Stone Glacier is well-known for making high performance technical apparel, packs, sleeping bags, and more for hunters who seek to take on the elements, hunt hard, and demand the most out of their gear. On Western mountain hunts, gear is absolutely essential and gear that in any way creates challenges in the field can be an obstacle for the hunt. Stone Glacier gear is designed and tested by hunters in the mountains of Montana and Alaska, and this gear has generally seen it all before becoming available to the public. We’ve been putting some of their gear to the test recently here in Montana, and we couldn’t be more impressed with the design, functionality, and performance of some of these pieces. We’ll be offering our thoughts in a series of reviews. First up: the Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket.
Those who know me well know that I am a jacket junkie, and I specifically have more down jackets than most. Not sure how this happened over the years, but it did, so when I’m looking at down jackets, I have quite a bit to compare to. Generally, I have heavier down jackets for what I might expect to wear on most sub-freezing days in the Rockies, and then there are the lighter down jackets that you often see just about every day of the year in Northern California. The lighter jackets are perfect for a cool morning during the summer but might also be adequate on a chilly West Coast winter day.
All that said, when first putting on the Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket, it was immediately clear that this jacket didn’t as easily fit into one of those two categories. Exceptionally lightweight (I wear a medium, and the large is 11.8 oz), this jacket on one hand fits the lightweight jacket category while also having 5.3 oz. of 90/10 goose down fill to push it into the heavier jacket category. It is, in effect, a lightweight jacket for all seasons.
This jacket is beyond impressive. It is lightweight enough to feel comfortable on cool summer nights in the high country, but its 850+ Fill Power Goose Down means it’s a piece for all seasons. Additionally important, the material of the shell is tough. One of the best-insulated down jackets I have from another (non-hunting) company tore on their first day of use while at the range. While it was replaced, I was out of a winter jacket for some time, and I remain cautious about really using it like I ought to. With the Grumman jacket, I do not have that concern. This material is tougher.
Among additional features, the Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket has a snug fitting hood and tight cuffs and an elastic hem to keep the cold out and warm in. Impressively, the jacket also comes with a stuff sack and packs down pretty small. This means you can easily shed this piece, easily pack it, and keep on trekking. And it’s also great for travel. Couldn’t be more impressed with this jacket.
The Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket is available in sizes small through XXL and in Stone Grey and Coyote colors. This jacket costs $329 and comes with a lifetime warranty. To learn more about the Stone Glacier Grumman Down Jacket, please click here.
— TH
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Disclosure: Stone Glacier is in a professional relationship with Rack Camp. Though potentially benefiting from this relationship, we do not post what we do not believe to be true. To read more, click here.
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