REVIEWED: Marmot Quasar Hoody
Super-warm and super-light, this goose down jacket proves a must-have for mountain trips, hiking and camping
If you’re like us, you heave a big sigh when you realise that your 10-day trip includes one night up a mountain where a winter-warm jacket is suggested. Having to pack such a thing can ruin any intentions to travel light, but not so with this super-slim women’s down jacket from Marmot.
Unbelievably lightweight
Weighing a phenomenally light 276g when packed into one of its zipped hand pockets, the Quasar Hoody is certainly easy to travel with, though there’s still a lot of air inside even that small package that can be squeezed out if you travel with a small bag.
Goose on the loose
Stuffed with 850-fill goose down, the Quasar Hoody proved super-warm in use during our test in jebel Shams, Oman. Up the top of this 3,028m mountain the air was thin and down to almost freezing at night, but the Quasar Hoody kept us toasty. From looking at its paltry construction, hopes weren’t high. It’s that down filling that helps most, of course, but kudos to Marmot for also including a compact hoody, elasticated cuffs and a drawstring waist, which helps keep cold air out.
Chesting times
We weren’t fussed about the outside-access chest pocket on the left-hand side. Women don’t tend to use these pockets much, so we’re not sure why it’s there; no-woman is ever going to store a phone in that position. A pocket on the inside, and lower down, would make more sense.
Travel-tough construction
Back to the coat’s slimness; we wore the Quasar Hoody under a waterproof jacket when it started to rain, which isn’t something you can easily do with most down jackets. What’s more, the Ultralight 10 Denier Pertex Quantum used on the outside seems tough enough, making the Quasar Hoody one to cherish for all kinds of trips to mountainous areas.
Price as reviewed: from £101
Buy the Marmot Quasar Hoody