This down jacket, available in men’s and women’s versions, received a Best Buy award when tested by our expert gear reviewer Judy Armstrong
Mammut’s Miva jacket is the heaviest in this test, with the least loft despite containing a relatively large quantity of down. To handle, it almost feels like a synthetic jacket, although it does generate down-worthy warmth. Swiss brand Mammut are hot on ‘quality with responsibility’ and have joined Bluesign, a group that ‘unites the textile supply chain to jointly reduce its impact on people and the environment.’ Result: they have used a PFC-free treatment on the Pertex outer face of this jacket, with a comprehensive section on their website discussing the subject (click through from ‘Basecamp’ to ‘Planet’).
In design terms, the jacket is neat and simple. Triangulated baffl es hold the down in place front and back, with wider baffles down the sides. The two-way front zip is standard weight (not the very fine versions used on lighter jackets) and zips up to cover the chin but not mouth; the chin guard is big enough to be effective (not always the case). The hood has no adjustment but is well-shaped, with a narrow elastane binding, and stays in place, especially over a beanie. There’s plenty of down in there, too.
The jacket is fairly long, easily covering my hips and backside so despite the lack of loft the overall effect is toasty. While the overall weight keeps it out of my expedition rucksack, it’s a comfy option for day routes.
Reviewed February 2016
