Wafer Ultima K Down Jacket

Our lightest down jacket for zero degrees C.
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.
0°C / 32°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.
185g / 7oz
Price
¥90,161.10
Wafer Ultima Down Jacket
Incredibly warm for its weight and pack size, combining a windproof and downproof shell with top-quality 1000 fill-power down
—Walk Magazine
Size
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Features

  • A PHD K Series product: Ultimate warmth / weight performance
  • PHD's unique 1000 fillpower down
  • Sheer-light 7X inner and outer fabric: our lightest-ever
  • Stitch-through construction for lightness
  • Down-filled high collar to seal in the warmth
  • Full-length lightweight front zip
  • Extra body length
  • Lycra hem
  • Lycra cuffs
  • Pockets: 2 zipped hand-warmer pockets
  • Stuff sac – size 0.5 (8 x 13cm)*
  • Options:
    • Sizes:  XS, S, M, L, XL
    • Colour: Red or Black.
    • Stud-on hood with Lycra edging: Adds 20grms/1oz +£40.00
    • Also available in Custom Sizes. Specify Body Width, Body Length, and Arm Length independently

*Please note: we make our stuff sacs big enough to allow fairly easy stuffing rather than reducing the kit 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, choose your body width, and then the body/arm lengths, shorter or longer, 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.
 

Designed with an eye towards adventure racers, lightweight backpackers and campers, and multistage ultra-runners – but well suited to anybody looking for the lightest possible insulation – the Wafer Ultima Jacket is quite remarkable.

Incredibly, it weighs less than a base layer and packs down into a teeny stuff sac. The longer body length and higher collar work to cut cold air ingress making for even warmer performance. And that’s really not bad, when you consider the 185g/6.5oz weight!

This astonishing zero degree down top uses our super-light 7-denier 7X fabric to provide total windblock, combined with our unique 1000 fill-power down to deliver the most weight-efficient insulation: the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible. This is a top to wear though, not just to weigh: added function comes from the full length zip, the hand warmer pockets, and the optional down filled hood.

See how the pullover version of this jacket packs away:

 

Ultralight 7X fabric (weight: 22 gsm)

7X is our new sheer-light 7 denier fabric. An exquisitely fine rip-stop nylon, 7X is incredibly light, highly wind-resistant and has first-rate down proofing. This fabric helps us create the very lightest of gear in the PHD range. Of course the lighter the fabric the lighter the sleeping bag or down clothing, and the less space it takes up in your rucksack. This fabric is so light it actually helps to allow even greater lofting of the down too.

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.


Review is for our Wafer Ultima Down Pullover, which does not have a full-length zip

"This smock-style jacket is incredibly warm for its weight and pack size, combining a windproof and downproof shell with top-quality 1000 fill-power down. The high collar and long body allows variable venting while reducing weight."
—Walk Magazine (who gave the jacket their 'Ethical Choice' award in their test of Ultralight Kit)

Reviews are for our standard Wafer Down Jacket, which is 35g heavier

"This jacket is astonishing. It's the weight of a base layer but warmer than a thick fleece. For backpacking it's ideal. I've used it on my last three long-distance walks, and over an ultralight thin synthetic insulated top it's kept me warm down to -7°C. The low weight and warmth are due to the extremely high fill power down, the ultralight shell fabric, the ultralight zips and the minimalist design.

PHD's down comes from European birds that aren't live-plucked – PHD visits the producers. Most other materials and components are sourced in Europe too. The garment itself is made in the UK. The fabric is surprisingly durable – I haven’t ripped it yet. It's not designed to be worn under a pack without a shell over it, however. It lacks a hood, but a stud-on one can be added. I recommend it as it makes a big difference to the warmth. The two pockets are roomy and just usable when wearing a hipbelt, though the bottoms are cut off.

The Large size fits me comfortably worn over a thin synthetic insulated jacket or medium-weight fleece.

The cost is high but there’s nothing anywhere near this weight that provides this amount of warmth or packs down so well – it can be squashed into a small ball."
Chris Townsend, TGO Magazine

"Made in Britain, with all components coming from within Europe and stuffed with traceable down. All good stuff. Unfeasibly warm for something so light. Impressive manufacturing ethics. Score: 10/10"
Trail Running Magazine feature on 'Best Ethical Kit'.

"Seriously impressive warmth, premium-quality 1000FP down and ultra-light weight. If you want to stay warm, this is hard to beat."
Walk Magazine (Official Magazine of The Ramblers), 5/5 'Best in Test'.

"PHD's super-lightweight Wafer Down Jacket is a third less bulky than a fleece, offering superior standby warmth without taking up the space."
Wanderlust Magazine.

"Performed brilliantly. The hood was a great fit and tight enough to the face to keep off wind. Absolutely incredible warmth / weight ratio, could not be more impressed. Minimal packed bulk meant it could be kept in a rucksack pocket for easy access when temperatures dropped. I honestly cannot suggest improvement for this product."
Nikolas Bjelic on the Everest Base Camp Trail, Nepal.

"Offers perfect temperature control in almost every type of situation (between -5°C and +20°C)"
— Alex F-B.

"Absolutely love the warmth and weight! Amazing engineering!"
Peter Reiter.

"It's brilliant!"
Ian Gauntlett.

"There are cheaper down jackets, but none made in the UK and none that'll fit into your one litre cooking pot when not in use."
Singletrack Magazine, 'Recommended'.

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