Minimus Down Vest: K Series

Our lightest and best ever Minimus down vest: just as warm as ever, but more fully-featured and now even lighter. Now also available in custom sizes. Favoured by trekkers, runners and mountaineers all over the world.
Typical Operating Temperature
Guideline minimum temperature. Sleeping Bag TOT: you should get a night’s sleep, under normal circumstances. Clothing TOT: you should feel warm enough, assuming low/moderate activity. Sleep System TOT: relates to full system. For more details, see our Technical Briefing.
-5°C / 23°F
Weight
For clothing, weight is for size: M. For sleeping bags, weight changes with selected length/width. N.B. there may be some variation in the weights of finished products.
205g / 7oz
Price
£404.00
Minimus Down Vest - Burnt Orange

Superb, loved the light weight
Louis Rudd MBE

Size
Compare

Features

  • A PHD 'K Series' product: Ultimate warmth/weight performance 
  • Unique 1000 fill-power pure European goose down
  • Water-resistant Ultrashell outer fabric. An excellent balance of weight, water-resistance and breathability
  • Superlight 10X inner fabric. Down-proof, wind proof and super soft
  • Elasticated side panels for closer fit
  • 4 Pockets:  
    • 2 zipped hand-warmer pockets
    • 1 zipped insulated pocket on the chest
    • 1 zipped inner security pocket  
  • Stitch-through construction for lightness
  • Front closure: zipped with internal baffle
  • Reflect zip pulls for night location
  • Lycra edging on hem and armholes
  • Drop-tail back
  • Stuff sac
  • Pack size: 10 x 18cm** 
  • Options:
    • Colours:  Charcoal, Red, Burnt Orange, Green, Purple, Blue
    • Sizes:  XS, S, M, L, XL
    • Stud on hood with Lycra edging: Adds 35grms +£40.00

**Please note: We make our stuff sacs big enough to allow fairly easy stuffing rather than reducing the vest to the tightest minimum.

Description:

Also available in custom sizes. We make clothing to order, so if you’re not a standard size we can make it to fit. To order a non-standard custom size, select the Custom Sizing tab and choose the body width and body length sizes that work for you. A custom size takes us a little longer (typically two weeks longer) to make and, because it’s personalized, it’s non-returnable and our customer loyalty scheme can’t be applied.


The Minimus Vest has been a favourite among minimalist backpackers and mountaineers for years. It’s now a lot lighter, but we’ve not stripped it down: we’ve actually added features.

It now comes equipped with zipped handwarmer pockets to keep your bits and pieces secure, reflective zip pulls for night location, and a zipped and insulated quick-access pocket on the chest – perfect to keep  your camera, smartphone or GPS batteries warm

To allow the insulation to perform at its best, elasticated panels have been added at the sides. This creates a closer, warmer fit, but without feeling tight or restricting movement.

The biggest change though is how we’ve achieved the weight reduction, despite adding to the garment. We’re now using our unique 1000 fillpower down, and our Ultrashell water-resistant fabric.

Still just as warm, even more well featured, but now lighter than ever.

As used by Lou Rudd on his solo crossing of Antarctica, and many others.

Ultrashell (weight: 40 gsm)

One of the lightest of PHD's coated materials. This ripstop nylon provides complete wind block and good water resistance at minimal weight. Ultrashell gives an excellent upgrade to performance with very little weight penalty.

Ultralight 10X fabric (weight: 26 gsm)

10X, PHD's first 10 Denier Fabric. 9,000 metres of the yarn used to weave 10X weighs just 10g, that's about the same as a £1 coin! For all its thinness 10X is amazingly downproof and with reasonable care will go on giving you good service for years.

1000 fillpower down

This rarest of all downs we reserve for the K Series. European goose down of unique quality. 1000 provides the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible from down. More on our down insulation.


"Superb, loved the light weight and would often throw it on over the windproof jacket to keep my core warm."
Louis Rudd MBE, using the Minimus Down Vest on his Spirit of Endurance Expedition, a solo unsupported and unassisted crossing of the Antarctic land mass.

The reviews below are for the previous version, which was 22% heavier

"I recently bought a Minimus down vest for a 300 mile lightweight backpack in NW Scotland. It really was the star of the show. It was the only bit of warm clothing I took and all I needed. Despite the rain I wore it most of the day and although occasionally damp, it quickly dried out from body heat. I often wore it at night when it went down below freezing. It became my most useful bit of kit. Thanks again!"
G.M.

"I have one of your Minimus vests and am astonished at how fantastic it is. It's as warm as the Rab summit that I was wearing last year, when I wear it under a wind proof. I can't get over the fact that I'm still warm in minus temperatures, without sleeves! Thank you so much!"
T.T.

"The Minimus vest was the best thing I took to South America!"
A. R.

"I recently ordered and received a Minimus down vest to replace an alternative mainstream brand. I can't believe how light the item is in relation to the warmth it provides. I am genuinely impressed by the workmanship (no loose threads etc.) and all of my friends who have tried it on have had that envious look in their eyes. I will definitely be buying more PHD kit in the future. A top product from a British manufacturer."
John Taylor.

"It is, genuinely, the item of clothing I most enjoy wearing - so light and comfortable that you forget you are wearing it, so warm for the weight that it will be a mainstay of your winter wardrobe and so compact that you can layer it in more extreme weather with another insulating layer and/or shell ... Like all PHD equipment, it is superbly well- made and excellent value for money."
Mark Tointon.

"Thank you for the recent Minimus Jacket and Vest you sent so quickly - they are lovely items."
R.L.

"Both the [Minimus] sleeping bag and [Minimus] vest are of superb quality and great value for money, wouldn't change them for anything, thanks for great products."
R.M.

"I'm very impressed ... down leakage ... substantially lower than with products ... by other manufacturers ... I don't think I've lost any down from the vest, despite wearing it at least three days a week since I brought it. The cut is also excellent, and it's incredibly light for the weight it provides - it's become one of the three pieces of clothing I'll put in my bag whatever trip I'm going on ... I've recommended you to friends and colleagues, and will continue to do so. Everyone should own a Minimus vest!"
S.C.

"I've found this to be a great investment, indeed, it is in my pack whenever I am backpacking. The vest while being incredibly light (and packing down into an incredibly small size) is wonderfully warm. Whenever I'm camping you can be sure that the vest is with me. And it's pretty good for watching winter football matches as well!"
Andy Howell.

"I have a Minimus vest which has proved a great piece of gear."
Gordon Green.

"The Minimus vest is pretty damned good."
M.T..

"Just received a Minimus down vest. It's the first time I've acquired some PHD gear and wow! I'm impressed ... fantastic piece of gear. Superb value for money and great to see a British company still churning out first rate gear."
K.N.

"I received two Minimus vests from you this Monday ... the quality of the vests appears to be fantastic, as always with your down products!"
R.F., Captain, Arctic Rangers Battalion, Swedish Army.

"I just wanted to say thank you to everyone at PHD for turning my order around so quickly and efficiently. I'm very impressed with the Minimus vest. We haven't fully tested them in the field yet ... but I'm sure they will be brilliant."
A.G.

"I can't believe how light the Minimus down vest is! Thanks."
G.P.

"I have one of your fantastic down vests ... [I'm] in danger of becoming a 'PHD pimp'!"
B.B.

"I have been very impressed with the Minimus vest you made."
N.J.

"A lovely, ridiculously lightweight vest; the lycra sleeve holes cut down the drafts, it packs away to the size of a tennis ball, and it weighs less than many fleeces. It's also pretty much waterproof, apart from the seams. I've used this vest a lot now, and it just gets more useful ... the pure 900+ goose down is utter luxury. Highly recommended - as indeed are most PHD items I've seen or friends have used. Well worth the money, and a good chance to support someone who makes gear because he loves it, rather than to make money!"
Ken Brockway on Outdoorsmagic.com

"I have just taken delivery of the Minimus vest ... and I am delighted. Everyone I asked was very enthusiastic about your products so I had high hopes, but the vest really does exceed them. A custom item could not fit better and the features and workmanship are top-notch. Many thanks to you and your team for your service and quality. All I need now is for the cold weather to hurry along."
J.H.

Works well with
From £174.00 90g
Unbelievably light down-filled sock for warm feet in cold tents. 
From £715.00 585g -5℃
Warmth to weight at the limit of possibilities with this 'K Series' version of...