Maker’s warranty: Guaranteed against manufacturer’s defects for an unlimited time; covers original owner; a storefront whose “sold by” and “fulfilled by” differ is not authorized; in-house repairs and down overfill. Western Mountaineering’s terms, read Oct 25, 2026
Western Mountaineering’s own description.
The Flash Vest is an ultralight 850+ fill goose down vest that adds core warmth without weight. Packs tiny for any trip. Made in the USA.
Against every one of the insulated jackets in the RidgeNote register with a published figure. Manufacturer-listed; sources and dates are on this page.
The cheapest is Katabatic Gear Tarn Down Jacket (Men's) at $279.00 — $21 less and 159 g heavier.
Main models on the same shelf, compared with the Flash Vest on the makers’ published figures; the tick on each bar is the Flash Vest.
Nothing on record is lighter than the Western Mountaineering Flash Vest among insulated jackets.
Not ranked: 5 with no published weight.
Katabatic Gear
Tarn Down Jacket (Women's)
$21 less
4.7 oz heavier (133 g)
Katabatic Gear
Tarn Down Jacket (Men's)
$21 less
5.6 oz heavier (159 g)
Big Agnes
W's Trudy Jacket
about the same list price
Not ranked: 6 with no published list price.
Open in search →What fill power measures, why the 900-fill Rab Mythic Ultra weighs more than twice as much as the 850-fill Western Mountaineering QuickFlash, and how to choose between down and synthetic. A comparison of published maker specs for seven insulated jackets.
Winter warmth comes from a system: stacked pads, insulation that copes with damp, a regulated stove and traction, built from products in our catalogue.