Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka

The sewn through construction separates the airtight down pockets from shoulder to waist, with vertical stitches breaking up potential down migration and giving the jacket a unique style. The colour options look good, including an all black parka, but the red and pine green parkas are accented with a blue and orange zipper respectively. Two hand warmer pockets are essential for these jackets, but here and the main closure are the only place you will find zippers with pull-tabs.

Front and back views.

The main zipper closes at a garage at the base of the hood, and with the hood down it still forms a comfortable and functional collar. The hood fits pleasantly around the face with a pull cord adjustment to tighten or loosen tension. There is also a Velcro adjustment at the back of the hood; this helps lift the structured brim off your forehead as it pulls the crown toward the back.

The waist hem is adjustable with the pull of the cords hidden inside the hand warmer pockets. The release mechanisms are on either side of the main zipper, on the inside of the parka, but can be used threw the thin nylon inside the pocket. The adjustable waist, hood and elastic cuff work as a team to ensure blowing wind and snow will stay off your torso,  neck and sleeves. The hand warmer pockets are quite large and close with low profile YKK zippers with easy-to-grasp pull-tabs.
 
The 7-denier ballistic airtight rip stop nylon offers some protection from the elements and a tissue paper crinkle. It is very lofty and looks beefy around the torso and arms. But it is also compressible into the stuff sack it comes with, which is equipped with a draw cord closure.

Packs down to next to nothing and weighs the same (the glove is there merely for a frame of reference).

• Sewn through construction
• Hood with 2 adjustment points
• Adjustable waist hem
• Elastic Cuffs
• 2 Hand warmer pockets
• YKK zippers with pull-tabs
• Stuff sack

To say that Montbell’s Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka is one of the lightest jacket’s I have ever worn would be an understatement. It really could be the lightest thing I have ever lifted! Okay maybe the latter is an exaggeration, but you have to try it on to believe it. And with a fill powder of a thousand, it is more than capable of keeping you warm in sub-zero temperatures. Unfortunately Montbell had to sacrifice some features, and construct this jacket strategically, to make it lightweight. For example, the sewn through construction which keeps the down in place, can also allow body heat to escape or cold air to invade, and there are only two pockets. The 7-denier “ballistic” airtight rip stop nylon seems fragile and I would be cautious around penetrable tree branches, ski poles/edges, etc. Based on my time in this jacket, I am skeptical about how well it will do long term, against abrasion and other general wear and tear. A complaint from people around me is that the fabric makes an awfully loud crinkle noise when you move. That being said, I am happy with the performance of this parka. It comes with a stuff sack and could be kept in your pack for emergencies, but it looks good and fits comfortably otherwise. The ability to seal this parka up around the face, waist and cuffs to keep you warm and protected from blowing snow is a notable mention. I dislike that I have to unzip the jacket to get my head into the hood, but it could be an advantage in a windstorm to keep it around your face. I would recommend wearing this jacket as a mid-layer beneath a hard shell that would break the wind, protect from the elements, and provide you with the pockets you require. For mountaineers who are looking to shed some weight and stay warm on the ridgeline, and for anyone trying to avoid the chills of sub-zero temperatures, the goose down provides ample warmth and great loft as well. 

Despite the serious look, this is one happy/warm camper.