Looking to use under a soft shell.
Who makes the best 800 fill for the money ?
Start with Marmot and other "climber" and snowsports sources. Much better value than marketed high dollar "hunter" brands.
https://www.backcountry.com/western-mountaineering-flight-down-vest-mensNot the least expensive, but I have never found one “better” for lw, packable, and quality.
Hard to beet this if you don't mind looking like Kermit the frog: https://www.sierra.com/cotopaxi-fuego-down-vest-950-fill-power-for-men~p~726kt/?filterString=s~down-vest%2F
The best quality down garments for the money I’ve found over the years are those from Montbell. I’ve been using Montbell products going back over 30 years.
https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=25010&p_id=2301265&gen_cd=1https://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=25010&p_id=2301218&gen_cd=1
Brad , what is your opinion of the 1.6 oz fill weight vs the 3 oz . ?
SL, it just depends the use. I have the Alpine Light Down Sweater (not the vest), and it's definitely a warm garment for cold weather. Here in Montana it's ideal for late October/November backpack/hunting. The Superior Vest with its lighter fill would be my choice for summer highcountry backpacking. Lightly filled garments like it are great under a shell to take the edge off evening and morning cool weather.
I'd look at eddie bauer evertherm. I picked mine up for about $100 on one of the sales they're always having.
I like montbell and marmot. Love my montbell sleeping bag. BUT...the eddie bauer 1st ascent stuff, with 800 down that is treated for improved loft when wet, is a great value. I have had a vest for a while and use it a bunch, just back from backpack trip and decided I just might need a puffy jacket-went by an eb outlet yesterday and got a puffy jacket that had been $230 for $60- and they had several in multiple models and sizes... gotta get the 800 1st ascent, not the lower grade 650 ones.
Remember that 70% of the world's goose down comes from China. Down from live piucked geese tends to be in large chunks and is better insulation so it costs more.
I really like the Marmot Guide's Down Hoody for late season backpack hunting.