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Many people think of down jackets as serious winter wear. However, in Hokkaido, where I live, where the average minimum temperature drops below 10 degrees even in June and September, a thin down jacket is practically all-season cold weather gear. Living in Hokkaido, I've found a down jacket that I can wholeheartedly praise, so I'd like to introduce it to you
table of contents
- What is Big Agnes' Shovelhead Jacket?
- Detailed Review
- This is the first down jacket I've ever had that I'm completely satisfied with
- The perfect thickness and weight so you won't even notice you're wearing it
- Cuffs, zippers, number and size of pockets, positioning, and ease of movement
- The basic performance is almost ideal, and I'm also very satisfied with the additional features!
- Summary: The Shovelhead Jacket is a great choice in every way
- For more information and to purchase the Big Agnes Shovelhead Jacket, please click here
What is Big Agnes' Shovelhead Jacket?
The Shovelhead Jacket is apparently the most popular among fans in Big Agnes' hometown of Steamboat Springs, and I can understand why
An outdoor brand based in Colorado that holds a large share of the tent market in North America
As regular readers of OUTDOOR GEARZINE may already know, Big Agnes is an outdoor brand with a large share of the outdoor tent market in North America. While it is a relatively young brand, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2021, it has earned the trust of many users by delivering unique and highly practical products that have been repeatedly tested in the field from its office in Steamboat Springs, the county seat of Routt County, Colorado, with a population of approximately 13,000 and just minutes from the mountains
The most popular down jacket among Big Agnes fans in her hometown of Steamboat Springs is the Shovelhead Jacket (market price 32,780 yen). It comes in three sizes: S, M, and L, and is available in black and indigo, in addition to the Grape Leaf Black we tried on this time. The weight is approximately 454g (size M)
Recommended points
- The perfect thickness for everyday use
- Water-repellent ripstop nylon shell
- Soft, water-repellent polyester lining
- Packable design allows you to store it in your chest pocket
- Three large zippered pockets and two interior pockets
- Easy-to-roll cuffs
- DownTech water-repellent down stays dry 27 times longer than regular down
- Thumb holes and a hood keep your upper body warm
- Environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes
Points of interest
- If I had to say, it would be the price
Main specifications and evaluation
| item | Big Agnes Shovelhead Jacket |
|---|---|
| color | Black, indigo, grape leaf black |
| size | S, M, L |
| weight | Approximately 454g (medium size) |
| shell | bluesign approved, GRS certified, water repellent, post-industrial recycled 20d ripstop nylon 100% |
| lining | GRS certified, water-repellent, post-consumer recycled 20d 100% polyester |
| Insulation | 700FP Water-repellent Down Tech [TM] |
| size |
|
| Comfort (wearability) | ★★★★☆ |
| Thermal insulation (warmth) | ★★★★☆ |
| Portability (carry around) | ★★★★★ |
| Ease of use | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Cost performance | ★★★★☆ |
| Satisfaction | ★★★★★ |
Detailed Review
This is the first down jacket I've ever had that I'm completely satisfied with
The "ba" Big Agnes logo is attached near the left shoulder. I personally like the modest size of the logo
You might find it hard to believe, but for me, who lives in Chitose City, Hokkaido, a down jacket is not a winter cold weather gear. To put it bluntly, it is a jacket that I always have on hand except in July and August. I wear a thin down jacket in early spring until around June, and in early autumn from around September onwards during the cold mornings and evenings
My impression is that, except in the middle of summer, people usually bring a down jacket just in case. Thinking that this may be an exaggeration, Weather Spark , and found that it was only 12 degrees in June and 12 degrees in September. Furthermore, when I looked up the average maximum temperature by month in Tokyo, it was 12 degrees in December, 10 degrees in February, and 13 degrees in March. The results showed that during the cold hours of June and September in Chitose City, the temperature was the same as in Tokyo during the daytime in midwinter.
For this reason, I always have a down jacket on hand except in summer. In my case, it's not uncommon for me to need a down jacket even in the middle of summer, when it gets so cold for work such as photographing starry skies or sunrises. Furthermore, during the change of seasons when the heating isn't on full blast, I often wear a down jacket inside the house, even when I'm working alone in my home office
I wear down jackets so often that I could almost say they're my second skin, so I own quite a few, but I also replace them often, and I've been dissatisfied with most of them, to a greater or lesser extent. However, with the Big Agnes Shovelhead Jacket that I tried out this time, I had almost no complaints except for the price (although given the recent rise in prices and quality of outdoor gear, this is totally within the acceptable range), and I was almost completely satisfied. I was a bit surprised. I'd like to explain in detail what it was that I liked so much about it
The perfect thickness and weight so you won't even notice you're wearing it
The Shovelhead Jacket is lighter than a typical cotton hoodie, making it warm and suitable for most winter wear all year round
Depending on the season, I often wear a down jacket as indoor wear all day, so a down jacket that feels heavy or makes me tired is out of the question. For this reason, it's very important that it's lightweight while still providing good insulation. In that regard, the Big Agnes Shovelhead Jacket weighs approximately 454g in size M
It's hard to say whether a down jacket weighing approximately 454g is heavy or light. A typical hooded parka is said to weigh around 700g, so the Shovelhead Jacket is about two-thirds that weight. Also, a long-sleeved T-shirt is said to weigh around 300g, so even if you wear it as indoor wear all day, your shoulders won't get stiff or tired. You can easily throw it on when you feel a little cold
Another important consideration is the shell and lining materials. The Shovelhead Jacket's shell is made of 100% water-repellent post-industrial recycled 20d ripstop nylon, and the lining is made of 100% water-repellent post-consumer recycled 20d polyester. I previously tried a very lightweight down jacket, but perhaps due to the shell or lining materials, it made a scraping noise every time I moved, which bothered me and prevented me from wearing it for long. In contrast, the Shovelhead Jacket's fabric is supple and soft, and it doesn't make any annoying noises even when I move. The lining is also water-repellent and stain-resistant, which is a welcome feature for me, as I often wear the Shovelhead Jacket directly over a short-sleeved T-shirt
The Shovelhead Jacket also uses Downtech insulation, a 700FP water-repellent down that retains its heat even when wet, and the amount is just right. While jackets with a high fill power (FP) often feel thick, too much down can make it difficult to move, and too little can cause concerns about heat retention, the Shovelhead Jacket strikes the perfect balance
Not only the shell but also the liner is water-repellent, which is great for me as I use it frequently and often just throw it on over short sleeves
Cuffs, zippers, number and size of pockets, positioning, and ease of movement
This photo was taken with the cuffs folded back. The cuffs have a very simple structure with just a sturdy elastic band. This makes it easy to roll up the sleeves and very comfortable
Another thing I find disappointing about down jackets I wear regularly whether or not the sleeves can be easily rolled up . Perhaps because they're meant to be worn outside as cold weather gear, there's no need to roll up the sleeves, and many down jackets don't offer this option. However, if you're wearing it indoors at home or camping in the winter, you'll likely wash your hands when you go to the bathroom, or even cook or wash dishes while wearing it. It's extremely frustrating when you can't roll up the sleeves of a down jacket in these situations.
The Shovelhead Jacket has sturdy elastic cuffs, so you can easily roll up the sleeves, and they won't fall down easily. It's very comfortable. I often roll up my sleeves and wear a down jacket while wearing the Shovelhead Jacket to adjust the temperature, so this may seem like a small thing, but it's very important
All three pocket zippers other than the main zipper shown in the photo are equipped with zipper tabs, which not only make them smooth to open and close, but also make them easy to operate
Some may think this is a minor detail, but the zippers on a down jacket are also very important. It's essential that the zippers on each pocket, as well as the main zipper used when putting on and taking off the jacket, open and close smoothly. However, with down jackets, the zipper often catches on the fabric more than you'd think, making it impossible to open or close. This can be extremely frustrating, as you may find yourself unable to take off your down jacket or get to your wallet or smartphone
For me, a down jacket with a poorly made zipper is not suitable for everyday use, no matter how good the other features are. In contrast, the Shovelhead Jacket's zipper opens and closes very smoothly, with long zipper tabs that are easy to operate even with gloves on, making it extremely easy to use and hassle-free
In addition to the zippered chest pocket and hand warmer pockets, it also has two mesh inner pockets as shown in the photo
Despite this preference, I believe a down jacket needs at least three zippered pockets. The reason is that I want to keep my wallet, smartphone, and keys in separate pockets with secure lids. I don't want to put my keys and other items together because they'll get scratched. Also, if I put my smartphone and wallet together, that pocket will bulge out and look unsightly, which I don't like. As a result, I need at least three zippered pockets
The Shovelhead Jacket has one zippered chest pocket on the left side and one hand warmer pocket on each side, both of which also have zippers, for a total of three zippered pockets. All of them are large enough to fit a large smartphone. There are also two mesh inner pockets on the back of the hand warmer pockets, so the number and size of the pockets is more than enough. Personally, I would be happier if there was also a zippered pocket or inner pocket on the right chest. However, many down jackets only have two zippered pockets, and some only one, so I'm very pleased with the generous number of pockets
The two handwarmer pockets on the abdomen have secure zippers and are large enough to fit a large smartphone
When I buy a new down jacket, I always try it on by raising both arms high above my head and stretching from a "V-Neck" pose. I've never been unable to do this with outdoor or sports brand down jackets. However, I've been surprised to find that some fashion brand down jackets make this movement quite difficult
Down jackets are used for everyday wear, but when camping or sleeping in a car in the winter, it's not uncommon to sleep in your down jacket if it's cold, so ease of movement is a minimum requirement. I actually tried taking a nap in the Shovelhead Jacket, and it was very easy to move in, and the regular fit made it easy to move around in, and the overall softness allowed me to sleep soundly. For me, being able to sleep in it is also an important feature of a down jacket
The Shovelhead Jacket didn't leave me dissatisfied with any of these small details. It's a very good product
The basic performance is almost ideal, and I'm also very satisfied with the additional features!
If you turn the chest pocket inside out and push it in, it will look like the picture above. It will fit in about 22 x 17 x 11 cm. It's very convenient
For me, there are very few down jackets that are as near-perfect as the Shovelhead Jacket, even when it comes to the basic performance aspects such as weight, feel of the fabric, cuff specifications, number of pockets, ease of movement, etc. Until now, I had to make compromises with every down jacket I had worn
The Shovelhead Jacket not only offers high basic performance, but also some added features, such as a packable design that allows you to store the Shovelhead Jacket itself in the chest pocket, thumb holes, and a hood
Although the catalogue states that the Shovelhead Jacket has a packable design that allows it to be stored in the chest pocket, the Shovelhead Jacket is a fairly sturdy down jacket, so even though it's large, I was worried about whether I could actually fit everything into the chest pocket. However, although it's quite tight, everything fits into the inside-out chest pocket, and it can be stored quite compactly. The Shovelhead Jacket is a great addition to any outdoor adventure, such as camping or mountain climbing, and also when you're wondering whether to bring an extra layer of clothing on a trip or business trip
The sleeves of the Shovelhead Jacket are now covering the palms of my hands using the thumb holes. It feels more comfortable than ever before
The Shovelhead Jacket is equipped with thumbholes that allow you to tuck your thumbs into the cuffs and wrap your hands around the sleeves, and a hood with a small brim. I personally dislike these two features
Although it has thumb holes, I rarely use them, and the hood often gets in the way when I'm not using it. However, this feeling has changed since I started wearing the Shovelhead Jacket. As I mentioned earlier, the cuffs are made of sturdy elastic, making them easy to roll up and comfortable, but the compatibility between these cuffs and the thumb holes is excellent. When using the thumb holes, the tight elastic cuffs wrap around the palms of your hands, providing good coverage for the base of your fingers, making them easy to wear and warm. It's really convenient when you forget to bring gloves
The hood of the Shovelhead Jacket feels very compact when worn, sitting on your shoulders, so it's barely noticeable
A hood is useful when it's really cold, but I usually don't use it, and the downsides are that it flaps around and moves around every time I move, so I often choose down jackets without a hood. However, the hood on the Shovelhead Jacket fits snugly behind the neck when not being worn, so it rarely flap or move around. What's more, when you actually put it on, the neck structure and zipper provide a good coverage
Thanks to this, the Shovelhead Jacket is a down jacket that keeps your upper body warm except for your fingertips and the area around your eyes. It also has other extra features that make it highly practical, so I can say I'm very satisfied
Summary: The Shovelhead Jacket is a great choice in every way
This piece was designed in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, which is colder than Chitose, Hokkaido
The Shovelhead Jacket is surprisingly comfortable. It's a great piece of winter gear to have around for all seasons except summer
I had no prior knowledge of the Shovelhead Jacket other than that it was a down jacket made by Big Agnes, a company with a large share of the tent market in North America. As I write this in early October, the temperature outside in Chitose, Hokkaido, where I live, is about 7°C. I haven't turned on the heater yet, so I'm writing this article while wearing the Shovelhead Jacket. Every time I put it on, I'm impressed by how well-made it is. As a result, I became curious about the people who designed it, and so I looked into Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where Big Agnes' office is located
Even in the warmest months of July and August, the average minimum temperature is below 10°C, and in June and September it drops below 5°C. It's a cold region, and winter temperatures are even colder than Chitose City, Hokkaido. It's no surprise that the Shovelhead Jacket, designed by the Big Agnes staff who enjoy camping, mountain climbing, skiing, cycling, fishing, and more all year round in Steamboat Springs, meets almost all of my needs, as I live a similar lifestyle
The Shovelhead Jacket is a down jacket that is packed with ideas from Big Agnes staff who live in cold climates and likely wear the Shovelhead Jacket year-round. It looks like it will be very comfortable for camping this winter. I highly recommend it. Also, if Big Agnes' down jacket is so well made, you'll definitely want to try out the Freighter Jacket, also from Big Agnes
For more information and to purchase the Big Agnes Shovelhead Jacket, please click here
For more information about the product, please visit Shovelhead Jacket
Chitose Saito
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