Chris Townsend reviews an affordable and lightweight down jacket.
This review is part of our down jackets gear guide, and was first published in the January 2019 issue of The Great Outdoors.
This is the lowest-cost jacket reviewed, half the price of the most expensive. This is because the down has the lowest fill power of all the jackets. The weight is quite low but the Downtime isn’t as warm as jackets of similar weight.
The Downtime has a nylon shell with a water-repellent finish. It’s described as showerproof. No information is provided about the down’s provenance or whether the finish is PFC-free or not.
The hood brim only stretches slightly and doesn’t hug the face, and the hood quickly blows off in a gusty wind. The pockets are cut off by a hipbelt – something the Downtime has in common with many much more expensive jackets. The Medium size just fits over a thin fleece.
If cost matters more than anything else, it’s worth considering. For £30 more the Outdoor Research Transcendent is a warmer, better designed jacket though.
