Vests

Reviewed by Bheiser1

The Black Diamond Coefficient Vest is a worthy addition to the gear list for anyone venturing out to cool or cold places. It serves well as a mid-layer in colder weather, or even as a top layer in moderate to warmer temperatures and while active. It’s compact, and light, so it's easy to carry along. It's also durable so it can be counted on out on the trail.

The reviewer getting ready for a hike along the California coast updated 20-Apr-2014 with confirmed weight Review Conditions Due to personal circumstances which cropped up shortly after accepting this review assignment, my ability to take time off to “head for the hills” was severely limited for much of the review period. Therefore it turned into more of an extended review lasting over six months. I used the vest for hiking and snowshoeing on (and off) the trail. Additionally, although it doesn’t formally count for Trailspace reviews, I also used it in front-country conditions while attending a multi-night photography workshop on the northern California Coast (including pre-dawn and late night outings), during a coastal cleanup project...

Read more: Black Diamond CoEfficient Vest review (1)

Featured review by Alicia MacLeay

I've had my Atom LT Vest from Arc'teryx for more than eight years, and it continues to perform year-round as a versatile, lightweight synthetic insulated vest, especially for active use. I use the Atom LT as an extra layer of core insulation skiing (nordic and alpine), hiking, camping, and as an everyday layer. It's a mid layer, it's an outer standalone layer, it's an extra layer stashed in a pack. The Atom LT Vest is so useful I bought an Atom LT Hoody when I saw one on clearance in an outdoor store three years ago.

  spring ski touring While Arc'teryx's Atom LT Vest has been updated in the eight years I've had mine, the overall design and intent remain the same. As part of the brand's Atom line it's intended to be a "versatile synthetic insulated mid layer with a high degree of weather resistance." Fit Available in women's (XS-XL) and men's (S-XXXL) sizes, the Atom LT Vest is a lightweight (LT), low-profile, minimal vest. Arc'teryx classifies it as a trim fit. I have a women's medium and while it's not relaxed, I find it the right size for a mid-layering piece.

Read more: Arc'teryx Atom Vest reviews (5)

Featured review by Antti Oksanen

I have found this vest very warm and it can be used on many different situations. I live in Finland, and this winter it has been extremely cold, the temperature has dropped below -25 C. But with Pumori Fleece and Nuptse vest under my TNF Mountain jacket it was feeling fine. And the Nuptse is a good vest to be used on brakes etc. In -5 C you can ski with only a T-shirt or some base layer under your shell jacket, but when you stop it gets very cold very fast. In those situations I have found the Nuptse Vest to be very good when dressed over your shell jacket.

Read more: The North Face Nuptse Vest reviews (7)

Reviewed by Adam Jepson

This is a great vest for everyday use, but is also durable enough to use in many outdoor activities. Made from light and fluffy 800 fill down, this vest keeps your core warm and can pack down smaller than a softball.

Because Patagonia makes gear that's out of my price range, I either have to save up some money for a while to get what I want, or I have to wait for things to go on sale (or sometimes both). At $179 MSRP, this vest was way out of my price range until last year when my local gear shop had a promotion. I own a Patagonia fleece (here's the review: https://www.trailspace.com/gear/patagonia/synchilla-snap-t/#review32187) and it's lasted for over 10 years so I was confident in purchasing this vest.

Read more: Patagonia Down Sweater Vest review (1)

Reviewed by Sheila Bergin Goss

I had been looking for a lightweight, but warm, vest to wear under my anorak shell, and it seems that recently the packaway style vests have become very popular. I was not convinced that this light, easily packable, vest would add much warmth, but I was wrong! It is very comfortable, and work great under a shell, or alone over a base layer, for winter hiking and snowshoeing. I expect this vest will serve nearly year-round duty.

This is a really nice vest, which has surpassed my expectations...from Bean, I knew I could return it at any time if not satisfied, but this one is staying with me! In fact, though it has been used only for winter activities until now, I know it will be great in the spring, and also to bring along on canoe camping trips this summer. It will aslo serve as an early spring extra layer, with my cycling jacket It is very comfortable, light, and warmer than I thought it would be, as it is so light. It has 60-gram PrimaLoft One polyester insulation, and it packs down into the pocket, to a nice compact size...I have brought it along in my day pack, and it takes up little space.

Read more: L.L.Bean PrimaLoft Packaway Vest review (1)

Featured review by Lester M

A wardrobe staple. Recycled, lightweight, versatile, durable. An extra layer of warmth, which doesn't impede your shoulder movement.

I like a vest/gilet/sleeveless sweater....call them what you will. I don't live in a warm climate but I go outdoors every day and don't always appreciate the restrictions of heavy and bulky clothing. If I'm cutting wood, paddling, or walking with poles, my arms are going to keep themselves warm. If I'm working, with arms above my head, the tradeoff of warmth for flexibility is often a good one. I have padded gilets, waxed cotton ones, shell vests, and a wind vest. It's only a matter or time, before I buy one, with a hood;-) The great benefit of a Patagonia, is that it breathes better than a shell, so makes a great mid-layer, or active external garment, if the northerlies aren't blowing.

Read more: Patagonia Synchilla Vest reviews (2)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

A versatile insulator. From cutting the chill on a spring day to augmenting core warmth on really cold ones, this soft, comfortable fleece does the job. Don't expect it to stop any wind, as even a mild breeze runs right through this, unless you wear it under a shell. Brand new, it sheds until you wash or tumble dry it, and durability/pilling could be a longer-term issue.

OVERVIEW I had been eyeing the Retro Pile Jacket when I received this as a gift. Mine is size XL and weighs 14.4 ounces on an electronic scale. As the photo shows, three pockets—two large lower ones, one smaller one at the chest. All, including the front zipper, are large-tooth YKK zippers with sewn-on nylon pulls. If looking like sheep doesn't suit you, it's also available in a number of other colors. Whereas the Retro Pile Jacket reportedly has a more athletic fit, the vest is true to size, generously sized actually, so it's easy to wear over the heaviest base layers I own.

Read more: Patagonia Retro Pile Vest review (1)

Featured review by Louis Howard

One of my better vests, I usually go to if I want to wear a vest even though I have other vests. Does what it needs to do very well.

Got it in size XXL. Had to send it in for worn out zipper pulls, but that was after many years of use. I only had to pay postage to send it back to the mothership North Face manufacturer. Repairs are free. 

Read more: The North Face Denali Vest reviews (4)

Reviewed by 300winmag

A good 800 fill goose down vest with DriDown DWR treatment.

I first bought an Eddie Bauer First Ascent light down jacket five years ago and have been very happy with it. I've used it for hunting, skiing (a lot), and winter backcountry hiking as well as around town (see my avatar). I decided I needed a vest that would be warmer than my 300 weight fleece vest so I bought the EB First Ascent mainly because I wanted DWR on all my down garments going forward and I trust First Ascent quality. This vest has DriDown DWR treatment on the down which is what I have been looking for.

Read more: Eddie Bauer Downlight StormDown Vest review (1)

Reviewed by Mike Mineart

The is a good quality down vest that is available at a very reasonable price that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone looking to pick up a down vest to put in their pack.

I have been very focused on reducing the base weight of my pack and one area that I made a lot of changes to was what insulating layers I would bring for my summer hikes in the Sierras. My upper layer of clothes now consists of a base wicking shirt, a pullover lightweight fleece, a wind shirt, a down vest (the subject of this review), and my lightweight rain parka. With this collection of clothes I can handle anything I could encounter in the Sierras during July and August. For my down insulating layer I first considered bringing a down Patagonia jacket that I own that has served me well, but it weighed 12.5 oz's and with my focus on weight I went looking see what I could do to reduce that weight without breaking the bank.

Read more: REI Down Vest review (1)