What Our Members Are Testing Now: Dark Peak NESSH Lightweight Down Jacket
This puffy excelled as an insulating layer during winter on the Great Plains.
The cold doesn’t loosen its grasp on the Nebraska plains easily, so I was glad to have this jacket as a layering piece for outings in late winter. On a March dayhike in Steele City Canyon, a rugged and remote area filled with cedar trees, cliffs, and spring-fed creeks, the 850-fill down kept me toasty with temps in the low 20s over only a light baselayer. Not even a typical 20-mph Nebraska wind got through the 10-denier nylon shell. The jacket also sealed in warmth as I walked the trails on my acreage in 16°F weather. The NESSH has a close fit, but left plenty of room for full movement of my arms, especially when I was taking my pack on and off. It also has gauntlets at the end of the sleeves with thumb holes, which worked great under my gloves. A large inner pocket was perfect for my phone and trail bar. I can’t think of anything negative about this jacket. It’s a keeper in my book! – Jackie Wesch, Basecamp Gear Tester