“..but during multi day use when the down is constantly absorbing moisture, I believe it makes it more difficult to dry the jacket by hanging it in the wind/sun.”

One thing I’ve done in the past when drying out an Event jacket or bag on a sunny day is turn it inside out, exposing the very breathable (and black) nylon taffeta. That also puts the accumulated moisture closer to the suns rays :)

I have used the Hummingbird sleeping bag, a Helios jacket, and even a down comforter at home.

Somewhere on their website they mention that their biggest complaint is that their clothing is “too warm”. This is something to take seriously. Most people go on trips that wouldn’t be called expeditions and they probably aren’t going to need midweight items like the Volant, especially if they intend to wear them while active.

Event vs. Epic? I’d go with Event if you are planning to be wearing the jacket for days at a time on a serious expedition. Event is waterproof and will keep perspiration moisture out of the down. Pretty much all of feathered friends clothing is intended for temperatures below which there will be rainfall, so don’t pick Event looking for rainproof. Epic is fairly water resistant so long as you don’t try to put your sleeping bag in a puddle. For a few days at a time with the jacket only being worn when cold, epic is the way to go.

The FF staff has always been very cordial and knowledgeable on the phone. They will take time to help you figure out what you will really need in terms of product line and materials.

I really admire the company for having an old-school ethos. You will pay a little more, but their stuff is built for the long haul. Their items will last decades and may potentially be heirlooms (cared for down has much more longevity than synthetic fill). Another small company oriented to (expensive) but longevity/quality are Dan McHale’s custom built backpacks.

I’ve got a deal on a size small Volant that might work for my wife, but it sounds like it might be a bit snug.

I bought the Helios for a warm, light layer for back-country ski trips. The Helios is sewn-through and lighter than the volant (mine weighs about a pound) The good thing about this is it is very warm and very light. The bad thing is it usually stays in the bottom of my pack. I’ll break it out on overnights. On day trips, it is in my pack for an emergency (eg, if an injury traps me overnight in the bc). The Helios is so warm, it would have to be extremely cold for me to wear it while moving, and very cold to wear during a rest break. The Volant is even warmer than the helios!

Point is that if you’re looking for mid-layer to wear while active, you may want to find something lighter. If you’re looking for a very warm, light, “inactive” layer, then these are great.