When it comes to clothing that is most effective at keeping the cold outdoors, it's hard to beat down jackets, both in the past and now. This down jacket is a winter jacket packed with waterfowl feathers with excellent insulation per weight (heat retention), and is an extremely light, portable, and warmth that gives you great peace of mind.It is an outerwear that is extremely popular as a fall/winter fashion item in town.
Even down jackets are not always excellent for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, as popular models in town. In harsh environments such as winter mountain climbing, many different functionality is required, depending on the purpose, such as being as light, warm, and strong, which is essentially a little different to the design.
the DUVET series a new addition to the Italian high-performance outdoor brand MONTURA , is a down jacket that pursues functionality to meet the sophisticated and complex demands of outdoor activities. This time, we tried out three different models, the HELIOS DUVET JACKET and HELIOS DUVET VEST the SKILL DUVET , which is also lightweight but has high heat retention that is suitable for lower temperatures, at Yatsugatake, which has just started snowing for the first time. I would like to immediately review each of the features, recommended seasons, and how to use them.
Three models of the DUVET series are newly released in the fall and winter season of 2023. From left to right: HELIOS DUVET JVEST, HELIOS DUVET JACKET, and SKILL DUVET.
table of contents
- 1) HELIOS DUVET JACKET & HELIOS DUVET VEST
- Main features
- Main Specifications and ratings
- It's surprisingly light and high-touch, allowing you to carry it without any effort, from serious climbing to small trips
- Lightweight yet highly heat-retaining and ideal fit
- Lots of pockets, thumb holes, and packable designs. It is easy to use while still cutting it down to the limit
- Recommended for scenes like this
- 2) SKILL DUVET
- Main features
- Main Specifications and ratings
- You can see the difference from the moment you wear it, and the perfect fit will stick to your skin
- In addition to moisture-resistant water-repellent down, synthetic cotton is mapped to areas that are prone to wet, making it highly practical.
- No complaints about the smart features that are easy to use, such as a hood with a high-fitting thumb hole and large pockets.
- Recommended for scenes like this
- Summary: A high-performance down jacket packed with "not just light and warm" that you can choose according to the situation
- Details and purchase of the "MONTURA DUVET Series"
1) HELIOS DUVET JACKET & HELIOS DUVET VEST
Main features
Montura's new Autumn/Winter 2023 "HELIOS DUVET JACKET & VEST" is a high-performance lightweight down jacket and vest that is equipped with excellent features to ensure comfortable and convenient wear, while reducing waste as much as possible thanks to its expertise, such as weight, bulkiness, and extra functions. It is designed for quick travel trips that can be stored in limited luggage, providing incredible compressibility and lightness. It uses lightweight, strong ripstop nylon fabric that is environmentally friendly, and the padding is packed with 750FP high-quality down, with NIKWAX water-repellent finish. The slim and calculated three-dimensional cutting gives a sophisticated silhouette that provides a comfortable fit, smooth layering, and stress-free movement. It cuts down the weight, but does not compromise practicality, with plenty of pockets and packable designs, and has the perfect feature for those who want to enjoy outdoor activities in the cold season or climbing snowy mountains while worrying about weight.
HELIOS DUVET JACKET, which pursues lightness while maintaining comfort
Recommended points
- Ultra-lightweight compact
- Exquisite three-dimensional cutting that combines style and ease of movement
- Thin yet minimal protection micro ripstop nylon outer and lining
- NIKWAX Water-repellent down with high insulation and moisture-resistant down
- A highly designed concealed zippered hand pocket and chest pocket, plus back pocket for ample storage
- Packable structure that allows you to store yourself in the back pocket
Points that interest me
- Because lightness is prioritized, the heat retention itself is not extremely high compared to models with a larger amount of down.
- The pocket zipper is a bit easier to bite
- The fabric is a little delicate
HELIOS DUVET VEST is useful for a wide range of purposes
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | HELIOS DUVET JACKET | HELIOS DUVET VEST |
|---|---|---|
| Actual measured weight | 255g (Actual measurement of size M) | 177g (Actual measurement of size M) |
| color | Red, Yellow, Black | Red, Yellow, Black |
| size | XS/S/M/L/XL | XS/S/M/L/XL |
| shell | Nylon fabric with PFC-free DWR processing | Nylon fabric with PFC-free DWR processing |
| Lining | Nylon fabric with PFC-free DWR processing | Nylon fabric with PFC-free DWR processing |
| Insulation | 90% Moulard “Pure White” Duck Down with NIKWAX PFC FREE DWR – 10% White Duck Down Feather padding (Fill Power: 750 Cuin – IDFB Steam Test) |
90% Moulard “Pure White” Duck Down with NIKWAX PFC FREE DWR – 10% White Duck Down Feather padding (Fill Power: 750 Cuin – IDFB Steam Test) |
| The front has a center zipper, hand pocket, and chest pocket has a zipper | The front has a center zipper, hand pocket, and chest pocket has a zipper | |
| Other features | Packable design that allows you to flip the back pocket inside out | Packable design that allows you to flip the back pocket inside out |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | ||
| Comfort | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| It's not stuffy | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Practicality in the field | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
It's surprisingly light and high-touch, allowing you to carry it without any effort, from serious climbing to small trips
HELIOS DUVET is a stepping up to its "lightness," the biggest appeal of down jackets . This site actually measured the jacket type weighs only 255 grams for men's size M. The best was surprisingly light at 177 grams.
The weight of less than 300 grams as a jacket is so high that you wouldn't mind even if it was a luggage.
Of course, this lightness isn't just "yes, we've reduced the contents, the end," but it's nothing more than accumulating each and every detail of the design and selection, such as using ultra-lightweight (21 g/sqm) micro ripstop nylon, which is just the same as just the thinnest outerwear, storing high-quality down in a baffle structure with as little sewing as possible, and using lightweight, compact parts for the pocket zipper. The true essence of this jacket is that it is based on feedback in the field, and while maintaining the balanced balance as a tool for facing harsh nature, it is still as low as possible.
Lightweight yet highly heat-retaining and ideal fit
Despite its slim silhouette that fits the body, the skillful three-dimensional cutting makes it seem difficult to move.
In order to achieve sufficient warmth while being quite light, it is essential that the down is excellent. This model is packed with pure white duck down, which has a high resilience of 750FP, and has excellent bulkiness (loft) and insulation per weight. Furthermore, the NIKWAX water-repellent finish makes it resistant to moisture and maintains high heat retention even in high humidity conditions.
This high-quality down is enclosed in a lean, three-dimensional pattern along the body lines, but what is particularly noteworthy is the gathers on the underarms (photo below). This exquisitely improves the adhesion of the jacket to the body, and has succeeded in achieving a comfortable warmth and an excellent fit without creating any extra space between the skin and the clothing, without escaping body heat.
The seams on both sides are gathered to make the clothing gently adhere to the skin.
Furthermore, the high collar and stretchy material around the sleeves and hem have been taken to lock down body temperatures again, and despite the limited weight, the idea has been made to prevent the heat from escaping even a little (not making the cold feel) (photo below).
Stretch material is provided around the cuffs and hem to prevent excess heat from escaping
This ideal fit not only keeps you warm, but also contributes to smooth layering. There was plenty of room inside the jacket for a base layer or thin fleece, and it also fits easily under the shell and thick insulation.
Layering is not a pain unless you wear it over the shell, such as wearing it directly on a base layer or adding it over a thin intermediate jacket.
Lots of pockets, thumb holes, and packable designs. It is easy to use while still cutting it down to the limit
Although many of the features have been omitted to reduce weight, all of the features provided here are well-examined and practical.
Left and right hand pockets (top left), chest zipper pocket (top right), inner pocket on the back of the hand pocket (bottom left), thumb hole on the cuffs (bottom right)
In particular, the pockets are not impossible to use the left and right hand pockets, as well as the chest pocket (all with zippers), and the lining of the pockets as an inner pocket.
By the way, the inner pocket here is also packable, allowing you to roll it up and store it by turning it over and pushing it in (photo below).
Stored in the inner pocket (not compressed to the very least)
Recommended for scenes like this
For those who want to spend their time in the outdoors under low temperatures. "HELIOS DUVET JACKET" is easy to use as an all-around intermediate wear
Packed with maximum heat retention and functionality HELIOS DUVET JACKET is perfect for those looking for a mid-layer cold weather protection when hiking a mountain climbing where you want to cut down on the weight of the bike.
However, it is a little thin in the extreme cold weather and does not have enough durability to be worn as an outerwear while you are still in the mood, so other options are safe for long-term wear during the harsh winter.
If you carry it with you as an extra cold weather protection or when resting, it will match a wide range of activities in winter when the temperature is very different, and it is also useful when you need to wear a slightly thicker layering when traveling or snow camping. It will deliver ideal warmth and comfort in a wide range of situations, from everyday life to outdoor activities.
"HELIOS DUVET VEST" is the perfect place to relieve the cold.
Furthermore, the lightweight and compact vest type can be used as a winter clothing that provides just the right amount of heat retention in spring and autumn, and is also convenient for adding a little more heat retention when you feel a little chilly while hiking in the winter. Because there are no sleeves, you can act without sacrificing the breathability of the inner layer, and without cooling down the main parts of the body, such as the abdomen.
Of course, it can be used as an inner down jacket for everyday use, and will be useful in many ways as an excellent piece that can be easily reached in areas with itching.
2) SKILL DUVET
Main features
SKILL DUVET (JACKET) is a highly insulated, highly functional down jacket with many functions necessary to stand up to the alpine mountains during the harsh winter. The lightweight and durable PERTEX® QUANTUM outer material is packed with PFC-free NIKWAX water-repellent 750FP down, which keeps you warm and protects you from bad weather. Gathered arms, body and hood allow the clothing to stick to the skin, providing an incredibly comfortable fit and reducing excess heat loss. The calculated three-dimensional cutting minimizes stress and does not interfere with movement, and in addition to the zippered hand pocket, the inner mesh pocket can be turned over and used as a stow pocket. This is the perfect piece for mountaineering enthusiasts, skiers, snow campers, and more who want to prioritize solid warmth and practicality in the field.
SKILL DUVET, which efficiently achieves the insulation performance required for alpine mountains in winter, with minimal weight
Recommended points
- Detailed three-dimensional cutting that does not interfere with movement and a fit that sticks to your body
- By placing down and synthetic cotton in the right place, the hybrid padding structure provides high heat retention and strength against wetting
- Achieves extremely high heat retention with minimal weight (NIKWAX PFC FREE water-repellent down that is also resistant to moisture)
- Lightweight and durable Pertex® Quantum ripstop polyester
- Packable structure that allows you to store yourself in the back pocket
- Zippered hand pocket and mesh back pocket for ample storage
Points that interest me
- It's a bit heavy and bulky
- Expensive price
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | MONTURA SKILL DUVET |
|---|---|
| weight | 525g (Actual measurement of size M) |
| color | Dark orange, deep blue/dark orange, F black/F yellow |
| size | XS/S/M/L/XL |
| shell | Pertex® Quantum (recycled polyester material with PFCec Free DWR processing) |
| Lining | Nylon material |
| Insulation |
|
| Front centre zipper and zippered hand pocket, velcro inner pocket | |
| Other features | Packable design that can be stored in an inner pocket with a velcro fastening |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★★★★ |
| It's not stuffy | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ease of movement | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| Storageability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Practicality in the field | ★★★★☆ |
You can see the difference from the moment you wear it, and the perfect fit will stick to your skin
SKILL DUVET provides the ultimate comfort that wraps around the shoulders, arms, body and the entire body.
The HELIOS DUVET which is its lightweight and compact size , the SKILL DUVET its overwhelming insulation performance and a comfortable fit. I discovered it was so comfortable that it's hard to find a down jacket that is so soothing.
The jacket pattern itself is a regular fit and not a particularly tight fit, but as soon as you put it through the sleeves you will notice a comfortable, sticky feel that you have never felt before.
After that, the moment you tighten the front zipper, your whole body is gently wrapped in warmth, and the skillful three-dimensional cutting means you won't feel stressed even when you move your body freely. It feels like the skin blends in, and it's so good that it makes you think you've become a feathered animal.
Gathered seams fit gently on the body
The secret to this sticky fit is the "gathered" structure applied to the body, arms, hood, etc. The elasticity of the gathers along the seams of this baffle makes it gentle and adhere to the skin to any body type (photo below).
Gathered structure with loose stretch that does not over-tighten
In addition to the gathered structure that fills the gap between the skin and clothing, the three-dimensional cutting works well to take into account movement, allowing for stress-free movement while still maintaining a comfortable fit for the upper body.
This wide and easy-to-fit design means that it does not change the perfect fit, whether you wear a thin base layer under a jacket or over a hard shell, and it can be said that it is well-made, as it is easy to wear (width).
The base padding is made of 750FP pure white duck down (NIKWAX water-repellent treatment), and in addition to its high insulation per weight, each loft with the down sealed in is spacious and does not interfere with swelling, and a comfortable warmth envelops the body without any gaps.
To prevent gaps between the jacket and the skin, the inner seams are also made to fit closely to the body with the gathers.
In addition to moisture-resistant water-repellent down, synthetic cotton is mapped to areas that are prone to wet, making it highly practical.
Even high insulation will be a waste if it is not 100% effective in the field. This model is designed to handle the various difficulties encountered in snowy mountains during the harsh winter, and the construction has been designed with ingenuity that simply down jackets do not have. One of them is the hybrid structure with synthetic cotton (photo below).
It is not a down sealed around the shoulders, but a high-quality synthetic cotton that is resistant to moisture and wetting.
Specifically, the aim is to further cover the weaknesses of down jackets by incorporating Comfortemp® synthetic fiber padding that does not lose insulation even when wet, known as the "yoke" area (an area that is easily wet and moisture-prone). Although it is made of synthetic fiber padding, it is bulky and comfortable, and in reality it is indistinguishable from down, so I hardly felt any negative effects from this specification.
No complaints about the smart features that are easy to use, such as a hood with a high-fitting thumb hole and large pockets.
the HELIOS DUVET the cuffs have thumb holes, making them easy to prevent cold air from entering or slipping up (photo below). Also, when considering an outerwear, the hood is essential, with the stretch material on the edges and the gathers that stick to the touch, making it comfortable to wear, and it keeps you down with ease as your head moves.
It's a bit disappointing that the pockets don't have the chest pockets I like, but in addition to the left and right zipper hand pockets, there are also Velcro closure inner pockets large enough to hold gloves, so there is no inconvenience in storage. This inner pocket is also packable, allowing you to turn it over and roll it up and use it as a storage bag.
Thumb hole at the cuffs (top left), hood with a sturdy fit (top right), inner pocket on the back of the hand pocket (bottom left), packable design that can be stored in the inner pocket (bottom right)
Recommended for scenes like this
SKILL DUVET, which offers outstanding insulation and comfort thanks to its high-quality down and high thermal efficiency structure, provides outstanding insulation and comfort, while reducing the excess weight as much as possible, was very memorable with its detailed construction, which can be said to have been carefully selected and bundled together the heat retention and functionality necessary to tackle the harshness of alpine mountains in winter.
Since insulation is prioritized over lightness, it is not suitable for those who want to go lightly and at the fastest, but it will surely be a practical option for hikers, climbers and skiers who want warmth without worrying too much about additional luggage. Its versatility, which can be used as an intermediate piece to wear over a base layer or as an over jacket to wear over a shell, will match a wide range of winter sports.
Summary: A high-performance down jacket packed with "not just light and warm" that you can choose according to the situation
These jackets have distinct and distinct advantages, both of which are HELIOS DUVET and SKILL DUVET A common glimpse is Montura's consistent philosophy of comfortable wear as a clothing that makes full use of craftsmanly three-dimensional cutting, high practicality that never makes the field feel inconvenient, and sophisticated and elegant design. These products, which we can be confident that they were made from the same perspective as outdoor enthusiasts, will surely fill our minds and bodies more than they cost.
Details and purchase of the "MONTURA DUVET Series"
For information on the latest models and product details, please check the MONTURA official website or the product list page for insulation category
