Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket Review
With summer coming to an end and fall at our door step, itโs good to have a comfy down jacket to throw on whenever it gets chilly outside.
Problem is, pretty much all models weโve tried are either way out of our budget or feel very cheap!
The Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket perfectly fits the gap between high-end and affordable.
So letโs take a look at what makes it our favourite travel jacket, and one of the most used items we own!
# Overview
The Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket is an affordable alternative to high-end brands such as Patagonia and Mountain Hardwear, and offers good warmth, light weight and small packing size, all at a very reasonable price!
It also looks really nice and stylish! It comes in a wide range of colours, with our favourites being blue and grey. Another interesting design feature is that it doesnโt have any visible branding on the outside, which is nice for those of us who like to dress a little more low-key. .
The jacket does not have a hoodie, but we found it works fine without. If youโre dead-set on covering your head though, there is a version that comes with a hood.
# Materials
Made with responsibly sourced 640 fill down, this jacket feels very fluffy despite the fact that itโs actually fairly thin. The 20D fabric is not the most durable, but it allows the jacket to compress to a very small size. The fabric is also treated with a DWR coating for light water resistance.
# Size
This jacket sizes fairly small. I would suggest you try it in person if you can, if not order one size larger than what you normally use. As the name suggests, itโs an ultralight jacket that weighs only around 235g!
# Features
While lacking the same durability and resistance to heavy rain and snow that you would find on jackets meant specifically for the outdoors, the Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket still offers great protection from the cold and light rain. Itโs very breathable and works well for mild temperatures, as well as for the colder seasons!
As I mentioned before, the durability of this jacket is not on the same level as a model meant for hiking and camping, and I donโt recommend you use it for those activities on its own. It does, however, work very well when layered underneath an outdoor jacket. That way it can keep you warm while itโs protected from the elements and any pointy branches that might poke through it.
Where this jacket really shines is how compact it can become. With a weight of around 235g and an included stuff sack, this jacket is an amazing choice for travelers, especially those who prefer to travel light!
The Ultra Light Down Jacket stuff sack.
# Pros & Cons
+ Ultralight
+ Super compact (comes with stuff bag)
+ Water repellant
+ Cheaper than high-end models
+ Easy to layer and wear with another jacket on top
+ Warm but very breathable
+ Suitable for all seasons
+ Sustainably sourced down
- Can take some light rain or snow, but not too much
- Not as durable as jackets meant for the outdoors
- Sizes small
- Some down can poke through the stitching during the first months
This Down Jacket includes 2 big wide pockets in its interior where you can store the stuff sack and other personal belongings.
# Is it for you?
This jacket is awesome, and has become our go-to for most situations. Itโs light, compact, warm and looks nice and stylish. If youโre looking for a comfortable jacket to bring on your travels then you canโt go wrong with this one.
If youโre looking for a jacket to use mainly when hiking and camping in the Great Outdoors, however, this one falls a little short. It works really well when layered underneath a waterproof outdoor jacket, but itโs a little too fragile to be used on its own. Luckily, the stuff bag and the low weight mean you can just throw it in your backpack and forget itโs even there!
The Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket is now a constant part of our gear on all of our trips, we canโt go without!
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Weโll catch you next week for another gear review!
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