wet and lose loft. I can't imagine what a new one costs now, or if they even make this model, but it's been great.
I have the Uniqlo ultralight parkas and I take them on only trip. I’ve also found them used on resale sites and I try to keep extras in the cars because of their versatility. I’ve worn them on camping and backpacking trips but they do need to be used with the understanding that if you are seeking a lot of warmth, they would just be part of a layer. If it happens to get cold when camping, I’ll add it to my sleeping bag for that little extra warmth. If you want only one super-warm high-end piece, I can understand using the Arc’teryx; however, having the Uniqlo’s around and as an inexpensive option makes for great utility. I won’t stress if I get a hot ember on it or if there is a tear. I would however, get very upset if I damaged an expensive coat like Arc’teryx.
I found a $60 down jacket at Costco. I treated it with waterproofing (both down and shell) and now I have an $80 down jacket that still doesn’t perform like my 10 year old synthetic Columbia!😂
That said, I bought it as a stuffable layer for my daily commute during spring and fall. I often leave the house and it’s 0C and by the afternoon well into sweater only territory!
Haha, yesterday I skied at Snoqualmie wearing my 9 yo Uniqlo down jacket similar to the one you tested. But I wore it under my Arc’teryx shell. Perfect combination for chilling outdoor activities.
Okay I have a cerium and I think the biggest thing for me on the arcteryx is the fit. It really fits the shape of my body really well and it allows for a full range of motion. For example, when you lifted your arms with the uniqlo jacket the bottom of the jacket raised up. On my cerium I can raise my arms above my head and the bottom of the jacket doesnt even move. I think it is the high arm holes that do this but either way there has been a lot of thought in all their products to preserve range of motion. I think because they are a more climbing focused brand. But uniqlo in general is awesome pretty much every tshirt I own is uniqlo!
Yes!! Like it doesn’t budge, AT ALL. Uniqlo baselayers are surprisingly good!
@@MirandaGoesOutside maybe you should test a whole outfit cheap vs expensive?
For city quick trip use it may be worth it. But I'd want something more water resistant and a wee warmer. Currently using as an every day a Paradox 650 down jacket I got at Costco and it's been great for 5 years, but on like a -15C with blowing snow, and just miserable it isn't cutting it. I take the parka. Same if I know I'll be driving in bad weather. I want a jacket that would keep me warm if I had to be stuck in my car all night because of highway accidents or something. Which happens here. On fall trips I take the down jacket and a rain jacket and later up that way I can stay dry and warm and its been a winning combo as both pack small, and I ALWAYS need both at some point during the 7-10 days.
I sold my Ghost Whisperer after getting an EE Torrid. The flat sheet insulation stopped the thin spots in the baffled down from making cool spots. I sold the Ghost for a stupid price and that definitely made the Torrid nicer!!
Important info - the REI jacket is available up to 3X. The high-end jackets aren't. Bigger bodied people also hike, backpack, and camp.
This is why I prefer synthetic fabric in the cold - down is useless when it gets wet, and my experiences with "treated down" has been mixed. If a jacket constantly lets cold air in, that's not good. Defeats the purpose of the jacket. Arcteryx makes great gear, but it's priced accordingly.
Not winter but… I used the Uniqlo as my sole jacket for a huge chunk of travelling in colder climates in 2022 (until I got home end Nov) which includes some hiking in sometimes rainy conditions. Definitely colder than I’d have liked to be and the down migrated from the shoulders to my wrists many times. But I survived haha.
yes! i have not watched the video yet (although the first seconds seemed intriguing!), but i am so happy that finally there is a review of uniqlo items for hiking/backpacking! i have been watching gear videos for many years now and i am always wondering where the uniqlo things would fit in when different brands are being compared.
This is so timely because I am going on REI's Catskill overnight backpacking in February and I have been circling around the jackets for at least 2 weeks now and contemplating whether I should just use the jacket I always wear. This video is helpful. I do have the Uniqlo vest which I had for 5 years and plan on taking because it does keep me very warm; standing 30+ mins for NYC transportation in the cold is a good test. 🤣
Oh my gosh I hope you have so much fun!! I’m actually looking at getting the Uniqlo vest - it seems like an awesome layer!! And yeah, that bitter NYC wind cuts deep 🥶
Thanks, @@MirandaGoesOutside Those winds do indeed. I think you will really like the vest. It comes with a baggy to put the vest in so that's helpful when trying to be space conscious. Have an awesome day!!
@@MirandaGoesOutside i have been thinking about getting one of their vests too! but i dont know if i should choose a thicker or thinner one or what is actually important in a down vest. if you choose the correct one, please let us know which one to get! :)
Missed you! So happy when you popped up!
I would be very interested to see how your opinions might change if you were to wear a wind proof layer outside the down. I wonder how much of the heat loss of the Uniqlo is the fact that it’s outer fabric is so thin.
The forclaz mt100 from Decathlon is the best budget alternative I've found for your ghost whisperer. Highly recommended!
I ended up with an Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket in Large-Tall, I'm about 5'11. I love that the jacket covers my bum and actually goes 1/2 way down my thigh. It also has fairly long sleeves and a tight fitting hood. It's a little loose around the bottom, but the cords to tighten that up are difficult to work with but manageable. It's about 11oz in this size. Water proofing isn't the best, but i did get it for 90 Cad on sale, about 67 USD. Overall I like it for the price.
Great first episode of your new channel! Love having more of Rainer in the video as his sense of humor works so well with yours. Excited for what is to come!
There wasn’t any mention of this in the video that i recall, but both are responsible sourced down so that’s a plus 👍 I was curious if that’s how the Uniqlo was less expensive but that’s not the case. I have the REI 650 and I love it, I also recently go the REI Magma Down which is 850 fill power and that would be closer to the Arcteryx, normal price was $250 I think but it was on sale for $130 recently, heck of a steal if you can still find them! I assume they are discontinuing this years design and will come out with a new one next year. Anyways, great video! Love the snowball test!
Love my mountain hardware ghost whisper. Bought it on sale for 50% off in Tomatoe red back in 2016 and it's still going strong even after I slid down most Mount Washington in November of 2018 on my butt and wetted out all the down in the bottom section.
With the declaration of the usage of Uniqlo Jacket, it is the best as i know if you walking in city. And man version is not that loose.😁
Loving the new channel and continued content!! ❤️
You get what you pay for. I've got the same Arcteryx jacket. Purchased in 2017. the zipper broke in 2022.... I sent it to Arcteryx support to get repaired. It was taking to long. they offered me to either wait it out or take a $350 gift card... Boom brand new jacket.
Yup Ghost whisperer is great but the Patagonia sweater down jacket is better...just a touch heaver but better. I have both. You can make any down jacket you have the best by just using it as a layer under a super thin wind & rain shell.
What if you got two Uniqlo jackets, one larger than the other, and layer them up. It would still cost you less than the other one.
I bought my Uniqlo jacket on sale. It’s my first down jacket as I’m rarely near snow. I do live in San Francisco where in the late fall it can go from hot (85-90) and drop down to the high 50’s with dense fog that feels almost like a drizzle. Of course I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to wear my down jacket in this light rain and dragged it out of my pack. I was doing a 2 hour walk, involving lots of hills when the fog dropped. The jacket kept me warm and I arrived home dry (after 1+hour walking in it). I hung it up and it was ready to wear the next day. It scrunches up small and is light weight but next time I’ll wear my waterproof windbreaker over it. If I need more I’ll probably get an REI…..At least now I know what to look for!!
I love my Uniqlo jacket for city and/or travel use because it’s not too warm. Like I’m comfortable wearing it outside then also while walking through the train station or wherever. It wouldn’t be a great hiking jacket for me, partly because the arms are a little short. I also like the Uniqlo down vest for adding a smidge of warmth where a full jacket would be overkill.
I'm kind of fascinated that neither LL Bean nor Lands End even get a shot, nor are they mentioned in any comments I have seen. But I have both a Lands End down vest and down coat (not lightweight jacket for hiking, but a heavier, full length coat), and both are durable and very warm. In fact, I've had the coat for more than 15 years and it still looks as good as when it was new.
I have a "wantdo" down jacket off Amazon, was only 40$. It is light wt and had all the features I wanted, fit well, unlike the one you had, that was short, this one was normal length, so I got 2. I have had it for many yrs, wash it and it is like new again. Did not have large areas of no down as the one you had either.
It's obvious that the old Uniqlo was of higher quality than the one you tested. What I like about my (older) Uniqlo is that it's not actually that warm. I get hot easily, especially when moving (and in winter I'm generally moving when outdoors), so I've found that it keeps my warm but not too hot in everything from skiing in 20F to hiking in 55F. If there's rain, then I trade it out for a light rain jacket, if there's snow, then I put a light rain jacket over it.
A couple of quick points related to the Cerium. There are costs that are factored into the retail price of the garment related to, but not limited too, being a bluesign certified product and the use of RDS certified down. Should that be enough to justify the delta in retail pricing? No. But it should be part of the equation when determining which garment is better.
I have fallen deep in love with my new Outdoor Vitals novapro jacket, that's just $250. It is a bit heavier at around 13 Oz, but it has a hood and has 850 fill hyperdry down that is responsibly sourced and a small percentage of synthetic loftec that helps stabilizes the loft when wet. The coolest part of it, though, is they created a special fabric that has prewoven fill panels which then allows the jacket to only have seams on the sides and down the arms where the coat is generally stitched together--so no tiny airholes all over (they claim 10,000 less stitch holes). Hands down, it is the best coat I've ever owned.
so curious why there is such a throwback to down jackets. I'm still skiing in a full synthetic northface I bought in 2007 that and snow pants I can pretty much just fall down in a pile of snow and take a nap. More often than not I'm figuring out how much to unzip the vents than worrying about being cold. Was super pricy tho... Love Snoqualmie! Love your channel!
@8:27 YES!! Thank you for leaving in the Miranda Signature! 🤩❤️
As you discovered proper fitting has a LOT to do with the comfort and "usability" for the conditions. Wearing the uniqlo in the city means you are driving which means the shorter length and boxier cut is better in the car with short outside movements between car and stores. The around the hips, tapered waist would be less comfortable in the car, and be very hot, especially with the quantity of fill and loft of the Arcteryx.
I wear a Uniqlo down vest in the winter. Keeps me toasty indoors and the fit is much snugger than yours. Love it :D Zero water proofing. I suppose you could coat it yourself...
1 of best investments has been Icebreaker hoodie, long sleeve T and short sleeve T. Wore the long sleeve and hoodie in freezing temps n been fine- with gloves, hat n scarf of course
If you're in Canada looks like the MEC Northern Light Hoodie is the good 'budget' option ($150 on sale). I have the MEC Airstream which is very similar, but it seems they replaced it with the Northern Light. But it's synthetic like the Arcteryx Atom LT. That could be another test for you: Synthetic Vs Down
A glaring difference between the two, the Cerrium has a hood which adds a chunk to the cost because. Personally I’m a fan of Rab jackets and they have amazing hoods.
I use Uniqlo for Spring and summer hiking. It is light and and easy to carry. It keeps me worm at night and morning,
Thank you I am looking at the Ghost Whisper to purchase…. Enjoy your journey in life and keep shining