Patrik Orcutt 02.03.23
I used to be strolling round downtown Bozeman in numerous outdoor-gear outlets once I stumbled into Schnee’s Boots, Shoes. If you’re ever in Bozeman I extremely suggest visiting this institution because it has many high-quality outside manufacturers. After feasting my eyes on the entire Mystery Ranch backpacks I walked previous a small kiosk of Multicam jackets. I pulled one off the racks and was instantly impressed with the texture of this garment. I seemed on the label to see who produced it and was stumped once I had by no means heard of this explicit model earlier than. Duckworth was the title on that label and they’re a true-blue Montana model that was based on an area ski hill in between runs down the mountain. Their mission was to create versatile Merino Wool merchandise made solely within the USA with Montana-grown wool. They would use solely the most effective wool from firm co-founders and fourth-generation sheep farmers just like the Helle household in Dillon, Montana. Duckworth feels its obligation to supply a superior performing product with stewardship, sustainability, and American-made craftsmanship on the entrance of its thoughts. So, right now we can be reviewing a Duckworth WoolCloud Jacket to see the way it performs in our travels.
Duckworth despatched me out certainly one of their Woolcloud Jackets again in November and I had a couple of good chilly months in New England and Iceland to place it to the take a look at. In full disclosure, I can be returning this jacket to Duckworth on the conclusion of my evaluation. No cash was exchanged for this evaluation.
Specs – Duckworth Woolcloud Jacket
- Weight: 14 Ounces
- MSRP: $339
- Country of Origin: Made 100% in America
- Color Options: Black, Green, Coyote Brown, Multicam
Construction and Materials – Duckworth Woolcloud Jacket
The exterior of the Woolcloud is constructed of a 100% Nylon ripstop that’s each mild and DWR handled. In mild showers, you’ll be able to count on water and moisture to bead up on the outside of this jacket. The nylon is extremely tender and doesn’t constrict motion in any respect making this layer for snowboarding within the backcountry. The inside nylon can also be tender without having the ripstop to enhance consolation and breathability.
Before I proceed this evaluation I have to disclose that I’ve examined two variations of this jacket. The preliminary evaluation copy I used to be despatched had some points the place there was some tearing on the inside of the jacket across the armpit space. I felt that this was in no way in keeping with the standard of the remainder of the jacket and reached out to Duckworth to see if I may get a alternative copy to proceed my evaluation. While Duckworth continues to be a small firm within the outside world, I actually appreciated their timeliness in getting me one other Woolcloud in a matter of days. I deliver this up for 2 causes. First, Duckworth acknowledged a problem with their product and as an alternative of pointing a finger at me, they did the grown-up factor and glued it as quickly as they might. Second, This reveals how a lot they care about making a high quality product that when one thing does fail, they may repair it.
Moving ahead, the insolation of this jacket is definitely the principle draw for a couple of good causes. Typical goose-down insolation presents an unbelievable quantity of heat for its weight however comes with a couple of caveats. It loses its insolation properties over time and when its moist to not point out some individuals suppose the harvesting of the feathers isn’t moral. So for those who don’t like conventional down you’ll be able to go along with an artificial different proper? While artificial down is normally cheaper than down, it’s heavier and presents much less insolation when in comparison with mom nature’s insolation.
In steps wool, the undisputed king of outside materials for my part. Wool fiber is the unique wicking fiber, and wool materials can take in as much as 30% of their weight with out feeling heavy or damp. To put that into perspective, cotton materials start to really feel damp after 15%. The fibers ‘breathe’ by absorbing moisture away from the physique and releasing it into the air. Wool can also be extremely mild. The Woolclloud weighs 14 oz in complete within the dimension small I examined.
As said earlier than, Duckworth grows all of their wool in Montana on a sustainable household farm and that’s precisely what you could find within the Woolcloud Jacket. While Duckworth claims that since their wool is grown in Montana the place temperatures vary from -40 to over 90 levels Fahrenheit yearly this requires their sheep to develop a pure fleece for adapting to all of the variable climate parts that arrive throughout all 4 seasons. While some wool is harvested in Australia and New Zealand, these places lace the range in local weather leading to wool that lacks the identical distinctive thermoregulating properties that Duckworth has.
Features – Duckworth Woolcloud Jacket
Overall, the Woolcloud is “light” on options however that helps hold the burden down. There are two front-hand pockets which are a lot hotter than I anticipated contemplating they’re non-insolated. When I first picked up this jacket I assumed that was an enormous miss by Duckworth for not insolating these pockets however in observe, they’re much hotter than you’d suppose. While that isn’t toasty heat they block the wind however with that being mentioned id wish to see them add insolation right here in a future replace.
The inside options two massive mesh pockets for holding gloves or maps. This jacket is hooded and thanks god they added insolation to this a part of the jacket. Speaking of the hood, it has good elastics across the exterior face to maintain every part tight and so do the cuffs of the arms. Zippers are all ZKK and performance flawlessly however I did have the hand pocket zippers get snagged on the material of the jacket a couple of instances however nothing I couldn’t repair with no Leatherman.
Performance – Duckworth Woolcloud Jacket
On a really chilly and windy day, I performed a take a look at between three of my favourite jackets to see which one was the warmest. The contenders included the Woolclound, the Arc’tyrex Atom LT, and the Patagonia Nano Puff jackets. After standing exterior within the wind with only a t-shirt and denims in sub-30 diploma Fahrenheit climate I can undoubtedly say the Woolcloud was the warmest. The wool does an unbelievable job maintaining you heat whereas not overheating the person in case your strolling or mountaineering. I additionally took this jacket to Iceland for per week in December of final yr and was impressed with how properly it stood as much as the wind in a number of places.
Competitive Options – Duckworth Woolcloud Jacket
Likes
- Super light-weight at 14oz
- Made in America and helps Montana Farmers
- Incredibly heat
Dislikes
- The sizing is off, runs one dimension bigger than what you usually put on
- No zipper Pulls
- Pockets must be Insolated extra
Wrap-Up – Duckworth Woolcloud Jacket
Overall, I believe that is an extremely well-made jacket with a couple of quirks I’d wish to see fastened in a gen 2 model. It’s extremely snug and heat whereas not sweating you to demise in case your mountaineering with it on. I can be unhappy when I’ve to return to jacket again to Duckworth as a result of they’ve crafted a very particular and distinctive product within the American outside business.
