2021 Best Praka Down Jackets for mountaineering expeditions
Extreme high altitude mountaineering is a difficult and dangerous challenge. It requires specialized clothing gear that can withstand the cold, protect the climber from wind and snow, be lightweight, waterproof and durable to last for extended periods of time. If you are someone who wants to try this sport, then this article will help you find the best praka down jackets for mountaineering expeditions. The most important factor in selecting a praka down jacket for mountaineering is insulation and its ability to perform and protect the climber. There are different types of insulation that include Primaloft, Polarguard 3D, PrimaLoft Gold Elite, High Loft Down, Thermolite insulation etc.
When you’re on any high-altitude expedition, such as Mt. Everest, Manaslu, Baruntse, Himlung mountain or even 6000M mountains, comes with both good and extremely windy cold climbing days. A down suit should be versatile enough to perform in both conditions. For climbers embarking on high-altitude expeditions, your choice of down suit can mean the difference between success and failure.
The following is a list of the top 8 down jackets for your next expedition.
Mountain Hardwear: Absolute Zero™ Parka
The Absolute Zero Parka has been upgraded with the highest-quality down available. This jacket holds 800 Fill-power, RDS-Certified, fluorine-free Allied Down. It’s durable water repellent and can withstand the harshest elements.
Suitable for 7000M peaks such as Baruntse expedition, Himlung Himal expedition or Manaslu Expedition or other 8000M expeditions.
Features
Welded baffle construction with 800-fill RDS-Certified, fluorine-free Allied Down
Low profile, insulated fixed hood with drawcord for quick adjustments
Pertex® 30D Poriechirenn reinforced panels at elbows, knees, seat, and hem
Extended underarm vent zippers
Internal brace
Cuff gasket
Insulation is bluesign® approved
800-fill RDS-Certified Down/Flourine Free
BLACK YAK TAURUS
The BLACKYAK TAURUS Jacket is the perfect outerwear to keep you warm in very cold conditions. With water-repellent treated and traceable goose down, the jacket will keep your body warm and insulated for hours on end. The YAK BOX-WALL™ construction also ensures that the jacket's heat retention is excellent. The special mesh construction allows the warm air inside the jacket can circulate from chamber to chamber which provides an excellent warmth.
Suitable for Lobuche East & Island Peak, Three Peak Expedition Peru, Himlung Himal Expedition or Bruntnse & Mera Peak Expedition,
Features
Weight 858g / 30.3oz
RDS 90% Goose Down, 10% Goose Feather
No exposed top stitching (to avoid thread breaking)
DWR-finished
Self-adjusting hood & YKK reverser coil
Elasticated auto adjusting wind gaiter inside add droptail detail to hem configuration
Anti-slip Y-band at body hem
stowable drop tail
Two hand warmer pockets with zips, two chest pockets with zips & One inside pocket with zip
With a packing sack
Black Diamond Vision Down Parka
If you're looking for another affordable down-filled jacket that's warm and lightweight, our Vision Down Parka is a great choice. Straight to the point as always BD’s Vision down parka is stuffed with high-lofting 800-fill insulation that resists moisture and offers sleeping bag-level warmth in seriously cold conditions. The jacket's ultralight shell fabric features a proprietary Japanese material made ultra-tear resistant thanks to its liquid crystal polymer ripstop construction. This material is proved to be a tough and sturdy in Vision harness.The adjustable insulated hood seals in warmth while wearing a helmet, while the two-way front zipper allows access to your belay device. Oversized hand, chest and internal drop pockets store gloves, water bottles and other on-route essentials.
Suitable for Mera Peak, Three Peak Expedition, Chulu West Peak Expedition or other expedition unto 6000M.
Features
Weight 580g
DWR treatment (90% Down, 10% Feather, Goose Down)
800-fill, RDS-certified Allied HyperDRY® goose down insulation
Adjustable climbing helmet-compatible hood
Lightweight stretch cuffs
Two-way front YKK® zipper with DWR treatment and windflap
Single-pull cord adjust on the hood and hem
Underarm gussets for added range of motion
Two zippered hand pockets, one zippered chest pocket and two internal drop pockets
Left chest pocket has internal stretch mesh pocket
Northface: Summit L6 Down Belay Parka
The Alpha Jacket is designed to tackle the elements and keep you dry and comfortable, no matter what conditions you're in. It features 800-fill ProDown™ that retains its loft in wet conditions and offers superior warmth and compressibility.
Suitable for Alpamayo expedition, Lobuche East and Island Peak, Mera Peak, Peru Three Peak expedition or other expedition unto 6000M.
Features
Ultralight 2L overlay provides targeted waterproof protection
Trusted nylon Pertex® fabric throughout the body and lining is durable and extremely lightweight
Higher-denier liner fabric on bottom panel provides durability and protection from gear
800-fill ProDown™ retains its loft in wet conditions and offers superior warmth and compressibility
Offset baffle stitch eliminates cold spots
Attached, fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood
Tricot-lined collar and hand pockets for added warmth
Exposed, two-way, center front zip
Snap-back feature at center front keeps bottom of parka close to your body for ultimate warmth retention when you’re belaying
Internal, Zippered chest pocket
Exposed, VISLON® hand pocket zips with raised placement are more comfortable when you’re wearing a harness
Quick-pull zipper pullers are easy to use when you’re wearing gloves
Two large internal, mesh drop pockets, internal, stretch-knit cuffs
Hem cinch-cord adjustment system includes internal clip-up loops to stash away excess cording
Comes with our lightweight stuffsack
Himlai: Altitude Down Parka
This hooded coat from HIMALI is a lightweight and packable jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable on the mountain or during your day-to-day adventures. The outer shell is made of Pertex Quantum ripstop for durability, while the Down jacket offers protection from harsh conditions. HyperDry™ coatings and water-expanding threads help keep you the jacket dry and prevents internal moisture buildup.
Perfect for Khumbu Three Peak Expedition, Lobuche East and Island Peak, Mera Peak, Ama Dablam expedition.
Features
Weight: Men's Hooded Small: ~1lb. 3 oz.
Windproof, Water Expanding Thread
Integrated stuff sack in the left hand pocket
850 Fill Power RDS Certified HyperDRY™ Down
Eco-DWR coating
Fleece lined mouth guard & a soft chin panel keeps you comfortable, fleece Lined Front Pockets
Tall Front Collar, tapered Hem (longer in back), YKK® Zippers
Internal Mesh Pocket
Helmet Compatible Hood, large Hood Lip designed to protect against wind and snow
2x Hood Drawcords for customizable fit
2Way Belay Zipper
Adjustable Wrist Cuffs
Norrona: trollveggen ACE down950 Jacket
The trollveggen ACE down950 jacket is Norrona’s warmest and most durable down jacket engineered for mountaineering. A great choice for demanding and quality conscious mountaineers. On the premium end this ACE jacket is the tougher sibling of the classic trollveggen down. Designed with athletic fit this jacket is perfect on challenging and cold mountain days.
When you're climbing rugged walls and scaling high peaks, you need a down jacket that's as tough as the environment. This down jacket is made with durable PU coated Vectran outer fabric, is windproof and highly water resistant, and has both horizontal and vertical liquid crystal polyester fibers to prevent further tear damage if an accident occurs. The laminated baffle construction eliminates down leakages which is often caused by small needle size holes. Other features include practical hand warming pockets, an insulating hood with one hand adjustment option and an inside pocket.
Suitable for 7000 and 8000M expeditions. Manaslu Expedition, Makalu and Baruntse Expedition, Ama Dablam expedition.
Features
Weight 844g
Articulated elbows, asymmetric longer back cut
Down insulated 950™ RDS Certified
Elastic closure around wrists, one-hand hem adjustment, Stretch cuffs
Highly water and wind-resistant
Internal chest pocket
Packable in stretch mesh inner-pocket
Seamless box-wall down construction
Soft brushed chin protection
Storm hood fitted for climbing helmet with one-hand adjustment
YKK® Vislon® center front zip
Zippered hand pockets above harness & hipbelt
Mammut: Eigerjoch Pro
The Eigerjoch Pro Hooded Jacket is designed for expeditions in the mountains. With its extra-warm insulation, this jacket can offer you protection under any conditions. It's made of Pertex® Quantum Pro material that's lightweight and resistant to abrasion at the same time. To keep you warm and dry in any condition, this jacket offers an innovative double chamber construction that provides the perfect protection against moisture. For even better protection, it has water-repellant down treatment combined with synthetic fiber insulation made from recycled material. The jacket also features pockets for convenience and a separate stuff sack.
Suitable for 6000M and 7000M expeditions.
Features
Weight 826 g
Eigerjoch Pro IN Hooded Jacket Men. The insulating jacket for maximum performance
The double-chamber construction allows various zones to be coordinated to the specific needs of the various areas of the body: we use PrimaLoft® in areas prone to moisture. The other zones have a cozy down filling.
The Eigerjoch Pro IN Hooded Jacket Men comes with various features, including a practical carry bag with two carabiner loops.
Contains non-textile parts of animal origin (down or leather)
2 climbing-harness-compatible front pockets with zippers
2 internal glove-warmer pockets made from mesh material
YKK Vislon® 2-way zipper for smooth operation
Helmet-compatible hood with reinforced peak and 3-point adjustment
Internal chest pocket with zipper
Extremely lightweight Pertex® Quantum Pro material with ultra-thin water-repellent coating and Diamond Fuse technology for increased weather protection and excellent abrasion resistance
Taped external seams for greater heat retention and weather protection
Combination of down and PrimaLoft® chambers on areas exposed to moisture for optimum moisture-wicking and body climate
Elasticated hand gaiters
MAMMUT High Reach Technology™ for unrestricted freedom of movement
2 backpack-compatible chest pockets with zipper
Additional stow bag with 2 carabiner loops
One-hand adjustable drawstring cord with Cohaesive® stoppers for easy adjustment of hem and hood - even when wearing gloves
Filled with 200 g water-repellent 90/10 goose down (puff strength: 850 cuin) for optimal heat retention
Patagonia’s Grade VII Down Parka
Patagonia’s Grade VII Down Parka offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any down parka in the world. This ultralight, waterproof cold-weather essential has been field-tested by our team of elite athletes in the most extreme corners of the planet.
Suitable for 6000M expeditions.
Features
100% Recycled Shell Fabric
Designed to Keep in Warmth
Helmet-Compatible Hood
External Pocket Features
Internal Pocket Features
Sealed-In Warmth
Snowskirt Reduces Draft
Conclusion
We live in a world where fabrics and technology have progressed so far that it’s amazing to see how far these down jackets have come since the early days of the expedition. But when it comes down to utility, you can rest assured in what you're looking for in a expedition down jacket. Whether that's sustainability values, reviews, or color and style preference, you've got plenty to choose from and we hope you make an informed decision.
Which mountaineering down jacket will you buy for your upcoming extreme expedition? Please comment below :)
Suit up. Climb on.
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