Of all the gear I own, a lightweight insulated jacket has to be one of the most well-used. Even during summer months in the mountains I almost never leave home without one. Pulled over a t-shirt or tucked under heavy waterproof shell layers, a puffy jacket has year-round utility. If you don’t have one in your closet, you should.
The new Filson Ultra-Light Jacket is just the type of product I have come to expect of the century old brand. A harmonious blend of old-school styling mixed with modern materials, it packs high-tech performance within a classic aesthetic. One of the best attributes of the Ultra-Light Jacket, and this might sound counter intuitive given the name, is the fact they didn’t make it—too light.
In the pursuit of making synthetic or down-filled insulated jackets, many manufacturers construct their outer shells of uber-thin fabrics, some as gossamer as tissue paper. I have jackets made with such materials and they make me keenly aware of every tree branch, sharp edge, or clunky zipper in my orbit. Despite those efforts, my featherweight jackets are rife with tiny patches. By contrast, the 1.5 ounce ripstop nylon shell fabric used in the Filson jacket is robust enough to defend against everyday insults, but still light and supple.
Unlike other jackets which employ heavily calendered nylon, a process that creates a glossy sheen, Filson chose a softer, satin-like finish that evokes the brand’s preference towards canvas and other natural textiles. Beneath the timelessly styled exterior is a generous layer of PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation. Without getting into the uninteresting science of synthetic fills, the 60 gram per meter insulation used in the Ultra-Light offers exceptional weight to warmth values with a minimum of bulk. Sewn into the jacket with longitudinal baffles, the result is a layer that looks clean and complies with my movements.
The gear geek that I am, I feel some of the less obvious features are worth highlighting like the zippered hand warmer pockets. Not only do they keep the contents secure, they eliminate the big gaping holes of bunched fabric that create cold spots. Inside the inner-left hip is a larger cargo pocket for additional safe keeping.
Rounding out the finishing details are soft fabric cuffs and brushed moleskin banding inside the collar. Cut trim enough to fit comfortably under additional layers, it’s a perfect compliment to Filson’s famous outer layers like their wool Mackinaw Cruiser or Tin Cloth Field Coat. With autumn temps transitioning to winter, I know the new Filson Ultra-Light Jacket will never be far out of my reach. www.filson.com
