Zpacks Goose Down Jacket Review

JUMP TO: SPECS  |  PROS & CONS  |  HOW IT PERFORMED  |  FEATURES  |  SUMMARY

Author: Sam Brilleman | Updated: Feb 13, 2023
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Since 2005, cottage outdoor brand Zpacks has been designing and manufacturing some of the best ultralight backpacking gear around. Their backpacks, tents, quilts, and sleeping bags are consistently among our favorites.

A newer addition to their product lineup is the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket. This unisex jacket provides three-season warmth for gram-counting backpackers and thru-hikers, and there are shockingly few grams to be counted here.

In fact, it is the lightest down jacket we have ever tried. It is also remarkably warm thanks to lofty and high-performing 950 fill goose down—way warmer than you imagined 7 oz. of down and nylon could ever possibly be. But a jacket this light inevitably makes sacrifices, and the Goose Down Jacket is admittedly light on features and durability. Its thin nylon shell is prone to rips and tears, and beyond ultralight backcountry outings, don’t count on it being a versatile jacket fit for everyday wear.

So, is the Goose Down Jacket worth it, despite those sacrifices? For backpackers seeking the best warmth-to-weight ratio for light and fast adventures, we think it absolutely is.

HOW IT PERFORMED

WARMTH AND INSULATION: The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is impressively warm. Its high loft, high-quality goose down will keep you comfortable at camp in the morning and evenings. It will also keep you plenty warm while hiking in below-freezing temperatures, but it is no winter-capable expedition jacket. At this weight-to-warmth ratio, it is an unbeatable jacket for three-season hiking and backpacking.

FIT AND COMFORT: With a unisex design, the jacket makes some compromises that might not work for everyone. It is straight cut like a typical men’s jacket and doesn’t flare out near the hips. Some women might find the bottom hem girth fits poorly in their size, and the next size up may be too long in the sleeves and too roomy in the shoulders.

The soft nylon liner can feel somewhat sticky on bare skin, but overall, the jacket delivers a comfortable fit that works well in most applications. Its narrow, athletic design doesn’t sacrifice arm articulation or feel constrictive. The long body is nice for added coverage and prevents the jacket from riding up when worn under a backpack.

MATERIALS AND DURABILITY: A jacket this light will have some weak points, the main one being its durability. This is a tradeoff all ultralight gear makes to some degree. The Goose Down Jacket saves weight by employing 7-denier Ventum Ripstop Nylon for its shell. It is really thin and light, demanding care to avoid catching it on sharp objects. It might not be a wise jacket choice for every day, around-town type use. 

We also noticed some minor down leakage after several trips out with the jacket. Not the actual plumes you sometimes see escaping down gear—just tiny, white specks that would stick on t-shirts and mid-layers worn under it. This is more cosmetic rather than a durability issue, but it is another point against using this jacket anywhere but the backcountry, unless you don’t mind bits of goose down on your t-shirt or sweatshirt when running around town.

The jacket is not poorly constructed by any means, but it is designed with highly particular activities in mind. Zpack's build quality is solid, and the balance between durability and weight is appropriate for its intended use. The DownTek water-resistant goose down also stays drier in wet or humid conditions far longer than untreated down, ultimately extending its lifespan. As a specialty jacket reserved for ultralight outings, the Goose Down Jacket will hold up well.

WEATHER RESISTANCE: A C-0 durable water repellent coats the nylon liner and shell. It provides some resistance to misty rain and morning dew but not much more. The high loft down and Ventum Ripstop Nylon shell do shelter you from wind effectively.

WEIGHT AND PACKABILITY: It should come as no surprise to you by now that the Goose Down Jacket earns a perfect score on weight and packability. This really is as good as it gets. It weighs 6.1 oz. in size small at its lightest, up to 8.8 oz. in an XXL at its heaviest, and packs down nicely into its own zippered pocket.

FEATURES

950 FILL GOOSE DOWN: 950 fill power is on the high end for down jackets. High fill power means less down is required to provide insulation, which is how the Zpacks Goose Down Jacket manages to be so light. Their goose down is Responsible Down Standard certified and treated with DownTek—a PCF-free formula that keeps down drier for longer in wet and humid climates. 

C-0 DWR COATING: The ripstop nylon liner and shell are treated with a PFC-free C-0 DWR coating. It protects the down from mist and body sweat, but not much more. You need to layer a rain jacket over this for adequate rain protection and to keep the down dry.

ZIPPERED CHEST POCKET: Two non-zippered hand pockets are complemented by a zippered interior chest pocket. It is a handy addition to this feature-light jacket, big enough for your phone, map, or other essentials. The chest pocket also doubles as an integrated stuff sack. The jacket could serve as your pillow when stuffed away, trimming your pack weight even further — or use it inside a Zpacks Pillow Dry Bag.

ADJUSTABLE HOOD AND HEM: An elastic around the hem cinches up to adjust the fit and prevent the jacket from riding up. It is adjustable through a single cord lock on the right hand side of the hemline. The hood also has cinch cords and fits surprisingly well despite having no depth/height adjustment point or stiffened brim.

NON-ADJUSTABLE CUFFS: Similar to most ultralight down jackets, the cuffs at the wrists are elasticated and non-adjustable.

SUMMARY

We love well-made ultralight backpacking gear, and Zpacks products consistently impress us. Better known for their hard goods, like tents and backpacks, we were unsure if that consistency would continue with their foray into down apparel, but it certainly has.

The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket stands out for its warmth-to-weight ratio. Its high fill power, ethical goose down is very insulating at a low weight, and the jacket’s thoughtful feature set is minimal, providing just enough ruggedness and functionality but never adding unnecessary bulk. 

The unisex design and limited color options—it currently only comes in “azure blue”—may deter some. Some men might find its athletic, straight-cut design a touch narrow, and some women may have to choose between a good fit in the hips or the shoulders and arms. It also lacks the style and durability to be an “everyday” jacket worn in town and on the trail.

Zpacks designed the Goose Down Jacket to do one job, and it does it exceedingly well. It provides ultralight warmth for chilly nights and mornings at a weight that few other down jackets can compete with. Gram-counting three-season hikers, bikepackers, and backpackers will be hard-pressed to find an insulating layer more optimized than this.

DISCLOSURE

Zpacks provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review also contains affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content!

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for more information on hiking and backpacking? Be sure to check out some of our other tips and gear reviews:

• Best Backpacking Quilts

• Best Backpacking Tents

• Best Sleeping Bag Brands

• Which Baselayer Material is Best?

• Ultimate Backpacking Gear List

• Hiking vs Trekking vs Backpacking — WTF is the difference?

Or check out our entire Gear Reviews Page, our Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more hiking, backpacking, and outdoors related content.

Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!