I got a Montbell UL down shell... partially I think from our talks previously and others high praise for the brand like Mags, Swami and others.
Personally, I wasn't terribly impressed. Montbell and GoLite make decent products, but not at the high level of Patagonia... but to be fair that's because I'm a picky ass son of a bitch snob.
The jacket I have looks like what is now called the superior (a box quilted, rather than horizontal tube) and the jacket always felt underfilled in that style of quilting. Seemed extra sensitive to moisture.
Had similiar issues with a GoLite vest I got. Being retina lazer beam orange it was see through even without a back light. Again... seemed a hair underfilled and was only neat in that it was visibly easy to watch the down while using it.
I'm still not sold on 1000FP down either, but I do concede and agree there is some real innovation and thought in that piece.
If comparing the two:
"Based on our highly successful EX Light Down Jacket, with the Plasma we take it to the next level! Straight forward core insulation,this piece utilizes only the finest 1000 fill power goose down and gossamer 7-denier nylon. This item is cut trim to work more effectively with outer layers."
- "DUE TO THE USE OF ULTRA LIGHT FABRICS, THESE GARMENTS MAY REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE"
So Montbell, who is more geared toward users like us overall, is cleanly calling out the use we discussed. Limited use as an outer shell, ideal use as an intermediate insulation piece. Be careful!
So the Micropuff doesn't really offer anything different in that regard but....
There are several folks overseas not to impressed with us 'yanks' and our 900+ FP downs. As discussed- at some point when you need to air fluff, rest, condition for 24 hours and lab test... you may be developing an unrealistic spec. While Big Cranky rightly points out that many casual users of a medium fill jacket may not notice loss in performance on a practical level... when you are pushing to the absolute minimum fill at the absolute limits of fill power... even a minor loss due to real life is quite real. When you're dressing yourself and judging your gear by margins of error 5 degrees or less... then this issue is much more real life.
Setting my general skepticism about the plasma aside:
Let's just talk real world=
Consider the possibility of a shell failure of some type. Yes, you could lose a tuft or two more in Plumafill than Primaloft Gold (my photos above)... this isn't thermoball in another form. So it's not a loose fill prone to digestive upset all over the trail. That alone is a point in favor of the micropuff IMO.
Active use is the other. Will Plumafill deliver the same warm when wet performance as the NanoPuff? Doubt it.
But will it handle body vapor, environmental humidity and multi-day conditions better than 1000FP down- I don't see how it couldn't. It won't slump on day three because dampness crept in.
Will it shift less from body movement- likely a point in favor there too.
So call the shells equal, it's basically off label pertex in the MB jacket- but give the point to the synthetic for reducing the issues that might arise as a result.
I don't see how you could call the fills equal, in fact the reason I make PLG quilts in the first place is that in these micro thin layers of one cluster thick down I don't think down is a good product for our use. More and more I am of the mind down should be confined to light or medium weight applications in clothing. In lofts of 3/4" or even 1" the issues arising in the real world make it mildly impractical for all but western use.
Montbell is extra minimal- literally an insulation layer with no pockets.
Micro puff has minimal creature comforts, but you could stuff your hands in the pockets at least.
So with this you invert the argument... You pay a few ounce ding for the assurances and features of the micro puff vs the absolute lightness of the plasma.
If the question is- what is too far?- the answer for me is the plasma.
I think you're talking too much spec sheet or lab result magic vs real world use to even consider the plasma. And the risks of the shell result in direct issues with the fill.
If you are asking Nano Puff or Micro... you got my answer- both.
Nano Puff for early shoulder season conditions... where it's cool enough your windshell isn't cutting it... but not quite the point where you really need a WPB shell. 30-50* roughly.
You might want to hike wearing this thing, you might wear it under your pack. You might just want that single do all piece. Again if you could only have one... probably the Nano Puff.
Micro... fits a system. If you already have your windshell in fair weather, or your WPB in cooler temps... what's the issue? Why do you need the micro to be a jacket? If you're just at camp or pulling it out and tossing it on as a stop piece... it's tough enough for that. If you're hiking along and need more than your windshirt... wear it backwards over your pack as you cross that stretch above treeline. Will this stuff eventually wither under a pack strap- for sure. I don't see how it couldn't long term... then again windshells hold up well enough.
So for me... this would replace my Cap 2 and a vest. Or a cap2 and cap 4. Or whatever that layer is you snatch out of the closet when the temps have moved beyond baselayer and windshell. This looks like a do it all piece for that reason. If it's a bit too warm- it's full zip. So yar... I may appreciate having a few 'tops' to micro manage my warmth... but fair trade to swap that with this jacket.
So overall....
Summer- I could picture the micro as my catch all insulation/stop piece/safety piece in a SUL system rather than tossing in a cap 4 or other baselayer top.
Dryier early Shoulders (fall)- I could picture leaving the micro at home, maybe the windshell too and just taking the Nano-Puff.
Wetter late shouldrs (spring)- I could also picture swapping out my primary layer for a Cap 2 or Cap 4 and using the micro for insulation under my WPB shell. The nano isn't water resistant enough to act as a primary shell, though it does do well enough hiking in a light mist... I'd prefer to keep it in my pack and wear my baselayer and WPB shell while moving- not hike in the Nano- Puff. So why carry the Nano vs the micro?
Winter- Nano Puff stays home and the micro and perhaps the Nano-Air become my primary insulation pieces. The micro replaces my cap 4 or 100 wt fleece in my layering system. It might be worn a bit by wearing under a pack strap... but me personally I don't do any big miles in deep winter anyway. I'm doing a few mile out and back for a night or two.
A final thought too...
Let's just say that the Micro sucks. And that the Plasma sucks.
Let's say it takes two seasons to find that out.
To the best of my knowledge you are SOL with Montbell.
Patagonia will replace your gear if that Plumafill happens to crush out under your straps over time or you wear a hole right through that shell.
So ultimately... the micro is a pretty low risk proposition to me.
I wouldn't bet any big trip on new gear... but if in a year of casual trips the micro proves out... it will get used.
If not... well I get a store credit for a brand who I really like. That's part of what the big money goes to, might as well use it if needed.
The other part of where the big money goes to... is Patagonia's big mouth and industry leadership on many issues I care about.
It's the last on the list- but it makes me start looking at them first.
So far, I have yet to be let down by a single educated purchase I have made at Patagonia.
I will always examine the products they make objectively... But it's rare I cannot find something to meet my needs in their line.
As a result- I happily spend my money there when ever it makes sense.
When it don't, I buy what works. Tried Patagonia socks, but they ain't darn tough. The undies ain't Ex officio, but they are catching up.
Others participate in 1% for the planet, bluesign, reasearch and design, innovations, or other initiatives.
But it's generally Patagonia's lead and pushing that make it happen.
I ain't much of a hippy dippy crunchy granola emotional bull**** marketing BS guy. Hard numbers, specs, results... lotta folks have marketing... not many have the real world track record they have doing actual things with the money I spend there on things I care about. I hope the urban adventurer keeps dumping every overpriced cent they can find their way. But us dirtbags can rest assured that even when you buy at 50% off you're still buying right.