A few weeks ago, with the launch of Columbia’s new Omi-Heat Infinity, after I was attracted to the world of jacket reviews, I wanted to test something more quasi-system to establish a baseline to stack all the down jackets to prevent continuation go ahead. This reminds me of Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Parka.

Two weeks later, after taking the time to test this jacket, I am not sure if I am the same as Johnny Harris and his obsession with this jacket. There are definitely several aspects of this jacket that I like, but it has also become a victim of the corner tailored by fast fashion retailers such as Uniqlo.

Regarding Uniqlo's competitors, my first thought is how light it is. It feels lighter than some of my hoodies, and it feels a bit fragile overall. It's like two plastic tablecloths sewn together in a certain way. In other words, this thinness also allows it to be compressed and packed. Although this is something travelers love, it is not a very comfortable jacket. For example, even when compared to the very light Columbia Omni Heat jacket, the Uniqlo version looks lacklustre.

"Although Uniqlo calls it a parka, I prefer to put it in a place closer to autumn/spring wear, or as a base layer under a thicker jacket."

In other words, once it appears in this world, it will maintain its position and do a good job in acting as a windbreaker and rain protection. I have never felt it so cold, but I admit that I have tried my best to layer properly, which means that because it is mainly between 3-12 degrees, I have always been wearing a jacket with a sweater inside. I have no doubt if I wore this jacket and sat in the park for 30 minutes, I would feel cold. It is more suitable for walking around and staying active, so your body can also help you warm up.

A photo showing that the jacket is really thin.

A photo showing that the jacket is really thin.

This is where the jacket surprised me. Since the whole purpose of Omni-heat is to help you use body heat for warmth, I would like to know what Uniqlo will do with simple interiors. In practice, it behaves very similarly. If I walk around, sometimes I even find myself unzipping my jacket because of the heat.

This jacket is almost entirely made of nylon. It is not the most breathable jacket, so I found that it is also trapped in a lot of heat. The only problem I encountered was in the pocket. It would be better if I had a softer/warmer fabric to hold my cold hands-I take the Columbian jacket for granted.

In addition, once I realized that this jacket is of lower grade than Columbia, I can still get quite a bit of fun from it. On warm days, I can wear a hoodie inside, and on cool days or nights, I use it as a middle layer to put on a denim jacket to add some weight to my coat.

I find it works very well in this regard, and it is thin and light. If you exercise regularly and stay moderately active, it is indeed a great jacket. However, it is very barebones, and compared to the Colombian jacket, it almost feels like a garment lacking details.

This is the whole content of this jacket. Although Uniqlo calls it a parka, I will insert it closer to fall/spring wear or as a base layer under a heavier jacket. I think you might wear a super light down parka for a few seasons, but spending a little more money might get you a jacket that makes you feel more comfortable.

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