![]() ![]() The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL is not our first (or fifth) choice for use in inclement weather, but its durable water-repellant (DWR) finish puts up a good defense against moisture. Competing ultralight jackets offer similar warmth: the Arc’teryx Cerium SL combines 1.73 ounces of 850-fill down with synthetic Coreloft insulation, while the standard Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 has slightly more down (2.5 oz.), but at a lower quality (800 vs. In short, it’s great for brief breaks during high-output activity or to protect against a summertime chill, but you’ll likely want more jacket when the temperatures drop into the 40s or below. But with only 1.92 ounces of 1,000-fill down, it’s important to recognize the Ghost Whisperer UL’s limitations. This spring, it was all I needed to stay warm during breaks on the trail or skin track, and I was happy to have it this summer for evening insulation during ultralight fastpacking and thru-hiking missions. It was a perfect companion during long trail jogs this spring and took up very little space in the rear compartment of my running vest.ĭown jackets are highly efficient insulators, and the Ghost Whisperer UL has proven to be a good match for moderately cold temperatures. Most of the time, however, the Ghost Whisperer UL packs away better when unstuffed and does a great job filling the nooks and crannies of my pack. It is possible to stuff it inside one of its handwarmer pockets and finagle the zipper closed-packed up, the jacket is roughly the size of a 1-liter Nalgene bottle. In terms of packability, given the Mountain Hardwear’s minimalist intentions, we were surprised to see that it didn’t come with a stuff sack or feature a two-sided pocket zipper. Montbell’s Plasma 1000, on the other hand, clocks in at only 4.1 ounces, but keep in mind it’s significantly less insulated with a total of 1.3 ounces of 1,000-fill down and doesn't include a hood. In terms of the competition, the UL is impressively lightweight: the Arc’teryx Cerium SL (“superlight”) Hoody is 7.2 ounces and Mountain Hardwear’s standard Ghost Whisperer (previously their lightest jacket) is heavier at 7.8 ounces. of 1,000-fill) to insulate you against a shoulder season or summer evening chill, and a bare-bones feature set sheds weight throughout. Cutting weight is this jacket’s main prerogative, and it accomplishes the task with flying colors. ![]() We won’t mince words: at only 6.17 ounces for the women’s medium, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL is crazy light. To see how it stacks up to the competition, see our article on the best down jackets. Below we break down our experiences with the Ghost Whisperer UL. Throughout testing, we appreciated the minimalist layer during long trail days and ski tours and found that it provides just the right amount of shelter against a shoulder-season chill. Released for fall 2020, their Ghost Whisperer UL carries the torch even further, combining higher-quality down with an even thinner shell fabric for a truly featherlight jacket. For years, Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer down jacket has dominated the ultralight market, offering impressive warmth in a streamlined package. ![]()
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