Comfort

I don’t imagine there are many places you wouldn’t want to wear this zippered hoody. It is so lightweight and doesn’t hug the body - you might forget you’re even wearing it. It weighs only 7.8 ounces, or 220.5 grams.

As I mentioned before, it’s a great option for layering. You can comfortably fit a base layer or two underneath. If you prefer to layer over the hoody, the fabric is slippery and makes adding and discarding layers simple.

Fit

Some people have voiced that they would prefer a more athletic fit. It’s true- that would be great… for some people. This lightweight jacket is slightly boxy but I think that makes it more versatile.

The arms are decently long the whole thing provides a great range of motion. There is also a drawcord hem that helps to keep the garment in place.

In terms of sizing, it tends to run slightly large. If you are between sizes, definitely order down.

Weather Resistance

First, in terms of weather resistance, we should talk about warmth. With 800 fill power allied RDS down insulation, this is a great accessory to have in cold weather climates. On its own, it works well but paired with a base layer and possibly and top layer, you’ll be able to tackle zero-degree weather without issue. Additionally, it resists wind well.

To keep the warmth inside, the hood and cuffs are elastic, there is a hem drawcord, the zipper comes all the way up to your chin, and there are two hand-warming pockets.

If you will be stationary while wearing it (not walking or climbing), you will likely need a base layer. One thing that could improve the overall warmth of this jacket would be a drawstring for the hood.

The Ghost Whisperer 2 is finished with a DWR treatment that makes it water-resistant. In a light rain, the water will bead off. If you get stuck in a heavier shower, I recommend adding a rain shell on top. However, even if the down insulation gets wet, it won’t be the end of the world. This hoody features Q shield hydrophobic down.

If the rain penetrates it, its insulating properties won’t be thrown out the window. It will still keep you warm. Not as warm as dry insulation, but still warm.

Features

Continuing to discuss the insulation, it is responsibly sourced and RDS certified. The hoody is made from recycled materials that are Bluesign approved. This means that the materials and chemical treatments used to create the product are safe for the environment, consumers, and workers.

There are two baffles that are filled with synthetic insulation. These two baffles are the first wrist cuffs. This will help to prevent wetting out. The two hand pockets can be zipped closed, keeping easy to reach items safe. Unfortunately, there are no internal stash pockets.

Speaking of pockets, this jacket packs into itself. It packs into its own pocket and has a carabiner loop, allowing you to easily attach it to the exterior of your pack.

In terms of style, this jacket is available in six different colors. They are beautiful colors that are slightly muted. One annoyance is that a pair of Mountain Hardwear pants with the same color title is a different shade than a jacket with the same color title. This makes it difficult to buy matching sets.

Durability

To reiterate: this jacket is very lightweight. To keep the weight down, the materials used to make this garment are not as durable as you may need or want. It is made from recycled nylon. The 10 denier ripstop shell fabric may need some patching throughout the years. I wouldn’t recommend wearing it as an outer layer on dense trails.

As a point of reference, most hosiery, tights, and stockings have a rating of five to thirty on the denier scale.

If you purchase this hoody and realize it isn’t all that you expected, you can return the unworn item, with tags, within 60 days.

Another functional and sustainable option is the Patagonia Fitz Roy. The 800 fill down insulation is NSF and Fair-Trade certified. It is made from 64% recycled materials. It is also made from ripstop nylon with a DWR finish, but with a 20 denier rating, making it slightly more durable.

Two of the biggest differences between the Fitz Roy and the Ghost Whisperer 2 are the weight and the pockets. The Fitz Roy weighs just over double the Ghost, at 17.1 ounces, or 485 grams. On a better note, the Fitz Roy has more than double the amount of pockets. It has two zippered hand pockets, two zippered chest pockets, and one internal catch-all pocket.

The North Face ThermoBall is another great option to consider. It is considerably cheaper than the other two options I have mentioned. Yet, it still provides great warmth with 11 grams of ThermoBall Eco insulation. It weighs 15.8 ounces, or 450 grams. It has an athletic fit and can be packed away easily into its own pocket.

It has two zippered hand pockets and one internal zippered chest pocket. You can choose between a shiny or a matte finish in multiple different colors.

Depending on which you choose, the denier rating is between 20 and 30. The one downside to this option is that the synthetic insulation provides less warmth than traditional down.

The Ghost Whisperer 2 is an impressive bundle of warmth in a small and lightweight package. It is easy to layer, sustainable, and versatile.

The biggest concern that I have with it is its fragility. It is also missing a few features such as a hood cinch and extra pockets. However, if these features were added or improved, it would weigh much more than 7.8 ounces. It’s a difficult game of give and take.

Overall, as a layering piece, it will bring you immense warmth and comfort. It is quite expensive but seems to be on par with similar options.