Simond MT100 Hooded Down Jacket Review

Overview

The Simond MT100 is a hooded, 800-fill-power down jacket that Decathlon sells for a list price of $119. That is roughly half what comparable puffies from established outdoor brands cost, and street prices have dipped as low as $75 during sales. It is a three-season camp and rest-stop layer for budget-minded backpackers. The compromises are a fit that runs small, a hood with no adjustment, and a shell that is only lightly weather resistant.

The jacket was sold for years as the Forclaz MT100. It has a following among ultralight hikers, who tend to cite its warmth-to-weight and warmth-to-price ratios.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	298 g (10.5 oz)
Insulation	800-fill-power down, RDS-certified
Shell	15D polyamide with DWR finish
Hood	Yes, non-adjustable, elastic-bound opening
Temperature rating (active)	23°F (-5°C)
Temperature rating (static)	41°F (5°C)
Pockets	Hand pockets and internal drop pockets; packs into a hand pocket
List price	$119

Performance

Warmth. The MT100 is a three-season jacket and performs like one. Decathlon’s ratings put it at 41°F for static use and 23°F when worn over a fleece mid-layer with a warm hat. Testers have found that holds up. An Outside reviewer wore it over a thin fleece on blustery 25°F days and stayed comfortable. CleverHiker’s testers took it through Colorado’s chilly fall and found solid warmth for everything from day hikes to casual wear. Outdoor Gear Lab scored warmth at 6.0 out of 10 for both the men’s and women’s versions, and noted it is far from the warmest jacket in its test group. In practice, it is a shoulder-season camp layer. It is not a winter belay parka.

Weight and packability. The jacket weighs 298 g on Packstack’s scale. CleverHiker lists 11.3 oz for the men’s and 10.2 oz for the women’s. That puts it among the lighter hooded jackets in Outdoor Gear Lab’s lineup. It stuffs into one of its own hand pockets, and a carry loop lets it clip to a pack. Outdoor Gear Lab scored packability 7.5 for the men’s and 9.0 for the women’s. On a long hike, it takes up little room in a pack.

Comfort and fit. Fit is the most common complaint. Outdoor Gear Lab says it runs very small and recommends sizing up. SectionHiker’s tester, who normally wears a large, advised the same for the XL he tried. The cuffs use soft elastic that feels fine against bare skin. One down baffle sits over the cuff and can ride onto the back of the hand, which CleverHiker calls its biggest gripe. One reviewer on the Decathlon page said the body length runs short for people over 6 feet. The tall, insulated collar helps hold heat on cold evenings.

The hood. The hood is large and has no adjustment. Its elastic edge is too loose to close the gap around the face, and SectionHiker suggests wearing a fleece or wool hat under it. It adds warmth in camp, but it does not seal like the hoods on more expensive jackets.

Weather resistance. The 15D polyamide shell with a DWR finish sheds light mist and frost. DuskHiker rates its precipitation resistance as below average, and Outdoor Gear Lab scored weather resistance 7.0 for the men’s and 6.0 for the women’s. As with any down jacket, it should be kept dry or carried under a shell in sustained rain. The thin fabric also calls for care around brush and pack straps.

Features. The jacket has no extras. Internal drop pockets get praise as a useful touch for stashing gloves or a hat. Reviewers have also asked for stretch fabric and a hanging loop. The simple design is a large part of why the jacket weighs so little and costs so little.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 800-fill RDS-certified down at a price usually seen on 600- to 650-fill jackets
• About 300 g, and it packs into its own pocket
• Hood and tall collar add warmth for camp and cold mornings
• Internal drop pockets
• Outdoor Gear Lab gave it a Best Buy award in both men’s and women’s tests, and CleverHiker rated it 4.6 out of 5

Cons

• Runs small; most reviewers advise sizing up
• Large hood with no adjustment
• Not the warmest jacket for its weight; Outdoor Gear Lab scored warmth 6.0
• DWR shell offers limited protection in sustained wet weather
• Cuff baffle can drape over the hands
• Few features, and no stretch fabric or hanging loop

Who Should Buy This

The MT100 suits backpackers who want a light, packable down layer for evenings at camp, rest stops, and cold-morning starts, and who would rather not spend $250 on one. It also works as a town jacket, which Outdoor Gear Lab noted. Hikers who run warm and stay in temperate conditions will get the most out of it.

Hikers who need winter warmth, a hood that cinches down in wind, or a shell that tolerates wet weather should look at a more expensive jacket, or pair this one with a rain shell. Anyone between sizes should buy the larger one.

Verdict

The MT100 is among the best-value hooded down jackets for three-season backpacking. It weighs about 300 g, uses 800-fill down, and costs less than most competitors’ base prices. Its fit and hood are imperfect, but few jackets near this price match its warmth for the weight. A rating of 8.2 reflects that.