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Thread: Down hoods

  1. #1
    Senior Member Kallorne's Avatar
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    Down hoods

    I've gotten by with hats, balaclava and neck gaiters thus far but the various down hoods out there are starting to look pretty appealing. For the folks that have tried them from warbonnet, hammock gear, or the Jacks: any pros or cons with one design vs another? I think the shock cord under the armpits would annoy me on the hammock gear model but I've never been let down by their down. How cold have you been comfortable with one and just a light beanie underneath? I wouldn't think it would pose any condensation concerns beyond what a sleeping bag does but any issues in that department anyone has run across?

  2. #2
    cougarmeat's Avatar
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    Kallorne, a down hood is great to carry when I’m climbing in the winter - especially when it’s time to stop for a snack or admire a view from the summit. Note that when you are lying on it, you are compressing the down, minimizing its insulation attributes. Even then, it is plenty warm. But there is also this hair/nylon shell connection. Now I shower, stay clean, but I try to minimize skin/nylon contact by wearing PJ’s and light socks with my down quilts. Easier to wash cotton than down.

    So I’d lean more towards using a silk or synthetic balaclava. Definitely warm enough and easier to wash. Also, once it starts reaching nighttime temperatures I’ll call “cold”, my little nose gets cold and many balaclavas are cut such that, if necessary, I can pull them over my nose. I found a synthetic camo one that has a flap that folds up to cover the front (not tight fitting) of my mouth and up towards my nose.

    For sure, a down hood would be warmer, and I’ve seen several quality deals mentioned from time to time in these threads. But for me, the balclava is perfectly sufficient and after a trip I just toss it in the wash with everything else; easy-peasy.
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  3. #3
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    I just took the detachable hood off a down jacket i got from Goodwill for $10. I take it with me in the colder shoulder seasons when overnight temps approach freezing.

  4. #4
    Senior Member JollyRoger70's Avatar
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    I snagged a very inexpensive down hood on Amazon — I don’t know that it’s very high quality down, but it takes up very little space or weight, and it’s quite warm. I think I paid around $20. I like that it feels like there’s less on my head than with a fleece balaclava. Regular caps I find tend to fall off when I turn over. I also live in the south, so it’s rarely seriously cold here.


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  5. #5
    gunner76's Avatar
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    I have tried using hoods of different types ( balaclavas, neck gaiters, down hoods ect ) and found that while they work in keeping my noggin warn, every time I turn my head, the hoods don't turn with my head and I have to keep repositioning said hood. I have better luck pulling the TQ over my head or if car camping carry a woobie and use that to insulate around my head. As I use 3/4 length UQs, I have found that having a good pillow is very important to keeping my head warm as I try to position my UQ to cover from my chest down. With pillows I have tried a variety of down and Clamashield, shapes and sizes and the past few years I have been using a Kylmt X Pillow and found it stays in place and offers great insulation and weighs in at 2.5 oz.
    I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !

  6. #6
    Senior Member mistone's Avatar
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    I found my down hood on amazon For like 20 bucks
    Its a good day to be out in the woods no matter the weather.Mist One..

  7. #7
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  8. #8
    Senior Member Kallorne's Avatar
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    Thank you all for the replies. To elaborate on my intended usage: this would be used when night Temps are single digits to below zero. Also primarily looking at it as a part of the sleep system. So I was specifically looking for feedback on their effectiveness in that context. I've made due with a down coat tucked around my head when needed but a purpose built item that potentially packs some versatility and is more effective would be welcome.

    I also have and use a variety pillows, my go to lately has been the SLD climashield pillow.
    Last edited by Kallorne; 08-15-2020 at 10:27.

  9. #9
    all secure in sector 7 Shug's Avatar
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    I used the Warbonnet hood this past winter. See it at 28:45 in video below.
    It is a lot of hood!
    Shug

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  10. #10
    Senior Member Kallorne's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Shug View Post
    I used the Warbonnet hood this past winter. See it at 28:45 in video below.
    It is a lot of hood!
    Shug

    Awesome! Thanks for that, I like the looks of the Warbonnet model but was curious how well it moved with you and the level of loft with it all cinched down- questions answered.

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