Function is ocean or mountain. Photos: JC
Is there a more functional piece of gear than the puffy down jacket? Not in my opinion: layer it under a shell in the winter, slip it on after a surf session, pack it down in a carry-on for travel. Puffies are pure genius.
And there are few on the market as well-designed as the Brooks-Range Down Hoody. I’m a fan of Brooks-Range gear (no money was exchanged to say that, either). Super light, super tough and super functional, from sleeping bags to technical climbing wear. They’re my sleeper pick as the next core alpine gear manufacturer to break through into the mainstream consciousness, ala some of the other brands you’ve come to know and love.
And after putting it through the ringer, this is what I love about the Brooks Range Puffy Down: it’s made with soft, cozy 800-fill goose down (which is really, really comfortable), it’s super light (like 4.4 oz), sports hardy nylon construction, and cuffs that are super workable gaskets that make it feel like you’re wearing a long sleeve T. It packs down to the size of a softball in a nifty little stuff bag, too.
I’ve kind of beaten this one up: I used it on winter missions down to the beach, getting out of the surf late at night and packing gear back to the car. And on touring missions in the mountains where I used it as a soft jacket for climbing, and even as it’s own shell when I felt like keeping it fast and light (ripping skins off skis and going). Put a shell over this baby and you don’t need anything else in your bag. I’m not one to fill my closet with stuff. This particular puffy is a jacket for all seasons. Which is probably the biggest compliment I could give it.
