Are Expensive Down Jackets a Waste of Money?

In this video, I compare a cheap down jacket to an expensive one. You can get cheap down jackets starting from 50$, but expensive ones can cost several hundred dollars. I've been using both of them for quite a while now, so I wanted to share my own experience. To sum up, I think it isn't worth it to invest in a super high-quality one unless you go hiking in winter very often. But if you do, then they're definitely worth it.
▼ GEAR USED IN VIDEO (affiliate links)
Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Down Jacket ➜ (Decathlon: www.decathlon.com/products/fo...)
Outdoor Vitals Novapro Down Jacket ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
▼ THRU-HIKING POSTERS (MADE BY ME & MY WIFE)
Shop hiking trail posters here ➜ trailgoals.com/ (10% discount code: oscarhikes)
Instagram ➜ / trail.goals
▼ OTHER GEAR I USE (affiliate links)
Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultralight Backpack ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: )
Outdoor Vitals Fortius 2P Ultralight Tent ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft 0F Quilt ➜ (Outdoor Vitals: www.avantlink.com/click.php?t...)
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3RJhVw9
)
Stoic Nykroppa Synthetic Camp Slippers ➜ (Bergfreunde: www.bergfreunde.eu/stoic-nykr...)
Smartwool Merino Wool Socks ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/4anHY3h)
Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3GJnnsm)
▼ TABLE OF CONTENTS
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Insulation
02:50 - Materials
04:13 - Features
05:18 - Final Verdict
▼ FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
/ oscarbrumelis
/ oscarhikes
▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
In some of our videos, we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking our affiliate links, we might get a small commission from the total purchase, at no additional cost for you. We participate in the Amazon Associates affiliate program and other affiliate programs.
▼ MUSIC ATTRIBUTION
Cinematic Suspense Series Episode 008 by Sascha Ende
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/7669-cinema...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Cinematic HipHop 001 by Sascha Ende
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/526-cinemat...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Cinematic HipHop 002 by Sascha Ende
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/531-cinemat...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license

[@OscarHikes]

Hey everyone! I wanted to let you know that together with my wife, we make these minimalistic hiking posters for various thru-hiking trails. You can check them out over here ➜ trailgoals.com/ (10% discount code: oscarhikes)

[@pleok08]

Sunday, February 11th: There are times when you pay for quality and times when you pay for the name. We don't always know. Happy Trails! Ross08

[@samthompson390]

Just found your channel toda., great advice, obviously experienced and actually testing gear normal people can afford. 10/10 keep it up :) 👍

[@marci8435]

you have to compare the mt500 instead of the mt100.
you can also treat your mtX00 with nik wax and it also gets a compared water repellant down.

[@Dgb27]

Was actually thinking the same! It's just about 30/40 bucks more, but it's also rated for lower temps compared to the one he's reviewing. Been using both, the mt500 for winter and the 100 for spring/fall mainly. They're both quite nice, especially considering you'd spend 150 more for something with roughly the same lifespan😂

[@petercourtney7125]

Bit unfair. The MT500 is a closer comparison.

[@OscarHikes]

I looked into it and yes, that indeed would be a more fair comparison. The specs are really similar to the OV down jacket. It's just that I didn't have it on hand and I haven't used the MT500 before.

[@cpmcdonagh]

I have the decatholon jacket and love it, thanks for the analysis

[@alissa_thornton]

Just received my Decathlon puffy jacket for prepping my 2025 PCT thru hike!

[@precambrian_rabbit]

it's an amazing jacket, unbeatable for the price + it goes on sale

[@alissa_thornton]

⁠@@precambrian_rabbitYes I did get it on sale which is even better!

[@ToudaHell]

You kinda need a canvas outer protection layer to help maintain the feathers in the rain. I have a really good quality down jacket without a canvas outer layer and one that has the canvas outer layer. The one without canvas couldn't retain its warmed for more than 10 years. I'm on year 14 with the one with the canvas outer layer. In good quality down jackets, the thing that wears out most often is the zipper, which can easily replaced. I still use my over 20yr old jacket, just in higher temperatures. Also, Sir Terry Pratchet have a great quote about the economics of buying good quality vs. Cheap things in his book Men at Arms.

[@Fernando-qi3el]

Can you also talk about pants you use in your hiking in the mountains?
Nice video though 🙏🏽
Thanks

[@camping_guru_uk]

Just bought it, £60 here in the UK, love it, packs up so small and weighs very little. Cheers

[@mrridikilis]

what I've done in the past is to treat my puffy down jacket with Nikwax wash-in waterproofing, made especially for down. I think it's a pretty good hack, but, honestly haven't actually done a field test, as I've never soaked my down jacket before. but buying the nikwax double pack (cleaner and waterproofer) costs probably only at 20-25 USD, so it's a considerably cheaper than buying a more expensive jacket.

[@OscarHikes]

Yes, that's a very cheap and effective way to do it! :) I'll probably do a field test like that someday on my channel when I throw out my current Deccathlon Jacket and buy a new one. How long it's able to keep me warm when damp and not waterproofed vs waterproofed and damp. The difference should be huge I imagine!

[@disartster]

Have you tried any clothing items from 4F? I find many of them to be pretty nice quality. A bit more expensive than Decathlon, but much higher quality (haven't tried down jackets yet though)

[@OscarHikes]

Nope, not yet.

TNF Thermoball is on discount rn 🏷️

[@daniel.konecny]

Sorry, but the OV jacket fit is just atrocious 😂 Looks very similar to Patagonia down sweater. MT100 is the winner for my hiking needs. Slimmer fit, higher neck collar, better shaped minimal hood and tbh I really don't think I need anything more warm than that.

[@Juanlu.]

Buen vídeo! Muy instructivo!!! Los que vivimos en la España mediterránea y sólo nos acercamos al Pirineo en verano, lo tenemos claro: la de decathlon!

[@moorejl57]

It looks like the MT100 is going for $99 US now.

[@rogerhoneycutt1697]

I’d wear two of the cheaper one and still be cheaper than the expensive one

[@Tosadar_Outdoors]

👌🔥🤘❤️🍻💯

[@lukeflynn7025]

❤from🇮🇪