[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]

Outdoor Research Megaplume Down Jacket - Men's Review

Better than others

"I wanted a warm, casual but well-made down jacket for wear in very cold weather on the MN-Ontario border. I do not do mountain climbing or winter camping. The OR Megaplume jacket is rated at 650-fill down and although that's not a heavy-duty rating compared to some other "cold weather" down jackets, in some actual comparison testing it came out on top. I also tried a men's medium in the Mountain Hardware Sub-Zero hooded jacket (too short and too tight); a woman's large in that same Mountain Hardware jacket [$]( my spouse said it looked like a woman's jacket but fit me at 5'9, 160# and actually would have been my 3rd choice); THF Catalyst (flimsy and very low loft for a supposedly 800-fill jacket but otherwise nice for fit; this was the biggest disappointment of all I tested and called into question both the 800-fill rating and the legitimacy of the brand); and TNF Prism Optimus jacket. The Prism Optimus was a close second to the Megaplume: it is rated at 700-fill and was nearly as "lofty" feeling as the 650-fill Megaplume; it had a nice-fitting insulated hood that rolled into the collar; was a bit shorter and tighter around the chest than the Megaplume but fit well for a medium looked and felt good. The Megaplume is large for a medium, both in sleeve length and chest - if you are on the small end of the medium range I'd buy a small. It has plenty of pockets inside, something only the Prism also rated well on; it was the only jacket that fit me that had tricot lined pockets, a good feature if you keep your hands in your pockets; it is wind proof and probably water proof - I have not worn it in the rain and likely wont where I live but did test it under the faucet where water beads up and rolls off, and snow did not melt through. It has a substantial velcro outer zipper flap and a large well-insulated hood with a visor. The hood is bigger than I need but zips off. This is a good jacket, especially for the price. Recommended."