Budget and Travel Friendly: Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket Review

Finding a solid puffy for less than 200 bucks is like finding a needle in a haystack. But, Decathlon has made this somewhat daunting task actually quite easy. At less than $99 (sometimes on sale for $40), the Forclaz Women’s MT100 Hooded Puffer is a well-made down jacket for women needing something budget-friendly and warm.

I wore this jacket while ski touring, walking my dog, and hiking in the snow in the western slope of Colorado this past winter. Despite the low price, it proved to be a down jacket well-suited for mildly cold environments. And while I wouldn’t necessarily wear it in extreme winter conditions or in the higher alpine, I still found it to be a great daily driver for casual use. 

With the ability to pack itself into its own pocket, the Forclaz MT 100 is travel-friendly and ideal for a summer backpacking trip where the temperatures are likely to drop once you get to camp. There’s a lot more to love about this wallet-friendly pick. 

In short: The Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket is made for women who need a lightweight, minimally baffled puffy for mild winters or excursions. With an 800-fill power natural feather insulation, this jacket provides lofty warmth without any noticeable bulk. Packing into its own hand pocket, this puffy can be modularly packed into any backpack or suitcase without weighing you down. Ideally, this jacket should be worn in mild winter climates or summer backpacking trips where you need lighter outerwear. For less than $100, this down coat from Decathlon is a steal of a deal.

Read our full roundup: The Best Down Jackets for Women.

Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Hooded Down Puffer Jacket Review

If you’re paying less than $100 for a down jacket, there might be good reason to be doubtful of its quality, warmth, and overall durability, as the best coats tend to be well over a couple of hundred bucks. However, I am happy to say that my doubts about the Decathlon Forclaz MT100 Down Jacket were false. I won’t lie — this jacket swooned me from the second it was out of the packaging. 

Oftentimes, regular down jackets can be pretty dang cumbersome and almost too lofty for normal use in mild climates. This is where the Decathlon Forclaz MT100 truly impressed me. It has smaller baffles and a lightweight material makeup most suitable for backpacking, ski touring, or climbing.

From the skin track to the hiking trail, I appreciated that this down jacket was easy enough to toss into my backpack without weighing me down. Furthermore, the 800-fill down from duck feathers provides natural warmth and retains its loft quite well.

And while no down jacket is completely perfect, you can’t beat the affordable price and packability of the Forclaz Women’s MT100.

Out in the Field

Like I said earlier, I did a lot of fun things in this jacket over the winter. It came with me to ski Aspen, tour up the local gully, hike my dogs in the desert, and much more. Something I realized early on about this jacket was that it’s best suited for cold days filled with movement.

I found the temperature ratings of  23 degrees F when active and 41 degrees F when static to be true, when layering this jacket with a base layer and light midlayer. I stayed plenty warm while skinning on a snowy winter day in the high country and cozy when sitting on my porch during 45-degree afternoons.

If you live in an intensely cold winter environment, this jacket may not be suitable for use while walking around or sitting outside since it is only rated to that 20- to 40-degree window. However, it did well during milder days spent in Carbondale, Colo., where average winter temps are right in that sweet spot. Anywhere with colder temperatures may require you to snag a more technically able down jacket with better warming abilities.

In terms of water resistance, the Forclaz MT100 has a water-repellant treatment on the outer fabric. I found that in light snow and rain, this material did a decent job of wicking away moisture by allowing the water to bead off. However, the zipper was pretty easily soaked, so be cautious of this in heavier storms. Once home from excursions, the jacket was quick to dry after hanging on a coat rack for a few minutes. 

One plus of the natural duck insulation is that it retains insulation, even after being exposed to moisture. So even though the outer of this coat isn’t waterproof, it still retains heat after getting hit by rain, snow, or sleet. 

Travel-Friendly

Perhaps the main perk of this jacket is its ability to pack down into itself, making it the perfect size for any backpack, duffel, suitcase, or tote. As someone who finds herself packing an overnight bag almost every weekend, I greatly appreciate this feature. I tend to use luggage cubes, so being able to modularly pack the Forclaz MT100 in with those was a major plus. 

Packing this jacket into itself takes a little less than a minute. It can seem a little tricky at first, but simply flip the left-hand pocket inside out and begin bunching the jacket into it by using your thumbs. Once the jacket is completely stuffed, you can enclose it by using the provided zipper on top. After you get the hang of it, this process becomes more and more streamlined each time.

When packed into its hand pocket, the Forclaz MT100 is roughly the size of a standard toiletry bag. Specifically, the size small measures around 5 inches by 9 inches when stuffed. 

Once packed away, this jacket is easy to grab out of your pack in a jiff. Furthermore, you can use the zipper loop to clip it to your backpack or duffel for even easier access.  

At 9.7 ounces, the Forclaz Women’s MT100 Hooded Puffer is a lightweight, malleable jacket and the perfect companion for trips around the states, local trail systems, and even overseas. 

Natural Insulation

The Forclaz Women’s MT100 Hooded Puffer is made with an 800-fill power 90% grey duck down and 10% grey duck feather insulation. You’re probably wondering, “What’s the difference between down and feather?”

The down is the undercoating found on a duck, and is made of fluffy filaments that contribute to its insulating abilities. The feathers are the typical outer growth you see on birds with a single quill. The two of these combined produce a natural insulating ability that is super-packable and well-performing in moisture. 

Because duck down is more commonly found than goose, it tends to be less expensive to source and use. This may be one of the indicators as to why this puffer is so stinkin’ affordable. However, it is important to note that the duck down performs just as well as its competitors.

It can be a bit disheartening to purchase a product that is made with the byproducts of animals. This is why I was stoked to see that the insulation on the Forclaz MT100 is certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS).

This approval indicates that Decathlon has sourced and utilized a feather insulation that ensures the ethical treatment of the ducks used for this jacket. Furthermore, the RDS helps ensure transparency in the supply chain and prevent animal abuse from occurring throughout the manufacturing process.

This ethically sourced down insulation is found throughout the jacket in smaller baffles. This design helps keep the insulation from migrating too much and makes it easier to maintain loft.

However, these baffles are sewn through, which can lead to discrepancies in temperature retention. I found the baffles to be excellently sized for packing and participating in various activities, so this wasn’t a major issue for me.

Fit and Size

Overall, I found the fit of this jacket to be superb for daily wear and fitting various layers of different thicknesses. For reference, I am 5’3” and chose the small after reading that Decathlon recommended a size up for fitting layers. I found this fit to be perfect for me, and I was able to fit a typical base layer and sweater more than comfortably. 

As far as sizes go, the MT100 Hooded Puffer is available from XS to XXL. It would be awesome to see a plus size fit block made for this jacket in the future, since it is so affordable and easy to wear. 

The Women’s MT100 Hooded Puffer has a streamlined silhouette that slightly tapers at the waist. I found this design to be flattering, but not constrictive.

Furthermore, the jacket sat just below my hips, which was great for keeping my lower torso warm while out in the elements. If you need some extra insulation, be sure to tug on the waist cord for a tailored fit and easy adjustment. 

Criticisms

Truth be told, it wasn’t easy finding a ton wrong with this jacket. For the price, you get a well-designed down jacket with a decent amount of insulation power. But, there are some construction elements that could improve in design and quality. 

The hood on this coat is quite large and nonadjustable. This size is great for when you’re rocking a hat or small helmet, but it is definitely frustrating when you need a better fit for insulation.

The lack of pull cords makes it easier for wind and moisture to encroach, and nobody likes cold ears or snow down their jackets. A simple adjustment system would improve this aspect tenfold.

Furthermore, there is a lack of inside or chest pockets. And while the hip pockets are generously sized, it would be nice to have a spot to keep your phone and keys separate from where your hands are. 

Lastly, the zippers are a bit too small, and the pulls can be finicky when you’re taking the jacket on and off. I found myself having to make a few attempts of getting the zipper threaded right before actually being able to close the jacket. 

And while these design elements could use some reassessing, the MT100 Hooded Puffer is still a superior, budget-friendly down jacket option.

Conclusion

The Forclaz Women’s MT100 Hooded Puffer from Decathlon certainly blew away my expectations as an affordable, well-made down jacket. Because of its 800-fill power down made with duck-derived insulation, this puffy was warm enough for those milder Colorado winter days and did well in fighting off encroaching moisture from rain and snow. 

What stood out to me the most was the packability of this jacket. Within less than a minute, this coat can be packed into itself, making it ideal for travel, backpacking, adventure, and much more. The included stuff sack located within the pocket will make the most modular packers happy. Plus, at lighter than 10 ounces, this jacket is a backpacker’s dream. 

And where the Forclaz MT100 does lack in zipper strength and hood adjustments, the customizable waist and streamlined fit make up for these minor qualms. It also worth it to note that this puffy is only rated from 23 to 41 degrees F, so shoppers needing something more powerful may want to try elsewhere. 

For folks needing a down jacket for backpacking, travel, or just daily use in a less intense winter climate, definitely consider the Forclaz Women’s MT100 Hooded Puffer for its super-affordable price, decent warming abilities, and water-repellent treatment. Currently, it is available directly from Decathlon’s website for $40-99.