Nau Down Vest

www.nau.com, 7.2 ounces
This vest might be basic in concept—premium 850-fill down wrapped in a sleek, silky-soft recycled poly shell—but slip it on when the temps drop, and you may never take it off.  It’s soft as rabbit’s fur; the subtle quilted pattern breaks the mold of the tired, bulky down vests; the center zip reach all the way up to its high collar (with the women’s running off-angle for an added fashion flair); and two zippered pockets on each side offer both security and comfort.  Better, the vest collapses into almost nothing, making it a go-to must-have item for any and all outings–fall, winter, or spring. We even pack it on summer hikes in those locales where the weather could take a nasty turn without warning; at seven ounces you won’t even notice it’s in your pack till you need it. And did we say how luxurious and comfortable it feels? One tester, who grew increasingly more pregnant as winter wore on, was utterly depressed that she couldn’t wear her down vest until after her daughter was born.  Now that’s an endorsement.