Whenever I have visited a cold place, especially when it is dark, or even when chilling back home, I see people protecting their upper parts of the body with classy and unique jackets. At the same time when you look at their lower body, you will be surprised to see that there will be only one layer with most of them.
You can select one of these kettles to boil water and have a cup of tea to heat up yourself
This is something I have found surprising. The lower body is as important as the upper part and moreover, exposing the lower body to cold conditions might stop the blood circulations in some parts of the body.
I have experienced once myself when the knees froze, due to which it was really hard to even walk. This is when the Down pants, also popularly known as Insulated pants come to your rescue.
Down Pants are very different from Climbing Pants
How to select a Down Pant?
While selecting down pants, there are a few parameters that you should be familiar with and we are going to list them in a moment.
Fill Power
The quantity of filling is measured in terms of Fill Power. The more the filling, the warmer the pants are. The fill power ranges from 300 to 900, 300 being less warmer and 900 being the most insulated.
To fight the extreme cold condition we need about 750 fill power.
Down filling
When we talk about down filling, there are two categories that are available. The natural and the polyester. There are advantages and disadvantages to both of them. Let us start to understand each of them.
Natural
This pant comes from ducks, waterfowl, or geese. These are too comfortable and can be compressed to a great extent. The major advantage is that it can be compressed to a size as small as a bottle.
Even compressing it to such small sizes will neither lose its shape, nor its insulation capacity. The only disadvantage is its price which comes with quality.
Polyester
On the contrary, the polyester down pants is obviously made of synthetic material that can only mimic the natural filling.
The synthetic fill can neither be compressed to a large extent nor will it last long. The only advantage of this material is that it is less priced.
Outer Layer Material
The material of the outer layer made out of nylon fabric makes the outer shell tear-resistant and durable. They should in addition be breathable, waterproof, and light.
Zippable Layer
Having a long, full-length zip on the outer shelf will make it easier to take off the outer layer when it is not too cold, without removing the hiking boots.
Stretch Hem
The stretch hem near the ankles will be an added feature. This elastic will not let snow, or water, enter the boots.
Best Down Pants for Extreme to Moderate Weather
From the previous few sections, we have understood that the best down pants come with the least weight, best warmth, elastic waist, zippable outer layer, and elastic near ankles.
We have listed them in the order of their weight. It is not necessary that the lesser the weight, the better the quality of these down pants. The second thing that matters the most is the fill power which is the measure of the warmth that down pant offers.
The warmth of your pants depends on the place you are in. If you are in the coldest place on earth, then you might need the warmest down pants.
1. MontBell Light Down Insulated Pants
| Manufacturer | Mont-bell Co., Ltd. |
| Listed Weight | 186 gms |
| Materials | 15-Denier Ballistic Airlight nylon shell |
| Fill Power | 800 EX down |
| Fill weight | 80 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | None |
This is the most sought-after Insulated pant that is almost weightless. They fit great at the waist, thigh, and hip areas. It feels like we are not wearing anything until we go out on an extremely cold evening, it is so comfortable and the materials used in the manufacturing of these pants are super soft.
Even in extremely cold weather, the temperature feels warm and that’s the beauty of true down pants. Most of us start believing its usage only after we start wearing them.
The reason why we chose to select this as the first in our review is due to the warmth that it gives for its weight.
2. Naturehike Compression Down Pants
| Manufacturer | Naturehike |
| Listed Weight | 250 gms |
| Fill | Abrasion and weather resistant 20D 400T nylon |
| Fill Power | 750 Fill power goose down |
| Fill weight | Not Listed |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | Elastic waistband and closure around the ankles eliminate drafts |
This is ultralight and portable too. It can fit in any of the smallest bags that you take for hiking or rappelling. To wash, they have separate instructions and claim that it is very easy, especially during camping in a car and the like.
To get rid of the stains all you need to do is wipe it with a towel or cotton using 75 degrees alcohol and dry it with a towel.
Not only this, these down pants do not allow even cold wind to enter the ankle, minimizing the cold, especially when you have a boot for snow.
3. Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Pant
| Manufacturer | Mountain Hardwear |
| Listed Weight | 255 gms |
| Fill | Nylon fabric is woven with 18% elastane |
| Fill Power | 700-fill down for warmth |
| Fill weight | Not Listed |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | 18% elastane to provide serious amounts of stretch |
This is the first lightweight, portable down pants that come with pockets. Not everybody will be as minimalistic as me. Of course, a pocket is certainly a utility.
This comes with an integrated webbed belt, two hand pockets, hidden zippered coin pocket.
One more unique feature of these down pants is it maintains warmth even when exposed to water, which is a very important thing when you are on snow.
4. Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Pant
| Manufacturer | Mountain Hardwear |
| Listed Weight | 272 gms |
| Fill | 800 breathable down (90% goose down, 10% goose feather) |
| Fill Power | 800-fill RDS-certified |
| Fill weight | Not Listed |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | Two hand pockets for convenient storage Zippered lower legs for enhanced venting and layering ability Zippered and snap closure at the front center of the pants makes them particularly adjustable |
5. Patagonia Nano Puff Pant
| Manufacturer | Patagonia |
| Listed Weight | 332 gms |
| Fill | 100% recycled polyester shell fabric |
| Fill Power | 55% postconsumer recycled PrimaLoft Gold synthetic filling |
| Fill weight | 60 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | No |
| Elastic Waist Band | No |
| Pockets | Zip fly, front pockets, and rear zip pockets provide easy access and storage |
Here is a new type of insulation that offers toasty, puffy warmth that gets going even when it gets wet. Both the shell and the insulation inside act as great water repellants.
There are zips both in the front and rear providing us with easy access to storage. A lot of small items can be put in to be accessed when necessary.
6. Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Pant
| Manufacturer | Mountain Hardwear |
| Listed Weight | 350 gms |
| Fill | Durable face fabric is built from 87% Nylon, and 13% Elastane |
| Fill Power | 700-fill RDS-certified goose down |
| Fill weight | Not Listed |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | Integrated webbed belt, two hand pockets, and hidden zippered coin pocket |
This comes with an integrated belt instead of the usual elastic waistband. Due to the heaviness of snow, these down pants do not come over as they lie tight because of the integrated belt.
The fabric that these down pants are made of delivers incredible durable stretch, adjustable cinch at the hem, and elastic at the cuffs.
In addition to all this, it has a hidden zippered coin pocket. If you would want to protect a small treasure, this is the right place.
7. Western Mountaineering Flight Down Pant
| Manufacturer | Western Mountaineering |
| Listed Weight | 355 gms |
| Material | Gore Windstopper fabric |
| Fill Power | 850+ Fill power goose down |
| Fill weight | 115 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | full-length zippers and shell materials |
The makers of these down pants claim that they can fit these pants into a bottle. You can imagine the thickness and compressibility of the material.
This compressibility in no way compromises to offer more warmth along with the added protection to keep you in comfort mode even when the mercury drops to chill weather.
8. Feathered Friends Helios Down Pants
| Manufacturer | Feathered Friends |
| Listed Weight | 369 gms |
| Material | Pertex® Endurance® LT |
| Fill Power | 900+ fill power goose down |
| Fill weight | 126 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | Full-length side zippers, Lycra bound elastic waistband with 2-stage snap adjustment |
The first of its kind from our options, this has got full-length separating side zips that allow you to put them on without having to step out of your skis or remove your boots and crampons.
This option from these Down Pants makes them best suited for skiing, winter camping, and cold mountaineering (be careful if you are in a bear country).
9. Rab Argon Down Pant
| Manufacturer | Rab |
| Listed Weight | 375 gms |
| Material | Fluorocarbon-free Hydrophobic Down developed in conjunction with Nikwax |
| Fill Power | 800-fill goose down |
| Fill weight | 38 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | No |
| Elastic Waist Band | No |
| Pockets | 2-way front fly zip with 2 insulated zip baffles |
This Pertex® Quantum outer has technical features that include a tough and durable, stitch-through construction to eliminate cold spots and a two-way front fly zipper.
The material used has a durable water repellent coating, free from fluorocarbons. The hydrophobic finish is afraid of moisture and resists moisture for longer.
10. Rab Argon Pants
| Manufacturer | Rab |
| Listed Weight | 375 gms |
| Material | Pertex outer material |
| Fill Power | 800-fill, ethically sourced, fluorocarbon-free, hydrophobic European Goose Down |
| Fill weight | 160 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | No |
| Elastic Waist Band | No |
| Pockets | Two-way zipper |
The difference between the previous down pants and these is the material used.
While this is made using the Pertex outer material stitch-through construction to eliminate cold spots and a two-way front fly zipper.
11. MontBell U.L. TEC Down Pants
| Manufacturer | MontBell |
| Listed Weight | 377 gms |
| Material | 90% goose down, 10% goose feather |
| Fill Power | 800 hypoallergenic goose down |
| Fill weight | 68 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | No |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand warmer pockets Snap, zippered fly, and drawstring waist adjustment Full-length separating side zippers |
Some technologies that have to be brought to you are:
- Polkatex is a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish
- The Ballistic Airlight is a high-tech fabric that never sacrifices durability but saves on weight
12. Sitka Gear Men’s Kelvin Lite Down 3/4 Packable Hunting Pants
| Manufacturer | Sitka Gear |
| Listed Weight | 397 gms |
| Material | Not listed |
| Fill Power | 900 fill Primaloft Gold insulation |
| Fill weight | 60 gms |
| Elastic Ankle | No |
| Elastic Waist Band | No |
| Pockets | Zippered fly and nylon web belt Two-way stretch nylon face 3/4 Pant |
They are not the typical full-sized pants. These are in fact on 3/4 of the full size. They are used mainly for hunting. It was made this way to reduce bulk in the pack.
This is to be worn mostly in forests and is military grade. We suggest you do not wear it in a snowy area.
13. Flygo Women’s Packable Compression Down Pant
| Manufacturer | Flygo |
| Listed Weight | 482 gms |
| Material | Nylon shell for abrasion/water resistance and soft polyester lining |
| Fill Power | Not Listed |
| Fill weight | Not Listed |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | Elastic drawstring waist and elastic closure around the ankles eliminate drafts Multi-pockets: 3 pockets, two slant pockets at the front by a zipper closure, one hip pocket by a snap closure |
If you see the pockets, it has enough to store for a long time. These down pants have:
- 3 pockets
- two slant pockets at the front
- one hip pocket by a snap closure
The elastic closure near the ankles protects the feet from snow
14. Naturehike Goose Down Pants
| Manufacturer | Nature Hike |
| Listed Weight | 500 gms |
| Material | Abrasion resistant 20D 400T nylon |
| Fill Power | 700 fill power premium white goose down |
| Fill weight | Not Listed |
| Elastic Ankle | Yes |
| Elastic Waist Band | Yes |
| Pockets | Includes hand pockets Adjustable elastic closure at the bottom |
The nylon ones are too heavy but will be really soft and comfortable to wear.
