Articles

Why Is Montbell's "Superior Down Round Neck Jacket" Considered the Best Masterpiece of Inner Down?

2024.12.14

Perhaps due to the trend of warm winters in recent years, the popularity of thin and lightweight inner down has been increasing. It offers numerous advantages for urban use, such as being usable as outerwear, easy to layer for temperature control, and convenient for folding and carrying.

Among these, mont-bell is said to be the originator of inner down. It has gained immense popularity due to its quality, insulation performance, and functionality developed through creating outdoor gear, as well as its high cost performance.

So what are Montbell's highlight products for inner down in 2024?

When I asked the brand's PR representative, I received the enthusiastic answer: "This year, the sales of 'Superior Down Round Neck Jacket' are excellent!"

PROFILE

Tetsushi Hosako

mont-bell Co., Ltd. PR Department

After working as store staff, he transferred to the PR department. His favorite activities are hiking and climbing. On his days off, he enjoys climbing in craggy areas.

The Round Neck Designed to Allow Freedom of Movement

Is it true that Montbell is the origin of inner down?

Yes, the first model of inner down was the "Down Inner Jacket" that appeared in 1997. At that time, fleece wear was mainstream for mid-layers in mountaineering, but down wear, being lighter, warmer, and superior in packability, led us to develop a thin down jacket that could be worn as an inner layer. There weren't many down wear options available back then.

"Superior Down Round Neck Jacket," 14,080 yen (tax included)

When did the iconic Round Neck model first appear?

The first round neck model was the "UL Down Inner Snap Neck Vest" released in 2001.

In 2011, we released the model "UL Down Round Neck Jacket," which featured snap buttons on the front. After a name change, it became known as the "Superior Down Round Neck Jacket."

What is the background behind the creation of the Round Neck?

The idea came from feedback from users and staff that "when layering down jackets, the collars and hoods overlap, making it difficult to move." To resolve this issue, we adopted the round neck design to keep the neck area neat.

It’s surprisingly lightweight.

Weight is one of the most vital features for outdoor gear. The average weight of the "Superior Down Round Neck Jacket" is 165g, making it the lightest piece in Montbell's down wear lineup.

Is the outer fabric nylon?

The outer fabric is 20 denier ballistic® nylon ripstop. Lightweight yet strong against abrasion and tearing, this is Montbell’s original fabric.

Furthermore, the current model incorporates anti-static treatment using nylon threads blended with anti-static agents to reduce static electricity generation.

Warm Despite Being Thin & Lightweight: What’s the Reason?

While being thin and lightweight, one might expect the warmth to be less...

Yes. Since many users wear it for outdoor activities in winter, we have prioritized insulation performance. This model uses 800 fill power EX Down.

What exactly is EX Down?

EX Down is sourced from waterfowl raised in harsh winter environments with significant temperature fluctuations. It features larger down clusters and higher density of small feathers, effectively blocking heat movement and providing excellent insulation.

800 fill power is quite an impressive specification.

Fill power (FP) indicates the volume of down based on the measurement of inches³/30g. For 800 fill power, this means that 30g of down expands to 800 cubic inches (approximately 13L), indicating that a higher number results in more puffiness.

Generally, down with 550 to 700 fill power is categorized as good quality, while 700 fill power and above is regarded as high-quality down. Particularly for lightweight down, 800 fill power represents a high spec.

Additionally, to balance insulation and lightweight characteristics, we adopted a single quilt structure. This sewing technique joins the outer and inner fabrics with a pinched seam, preventing the down from shifting and enhancing insulation efficiency.

What about the feathers popping out, which is common in down wear?

This model features two treatments to minimize feather leakage.

The first is a coating process that compresses the fabric using a rotating metal roller while applying heat, flattening the fibers to fill gaps in the fabric. The second is a coating process applied to the backside of the fabric, preventing feathers from escaping through the woven gaps.

I heard it can be washed at home.

It can be washed in a washing machine. Proper care is crucial for down products; if dirt such as sweat or oil from the skin accumulates on the feathers, it can clump together, reducing the insulation properties significantly.

Additionally, we offer a dedicated detergent called "O.D. Maintenance Down Cleaner" specifically for down wear. It effectively removes ingrained dirt like sweat and oils without damaging the fabric or down.

If there are any tears or broken parts, repairs are also possible. We provide thorough support to ensure you can use it for a long time.

Considering this spec and quality, a price of 14,080 yen is quite reasonable. It's no surprise that it's popular.

Thanks to everyone, it has become a popular item that sells out every year. However, I was surprised that so many users now use it for town wear, as it was originally designed for outdoor use.

High Potential as a Fashion Item

I definitely see people wearing it around the city. The round neck is easy to style.

I believe the round neck is one factor behind its popularity. When layered, it doesn't interfere with the collars of other clothes. It can be matched with T-shirts, shirts, parkas, and any kind of wear. The front has snap buttons, making it neat and unobtrusive when wearing outer layers.

Because it allows for various layering options, it has received high praise in the fashion industry, and BEAMS has been offering color-customized models every year.

The simple design also seems suitable for a wide range of scenes.

It can be used as an outer layer in autumn and spring and as an inner down jacket in the dead of winter. It can be folded and stored in the included pouch for easy transport.

A characteristic of this model is that it suppresses the glossy finish often found in outdoor brand down wear. The use of lofty processed yarns gives it a matte texture, making it popular even among users in business settings.

What does this model represent for Montbell?

We have a concept in our manufacturing called "Light & Fast." By making all products lighter, we enable quicker actions, which leads to safety. The Superior Down is one of the products that most embodies this concept.

The "Superior Down Round Neck Jacket" boasts a high level of completion, but the term "Superio" also means "higher" or "superior." Moving forward, we want to continue evolving this inner down into an even better product, listening to user feedback.

Text by Ryota Osujo