Gear Review: Hi-Tec Timaru Down Hoodie UPDATED!

December 5, 2012 by Amelia

Rating:
Reviewed by: Amelia
Price (MSRP): $189.95
Category: down, outerwear
Best Use: Multi-use
Where to Buy:
Testing Location: Yellowstone National Park
Testing Environment: Windy, Rainy, Snowy, Cold

I was one of the lucky ones to get my hands on a Timaru, Hi-Tec’s new down hoodie for women, before it hit stores. This fall I did a little sneak peek of the jacket before I was really able to test it. You can see that video below. I am updating this post with my findings after a couple months of cold weather (scroll down to see what I think now.)

The jacket is unique because the down fibers are actually individually dyed which results in a higher loft AND a really cool look behind a transparent shell. See the video and photos below for more featured highlights.

A few close-ups of the jacket and the down:

Check out this short *preview* video to see for yourself:

Timaru Down Hoodie

What I loved about the Timaru:

- Consistently super warm (and better suited for colder temperatures. I easily was hot wearing it in the high 20s and low 30s)

- Does repel water (though I wouldn’t wear it in the pouring rain for a variety of reasons!)

- The outer shell also seems to make it more durable making it less of a “fragile” down jacket

- I have never had any problems with it shedding feathers (which is pretty huge for down jackets)

- The hood has adequate coverage

- The color really is unique (I get tons of complements about it.)

What I wasn’t so crazy about:

- The nylon shell makes it louder (literally) than other down jackets when you move

- It isn’t quite as packable as I would like

The Stats (taken from Hi-Tec):

- Shell: 15D Nylon mini rip, silicon coated transparent fabric

- Insulation: 700-fill power down-colored down is visible through transparent shell

- Two zippered handwarmer (fleece) pockets

- Single-hand drawcord adjustable hem

- Adjustable hood

Solid colors: Regal, Pinot, Jester, Dasher,

Multi colors: Dasher/Jester/White and Pinot/Jester/White (shown)

Sizes: S‐XL

The Bottom Line

A quality and super warm jacket that is pretty too!

Amelia

Amelia lives with her husband and two young boys (aged 2 and 4) in Yellowstone National Park. As a family, they believe that life is precious, short and should be lived to the fullest. That includes introducing a life of adventures for their boys in the form of skiing, hiking, biking, running, camping and lots of outdoor playing. Amelia writes at Tales of a Mountain Mama in an attempt to inspire others to get outside daily too with tips and tricks, stories and lots of gear reviews.