Backcountry Warmth Without the Weight
The Zulu Down Jacket is your go-to insulation layer for 80–90% of backpacking trips—ultralight, technical, and surprisingly warm for its weight. Weighing in at just 11 oz (Men’s M) and insulated with 900 fill power Muscovy duck down, the Zulu offers an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio that rivals jackets twice the cost and bulk.
Built with a 15D Zero Stitch™ nylon shell, the Zulu eliminates traditional stitched baffles, boosting wind resistance and down protection without adding weight. It's the best down jacket to keep in your pack year-round, offering critical warmth in alpine conditions, early mornings, and unexpected storms—without slowing you down.
Key Features:
- Ultralight Warmth
At just 11 oz (Men’s M), the Zulu is our lightest down jacket yet, with 102g of premium 900 fill power down delivering insulation where you need it most. - Zero Stitch™ Fabric Technology
Seamless baffle design improves wind resistance, minimizes heat loss, and helps protect the down insulation from moisture and wear. - Smart, Minimalist Storage
Includes 2 zippered hand pockets and 2 large internal drop pockets for gloves, snacks, or layers—without extra bulk. - Designed for Comfort
A drawcord-adjustable hem, dropped rear hem, and elastic-bound hood help trap warmth without restricting movement.
Why the Zulu?
Because 900 fill power doesn’t have to cost $400, and a true backcountry-ready jacket shouldn’t weigh more than your sleep system. The Zulu combines elite materials, minimalist design, and real-world versatility in a package that’s equally at home on the trail, at camp, or stuffed in the bottom of your pack—just in case.
Stay warmer, explore with confidence. The Zulu Down Puffy is your go-to insulation layer for ultralight adventures in the backcountry.
11 oz (size Medium)
Features:
Zero Stitch™ Fabric provides wind, water, & dust resistance to preserve your down
900 Fill Power Muscovy Duck Down keeps you exceptionally warm while minimizing jacket weight
2-Way Adjustable Hood keep you warm without blocking your vision
2 Zippered Side Pockets provide hand warmth & allow you to safely stow items
2 Internal Drop Pockets provide additional storage space
Adjustable Drawcord Hem allows you to seal in body heat quickly
Specs:
- Weight: 11 oz (M)
- Insulation: 900 fill Muscovy duck down (102g in size M)
- Shell Fabric: 15D Zero Stitch™ nylon – wind, water & dust resistant
- Colors: Thai Curry, Bluestone, Chimera (Dark Gray)
- Gender: Male
- Zippers: YKK
- Fit: The Zulu should be loose enough to fit other layers beneath it. This jacket should not fit close to skin & should not be tight enough to compress insulation on other layering pieces worn beneath.
- PFAS free
- Warranty: Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise
Cleaning: Hand wash when possible. Machine wash cold, use mild detergent, airdry
Zero Stitch™ Fabric
We've worked with fabric mills to develop a fabric that has built-in spaces for down as it is created.
Zero Stitch ™ fabric utilizes innovative technology to literally weave down chambers into place. There are no stitches, and no bonding. You can't snag a stitch that isn't there, and neither wind, water, nor dirt can enter through stitch holes that don't exist.
By interweaving the fibers of the jacket's fabric to create baffle chambers, neither stitch holes nor bonding (which can come apart) are needed. The result is one sheet of fabric with 2 layers & built-in down chambers.
This makes the jacket much more reliable in terms of water resistance & maintaining the integrity of your down. Impurities don't enter into the down through Zero Stitch™ fabric, & the down itself can't escape. Additionally, Zero Stitch™ fabric makes the Zulu Down Jacket 40% more wind resistant than other down puffy jackets.
900 Fill Power Muscovy Duck Down
Muscovy duck down is a unique insulation option with some unique aspects that make it ideal for ultralight insulation.
It has down clusters that are thicker & stronger than the more common goose down clusters. This is in part due to the increase in "reverse" barbs on the Muscovy down cluster that create more loft & trap more air - thus improving insulation ability.
Additionally, our Muscovy duck down is an extremely clean down with a turbidity greater than or equal to 1300 mm, which basically means less odor & fewer allergens.With a down insulation this effective, we can put less down in our Zulu Down Jackets for more loft & warmth.
Features & Other Details
Layering Collection: Static
Layering Category: Lofted Static Insulation
Product Care
Your Zulu jacket is a high performance piece of gear. It needs some extra attention to keep it performing at the highest level.
Please read through the care instructions below to ensure that you care for it properly:
Before Washing
- Always wash your Zulu completely alone to prevent down migration.
- Never wash your Zulu in a washing machine that has an agitator.
- If you cannot follow either of these prior instructions you should hand wash your jacket using the detergent and drying process described below.
The Wash & Dry Process
- Use a mild detergent like Dreft (for babies) or Nikwax (for technical gear).
- Choose Low Spin or Delicate wash.
- Choose Cold Wash & Cold Rinse.
- Hang dry until the jacket is completely dry.
- Then loft and redistribute your down insulation in the dryer by running it for 10 minutes on low or no heat with 3 dryer balls.
For more information on caring for your gear please visit https://outdoorvitals.com/pages/care-guide-faq
Easy Return Shipping
Free First Exchange
60 Day Return Window
The Warmest 11 oz Jacket You Can Find
Tested Throughout The Rocky Mountains
The Starting Point For Backcountry Warmth
Backcountry Warmth Without The Weight
Your Go-To Jacket for 90% Of Backpacking Trips
No Wind Leaks, No Cold Spots
Zero Stitch™ Fabric
Our unique Zero Stitch™ fabric blocks 40% more wind than other down jackets, and prevents heat from escaping your body. It will prevent down loss and protect down from moisture & contaminants like dust that degrade your down.
Lighter fill with more warmth
900 Fill Muscovy Down
This down insulation was specifically selected to maximize warmth while minimizing weight. The Zulu is our lightest jacket yet, but it's surprisingly warm for how light it is!
More With Zero Stitch™ Fabric
Why Choose The Zulu Down Jacket?
Because 900 fill power doesn’t have to cost $400, and a true backcountry-ready jacket shouldn’t weigh more than your sleep system. The Zulu combines elite materials, minimalist design, and real-world versatility in a package that’s equally at home on the trail, at camp, or stuffed in the bottom of your pack—just in case.
The Warmest Jacket You Can Find for 11 oz.
The Zulu Down Jacket is simply the best balance of warmth, weight, and packability for any adventure.