WaferLite Down Vest 'K Series'

The lightest down vest / gilet in the world. A combination of our lightest fabric with our unique 1000 fillpower down. Now also available in custom sizes.
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 / 41°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.
77g / 3oz
Price
$500.65
WaferLite Vest 'K Series'
WaferLite Vest 'K Series'
WaferLite Down Vest 'K Series'
WaferLite Vest in black

I was astonished by the warmth it provides.
Really, it's quite unbelievable

Chris Townsend in TGO Magazine

See more reviews
Size
What’s my size?
Standard SizingCustom Sizing Set body width, body length & arm length
Compare
View compare list
Features & Description
Technical info
Reviews

Features

  • PHD's unique 1000 fillpower European Goose Down
  • Outer & Inner fabric: Sheer-light 7X fabric (our lightest-ever)
  • Stitch-through construction for maximum weight saving
  • Down-filled collar to seal in the warmth
  • Elasticated hem and arm holes
  • Full length front zip
  • Drop-tail back
  • Stuff sac – size 0.5 (8 x 13cm)*

 

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

Description:

At 77g (2.7oz) the 'K Series' WaferLite vest is the lightest down vest in the world. 38% lighter than our superlight standard Wafer Vest.

The 7X fabric gives total windblock and the unique 1000 fillpower down provides the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible. Packed into a tiny stuff sac, the WaferLite vest is simply breath-taking for summer racers, ultra-light trekking, and those counting every gram.

The WaferLite vest will fit snugly under any of our down jackets, even the Minimus or the Yukon.

  • Ideal partner of our Wafer trousers and socks
  • Pack without noticing the weight (or the bulk).
  • Midlayer to boost warmth: warmer than a fleece weighing much more, and windproof too.
  • Add performance to your sleeping bag.

The WaferLite range are summer-camping super-lights that give real warmth around camp and can boost your sleep system. This WaferLite Vest or the WaferLite Jacket combined with the Wafer Trousers and socks provide a comfortable sleep suit for use with sleeping bags and quilts.

 

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.

 

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.


"The vest was ace."
— Graham Harvey, testing the WaferLite vest in the Ultra Asia (6000m of ascent across 4 days).

Reviews are for the previous version, which was 8g heavier:

"This down vest is ridiculously light, really ridiculously light. Yet at the same time it is warm, warmer in fact than midweight fleece. It's also amazingly compact, packing down to the size of a tennis ball. The fill is 1000 fill power European Goose Down, the highest fill power down available as far as I know.

I was astonished by the warmth it provides. Really, it's quite unbelievable. I have worn it in camp and in above freezing weather it's all I've needed combined with a thin fleece. PHD gives +5°C as its typical operating temperature and I'd agree if it's your main warm wear. However in colder weather it could easily be combined with a light insulated jacket to provide a lighter and more versatile combination than a heavier, thicker jacket. It could also be worn in a sleeping bag for extra warmth.

I am very impressed with this vest. I still keep thinking that it can't really be as warm as it is. Given the almost unnoticeable weight and packed size there's no reason to ever leave it at home."
— Chris Townsend, TGO Review.

"I can't recommend this enough. An incredible product that is functional, packs small and is superlight.

I tested it 'in situ' at Richtersveld Wildrun in South Africa and at the Ultra Skymarathon, Madeira.

On first impressions it's difficult to believe that when one looks at it compressed in a small stuff sack it could possibly be a down vest. You pick it up and you don't even notice any weight. It is just 3oz.

The inner fabric is silky smooth and a pleasure to wear against the skin. I wore the vest with just a t-shirt underneath and found it really comfortable.

It may be light but it's warm, really warm. Let's be realistic, it's not for polar conditions. But if you need a warm layer to protect against morning or evening chill, daily colder or cooler temperatures or an additional warmth layer to be added under a Gore-Tex (or similar) or windproof jacket, it's the perfect choice.
— Ian Corless, Talk Ultra Review.

"It's (probably) the worlds lightest down vest or gilet. Really. That's around the same as, oh, a bunch of house keys or maybe three AA batteries. It packs down to something around the size of an apple. And here's the thing, it actually feels warm. Like proper down warm. The end result though is a garment you can carry without a second thought. Stick it in a bum-bag or pack lid or just in a pocket maybe and forget it's there until you need it. And when you do need it, it's surprisingly warm: bosh it on as an instant windproof body warmer for a quick mid-mission stop. Or alternatively carry it as a supplement to a warmer down jacket to up overall warmth or wear it at night to upgrade a lightweight sleeping bag. In weight terms, it's pretty much extra warmth for next to nothing, which works for us."
— OutdoorsMagic Review.