What is a Downgilet?

What is a Downgilet?

The downgilet is a versatile piece of outdoor clothing that can be as effective as a puffer jacket or fleece for keeping you warm on blustery days.downgilet downgilet It can be worn as a light outer layer on its own or as a mid-layer under a waterproof shell, and can be stowed easily in your day pack or travel luggage for when the weather turns chilly.downgilet

As an insulating layer it works by trapping air pockets within the down plumules (the superfine featherlike fluffiness of ducks and geese).downgilet The higher the fill power the more loft or 'fluffiness' the down has, and the more insulating it is for its weight.downgilet Top brands use traceable, ethically sourced down that is often recycled from other garments or even old down coats to provide a great level of warmth without the guilt factor.downgilet

A good down gilet should be lightweight, and as a bonus it can easily fit inside one of its own pockets.downgilet The ULD gilet, for example, weighs only 205g when stuffed into its stuff sack – much less than most water bottles.downgilet It can also be stowed alongside other items in your backpack to take up as little space as possible, allowing you to fine tune the amount of insulation you need for each trip.downgilet

Some gilets have stretchy fleece side panels for a range of movement, which can help prevent the draughts that can sometimes form around your arms.downgilet The Rab Microlight gilet has these, as well as a drawcord hem and baffles to help keep the cold air out.downgilet It uses ethically sourced down and 30D Pertex Quantum ripstop nylon, which should be tough enough to last a long time if treated with care.downgilet

Other gilets can feature extras like reflective lining, which bounces your body heat back into the vest to give a little boost of warmth for a few moments.downgilet The Columbia Powder Lite gilet has this, and is a perfect companion to the company's insulated waterproof jackets.downgilet The hood has a tall collar that covers the carotid arteries where people can lose a lot of heat, and there are two hand warmer pockets for extra warmth when the temperature drops.downgilet

The gilets we've reviewed are all great options for hiking, trekking and camping.downgilet The Decathlon Trek 500, for example, is close fitting, comfortable and impressively warm.downgilet It comes in a few colours and packs down into its own pocket for easy storage and transportation. It's a fantastic addition to a synthetic insulation jacket for hiking up Munros or fastpacking on longer backpacking trips and is the perfect match for waterproof outerwear such as a Berghaus Paramount or ME Compressor Jacket.