I use a Montbell Alpine down jacket ($175). It's pretty light at 19oz. and very warm (used it down to 20 degrees). It compresses down to around the size of a nalgene (maybe a tad bigger). The downside is it isn't waterproof or windproof but getting what you want for less than $200 is a real tall order. Combine this jacket with a breathable shell (mine is an Arcteryx Alpha SV, although pretty pricey) and you've got a pretty versatile system.


"Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying" Andy Dufresne, The Shawshank Redemption