Mountain Down Jacket reviewed by Luanne Freer

I'm a doctor, so when I set out to test a parka I do what I know. A patient wants to know if his heart is strong enough to exercise? In medicine we do a stress test: put him on a treadmill and make the heart go to close to maximum heart rate – all out – before we declare it rough and ready. So when I got the new Mountain Down from Marmot, I put it through my own stress test: Yellowstone Park: in dead of winter, driving winds, below zero temperatures and I'm riding on a snowmobile to Old Faithful to work. If a jacket isn't up to snuff, believe me that ride is gonna reveal its weakness.

I found the Mountain Down incredibly comfortable and warm and waterproof to boot, but without all that stiff outer crunchy layer stuff. It's got a hood, which is a must for me when the temps dip below God knows what – when a simple hat and helmet just don't do the job. And although its thick insulation is puffy as all getout, the Angel Wing Movement™ lets me maneuver without feeling like the Michelin man, and the powderskirt and elastic drawcord waist keep the wind from drafting up and ruining my ride (not to mention my core temperature.) Inside pocket for keys and radio? Cool! Soft soft soft zippered lined pockets – the best!

The prognosis? EXCELLENT! This patient whipped its stress test.

Now, about those feisty bison in the middle of the trail …

Dr Luanne Freer is the medical director for Yellowstone National Park and the founder and director of the "Everest ER" base camp medical clinic in Nepal. Learn more about Everest ER on marmotpro.com