\n| Eddie Bauer Centennial Collection MicroTherm 1000<\/td>\n | 9.6<\/td>\n | 3.2<\/td>\n | 33.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n Next, Levity lower virtually all non-essential options: No zip pockets on the waist, no cinch cords on the hem or hood, and the barest hint of elastic on the cuffs and the hem. This allowed Levity to chop much more weight out of this jacket with out affecting its skill to maintain you heat. This received them right down to a claimed 6.1 ounces for a males\u2019s medium and 5.4 ounces for a ladies\u2019s medium.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"From](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\") From left to proper: the basic horizontal baffling of the Norrona Trollveggen, the minimal baffling of the Outdoor Research Superstrand, and the glued-in baffling of the Crazy Levity. It was additionally notable how naturally puffed-out the 1000fp of the Crazy Levity was subsequent to the best-in-class synthetics of the Superstrand and the 850fp of the Trollveggen. Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nFinally, the Crazy Levity jacket took an traditional method to baffling. The motive baffling is necessary in puffer jackets is that, with out it, the down can begin to redistribute and sink downward, leading to chilly spots. The overwhelming majority of puffer jackets sew the baffling in, usually in horizontal strains. But the Crazy Levity eschews thread, opting as a substitute to connect in small horizontal ovals at common intervals. The concept right here is to avoid wasting a bit of little bit of weight by eliminating the necessity for thread, and in addition to forestall down from poking out via the seams of the jacket\u2014a standard means that down coats lose feathers, particularly when they’re new.\u00a0<\/p>\n Testing the Crazy Levity within the Field<\/h2>\nI wore the Crazy Levity in quite a lot of completely different situations, from sleet to ice to snow to rain, whereas climbing, snowboarding, and simply sitting round. Typically, I paired it with nothing greater than a easy base layer (typically only a T-shirt) and, if mandatory, a light-weight rain shell. After having been burned by quite a lot of so-called light-weight (actually mid-layer) puffer jackets, I wished to ensure the Crazy Levity truly did what puffer jackets are presupposed to do: Keep you heat in chilly climate.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe Crazy Levity was loads heat sufficient for snowboarding on sunny days and cloudy days alike. Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nVerdict: Yes. While I\u2019m not going to advocate this puffer jacket for Alaskan winters, in my expertise it was hotter than different customary puffer jackets just like the REI Magma Hoodie or the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer II\u2014whereas nonetheless weighing the identical or lower than different extremely light-weight puffer jackets. Perhaps most surprisingly, the down has but to redistribute; these sparse glued-in ovals truly work.\u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m used to tremendous light-weight clothes having a good match, so I used to be glad to see that this wasn\u2019t the case right here. I\u2019m 5 foot 5, with an unusually lengthy torso, and tried out a lady\u2019s small. The hem simply pulled right down to mid hip. The sleeves had an additional inch on the finish of them. Even the cowl and hood had been generously sized\u2014I may have simply match a second complete puffer jacket beneath the Crazy Levity.\u00a0<\/p>\nThe Crazy Levity simply coated my total torso, arms, and head\u2014a function I appreciated whereas exploring my native neighborhood the day after an ice storm. Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSo, is the Crazy Levity truly the lightest weight hooded puffer jacket in the marketplace? After utilizing this jacket for a number of months, I lastly received round to weighing it. The ladies\u2019s medium that I had got here in at 6.1 ounces\u2014over half an oz heavier than claimed. On the off likelihood that some errant water weight was contributing to this (moisture will get in every part within the PNW finally), I caught the jacket inside a small room with a heavy-duty dehumidifier for a number of hours. When I took it again out once more, it nonetheless weighed 6.1 ounces. While there’s at all times going to be some variability within the weight on the margins of merchandise like this, .7 ounces (or 20 grams) is greater than I’d have anticipated.\u00a0<\/p>\nWhile the Crazy Levity didn’t fairly weigh in on the claimed 5.4 ounces for a girl\u2019s jacket, it was nonetheless extraordinarily light-weight. Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn my expertise, a 7 denier shell can also be a hair too skinny for a jacket stuffed to the brim with down. Even in case you are extraordinarily cautious, and by no means brush the incorrect bush or rock, the top of the down\u2019s shaft can poke via the fabric. If you see this occurring together with your puffer jacket, it\u2019s finest to withstand the urge to drag on it, as the fabric will begin to tear much more because the feather (and inevitably three extra after it) pulls via.\u00a0<\/p>\nA chunk of down poking via the shell of the Crazy Levity; I\u2019ve additionally seen this occur with the 7D shell material of the Norrona Trollveggen. Laura Lancaster<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI did respect that Levity anticipated that customers would possibly must patch the shell and offered a easy sheet that may be lower to dimension and ironed on. But whether or not or not you assume the trade-off of weight for sturdiness on this occasion is price it’s possible subjective.\u00a0<\/p>\n What the Crazy Levity Does Best<\/h2>\nThe Crazy Levity solutions the query, \u201cHow lightweight can a puffer jacket get and still actually keep you warm?\u201d This jacket is ounces lighter than different best-in-class puffer jackets and nonetheless seems to be hotter than the likes of the 8.8-ounce Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer and seven.3-ounce Norrona Trollvegen. And it does that with out sacrificing protection. If you\u2019ve been hesitant to go all-in on certainly one of Montbell\u2019s UL choices because of protection issues, you gained\u2019t have that challenge right here.<\/p>\n What the Crazy Levity Does Worst<\/h2>\nAt $650, that is an exceptionally costly jacket\u2014a whole lot of {dollars} greater than its rivals. Its sturdiness points over the course of a single season of testing had been additionally important sufficient that it\u2019s unlikely this would be the final puffer jacket you ever personal. While some could decry the dearth of pockets or cinch cords, my feeling is that Levity took the method of reducing again on the \u201cfeatures\u201d to the very edge, however didn\u2019t step over the road.\u00a0<\/p>\n Final Thoughts<\/h2>\nThe backside line right here is that if weight is your solely consideration (and I do know you’re on the market), then the Crazy Levity is actually vital. Until somebody figures out how one can safe and measure 1,100 fill energy down or creates a strong 2 denier shell material, the Crazy Levity is more likely to rule the roost because the lightest winter-ready insulation layer obtainable.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n |
![\"The](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.outdoorlife.com\/uploads\/2023\/02\/03\/crazy-levity.jpg?auto=webp&width=800&crop=16%3A10%2Coffset-x50&ssl=1\")