>>2508405Belay jackets aren't marketing. It works. Way better than layering more stuff. I climb in a thin jacket and feel great and just toss on my belay jacket when I stop. More layers under a shell will just make you sweaty while you climb and cold when you stop.
Black Diamond Belay Parka is my go to. Yeah its bulkier and heavier than down for the same weight, but its super cheap (can find them on sale all the time) and super durable. Doesn't care about tears or rips or getting wet.
>But if its cold enough for snow then my down won't get wetYes it will. If you are covered with a dusting of snow or ice and put your jacket over it, it will melt and be absorbed by the down. Any sweat as well. After a couple days of using it like this the down jacket will be a lump of ice.
Steve house has a short article about it. Essentially, synthetic parkas are super low maintenance, which is what you want when shit is bad. Down is high maintenance and should be reserved for cragging or other done-in-a-day missions.
Now if you just want a jacket for more causal use, the yeah the Marmot guide down jacket is the best value.
