The Icebreaker Hyperia Lite jacket with MerinoLoft might be my favorite piece of gear from my 90 day kayaking trip through the Inside Passage. The jackets is a down alternative jacket made with MerinoLoft insulation.  This insulation has all the great qualities of a standard synthetic insulation- quick drying, moisture wicking, and machine washable, but with the added benefit of being antimicrobial- which helps reduce stink between washings. 

The Hyperia Lite jacket lived up to its promises.  While the MerinoLoft fill makes the jacket a bit bulkier and heavier than down, I found the jacket to be incredibly warm for its weight. It has more wind resistance than most jackets I have owned, which makes the jacket feel much warmer than just its insulation.  The outer fabric is water resistant and it did keep me dry in mist and sprinkles.  The cut is flattering and athletic, not the standard marshmallow shape of a puffy coat. The pockets are large and zippered.

My favorite part is the MerinoLoft antimicrobial wool the fill.  I definitely put this to the test.  The longest stretch of our Inside Passage kayak trip was 15 days between Shearwater and Prince Rupert. 15 days of hard work, sweat, rain, cold, garlic and no showers.  I wore the Icebreaker Hyperia Lite jacket every day and while my body definitely had an aroma at the end, my jacket did not. Thank you MerinoLoft!

I also love the easy care of this jacket.  Machine wash delicate, lay flat to dry. Because I didn’t have time to let it air dry on our trip, I threw this in the drier with the rest of our clothes.  The jacket held up wonderfully. 

Pros
Antimicrobial fill
Good warmth to weight ratio
Wind resistant
Water resistant
Flattering fit
Easy care

Cons
Heavier and bulkier than down

Overall

I would (and have) recommend this jacket to anyone not counting ounces who wants a durable, easy care, warm, stylish jacket. I love it and even after the trip it is my go-to jacket.