Mammut Biwak Down Jacket

Gaiters

Of all the jackets I’ve tested, I think these Mammut gaiters are the most well-engineered. The thumb hole is perfectly positioned, and the opening is actually the correct size.

In my experience with Norrona products, the thumb holes are always too big and the gaiters themselves are just too long and generally ill-fitting. Not so with the Mammut Biwak jacket; these gaiters are composed of a soft, stretchy Lycra material, and measure about 6 inches in length. They fit the circumference of my hand perfectly, and I hardly notice their presence. Even better, they completely stash away, folding neatly into the jacket in a tidy, undetectable manner. Mammut nailed this.

Hood

The ample hood on this jacket is certainly helmet compatible (great news for climbers and skiers). It has a thin, stiff rod which reinforces the brim of the hood to keep it out of your eyes and face; it is simple, lightweight and it works.

The hood can be adjusted with 3-point toggle system. There is one adjustment point (covered by a protective flap) at the crown of the head, and two additional toggles located at either side of the face. The toggles are well designed, but do require 2 hands to adjust. The width of the hood’s opening can be adjusted with the two side toggles to keep your face warm in windy conditions.

Main Zipper

The main zipper is slick, and the opposing flap is covered with a thick band of ribbon to protect the fabric and prevent the zipper from devouring the Pertex and causing damage. When fully zipped the jacket reaches my nose, so the coverage is fairly ample. The main zipper is 2-way, so the amount of coverage can be tailored to your needs. There is a protective flap of fabric which covers the zipper when the jacket is zipped, this can be secured with 2 small strips of Velcro at the top and bottom.

Pockets

There are two very sizable, insulated outer pockets (5 inches wide by 11 inches long) with a smooth, one-way zipper closure. These pockets never fail to surprise me in their ability to swallow random objects with ease, and they are also incredibly warm. Just yesterday I stashed an avocado in one pocket after leaving the checkout line at the grocery store, and you couldn’t even tell I was packing fruit.

The zipper action is silky and the top of the zipper is also equipped with a zipper garage. Additionally there are two large mesh pockets on the right and left interior panels measuring 6.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches tall. These pockets are simply secured with a loose elastic band and are suitable for stashing gloves, goggles or snacks.

Durability

I have yet to see a feather escape, which is always a concern when considering down jackets of premium pedigree.

I’m also stoked on the abrasion resistance of the Quantam Pertex material. In brushing up against trees, moving a filing cabinet with sharp edges, and navigating a crawl space that looks like something from the set of Discovery Channel’s “Hoarders: Buried Alive” the jacket has resisted tear and visible damage.

I’m always overly concerned sporting a down jacket as an outer layer, as they do inherently have less durability than a hard shell or softshell jacket. This jacket feels solid, and there are no visible flaws.

And after 50+ days of use, the stitching also seems to be in better shape than my North Face Diez Down Jacket, which has since developed a few loose threads.

Bottom Line

If you live in Fargo, buy this jacket. This is an outstanding down jacket if sub-zero temps are the norm for your climate of choice. It’s also excellent for excursions around town, or times when you plan to be outside but won’t be moving around much. It’s not the right choice for higher output endeavors in milder climates.

I really appreciated the feminine cut on such a down-loaded piece, and the functionality of the gaiters, hood, and 2-way zipper left me spending a great deal of time this winter sporting the Biwak. I’ve literally spent over a year looking for a choice down jacket, and I think I’ve finally found The One.