The Nebelhorn Down Hoody by Jack Wolfskin is a responsibly sourced down jacket designed for chilly conditions. Use it on the coldest winter days, and the waterproof exterior and RDS-certified down should provide all the protection you need from the elements.
At $349, the coat costs less than many high-end options from other brands. Are you compromising much when you commit to it? Here’s a rundown of what you’re really getting for your money.
About Jack Wolfskin
German outdoor gear brand Jack Wolfskin was founded in 1981 and remains one of Europe’s largest suppliers of hiking, camping, and sports equipment. The brand’s stated mission is to motivate people to get outside and connect with nature while forming lasting memories with others.
Jack Wolfskin has made eco-consciousness one of its core principles with gear and apparel that’s made from sustainable fabrics whenever possible. The entire apparel line is made without fur or PFCs and uses many forms of recycled materials.
Nebelhorn Down Hoody Features
The Nebelhorn Down Hoody is a lightweight jacket designed for moving around in brisk weather. The jacket has three zippered pockets and a fixed hood with a flap. Flexible inner cuffs within the sleeves offer perfect pairing with gloves, while the Fixed hood comes with a flap for extra weatherproofing.
The Hoody retails for $349 and is available in sizes XS to XXL. Its three color options include grapevine, blue coral, and black.
Is the Nebelhorn Down Hoody Eco-Friendly?
Jack Wolfskin rates the Nebelhorn Hoody as a sustainable choice. It is Bluesign and Green Button certified and meets or exceeds the following criteria:
- A significant amount of recycled or organic materials
- Environmentally friendly substances replace harmful ones
- Any materials sourced from animals are RDS certified
- The product is made in a country with strong human rights or in a factory that is regularly audited for workers’ welfare
The Nebelhorn Down Hoody’s main fabric is a durable Pertex Quantum that is light, wind-protective, and made from recycled polyamide certified by the Global Recycled Standard. This proprietary material uses a tightly woven structure to provide a lightweight and soft fabric that contains insulation without compressing it. It’s designed to shed light rain and snow so you stay warm and dry as you wear it. Along the jacket’s shoulders and other points that take a beating is a layer of 500 denier Cordura reinforcements for extra durability.
Inside the jacket is a down filling that breaks down to 80% grey duck down and 20% feather. The RDS certification ensures that the feathers and down came from farms certified for animal welfare, meaning that they don’t practice live plucking or force-feeding.
The brand has a product-wide ban on using PFCs, real fur, and Angora wool. Over a decade ago, it banned PVC from all its products for environmental reasons. And, since spring 2019, Jack Wolfskin’s entire collection has been manufactured without perfluorocarbons.
Customers in Germany and Austria can also take advantage of the company’s repair services. All authorized retailers will take back any Jack Wolfskin apparel and send it on to a repair team before returning it to you.
Nebelhorn Down Hoody Care Instructions
The Nebelhorn Down Hoody is best washed in a machine with the brand’s Universal Down Cleaner. Large drums with a capacity of at least 7kg are best because they won’t compress the down. Close all zippers and Velcro fasteners before placing it in the machine, and run on a delicate cycle with an extra rinse cycle. The company recommends adding a few tennis balls to keep the down from clumping.
After washing, the jacket will dry within two to four hours on low in a tumble dryer. Take it out several times during the drying process to shake things out and fluff it by hand. It’s completely dry once you can no longer feel clumps inside.