PHD have just announced their new kit using very light fluffy down.

I got a special order Hispar 700 (rated to -25 and weighing 1200 gms) in February using this new down and was amazed at how it lofted when it was released from the squished state it arrived in. It's absolutely lovely, very warm and amazingly light. If you're trying to shed the grams it's probably well worth a look. It ain't cheap, mind!!

Am now eyeing the ultra down pullover and wondering how it'd compare to the Klattermussen Liv pullover.... 

My guess is not quite as warm on account of being stitch-through construction rather than box-wall as the Liv is (speaking as someone with a Minimus jacket, Minimus vest and Liv pullover ).

The 900 down sounds rather nice - if I was starting out I'd certainly be keen on it, but I don't think i'm going to be ditching any kit just to get the 900 stuff..... e.g.  £175 to replace my Minimus bag with one 40g lighter, umm, maybe not.

Matt - is there any kit you don't have?

Say's he who has just ordered an ultrapod...and a bug bivvy....and.... 

Their bargain bin section cleaned out in hours! I shouldn't have procrastinated... I shouldn't have thought it better to ask the other half what she thought of the idea... I should have whipped out the credit card the moment I saw the Minimus jacket size L for £49.

But I delayed and now I'm regretting it! Still, I haven't needed a down jacket in over two years, so I suppose the need is less than the desire!

Kate,

If you are in the market for a good down jacket (and PHD & Klattermusen certainly know what they are doing) I have been keeping an eye on what's out there globally...

also consider these:

http://www.nunatakusa.com/site07/garments/skaha.htm

http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Jackets%20%26%20Vests&viewpost=2&ContentId=55

http://www.featheredfriends.com/Picasso/Garments/Lt/Hyperion.html

http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=70&p_id=2301316 (good price!)

or, if you can find one, the Valandré Split-S

http://www.valandre.com/us/overview_eur.htm

(rumour has it that there's a prototype in my size using Pertex Quantum hidden in a grotto in the depths of the Pyrenees...). Unfortunately a certain 12 week-old being is occupying all my free time right now

NNPB,

do Polar bears eat down even when the bird has been removed?

I should remind viewers that US down ratings are not the same as European ones. I assume PHD's 900 fp is a European measurement, in which case it is extraordinarily puffy. I can remember US manufacturers claiming 900fp (TNF Beeline bag for example) but it worked out at less than 800fp when converted to the European measurement. 850+ European was the best 'off the shelf' grade I can remember seeing (Valandré & TripleZero for example). Of course, Nunatak can do you a hand-collected wild-Eider down jacket for HOW MUCH per ounce! But perhaps PHD have really raised the bar on the down fill quality.  

Either way, in my opinion the construction and fit are going to be at least as important as down fill quality by the time you get into this market.

Mike,

it snowed this month, right?

Let us know how you get on with the quilt. Which one did you opt for? Don't forget that the Skaha + has a hood... But in the PHD camp I'd probably go for a Yukon if I was really in the market. It would serve me well on my occasional Canadian winter holidays...

John

It was the Arc Specialist John. I ordered it with the Epic shell as i want to use it with a tarp.

 I wish PHD would give the fill weight of their gear so you can make a better comparison. I'm leaning towards the Skaha+ at the moment. I like the box-wall construction. Also on the list is the down booties from Feathered Friends. Remove the outers and sleep with the inners. Perfect. I should really see someone about this gear fetish!

Damn this thread! Went to the PHDesigns website and ended buying a minimus jacket of their Bargain Box page. £55 posted seems like a bargain for 800 down/ 360g weight!

I got a small. Does anyone know what their sizing is like?

Just as the weather is starting to get warmer. I needed this at the start of winter...