Featured Brand: Patagonia Ultralight Down Shirt
September 7, 2011
Damn, damn, damn, damn! I have lost my Ultralight Down Shirt on one of the many trips I’ve taken it on. I suspect this is because it packs down so tiny in its little stuff sack that it was somehow easily overlooked and left somewhere. I can’t imagine where I would have left it, as it was such a vital piece of kit for so many of my endeavors this year. It’s the perfect extra layer to throw into your pack even when you think you won’t need it – it takes up almost no room and weighs almost nothing, but can probably save your life if you get caught out in an unexpected cold snap or you get injured and need to bivvy. It’s the lightest-weight insulated layer Patagonia offers, meant to fill that tiny gap between “no insulation” and “down sweater” (which is also a good piece of gear, by the way).
I find that insulated (down or synthetic) layers are the best thing for me to bring along to stay warm. As a smaller person I generate less heat and need insulation to keep it in when I’m not exerting myself. When I get all heated up on a climb and then stop, I get cold within minutes if I don’t throw on an insulated layer. On summer climbs, a full down jacket is overkill, but the down shirt has been great. I’ve even used it on mountain bike descents, which are guaranteed to have me shivering by the end. The down shirt fits in even my smallest mountain bike pack and is thin enough to fit under even my trim-cut bike jackets. It’s even a good layer to sleep in if it’s really cold. Yes, I loved the Ultralight Down Shirt.
How could I lose such a great piece of gear? I’ve torn my house apart several times looking for this thing. I’ve gone through every pack I own (and that’s a lot) multiple times. My other half is sick of me moaning and complaining about my lost down shirt. I figure if I complain loudly enough, the little stuff sack might hear me and come rolling back, like the rocks came to Ludo when he called them. Here’s hoping.
In the meantime you can buy one at patagonia.com – make sure to keep an eye on the web specials!
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