MontBell Frost Line Parka

This jacket is absolutely amazing. Yet again MontBell takes the cake on down wear. Not only is this jacket fiery warm, it is light and has a permanent water repellent coating to keep out the snow that melts on the coat.

The weight-to-warmth ratio on this jacket is astounding, and the price even more so! This jacket is not for 32 degree weather, it is way warm for that, unless you are sitting still, such as hunting from a tree stand or hanging out at night around the tent. It is better suited for winter backpacking trips at high altitudes.

The only downside to this down jacket is the material on the inside of the hood. It is very very noisy. You can't hear much of anything else but a plastic bag over your head if you are even moving the slightest bit with the hood on, a lightweight micro fleece would have been a better choice.  It is a very warm hood though, that is for sure.

I always recommend down, and I always recommend montbell, and for the price the company's merchandise crushes western mountaineering

First of all, let me just say, I am a WOMAN, NOT a man, and I simply got a Small size. What can I say??? WOW!!!!!! Unbelievable, I also have a Western Mountaineering Flight Jacket, which is VERY WARM, but I wanted something to keep me TOASTY when it drops below -20 DEGREES in Montana, with a hood. THIS DOES THAT!

Guess what I paid $250 for the Flight and $170 (on sale) for the Montbell Frost Line Parka. I can see that someone could definitely compare this jacket to the Western Mountaineering Meltdown Jacket.

What I was nervous about was the fact that this parka is 800 fill down, and the WM Meltdown 850, and also Montbell is NOT made in Canada. BUT... with a parka the comes with box construction, which eliminates cold spots, a helmet compatible hood, and a VERY HIGH neck, this Montbell Frost Line Parka, has won me over.

Plus, I found the WM Meltdown to be much more looking like the Michelin Tire Man and the Montbell more form fitting. This may not be important to a man, but to a small framed woman, I don't want to look fat.

Anyways, it is a lighter fabric on the outside, but not as delicate as my WM Flight, and plus I plan on wearing it under my Arc'Teryx Stinger Jacket for more vigorous activities, it does fit underneath, I can't say that about the WM Meltdown or the new Westcomb Kokanee Hoodie.

Bottom line, NO OTHER JACKET CAN COMPARE TO THE CONSTRUCTION AND AMENITIES AT THIS PRICE! GO ahead, you work hard, you deserve to get it, ps- you can use the coupon at e-omc to get it for $170, can't beat it, so don't even think twice, you will LOVE IT!!!

This product is sensational for the money and really has no competition at this price point. The jacket is unbelievably light and packable. It is a great belay jacket.

The shell is fairly sturdy for its light weight, but this jacket was never intended for rough use. If you want to do that, you need to a big shell on that outside.

The hood is excellent. It is large enough to accomodate a helmet, but can be easily adjusted to ensure a great fit without one.