Mens Altitude Down Parka

I had the opportunity to test this jacket in my home state, Colorado. While Colorado is much tamer than the Himalayan climate this jacket was designed for, we have our fair share of harsh weather to put the jacket through the wringer. This jacket shined during a cold snap that followed a series of deep snowstorms that rolled in at the end of 2019. There are powder days, and then there are life-changing powder days. Powder days where you are skiing snow that is above your head and you disappear in the snow between turns. These are the powder days where your water bottle freezes, your camera batteries die unexpectedly, and your breath instantly turn into a layer of ice. The motivation to leave the comforts of your home decreases when the thermometer reads a chilling -10?, but cold and deep snow guarantees the best skiing that Colorado can offer. Even on days like these, the Himali Altitude Parka was at times too warm. Standing in cold weather is a reality of the sport. From long belays, to waiting out poor weather, having the security of a warm jacket in your pack cannot be understated. This is truly a jacket designed for both 7,000-meter peaks and comfort on cold Colorado winter days. I?d like to climb and ski in the Himalaya one day and I would ensure that the Himali Altitude Parka makes the trip along with me. In the meantime, it will live with me on cold winter days climbing in Colorado?s high peaks.

I was very excited when I found out Himali was coming out with a parka, and after testing it out I am happy to report that it lived up to all of my expectations. As a rock climber, I try and climb every month of the year. The Himali parka is not only very warm, but it packs down and is lightweight to carry. Also, the zipper zips up from the bottom making it easy to belay while wearing it, a huge benefit since the belay loop on a harness can be about waist high or even higher when weighted with a climber. Thanks, Himali, for crushing it on this jacket!

Never felt cold with this Parka, great hood and simple design.

It is advertised as a mid-to-outer layer, and it didn't do great as an outer layer for me. This jacket is big, and I hoped if I sized up it would be in the huge realm in terms of bulk and warmth; it isn't. I'm a woman and got this jacket to wear lingering on peaks, waiting for weather windows, moving slow during glacier travel, etc. while ski touring in BC. I wear a women's small and got this in a men's medium to throw on top of everything (baselayer + mid layer + shell). I'm usually swimming in a men's medium which is what I hoped for; this isn't as warm/spacious as my other similar men's medium 850 fill puffy (that I burned a gaping hole in...). Nice jacket with intentional design (fleece pockets, smooth zipper, great hood), not expedition worthy for a 140 lb woman. Might be great for elsewhere, but I did not find it warm enough for Canadian Rockies (wish I could return but such is prodeal life).

You kiddin me? I've owned a couple Altocumulus jackets for years now, and have been waiting eagerly for the next step. Himali delivers.I took my Altitude with me on a recent bouldering trip and it was absolutely perfect during the freezing nights in the desert. It's big, it's warm (850 fill down), it's got all the features you need (I love the fleece-lined mouth guard when the wind is fierce), and it packs up into the attached stuff sack for easy transport. And it goes perfectly with the Ascent Hoodie as the inner layer. You can wear this thing on a walk around the neighborhood or take it to Everest Base Camp. Truly impressed with this one.