PHD Ultra Jacket and Desert Race Halfbag Review

Posted on June 7, 2024 by talkultra

A key consideration for any self-sufficient multi-day journey is weight. Additional weight is just a burden, so, fine tuning equipment for your adventure is key.

In races such as Marathon des Sables, there is a requirement to be completely self-sufficient with just water and a shelter provided.

So, in addition to the clothes you are wearing, you must carry all the food required for the week, any luxuries and importantly warm layers: sleeping bag, sleeping mat, jacket and so on.

The debate, ”Do I need a warm jacket?” takes place every year and in all honesty, the most truthful answer is yes and no! It doesn’t help does it! The reason being, in a hot year, the need for a jacket can be very minimal or not at all. However, in a cold or cooler year, a jacket can be a life saver. So, the best answer here is usually have a jacket, take it with you and before the race, whilst in race location, make a decision based on the current weather and forecast.

Sleeping bag in some ways is easier to answer, yes, you need one! However, that is only the start of the process with a sleeping bag, you need to take into account key questions:

Do I sleep warm?
Do I sleep cold?
Am I tall?
Am I short?
Do I have wide shoulders?
Do I get cold feet?

And the above list can go on.

Also, budget is a consideration, there are many sleeping bag options and prices vary greatly.

Ultimately, for a jacket and sleeping bag we want the following:

The lightest possible.
The warmest based on our needs.
The most flexible system.

I personally have always been in favour of having a jacket, mornings can be cold and evenings can be chilly, so, the option of a jacket is great. Also, if you have a jacket, you can look at taking a lighter, less warm sleeping bag and looking to ‘boost’ warmth if required by wearing the jacket inside the sleeping bag.

With all the above in mind, UK brand PHD have come up with a potentially perfect solution.

The ULTRA JACKET and the DESERT RACE HALFBAG.

Before discussing in-depth, PHD understand the need for weight v warmth, they also understand layering and the benefits of top-quality ethically sourced down.

The ULTRA JACKET is super light at 200g and is filled with 1000 fillpower down, good for temperatures as low as -5 deg.

The DESERT RACE HALFBAG is a half size sleeping bag weighing 240g. This bag stops at the waist is filled with high-quality 950 fillpower down and is designed to keep legs and feet warm. However, the technology does not stop there. Understanding that deserts can be windy, they have added a neck-length sand cover or extender to cocoon your body, arms and hands to cut out air movement. This allows the user to regulate warmth and comfort.

If it is cold, you quite simply add the ULTRA JACKET and then pull the neck-length sand cover over.

This combination provides a sleep/ warm system for well under 500g that packs very, very small. Effectively, with this combination of products, not only do you save weight, but you increase flexibility and options.

THE JACKET

The Ultra Jacket weighing 200g for a men’s medium is a high quality product filled with 1000 fillpower down giving warmth to -5 degrees. It is a simple, no frills product designed to be as warm as possible and as light as possible. The outer fabric is windproof which adds to the warmth. It does have hand pockets with no zips, again to save weight. There is a zippered inner chest pocket. Standard colour is black but it is possible to choose red and as with all PHD products you can have a custom make with Hypershell or you can add a hood. You can also have a custom fit, specifying body width, body length and arm length.

Prices start at 498.00 UK pounds / 582 euros.

PHD say, “Our lightest sub-zero down jacket. A ‘K Series’ product. Warmth to weight at the limit of possibilities for extra-keen lightweight backpackers and mountain racers. Now also available in custom sizes.”

THE BAG

The Desert Race Halfbag is a simple, lightweight and effective solution for those looking to save weight, increase flexibility and still keep warm, it comes in a standard length.

The neck-length sand cover is a brilliant addition.

The addition of the neck-length sand cover increases warmth and flexibility on windy and cooler nights. Using top-quality 950 fillpower down, this half bag is incredibly light and packs small. It has stitch through construction ensuring down stays evenly spread with no cold spots. As with all PHD products, it is possible to have a custom make, for example add a zip, have it made short or long, choose a colour (green, red, black or white) or you can add Dri-LX outer fabric.

Prices start at 342.00 UK pounds / 400 euros.

PHD say, “Designed specifically for desert racing. From the legendary Saharan Marathon des Sables to the Kalahari’s KAEM, and the growing number of events in the Gobi, the Atacama, the Australian interior and all around the world, these events have their own particular set of challenges to overcome. Sweltering 40 degree (C) race days can give way to 4 degree (C) nights – that’s cold enough for frost – in which warmth, sleep and recovery play a vital part in preparation for the next day’s challenge.”

Read about the down HERE

950. A newcomer to our range. European goose of rare quality. A high value alternative at the top levels of performance. We have introduced a wide range of options in 950 in response to the soaring cost of 1000.
1000. European goose down of unique quality with exceptionally large lively clusters. 1000 provides the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible from down and has been used in PHD products since 2008. Unfortunately, scarcity (and the fashion industry) continue to push up the price steeply every year. This rarest of all downs we reserve for the K Series, our lightest products right through the range from marathon ultralights to alpine kit and on into high mountain gear.

IN USE

Desert Race Halfbag with neck-length sand cover and ultra jacket with hood

The system is absolutely brilliant and I have fallen in love with the weight of the two items, the flexibility to adjust my sleep comfort temperature and when it has been cold, the down jacket really gives a massive boost and pulling up the neck-length sand cover encapsulates me so that I feel I have a full sleeping bag.

There are some important points to consider, the effectiveness (warmth) of the jacket and half bag is improved by using a sleeping mat which adds comfort and insulation from the ground. Also, I intentionally chose a jacket with no hood as I preferred the lighter jacket weight and the option to add a hat or beanie to increase warmth. It’s really simple, want a jacket or sleeping bag to be warmer, cover your head.

CONCLUSION

The combo of jacket and halfbag is now, without doubt, going to be chosen fast-packing/ multi-day option. It just makes sense. I have a really warm jacket for sitting around. I have a really warm halfbag and when the two are combined, I have a really excellent and adaptable system for sleeping. The light and storable sand cover is really simple, use it or don’t use it, no worries, but the extra security and protection this gives is brilliant. PHD are really on to something here.

With high quality down products and lightweight fabrics, they compress and adapt when packing, so, adding these to a race bag after packing they will take up little or no space. As an example, I used two small dry bags (3L) by Osprey and Sea-to-Summit and packed the jacket and bag away to see how small I could compress them.

Are there any downsides? Yes, the price. The jacket and halfbag in standard configuration will cost you 840.00 UK pounds/ 982 euros. That is a hefty price tag. However, if you look at the cost of a down jacket and full sleeping bag, the prices are comparable, +/-.

This offer by PHD does not come cheap and yes, you can shop around and find options that are considerably cheaper. I guess I look at this a little like buying a car, any car providing it has fuel and it is in working order, will take you for A to B. However, based on desires, budget and the desire for the best, you can do that A to B ride in a small Fiat or a Ferrari. PHD are coming at the Ferrari end offering a luxury bespoke product that is extremely light, packs really small, is perfect for the task that is required and for that, you pay a price!

Only you can decide if it is worth it!

I have been using PHD for over 10-years, I have used their Minim bags in the Sahara and the Hispar bags in the Himalayas. The ability to have custom features has been, at times, a luxury. My original Sahara bag had no zip to save weight, however, my next bag had a full-zip which allowed me the option to use it as a blanket/ duvet. The Ultra Jacket and the Desert Race Halfbag has taken things to a next level and in doing so, they have provided me multiple options for temperature regulation in varying climate conditions and I love this. Should I go to a very cold climate in the future, I could now use this jacket and halfbag in combination with my Hispar bag to give me excellent sleep comfort below -20degs, that is awesome.

Go to PHD HERE

Read about the PHD sleep system HERE

PHD have always made a superb product, it is made in the UK with the highest quality products and importantly, ethically sourced down, which comes at a price. They may be expensive, but you get a top-quality product and excellent after service and care.

Reviews:

“It worked exactly as described. I consider the temperature ratings accurate. We had a couple of nights when the wind picked up and the sand blew. When this happened I was grateful for being able to pull the sand sheet on the half bag up over my head and use the drawstring to keep the sand out” – Gareth Scobie (Marathon des Sables competitor).

“The sensation of immediate warmth in the Ultra Jacket is unsurpassed. The 1000-fill is so high-lofting, it puffs up as if a pump has been attached. Rare and wonderful.” – Judy Armstrong in TGO Magazine.

“For me the half bag and pullover was perfect, probably the best bit of kit I bought. To be wearing the top half as a jacket in the evening, then slip into the lower half was simplicity itself. It was plenty warm enough…” – Dain Jensen (Marathon des Sables competitor).

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PHD Summer Lightning Review

Posted on June 17, 2015 by talkultra

Fast and Light. They are buzzwords in the world of trail, mountain and ultra running. We could argue all day about how this came about. Many would potentially give Kilian Jornet credit for the movement but I think it’s fair to say that men and women have been going light to the mountains and trails for quite some time, it’s just recently that we have all become far more aware.

Light does have its problems!

We have many documented reports, articles and stories of runners, mountaineers or alpinists being ‘caught out’ on a mountain and as a consequence in certain circles, mountain runners have gained a bad reputation.

Travelling light is all well and good providing that you are able to move fast! The two words go together; FAST and LIGHT! But what do I mean? Well quite simply, the process of going light will almost certainly mean that what you carry as a runner or alpinist will be minimal. Minimal of course is subjective and dependent on the person. For arguments sake, lets call light as follows:

Hat
Gloves
Waterproof Jacket
Pack to carry water
Mobile phone

In essence, that is going light to the trail or mountain. Should conditions become difficult or problematic, this is where FAST comes in. You need to get out of trouble, danger or the cold fast and to safety. In many respects, this is part of the challenge. Running in the mountains is not a risk adverse sport.

Question:

What if though you could add a 1000 fill down product to your pack for a weight addition of 3oz (85g) or 6oz (180g)?

I kid you not.

UK based company PHD currently have 2 remarkable products that embrace low weight, low pack size and ultimate functionality in a limited availability range of products called Summer Lightning.

A SUMMERLITE DOWN JACKET (£199 6oz) and a WAFERLITE DOWN VEST (£99 3oz) are part of the K Series range of products that offer ultimate warmth against minimal weight. Filled with 1000 fill power European goose down (responsibly sourced) the jacket has a water-resistant Ultrashell outer fabric, stitch through construction and the vest has a 10x inside and out fabric that is not water-resistant and stitch through construction.

I have to say, having tested both these products I think PHD should make them available all year around. As a brand, my understanding is that they see them as a warm alternative for summer months but to be honest, they are a great addition to any kit list irrespective of the time of year. Both products would provide ideal warm layers to any multi-day adventure such as MDS. The potential to combine a warm layer and lightweight sleeping bag are endless. The apparel would also make a perfect addition (for every run) to any mountain runner’s kit list and lets face it, for fast packing they are brilliant. You see, these products are so light, so small I simply can’t think of a reason not to take them! I even have the jacket packed away in my day-to-day laptop bag or camera bag for that ‘just-in-case’ scenario.

On Test

I have had both products for 1 month and I have tested them ‘in situ’ at Richtersveld Wildrun in South Africa and at the Ultra Skymarathon Madeira. Both races provided me with changeable weather and an opportunity to test each product to the full.

On first impressions it’s difficult to believe that when one looks at these items compressed in a small stuff sack that they could possibly be a down vest and a down jacket. You pick up the vest and you don’t even notice any weight. It is just 3oz. The outer Ultrashell fabric on both products is silky smooth and a pleasure to wear against the skin. I wore the vest and jacket with just a t-shirt underneath and found them both really comfortable.

They may be light but they are warm, really warm. Let’s be realistic, they are not for polar conditions. But if you need a warm layer to protect against morning or evening chill, daily colder or cooler temperatures or an additional warmth layer to be added under a Gore-Tex (or similar) or windproof jacket, they are the perfect choice.

They are arguably the lightest down products in the world? Both pack to the size of an apple!

I have to say, I was spoilt; having a vest and jacket did allow me to regulate my temperature extremely well and on one occasion I actually wore the vest under the jacket on a very cold and damp night in South Africa.

They are simple, no frills products. The vest has no pockets and just a half-zip to reduce weight. The jacket has a full-length zip, two side pockets and a short stand up collar with no hood. However, it is possible to add a hood when ordering for the additional cost of £27.

As with all PHD products, items are made to order and this does allow you to customize any apparel exactly to your needs. For example, you could have a jacket with a half-zip, no pockets and a hood! The choice is yours.

Please keep in mind that if you need or require products by a certain date, you will need to allow for manufacturing time.

On the go, I found adding or removing either the vest or the jacket easy. They pack so small that I could actually just stuff either item in the pocket on my shorts. This is important because as soon as you start to move quickly, they retain heat exceptionally well and you find that you need to remove them so that you don’t sweat. Of course, as soon as you stop, you can quickly access the vest or jacket and wear them so that you don’t get cold

I wore the jacket all day on a very wet and chilly South African day and the Ultrashell outer fabric did a great job protecting the down from wet and moisture. Admittedly, I did wear a waterproof layer over the top. But in and around base-camp I was often moving from one tent to another with no waterproof layer and the product held up well with no problems despite constant drizzle and rain. Notably, the vest and the jacket did a great job of blocking out the wind.

Summary

PHD has come up with two incredibly light and small items of apparel that are now part of my ‘essential’ kit. They are so small, light and effective that I can’t be without them. Yes, they are that good!

Do I have a negative comment?

Down does not like rain, wet or moisture and it effectively becomes useless should this happen. Ultrashell fabric does protect the insulation in the jacket but this would only protect to a certain extent. So, if you anticipate bad (wet) weather you would almost certainly need a Gore-Tex or similar 100% outer layer to maximize the 1000 down fill. To be honest though, if you were going to the mountains a waterproof outer layer should be mandatory no matter how light you are going!

On a final note, I can’t recommend these two products enough. They may not be the cheapest apparel available but what you get are two incredible products that are functional, pack small and are superlight. Did I also mention that PHD has two sleeping bags that are also part of this range: ELITE RACER DOWN BAG (8oz) and RACER DOWN SLEEPING BAG (90z) more news on those to follow.

Specs as provided by PHD

Summer Lite Down Jacket £199

A PHD ‘K Series’ product: Ultimate warmth / weight performance
PHD’s Unique 1000 fill power European Goose down
Water-resistant Ultrashell outer fabric (our lightest-ever proofed fabric)
Ultralight 10X inner fabric
Stitch-through construction for lightness
Pockets: 2 zipped hand-warmer pockets

Not only is this our lightest-ever insulated jacket, it’s made in water-resistant Ultrashell fabric too.

A super-light down jacket with exceptional summer race and trekking performance. At just 180gr it weighs less than many base layers, and it packs down tiny taking the absolute minimum space up in a summer rucksack.

The amazing Ultrashell outer fabric (our lightest water-resistant material) protects the down from damp and its 100% wind block qualities enhance the performance of the unique 1000 fill power Down insulation.

Ideal companion for summer nights
Pack without noticing the weight or bulk
Outer layer or mid-layer warmth
Warmer, lighter and a smaller pack size than a fleece jacket and 100% wind block too.

5 deg C

180g / 6oz

Add a hood £27

Three colours

XS, S, M, L, XL

WAFERLITE DOWN VEST

A PHD ‘K Series‘ Product: Ultimate warmth / weight performance
PHD’s unique 1000 fill power European Goose Down
Outer & Inner fabric: Ultra light 10X
Stitch-through construction for maximum weight saving
Down-filled collar to seal in the warmth

At 85g (3oz) the WaferLite vest is the lightest down vest in the world. 35% lighter than our superlight standard Wafer Vest.

The 10X fabric gives total wind block and the unique 1000 fill power down provides the highest warmth-for-weight performance possible. Packed into a tiny stuff sac, the WaferLite vest is simply breath taking for summer racers and ultra-light trekking.

The WaferLite vest will fit snugly under any of our down jackets, even the Minimus or the Yukon.