If you’re comparing specifications among commercially available light to mid-weight down parkas, one option will surely start to rise to the top of the list as you compare down fill and overall weights across the board – the Montbell Mirage. As a long-time user of their popular and lighter U.L. Down Inner series, and as a backpacker who isn’t afraid to carry a few extra ounces if the comfort trade-off is worth the weight, the Mirage is tempting option for shoulder season and winter trips, or for me on just about any mountain trip where I simply don’t want to be cold. For nearly the past 10 years, I've been taking the Mirage on these trips into the wilderness, and in this review we'll look at the parka's features, performance, and durability over that time period.

The Montbell Mirage on a chilly fall backpacking trip

Design

The Mirage is a down parka from Montbell that aims to maximize warmth and minimize weight without skimping on amenities. There’s a full length, medium duty zipper, draft tube, dual zippered hand warmer pockets (insulated on the outside only), 2 internal drop-in pockets, and adjustments all around – Velcro cuffs along with waist and multiple hood adjustments. The hood features a stiffener as well to keep it above and out of your eyes. The fabric is very light – 7 denier – and the fill power very high – 900 fill power goose down. The fill weight is listed at a generous 5.3 ounces, with a total listed parka weight of 12.8 ounces.

All of this is put together utilizing box baffle construction not unlike most sleeping bags, to minimize cold spots and maximize warmth / loft. The Mirage is available in 2 colors – blue or black, and in 4 sizes from S to XL. Though women could utilize the Mirage, and it’s officially listed as a unisex parka, unlike many Montbell offerings there are no men’s and women’s specific models / cuts here, although the heavier (and cheaper) women’s Frost Line parka could be considered. An included stuff sack and DWR treatment round out the package on the Mirage.

Performance & Impressions

As someone who’s always between a medium and large (6’2”, about 180 lbs.), I took my best guess on sizing and went with a large Mirage, the same size I wear in their U.L. Down Inner series, even though I knew the Mirage was sized more generously than many of their other offerings. For me the size is perfect. It’s indeed looser than my U.L. Down Inner parka, but this gives enough room for layering if needed, plenty of length in the arms, and enough overall length that the parka doesn’t ride up annoyingly high at night when worn inside my sleeping bag. My Mirage measured in at 13.85 ounces on the scale, with the stuff sack (this actually tore down the seam the first time I tried to use it, but I wouldn’t use it regardless) adding another .3 ounces. With the default stuff sack, the parka does pack up fairly large, but it’s sized generously and you could easily get it down to around half that size. On the trail, I simply throw the Mirage in with my sleeping bag and other clothing.

Some jackets omit some nice to have to features to save an ounce – not so with the Mirage. With the full range of cuff, hood, and waist adjustments it’s easy to dial in the fit to work with or without layers underneath the parka and / or hood, and you get a great zipper that’s never given me any trouble like some lighter weight zippers have in the past. The zippered hand warmer pockets are great – if you’re not using them to actually keep your hands warm you can securely stow small items, or leave them zipped to seal in a little more heat.

The box baffle construction does really pay off. Loft and corresponding warmth are both increased quite a bit compared to sewn through jackets in this range, and with the hood on and cinched, and the parka fully zipped, it feels almost like an above the waist lightweight sleeping bag. There are no noticeable cold spots and it’s warm. Too warm really to be of much use on the trail (like all down jackets and parkas most of the time), but it’s obviously perfect for evenings, at night, and waking up to chilly mornings in camp – likely around half your time on the trail plus. The full length zipper and waist adjustment (that you can adjust from within the hand warmer pockets) allow for temperature regulation if things get too warm. Frequently in the mountains and after an all day hike, I’m quickly chilled after setting up camp and as my activity level goes from constant to near zero, the sun sets, and the wind picks up as an evening shower rolls through – the Mirage is a great antidote for such conditions, and instead of rushing through dinner in an effort to get into my sleeping bag as soon as I can, I’m able to watch the stars begin to fill the sky in relative peace.

I use a hoodless sleeping bag, and the hood on this parka is so good that combined with a fleece beanie, I’ve never had to use additional insulation around my head and face at night (such as a dedicated goose down hood) when using the Mirage with my bag. Into the 20’s, the Mirage provides a very noticeable boost to my bag’s temperature rating and the generous back length keeps the parka from riding up too high as I sleep at night – combined with additional insulation for your legs and feet the Mirage could be used as part of a system to extend the rating on a sleeping bag and save some weight, but the jacket is really pretty light, all things considered, and I’m not a fan of extending ratings. I just use it to stay really warm. It’s especially helpful for those days where you’ve hiked farther than you’re used to, didn’t drink enough water, and you’re camped at altitude with no appetite even though you’ve burned a ton of calories. While taking care of your body is a better option, we’ve all been there and a warmer parka can free you from the confines of your sleeping bag and keep you warmer while you’re in it. And the next morning when there’s still frost on the inside of your tent, it makes getting up for that first cup of coffee a little less daunting.

The 7D fabric is extremely light, and it’s also been durable but without a doubt, it’s one thing you’ll need to be aware of. Trail wise, the fabric hasn’t given me any issue and considering the times the Mirage is used, you can get away with light fabrics here in camp and in your tent. Your stove could be one threat, and for me it’s usually the nightly tying off of my Ursack food bag that poses the greatest concern as random branches try to grab at the fabric. No holes from this process yet (I could take the parka off of course), and I’d say that with a little care, the Mirage is sufficiently durable for normal use. But you might need to think about it. The fabric also cuts nearly all wind and has a DWR applied that will get you back to your tent in time if a rain shower rolls through without soaking the down. Over time and with washings, you can refresh the DWR with a spray-on DWR restorer if desired. I have experienced one small tear on one cuff of the jacket, but truth be told, I'd say I was being careless when it occurred. Treated with care, the fabric does work.

The Montbell Mirage is designed to be both as warm and as lightweight as possible in its class.

Conclusion

Overall, the Mirage has become my favorite insulation choice to throw into my pack for all 4 seasons, and it’s light enough to be a reasonable choice even during summer for mountainous trips where I’ve been snowed on in the middle of August. While I’ll take something lighter for lower elevation trips with a warm forecast, the Mirage is now my first choice for most excursions and even in the frontcountry as well.

The combination of low overall weight, box baffle construction, relatively high fill weight with high quality down – all in a fully-featured package make this parka a current top choice in the market. You’ll need to be a little careful with the 7D fabric that’s used, and at $529 and deals far and few between you’ll pay a premium for what you get, but the Mirage delivers. And warmth that doesn’t weigh you down on the trail is usually worth every penny. That said, with the price of the Mirage in mind more budget-friendly options such as the REI Co-op Magma Hoodie should certainly be considered. You can find the Montbell Mirage here at Montbell. For more on backpacking clothing including jackets and parkas and more, you can read our 3-season backpacking clothing guide.

Editor's Note: This review originally appeared in Issue 24 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the original article here for additional photos, pros and cons, and our star rating of the Montbell Mirage parka.