I really like the Western Mountaineering hooded flash jacket, and especially like that it only uses 3oz. of down fill (I live in so-cal and don't need that much warmth). So does anyone have any patterns like it? Also would 900 f.p. down work well in a jacket?

-CS

Check out the kits from Thru-hiker. I can't comment on which jacket at which insulation thickness is comparable to the Flash jacket, though.

http://thru-hiker.com/kits/

I might go with the Whitney, but the only problemis that I would like to get some of Ed Speers 900 F.P. down, and they won't let me order the kit w/out the down, wich makes sense. So I may still get it, but I havn't made up my mind yet.

-CS

Why not just get the kit and then sale the down still packed in its bag it comes in and use the money to buy the 900 down you want. I live in SO Cal also and I have made about all the kits from thru hiker and I use all of them at some time or another so I dont think you can go wrong with any of the stuff.

i have used both down and the 900 is not as good as the 800 from thru-hiker. I use only thru-hiker down now in my gear.

-Tim

Do this if you enjoy making your own gear, but if you are just doing it as a way to save money then you could just buy the new Montbell U.L. Down Inner Parka from FrontCountry.com for only $10 more than the kit. Now that it's been revised, it has 2.5oz of down plus you get cinch cords in the waist and hood for just 8.5 oz (medium).

Edited by dandydan on 10/05/2009 00:54:56 MDT.

These responses are relly helpful, and I really ahve no sewing experience with down (ive 2 shirts and a pack cover before), so I think im just going to go with the new montbell. Just another thing to add to y growing list.... I hate this site :)

-CS