Decathlon Forclaz Men's MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Review

The Decathlon Forclaz MT100 is a versatile down jacket that seems like it should cost more. Crafted from 15D polyamide with a DWR finish, it's insulated with 800-fill-power, RDS-certified down that provides adequate warmth and great packability for its price point. This coat has a simple, lightweight, packable design that's ideal for everyday use.

Warmth

The MT100 is insulated with 800-fill down, which is quite warm relative to its weight. There are warmer jackets available, but I find jackets that are about as warm as this one are more versatile since you can continue using them into the summer. The MT100 is ideal as part of a winter layering system or as a standalone layer for 3-season backpacking.

The 800-fill-power down insulates well and is about what I'd want for mildly cold conditions. Similar to other lightweight puffies I tested, the MT100 is designed with narrow baffles. It's thinner than the puffiest down jackets, which makes it easier to layer underneath a waterproof shell. If you size up – which you definitely should with this model – you can comfortably wear a base layer and a thicker midlayer underneath. As just one part of a proper layering system, this puffy is more than warm enough for activities in extremely cold conditions.

The MT100 includes a cinch cord around the waist hem to trap heat. The hood features a stretch-knit material around the face to provide a tighter fit, and the same stretch-knit material is integrated into the cuffs to prevent heat loss around your wrists.

Comfort

The MT100 is surprisingly comfortable, especially compared to other jackets around this price point. The lining material is soft and smooth and doesn't feel like a slippery rain jacket — similar to many of the most comfortable down jackets I've worn that cost much more than the MT100. I often wore this jacket all day and never once felt like I needed to take it off.

The MT100 includes two external zippered hand pockets, which are tall, so you can still slide your hands inside while wearing a backpack with a hip belt or a climbing harness. In true minimalist jacket fashion, it has no other pockets. The stretch-knift cuffs are smaller than other jackets with the same feature, but not so small that they are uncomfortable.

This jacket is available in sizes Small to 3XL. Again, it does run quite small, so be sure to size up. Since the men's Medium I tested fits like a Small, I suspect the 3XL fits like an XXL. I often wear a men's size Small, and the MT100 would have been uncomfortably tight if I had purchased it in that size. The Medium I tested didn't restrict my movements, even when I wore it over a thick sweater. However, this is one of the few models where I felt like I could have comfortably worn a size Large.

Portability

I weighed the men's Medium at just 10.3 ounces, making the MT100 one of the lightest jackets I tested. It packs easily into its hand pocket, doubling as a stuff sack.

This jacket is excellent for backpacking or travel because it balances weight with warmth. It's not the warmest jacket available, but it is warm enough to carry as an extra layer when the temperature drops at night. And if it were warmer, it wouldn't be as lightweight.

Weather Resistance

The MT100 isn't a rain jacket, but it does better in wet conditions than many down jackets I tested. The DWR-coated shell effectively repelled water and stayed adequately dry through light snow and rain. After plenty of use, the DWR coating will likely lose effectiveness, but it works very well when the coat is new, and you can always re-treat it.

The DWR-coated shell performed impressively in laboratory tests, too. I sprayed down the fabric with plenty of water and rubbed it to simulate a backpack rubbing against the shell as you walk. Although the stitches between baffles absorbed some water, no water soaked through the shell. Most importantly, the inside remained dry.

To test wind resistance, I placed the MT100 over a fan, and I couldn't feel any wind pass through the insulation. This backs up my experience on cold, windy days – there wasn't a single spot where I felt wind pass through the jacket.

Breathability

The MT100 is relatively breathable as far as down jackets go. You can vent it from the main zipper, and if you unzip them, the oversized hand pockets double as ventilation for your core. This model is great for medium-output activities such as hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding.

It isn't the warmest jacket in our lineup, so you won't overheat as quickly as if you were wearing a puffier jacket. The narrow baffles theoretically allow more air to flow through the stitches, but when I go up a steep hill, I unzip the hand pockets for a quick adjustment. The zipper pulls on the pockets are easy to grab, even with gloves on. The main zipper has the same type of zipper pulls, so it's easy to dump heat quickly.

Should You Buy the Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Down Puffer?

The MT100 delivers a winning combination for time spent on and off the trail. It's lightweight and highly compressible, so it quickly packs down and disappears into your pack. It's comfortable and versatile, with a style that blends in around town. It's an excellent option for travel and lightweight backpacking or simply as an affordable puffy for chilly morning walks with the dog. It's not the most technical option nor has the most features, but it performs well for everyday use without costing a fortune.

What Other Down Jackets Should You Consider?

The MT100 is worth comparing against the REI Co-op 650 Down, a strong competitor for best overall value. REI often has this jacket on sale, which means you could get it for even less than the MT100. The Wantdo Packable Down Hoody costs even less, and even though it is comparably lightweight, it's not as warm or comfortable as either of these other jackets. For colder climates, it may be worth investing in a higher quality jacket, like the REI Co-op Magma 850 Hoodie or Stio Pinion Hooded.